MoveUp: Job Interviews, Negotiation, Promotions, Offers, Careers William Vanderbloemen - The Right Way to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself," Salary Negotiation, How to Share Weaknesses to Win & Be The "Unicorn"
Jul 15, 2025
William Vanderbloemen, CEO of Vanderbloemen Search Group and author of Be the Unicorn, shares his extensive insights from over 30,000 interviews. He reveals how to answer 'Tell me about yourself' effectively, match personal strengths to job needs, and tackle salary negotiations confidently. Vanderbloemen emphasizes the importance of crafting personalized cover letters and resumes filled with concrete achievements. He also discusses how to frame weaknesses as strengths and the value of smart questions during interviews to stand out as a candidate.
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From Pastor To Executive Search Founder
- William left pastoral ministry, joined corporate HR, and discovered executive search through a CEO hire.
- He founded a search firm that began with churches and expanded to nonprofits and values-driven businesses.
Answer Tell Me About Yourself Strategically
- Focus your "Tell me about yourself" on the employer and how your personality and strengths match their specific needs.
- Use concrete company facts (e.g., growth targets) and brief examples to link your fit and enthusiasm.
Turn Cover Letters Into Mini Proposals
- Use a short, customized cover letter that identifies the employer's priority and shows results you've delivered for similar goals.
- Offer a 3-point plan to discuss in the interview to move from applicant to solution-provider.
