Anytime if I'm in a interview or filling out an application and they ask a question similar to "tell me a little bit about yourself", i get very anxious on what to say or where to start.
On an interview setting, the best thing you can do is provide two or better three things about yourself - all of them relating to the job. These can be prepared in advance.
One (or two if you're going to give three) should be repeating something on your resume, like some kind of training, course, job experience, or volunteer experience that relates. And saying that it was important to you because you were interested in the subject matter and you learned a lot.
The last one you can provide is something personal(ish) that relates to the job. It can be made up or exaggerated. Like, if you're applying to a movie theatre say you really like movies and give an example - you used to go to see movies every week with your family or something. Or if it's like a landscaping job talk about how when you were a kid you always loved helping in the family garden. If it's not true who cares they can never check.
You can also provide as an additional one another quick unrelated thing if its interesting, like you into canoeing and competed in amateur canoe racing. Or like you play the tuba. It should be quick, and only mention it if theres something more than just "I like reading sci Fi". Mention a specific book you read recently. If you're lucky the interviewer will also be interested in whatever weird thing and that will.creatw some kind of bond. Worst case, it shows that you have perseverance or fortitude for sticking with something difficult.
Source: I interview a lot of people.
For the scenarios you mention, you can and should practice the responses. It's not asked out of genuine cruiosity but rather formality and the responses usually follow certain boilerplates though you can definitely get creative if you want.
This, and they're giving you an opportunity to tick a box on their list. So it's a good idea to check the job description / requirements and think of examples that show how you meet what they're looking for.
I usually tell them about my hobbies and what I do in life or how I ended up where I am. And it's not always related to the job.
Make things awkward by deconstructing the illusion of self, then ask them if they really want to know.
I personally really like to journal but even if you don't I like to prepare for interview by writing down like what i would answer to the questions. Then in the case of an interview I kinda already know where I want to go so i can focus on making myself more articulate and prose more interesting. Of course you won't cover everything you will get asked and will still need to impromptu some questions but i find i feel a lot more prepared and that helps with my anxiety.
I get panicky at most interview questions, but this is an awkward one. My response tends to be "these were my last 2-3 significant positions and these are details I personally want to highlight about them". Maybe followed by 1-2 sentences most about vaguely relevant non-work things.
As a question, obviously give a general overview, but mostly you should take it as your opportunity to shoehorn in details of whatever you actually want the employer to know.
It’s not just you. I’m not that entertaining. My hobbies are kind of boring. I’m not very exciting. I use this question as a chance to talk about my accomplishments.
My last job told me to stop that and try to talk about myself. I forget what I said, but it got me hired.
