Interview questions seem never-ending, with interviewees having to answer many questions, some of which are pretty straightforward and others, well, let’s just say you would prefer something else. If you’ve been studying interview questions or have attended a couple of interviews yourself, you must have seen the question “do you want to tell us anything else about you?” pop up sometimes.
While some interview questions are tricky with recruiters using them to find out something different about you, the “do you want to tell us anything else about you?” question is not one of those. It is clear and requires a direct answer without being clever.
Typically, interviewers have a list of questions they’d like to ask you during an interview. These questions are not set in stone and can change depending on how the discussion flows. The question asking you if you have anything else to add about yourself is usually the last or penultimate question before the end of an interview.
Many people do not know what to say when asked the question; this makes them miss the opportunity to improve their chances of landing the job and sometimes even spoil their chances by unknowingly saying the wrong things. This article seeks to remedy this and help you answer the question the best possible way with sample answers you can follow.
Why Do Interviewers Ask If You Have Anything Else to Add About Yourself?
As earlier mentioned, this is not a trick question; recruiters are not trying to trick you so they can know something else about yourself. It is an avenue to say something more than you already said, something out of the regular. So why do interviewers ask this question? What are they looking to get from you?
Open-ended questions like “do you have anything you would like to add about yourself?” are excellent for the interviewee because you can spin the answer wherever you want it to go since there is no particular direction. It is also a perfect way for interviewers to see your quick-thinking ability and judge your critical thinking when you’re allowed to move in many directions. This is one of the first things the question brings to light.
The main reason Interviewers ask this question is that they are interested in knowing more about you and what you bring and in your thinking without the restrictions asking you a specific question brings. So, see it as a good sign when recruiters ask you if you have anything else to add about yourself. They want to know if there’s anything they may have missed, anything you feel can help them understand you better, and what you can help them achieve.
The question is a genuine call to action to table any relevant information you have to help you land the job.
How to Answer “Do You Have Anything Else to Add About You?”
First of all, you have to understand that you’re not under any obligation to answer this question. You can say you have nothing else to say, but why miss a glorious opportunity to improve your chances of landing the job? This is why this section of this article is essential, as it helps you navigate the question and know what to say.
This is a chance to summarise your interview and remind the recruiter why you’re the best person for the job, so here’s how to go about it:
Summarise the Key Attributes You Already Mentioned
Start by summarising the strengths and attributes you mentioned earlier in the interview. This reminds the interviewer of what you can do and what you bring to the table.
Summarise Your Qualifications
This is also an opportunity to summarise your qualifications and any certification that improves your chances. Even though you have already mentioned them, it wouldn’t harm to highlight the necessary qualifications among them again. Add any relevant certification you may have missed during the interview.
Mention a Specific Example of How You Used Your Skill
Being specific is always better than long, vague words. By mentioning a particular situation where you helped and what the results were, the recruiters get a real understanding of what you can bring to the table. It is a way of getting them excited about the prospects of you joining the team. However, it would help if you were careful not to sound boastful or dishonest. Keep it simple and to the point.
When You Really Have Nothing Else to Add
Having nothing to add about you is fine, but saying nothing when asked this question doesn’t really put you in a good light. Interviewers will see you as someone who cannot think critically or is not a quick-thinker. You also miss the opportunity to learn more. So what do you do when you have said everything you can about yourself and have nothing else to add when asked the question?
Mention that you have stated everything about yourself during the interview, and you have nothing else to add. But don’t stop there, ask a question. The best questions to ask here are questions about the hiring process, about the interviewers and their motivation, about the company, and so much more. Doing this will help you know more and also portray you as eager and willing to learn.
What are Some of The Things You Can Say When Asked, “Do You Want to Tell Us Anything Else About You?”
When prospective employers ask whether there is anything else that you would want to tell them, candidates often fluster and do not know what to say. Repeating what is on the CV or what you have answered is a bad idea, and your employer may cut you short. Instead, here are some of the things you can mention.
1. Time for Hobbies
Employers today appreciate candidates with well-developed personalities, and how they spend their free time has much to do with it.
When your employer asks if you want to tell them something, you can say how you go to the mountains every year for two weeks for a hiking trip, which helps you reconnect with yourself.
Or, you may say how you go for photography trips every weekend to roam the streets and meet new people. Employees who are open to exploring are more relaxed and confident at work, and you can add these traits when your employers try to know more about you.
2. Working with Charities
You can also tell your employers about the work you are involved with after your regular work hours. You could work with some charitable organization, or you are a part of the community development program in your neighborhood.
Or you could work in an animal shelter every weekend. It shows that you are a sensitive person keen to contribute to society. Many organizations love such employees as it shows they can add to the more inclusive atmosphere they are trying to build. You cannot mention these things in the CV, but you can highlight this when your employer asks more about you.
3. Thinking of Future Courses
Thinking about the future is always a good idea, and you should always look for ways to improve yourself. Employers also love employees who keep themselves updated about work.
One of the ways to do that is to opt for courses that will help you upgrade your skills, and you can talk about it to your employer when they want to know more about you. Tell them about the course you want to do and how it will improve you.
Your CV states your achievements; your interview questions will also focus on your past experiences. However, here you can get an opportunity to talk about your future, which will immediately set you apart from other candidates and offer your employer a glimpse of your capabilities.
4. Health Conditions
You can talk about some health condition if you want when your boss asks you if there is something you would like to tell about yourself. However, only state it in a way that will make your boss think twice before hiring you or seeing you as a liability.
For example, you have to keep a doctor’s appointment every alternate month, but you will always complete your work before leaving. That way, you won’t have to explain to yourself every alternate month why you are going to the doctor since your employer already knows about it.
5. Past Achievements
If you still need to state some of your past achievements in your CV or while answering the interview questions, you can express them now. Mentioning these achievements may be irrelevant to your CV, or you did not get to discuss them during the interview.
However, when your employer asks if there is anything you want to tell them, you can talk about these achievements and relate them to the job role you are applying for. You will stand out from the other candidates for doing so.
Sample Answers to “Do You Have Anything Else to Add About You?”
Enough of all the stories; how about straight-up answers to this common interview question? Samples you can tweak and use on the go without having to rack your brain in the heat of the moment.
Example One
“We’ve talked about my strength and knowledge of Microsoft and related programs, including my recent certification in advanced Excel. I have yet to talk about my persuasion ability which I used to significant effect in my last job. I was able to convince three new clients to work with my company within the last five months of my stay there as I doubled up as a salesperson.”
This example reminds the interviewer of what the candidate brings and their qualifications. It then adds another skill that has yet to be mentioned during the interview and then gives a specific example of how this skill helped the previous employer.
Example Two
“I have no other information about myself to add. I would, however, love to know what the hiring process at ABC company is like and what to do. What are the next steps? Is there a second interview if this one goes well?”
This example covers the scenario where you do not have anything else to add about yourself. Instead of saying nothing, you mention you have nothing else to add and then ask about the hiring process and the next steps to take. This way, you understand what to do and when to send a follow-up email after the interview.
Example Three
“Nothing comes to mind at this moment as I believe I’ve shared it all during the interview. I would love to learn what your driving force for this job is and what you’ll tell someone on his first day of the job here?”
Here is another example when you have nothing else to add about yourself. You can use this opportunity to learn more about the recruiter and build a rapport. In this example, asking what drives the recruiter in this job and what they will say to someone on their first day creates this connection. It’ll also help you if you finally land the job.
Example Four
“I would love to add that I feel at home here; I feel like a part of the brand as I’ve been a customer for more than two years now. I have enjoyed immaculate service all these years, and I believe I understand what the brand entails. I would love to be part of this company and help others find this same satisfaction I’ve gotten while using your products.”
Showing enthusiasm can be a great way to go in some job roles, and this example focuses on it. It first states the interviewee’s connection with the brand because of their patronage over the years. It then says how their patronage has helped them understand the core values the brand stands on and how they can continue in the same vein if given a chance.
Things to Avoid When Answering the Question
When you’re asked if you have anything else to add about you, it may seem like an opportunity for you to say anything but this can spoil your chances. Here are things you should avoid while answering this question:
A long Answer: Remember this is typically the end or towards the end of the interview, and providing an overtly long answer will only bore the interviewer. It may even annoy them since they typically have a time frame and may have others to interview. Keep your answer short and relevant.
Having nothing to say: if you think saying too much is bad, wait until you hear what saying nothing can do to your chances. Having nothing to say when asked this question will hamper your chances of getting the job. The recruiter does not see you as a critical thinker, does not get to know more about you, and you do not learn anything either. There are things you can say or questions to ask when you have nothing else to add about yourself.
Bringing up a Different Conversation: This may be an open-ended question, but it doesn’t mean you should bring up a different discussion altogether. Always stay in line with the topic.
Summary
Your chances of nailing that job may hinge on you answering “do you have anything else to add about you?” the right way. Luckily, this article did justice by showing you how to respond and samples to follow so you always have something to say and not just anything but the right things to say when asked the question.
