As a job seeker there is one question that you know, you'll be asked, irrespective of your experience or credentials. This one question can be considered the deadliest of them all, with its capacity to reveal your outlook, attitude, the attention you pay to details, relevant or irrelevant and a host of other things that can serve as the noose around your neck that is about to be tightened or loosened depending on your answer.

All experienced interviewers love to ask this question, yes; it is the good old one- "Tell Me About Yourself". It is usually the opening question, an icebreaker of sorts that can slowly and effectively set in motion a wide array of possibilities. But not always does this happen, because there are two big mistakes that most job seekers make while trying to answer this inevitable question. So what are these two mistakes?

1. Talking Too Much
Call it apprehension, nervousness, anxiety or whatever else, but this can be a major sapper of spirit. It is usually anxiety about what lies ahead that makes people talk with no awareness of the situation or intention. The other reason for talking too much could be the lack of clear understanding of what an interviewer might want to know about a candidate.

2. Deviating far into the unnecessary
The second most common mistake is the tendency to deviate from job-related issues and not keeping responses positive. Most jobseekers tend to forget the fact that they are being interviewed for a job, so it is imperative to talk about subjects that is connected to the job in some way and also to remain positive throughout the interview. People who do not express their views in a positive tone or seem to have a negative frame of mind have practically no chances of getting the job. As an employer, an interviewer would like to assess your attitude and the positive energy that you add to the atmosphere. Add a pessimistic attitude and an individual's capacity to digress from relative issues and you have in hand very feeble or no chances to be considered for the position.

So if you're hoping to make a lasting impression, then keep in mind these two rules.

Rule #1: When an interviewer asks you this question make sure it lasts for less than two minutes. Since you know that whatever the position you might have applied for, this is one question you will be asked, it makes more sense to practice answering it before you sit for the actual interview, but also remember to keep it to less than two minutes.

Rule #2: Ensure that all your responses stay job-related and positive.

Wondering how? Well, to give a first rate answer to this question just prepare a chronological outline that begins with your background and experience and make sure that it ends with your expectations from the position applied for. If practiced properly this pre-rehearsed account of yourself will work as a tool to ensure you never falter in your answers.

Your background can just be a brief outline of your family and then proceed to your qualification and experience (which can briefly touch upon your first professional job to your current position, etc). End your response with your expectations for the future and from the position applied for.

Here is a concise list of ideas that you can add to your presentation but make sure you keep it brief, positive and job-related.

Happy Interviewing!