The Impossible Question

The Shadow, The Ghost, The Mirror

We frequently participate in interviews, whether in social situations or in the workplace. However, we tend to perceive social interactions as mere conversations, while many of our work conversations function as interviews. These conversations are typically subject to certain conditions that determine our advancement or achievement within a particular job or organization

It's common for people to feel uneasy when asked the question, "Tell me about yourself." The question lacks focus and can be unclear. Although the intention is for the person being asked to express themselves freely, it's hard to know what constitutes a successful answer without clear parameters or focus

If you are not a behaviorist or a psychologist (social or clinical), asking such a question to introverts, who represent almost 60% of the world population, dampens their morale

As an introvert, let me tell you what goes through my mind:

The Shadow

One issue I struggle with during interviews is overthinking. Before the interview, I tend to anticipate every possible question and prepare multiple answers. However, this can lead to overthinking during the actual interview, causing me to lose focus and struggle to answer questions effectively. As a result, I may end up giving brief and incomplete answers

The Ghost

During interviews, I often experience a decrease in confidence, triggering my fight or flight response and causing me to lose my sense of self. I may also become disengaged, zoning out and feeling like a ghost, losing the motivation to continue with the interview

The Mirror

In order to reciprocate, I mirror the energy of the interviewer by answering vague questions with vague answers and matching their enthusiasm. If I fail, I was just mirroring

Being an introvert is a part of who I am, and I embrace and take pride in it