Did you ever figure out the answer?

You could just answer truthfully and tactfully - usually, the best answers are the simple, straightforward ones.

Well, if that’s an opening question, I’d usually answer from a short structured template - essentially a brief intro about my family structure (eg I’m the eldest of 3 siblings, and my parents are retired or working as whatever).

I’ll then move on to my educational background, but the emphasis wouldn’t be on grades - rather the take away experiences and camaraderie with my best mates, usually high school and university level.

I might also briefly relate any memorable experiences I encountered in any part time jobs I might have done as a student.

Finally I’ll conclude with my hobbies and interests outside of work.

All this is to avoid repeating what can already be found on my CV, and also to set up potential questions which I can answer and make myself look good. (Eg. “As the eldest sibling, I’m no stranger to responsibilities and duties - and even the proper delegation of house chores” etc).

Hope that helps.

That's a good point you brought up. I was pegging my response the way I did it as a freshly minted graduate with zip to show for work experience or work achievements on my resume (my interpretation of TS' background - I apologize if my original assumption was mistaken).

If I had a list of achievements to summarize, I'd definitely go with your approach - short, sweet and precise. If not, and if the interviewers wanted to know me as a person, I'd probably fall back on the template that served me well during my undergraduate scholarship interviews.

Perhaps it just goes to show that there's really more than a way to skin a cat.

You've definitely raised an excellent point! Here's my take/view on the matter:

To be honest, the only reason why I shared what I did with Pizza Hut was because as a fresh faced house officer seated across the table from 5 stern looking professors, I was asked this exact same question when I applied for my specialist training. I gave the answers according to the template I just shared, and well, I got the position.

I guess it depends also what field/job position one is applying for. Now, obviously, the tables are turned - and now I am one of the stern looking old fogeys seated across the table - and I'd expect to hear more than a sales pitch from a doctor who wants to be a potential specialist. I would want to learn about the human being behind the list of achievement - academic &/or professional - else why would I ask that question?

Like I said, more than one way to skin a cat - different requirements for different professions.

That too, depends on how long you stayed. If you stayed "long enough", then you can say you felt it was time to move on to the next phase/stage of your career development.

If you "hopped", then ... well... maybe others with more experience in this matter can help out

No 3 is an excellent response to the offer by the interviewer to ask questions! Thank you for sharing.