You’ve successfully made it to the final interview round. You’ve answered question after question about your professional experience, your expertise, and how you would add value to said organization. The interviewer smiles and asks you one last thing…
“Is there anything else we should know about you?”
Don’t underestimate this question. It’s just as important as all the others. Many professionals prepare for every possible interview question, but neglect to give this one any thought. Why is this the case when it’s one of the only questions you can almost always count on hearing? Employers ask this for a reason. It’s your last chance to say what your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile aren’t quite able to express.
So how do you prepare for it?
By the time this interview question comes up, you’ll probably find yourself in one of three places:
Case #1: You didn’t get to talk about a particular aspect of your experience or expertise that makes you a great fit for the position.
Case #2: You fully covered your experience and expertise, but you haven’t yet talked about who you are as a person, who you are outside of the office.
Case #3: You’ve said absolutely everything there is to say, and you have no idea what else to add.
Every job interview is so vastly different, and it can be difficult to predict the way the conversation will unfold. Regardless of how you’re feeling at the end of the interview, this article will give you three effective strategies to answer “Is there anything else we should know about you” and end your interview on the strongest possible note.
Let’s start with Case #1.
The conversation was quicker than you hoped, and you haven’t yet expressed just how well your experience has prepared you for this particular position. Don’t let yourself leave that interview or Zoom meeting with regrets about what you didn’t say.
When preparing for your interview, take a look at your resume and think about the aspects of your career that you definitely want to come up in the interview. “Is there anything else we should know about you” gives you the opportunity to expand on a relevant skill, project, achievement, professional development course, client, or innovation. Create a cheat sheet for yourself with a few of these items.
Review your cheat sheet a few times before you leave for your interview and in the lobby while you’re waiting to enter the employer’s office. If you have the luxury of a Zoom interview, you can write your key talking points on a sticky note and stick it right to your computer screen as a reminder.
Here are two examples of ways you might answer this question:
“Well, I didn’t have a chance to mention that in my last job, my boss was out on maternity leave for six months; this gave me the opportunity to serve as the interim Head of Digital Marketing in her absence. In those six months, I managed 80+ employees, led campaign strategy, and really honed my leadership skills. I know that experience will be valuable as I step into a more senior-level role.”
“Yes, well, I think it’s important to note that while I was at Disney, I identified several new expansion opportunities for the baby toys category. I pitched ideas for new vehicle toys, play-gyms, and car seats that eventually grew the category by 35%.”
Try not to waste this interview question by simply rephrasing your previous answers or by giving predictable, cookie-cutter responses. They already know you want the job. They already know you’re passionate. Leave them with something to remember or, at the very least, a reason to want to work with you on a daily basis.
Regardless of your answer, remember to keep it brief. Aim for no more than a minute. If the employer wants to learn more, they’ll ask follow up questions.
Moving on to Case #2.
If you’ve already had a chance to discuss every detail of your qualifications, “Is there anything else we should know about you” can also be a wonderful chance to show some personality.
Do you coach youth soccer? Do you play in a local jazz ensemble? Are you a certified scuba diver? Do you volunteer for Big Brother Big Sister? Have you traveled to every continent? These are EXACTLY the sorts of answers you should have ready to share. These are the fun facts that make you memorable, the answers that will set you apart from the other bland candidates who said: “I’m a great collaborator!” or “I’m a perfectionist to a fault.”
Remember that employers are seeking to hire someone that they’ll actually enjoy working with from 9 to 5.
In addition to coming off as professional, intelligent, and qualified, it’s important to also seem like someone that they’ll have fun engaging with every single working day. Showing them a glimpse of your values, your hobbies, or your sense of humor is a great way to connect with an employer or recruiter on a more personal level. If possible, try and find a way to relate the hobby or particular passion you’re sharing back to the company or position.
Here are some examples:
“Well, something that’s not reflected on my resume is that I coach my daughter’s soccer team. Motivating sleepy eight-year-olds on a cold Saturday morning is not unlike motivating sales teams on a cold Monday morning!”
“I love that sustainability is a core value here at IKEA. It’s a cause I deeply care about and prioritize in my own life through composting and by participating in regulars beach clean ups.”
We’ll close with Case #3.
If you get to the end of the interview and you’ve already expanded on most of your key talking points and shown some personality, there’s no reason to force an answer. But please don’t end the conversation by just awkwardly saying “Nope! That’s it!”
Instead, you can reiterate your interest in the position and express gratitude for the employer’s time and interest.
“I think we’ve covered everything! This seems like an incredible opportunity, and I’m very interested. Thanks so much for your time.”
Is There Anything Else You Should Know?
When preparing for your next interview, make sure you give this question as much thought as all the others. A strong, specific, and memorable response will elevate your interview and allow you to leave a lasting impression.
Struggling to come up with a response to “Is there anything else we should know about you?” Not sure what makes you unique? Consider scheduling a session with Red Pen Wench’s Certified Interview Coach. Our interview coaching services will help you eliminate nervous habits, refine your pitch, professionally address any concerns, and navigate the most difficult questions. You’ll have the opportunity to work with our coach one-on-one via video call, and she’ll provide extensive feedback and coaching to ensure you’re more than prepared for your next interview.
-Jillian Kinsey, CPRW, Founder & Owner of Red Pen Wench
