ESPN host says Gen Z keeps making one mistake during job interviews — and it's costing them big

One of the most common interview questions, also one of the first ones that recruiters ask, is “Tell me about yourself,” which applies to almost every candidate. Also, there is no hard and fast rule for answering this question. However, how uniquely and impressively the candidates answer this question says a lot about them and being boring or casual can cost them the job. Chris Fowler–who goes by @chrisfowler on Instagram–an ESPN host who has seen avid communication in different forms and has interacted with several professionals from many fields, revealed one mistake candidates, especially Gen Zs, make while responding to this common question and how to rectify it. Recruiters and interviewees both agree. 

Fowler revealed that his interactions with many Gen Z regarding "first impressions" pushed him to highlight this mistake. He revealed that “Tell me something about yourself” is one of the primary questions asked during interviews. “Here’s what you don’t say—I went to this university, held this degree, did this internship, had this part-time and so on,” he mentioned. He explained that those are additions already mentioned on the resume. “The typical answer of spouting your resume instead of saying something about your story (or) your identity is a mistake,” Fowler explained. “It’s probably already printed on a page in front of you. But that’s not who you are and why you’d make a good hire,” he noted. 

Using the latter statement to share an instance, Fowler created an answer on the spot that had more value and powerful skills aligned. “You can say, ‘I’m a hard worker. I hold myself to high standards. I was raised that way and I strive to meet them every day,’” he suggested. The host also noted that this response calls for highlighting skills that recruiters want to hear or that are associated with the role. “It’s your job to convince them how you can make their company better and help them,” Fowler said. He suggested “being authentic” and telling your story over blurting out lines from a curriculum vitae (CV). 

Sharing some tips to ace the answer in another video, the host revealed two qualities that can help—"humility" and "confidence." Fowler recalled how his own setbacks helped him learn and become skillful. “I failed early on at the humility part. I got ripped apart in the news from my very first TV job. I had it coming. It was embarrassing, but I learned and grew from it and it helped me develop a confidence that is durable and sturdy,” he said. “Don’t act like you are entitled to have a job. Go out and show why you are exceptional and not just an average pawn in the matrix,” he remarked. 

In conclusion, he shared that "earning a reputation as a reliable and consistent communicator will set you apart." "You will be exceptional. Because often the only wrong answer is no answer,” he added. @shauniboi_ said, “Good advice! This is something that would help me out.”  @christa_leonino shared, “As someone who is conducting a lot of interviews, this kind of answer is going to stand out! I want to know the candidates' story and who they are as a person.” @greg_schaum remarked, “I recruit around the country and one of the biggest mistakes they make is leaning on their resume over their personal story—even when I say I don’t want to know about their resume. Excellent insight.”

You can follow Chris Fowler (@chrisfowler) on Instagram for more content on general advice and sports