There’s a saying that you only become an expert in your profession after 10,000 hours of work. During that time, we naturally develop a passion that fuels our motivation and enthusiasm.

From the countless interviews I’ve arranged and conducted, I’ve noticed that this passion can sometimes become a roadblock. Here’s my take on it.

When you're in your first meeting with a potential employer and they ask:

"Tell us about yourself"

It can be easy to go off on a tangent and over-present yourself, driven by your passion for your profession.

Here’s a simple remedy: have 5 key bullet points in mind that highlight your key responsibilities, projects, and achievements. Don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to showcase your passion when they ask:

"Can you explain this experience further?"

At that point, feel free to dive deep into your experience and let your passion shine.

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This small technique has helped hundreds of candidates maintain control of the interview conversation.

Remember, the first interview is for both you and the employer to explore what you're looking for in each other. The conversation should flow naturally and not feel one-sided.

If you’ve got a big interview coming up, feel free to reach out for a confidential chat to boost your chances of landing the role.