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Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by What do you do on 4/6/2026, 1:07 pm

How do you answer this question when you encounter it at an interview?

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by Elevator speech on 4/13/2026, 10:20 pm, in reply to "Tell us a bit about yourself"

1-2 minutes tops

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by MS on 4/8/2026, 2:58 pm, in reply to "Tell us a bit about yourself"

Where you grew up and how you that experience might translate to the job. Rural vs urban, grew up with single parents, etc. Drop hints, don't beat them over the head with it.

Where you went to school and who influenced you...name drop

How long you have been a band director---total---don't go into all the details. People you have worked with---name drop

What major accomplishments you have achieved...modest bragging. Things like growing a program size or getting a sweepstakes at a school for the first time. Things they may not know from your resume. Things that could relate to the current job and its needs

Why are you looking for a new job---don't say anything negative about your current job. If it's a negative situation, they probably already know.

Frame everything as positively as possible. Know your audience. Do some research on the panel.

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by Keep it short on 4/6/2026, 4:57 pm, in reply to "Tell us a bit about yourself"

This question is more a vibe check than anything else. They could read your resume, but they want to hear how you present yourself. Quickly summarize the high points. Mention any personal connection you might have (maybe you went to the same school as the interviewer, a mutual friend recommended the job to you). Maybe mention why you're looking to work for this particular school.

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by TYB Host on 4/6/2026, 4:17 pm, in reply to "Tell us a bit about yourself"
Board Administrator

There are three correct answers:

My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next. (cue swelling Hans Zimmer score)

or

Hi. My name is. My name is. My name is...Slim Shady.

or

My name is.....Tim?

I'll see myself out.

Tim

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by or on 4/8/2026, 9:16 am, in reply to "Re: Tell us a bit about yourself"

My name is Jeff

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by VilleBD on 4/7/2026, 7:46 am, in reply to "Re: Tell us a bit about yourself"

...Inego Montoya...

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by Inigo Montoya on 4/6/2026, 9:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Tell us a bit about yourself"

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by Interviewer on 4/6/2026, 3:30 pm, in reply to "Tell us a bit about yourself"

By just stating your musical journey. Your background. That's it. Do not ramble.

Re: Tell us a bit about yourself

Posted by Hmm on 4/6/2026, 5:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Tell us a bit about yourself"

Choose your Educational journey because you won't always interview with learned musicians.

Your home town and/or high school, college (or next step) and why. This is also an invitation to color your history with other successes and activities that are not directly related to school music. It will highlight the other sides of you. The astute interviewee will observe their surroundings (office decorations) or research ahead to choose topics to include or avoid, such as sharing a college, sports team, or hobby.

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