Interview Question: "Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You?"

How to Answer This Open-Ended Question Effectively

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If you've been job hunting and prepping for interviews, chances are you've started to notice that some of the same questions keep popping up. One of the questions that an interviewer will typically ask at the end of a job interview is whether there is something else that you would like to share, or anything else that the interviewer should know about you.

Most likely, by the time you hear this question, you've already spoken for a while and answered many questions about your skills and experience. It can be tempting to just politely respond by saying that you feel like everything's been covered. Resist this urge. Instead, use this as an opportunity to close the interview on a strong note.

Note

Think of your response as being like the closing statement in a trial: You sum up the major points discussed during the interview and make a final case for your candidacy.

Much like the question "Tell me about yourself," this open-ended question allows you to take control of the conversation and share information that's helpful to your candidacy.

What the Interviewer Wants to Know

Interviewers ask open-ended questions like this in order to gain an idea of your personality, your self-knowledge, and your ability to communicate effectively.

They’ll also be impressed if, at the end of an intense conversation, you are eager to continue the dialogue in order to make a lasting impression.

Note

The interviewer wants to see whether you can display confidence in your potential as a candidate for the job.

How to Answer "Do You Want to Tell Us Anything Else About You?”

Start your answer with a summary of some of the key strengths that you have already shared. This will help the interviewer remember why you are a strong candidate for the position.

After you summarize your qualifications, add one or two items from your list that haven't been covered. These can be skills or abilities you have not yet mentioned, or experiences you have had that highlight something valuable and new to the conversation.

Note

Make sure whatever you mention is relevant to the position. The more closely your credentials match the job requirements, the better your chances of getting an offer.

If there is time, mention a particular example of a time you demonstrated this quality or trait that you aim to highlight. If possible, explain how this quality helped add value to another company. After you have done this, emphasize once more your strong interest in the job and in working for the organization.

This kind of response does two things:

  • It summarizes why you are a strong candidate
  • It shows the interviewer that you are enthusiastic about the position

Remember, this is your closing statement, so you want to remind the interviewer of all the reasons why you are an ideal candidate and would be perfect for the job.

Examples of the Best Answers

Here are sample interview answers that you can edit to fit your personal experiences and background.

We've already touched on many of my strengths. We discussed my writing, presentation, and computer skills, but I haven't yet had the opportunity to tell you about my salesmanship. My ability to be persuasive was very valuable in my prior position. For example, I was able to convince seven local businesses to sponsor the charity run which I organized for my fraternity, and I successfully placed several stories in the local media about a client during my public relations internship.

Why It Works: This candidate demonstrates presence of mind in remembering to touch upon a few of his personal strengths that haven’t come up in the interview, providing two illustrative examples to support his statement.

I think that you have been incredibly thorough, and we have discussed my key strengths like my communication skills, my ability to work across departments, and my experience in public relations. However, one important skill I have not yet mentioned is web design. I recently completed an internship at XYZ Public Relations firm, in which I helped design a new website for one of their clients. The client was extremely happy with my design and even sent a letter to our CEO praising my skills. I am familiar with a number of web design platforms, including Squarespace, Wordpress, Webflow, and Wix. This skill is something I would love to bring to your company.

Why It Works: This answer is designed to “add value” to what the candidate can offer the employer (in this case, web design skills). Even if web design isn’t a skill that was specifically required in the job listing, it’s a useful additional talent that not all of the other applicants will possess. Most candidates who make it to an interview will have the primary qualifications for the job, so it’s a smart strategy to explain the “extra” skills you can bring to the table.

I think we have covered a number of my work experiences that make me a strong candidate for this position, including my ten years of teaching experience, my administrative experience, and my communication skills. I would like to add that I also have experience running after-school programs for teens. At my previous job, I led two after-school programs: the school newspaper, which had a staff of twenty-five students, and the literary journal, which had a staff of fifteen. I would also like to assure you that I am very excited about the opportunity here. I am extremely motivated to pursue this job and will devote maximum energy to succeeding if I am hired.

Why It Works:  This answer is effective because it reiterates the candidate’s number of years of experience, provides additional examples of useful and relevant past experience, and restates their enthusiasm for the position and the employer.

We have discussed many of my skills, abilities, and experiences that make me a strong candidate, including my experience working with clients and my written and oral communication skills. I would also like to add that I am currently developing another skill that will make me an even more effective employee, should I be hired. I am enrolled in a computer programming course and am learning SQL and Java at the moment. I am extremely passionate about this job opportunity, and I believe my skills (including the skills I am currently developing) make me a strong candidate.

Why It Works: Sometimes, a candidate may not have all of the skills that an employer lists in their job announcement. Especially in the case of commonly requested technical skills, it’s a wise move to pursue training at the same time one is on the job market. This demonstrates to the employer your ability to take independent initiative to continue to develop skills that will improve your job performance.

Tips for Giving the Best Answer

Prepare a list of up to ten assets that would help you to excel in the job. The first step in preparing for this type of question is to go into the interview with a clear understanding of what you have to offer. To make this list, review the job advertisement, and make a list of your skills (both hard and soft), accomplishments, areas of knowledge, experiences, and/or personal qualities that would help you to meet the qualifications for this particular job. In your list, try to include keywords from the job listing. Many HR departments will hone in on certain skills or keywords to help narrow the field of applicants or interviewees.

Your asset list will help you to answer questions about your strengths throughout the interview. In addition, when you are asked at the end of the meeting whether you have anything to add, you will be ready to list any qualities that you haven’t been able to tell the interviewer about yet. 

Note

Be ready to supply examples from your work, volunteer, or academic history that prove that you have added value to other entities by applying those skills in the past.

Research the company to learn its corporate culture, values, and mission statement. Then, on your asset list, star the strengths that align most directly with the employer’s company culture, and try to include these in your answer.

What Not to Say 

Nothing. Should you choose, out of nervousness or humility, not to respond to this question, the interviewer may perceive this as a sign that, after learning more about the job and the company during the interview, you are no longer interested in it. Instead, use your answer to convey your eagerness to be offered the position. 

What “you” want. Especially if this is a first interview, this is not the time to talk about salary or benefits or flexible scheduling. You are still at the stage where you are “selling” your skills, so the focus needs to be on what you can offer to the employer.

Too much personal information. Don’t mention personal politics, religion, or hobbies that might result in your asking for a lot of time off from your job. Granted, there are many personal questions your interviewer may not ask by law, to prevent hiring discrimination. However they can't stop you from volunteering information. You don’t want to give the employer a reason not to hire you because they don’t agree with your opinions or your lifestyle. 

Related Questions

Key Takeaways

SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS: Use this opportunity to showcase unique skills and experience that might make you stand out from other candidates.

EXPRESS YOUR ENTHUSIASM: Provide an answer that shows that you’re even more excited about the possibility of working for the employer than you were at the beginning of the interview.

THANK THE INTERVIEWER(S): Conclude your “closing statement” with a sincere “Thank you,” and then follow this up (within the next 24 hours) with a strategically written job interview thank-you letter or email

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Sources
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  1. Indeed. "Everything You Need to Know About Job Keywords." Accessed Sept. 5, 2021.

  2. SHRM. "These Interview Questions Could Get HR in Trouble." Accessed Sept. 5, 2021.

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