Tell Me Something About Yourself

Here's a frequent question that can catch you "off guard" if you're not prepared.  It's one that surfaces quite often and is used to determine how well-prepared you are for the interview as well as how well you can "think on your feet."  Since many resumes often sound very similar to each other, this is an excellent opportunity to your to "separate yourself from the pack."
 

Tell me something about yourself that I didn’t know from reading your resume.

     A:   You may not know that I’ve been tutoring a young man from Chile who is attempting to learn English so he can get his driver’s license.  I met Juan Carlos through my work at the YMCA and have been working with him for the past seven months.  He’s still struggling with basic English, but I’ve been able to find some good materials through the local literacy center.  Fortunately, I can speak a little bit of Spanish, so we are able to communicate.  It’s been a tough road, but he’s making some great progress now and hopes to take his driver’s exam very soon.

  This is not the time to repeat the obvious – that is, what anyone could find on your resume.  Think about a skill, a talent, or an experience that doesn’t quite fit on the resume, but which signals you as someone willing to go the extra mile or do an extra job.  What makes you unique or different from all the other candidates applying for this same position?