Responding to the question “Tell me about yourself” in an interview may seem like a simple task since you are the expert on your own life. However, it can be a source of stress and complexity. This question is often the first one asked by an interviewer, whether it’s during a phone screen, a meeting with your potential boss, or a final round with the CEO.
It’s natural to wonder what exactly the interviewer wants to know. Should you provide a detailed summary of your work experience, complete with a cast of characters? The truth is, your interviewer does not need a full biography. Instead, think of this question as an opportunity to create intrigue, like a movie trailer that leaves the audience wanting more
Few points we will consider:
Why interviewer ask “tell me more about yourself”
Few common variations of the prompt “Tell me about yourself”.
How to response to “Tell me about yourself”
8 bounce tips for your response
“Tell me about yourself” sample answers
Why interviewer ask “tell me more about yourself”.
It is not merely a coincidence that interviewers often begin the conversation with the ever-popular question, “Tell me about yourself.” This seemingly simple icebreaker serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it allows both the interviewer and the interviewee to ease into the actual interview by engaging in some small talk. This is particularly beneficial for less experienced recruiters or hiring managers who may also feel a bit nervous and uncertain. By starting with a casual and open-ended question, the interviewer creates a relaxed atmosphere that helps the interviewee gather their thoughts and settle any nerves they may have.
Secondly, “Tell me about yourself” serves as a valuable starting point that sets the tone and guides the direction of the entire interview. Depending on how the interviewee responds, the interviewer can quickly assess their qualifications, experiences, and personality traits, and determine the next line of questioning. This can lead to a chain of follow-up questions that delve deeper into specific aspects of the interviewee’s background, skills, and suitability for the role. By tailoring the subsequent questions to the interviewee’s initial response, the conversation flows seamlessly, allowing the interviewer to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interviewee’s abilities and potential fit within the company.
By using “Tell me about yourself” as a strategic opener, recruiters and hiring managers can effectively achieve one of their primary objectives in the hiring process, which is to get to know the interviewee on a deeper level. This question enables them to gather valuable insights into the interviewee’s professional journey, motivations, accomplishments, and aspirations. It provides a platform for the interviewee to highlight their key achievements, relevant experiences, and unique skills that make them stand out from other candidates. Ultimately, the interviewer’s goal is to form a solid understanding of the interviewee’s qualifications and determine whether they would be a good fit for the organization’s culture and requirements.
While you cannot predict the exact question, you can prepare in advance to make the most of this common opening prompt and set the stage for a successful interview.
Few common variations of the prompt “Tell me about yourself”.
There are several common variations of the prompt “Tell me about yourself” that interviewers may use. These variations include:
*Asking for more information about yourself despite having your resume in front of them,
* Requesting a walk-through of your resume,
*Expressing interest in hearing about your journey,
*Asking for additional background information.
How to response to “Tell me about yourself”
To help you streamline your life (and career) story for this situation, here are the fundamentals of what to include and how to structure your response.
What to include:
Your answer to “Tell me about yourself” will naturally be highly specific to you, but in general, it should:
– Begin showcasing to interviewers why you are the ideal candidate for this job, highlighting your hard skills, experience, and soft skills.
– Provide an overview of your professional history, current role, and future aspirations.
– Demonstrate that you have conducted thorough research and understand how this job and company align with your career goals.
– Exhibit your ability to communicate clearly and effectively, connect with others, and present yourself professionally.
A simple formula
Here is a suggested approach for crafting a comprehensive response to the question “Tell me about yourself”:
Your present: To begin, you should discuss your current situation, including your current role, its scope, and a recent accomplishment. Provide specific details about your responsibilities and the impact you have made in your current position. For example, you could mention how you successfully led a team to complete a challenging project on time and within budget.
Your past experience: Next, explain how your past experiences have shaped your journey and brought you to where you are today. Highlight any relevant previous roles or achievements that have helped you develop the skills and knowledge necessary for your current position. For instance, you could discuss how your experience in a previous job taught you valuable problem-solving skills that you now apply in your current role.
Your future goals: After discussing your past, transition into discussing your future goals and why you are interested in the specific job or company you are applying for. Clearly articulate your aspirations and how they align with the position and company culture. You could mention how the company’s innovative approach to solving industry challenges resonates with your own professional goals.
It is important to emphasize how you would be a great fit for the position. Highlight the unique combination of skills, experience, and qualities that make you a strong candidate. For example, you could mention your excellent communication skills, ability to work well in a team, and your passion for continuous learning and personal growth.
Remember, this formula can be adjusted to suit your preferences and personal story. If you have a compelling narrative about how you entered your field, you may choose to start with that before discussing your present situation.
Regardless of the order you choose, always tie your response back to the job and company. Clearly explain why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate. Show genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity and demonstrate your understanding of the company’s values and mission.
8 bounce tips for your response
If you have an upcoming interview, chances are it will begin with the question “Tell me about yourself.”
Here are the tips you can incubate.
1. Your first impression
To impress the interviewer, it is important to make a good first impression. In fact, the initial minute of the interview, including your greeting, handshake, eye contact, and response to this question, can heavily influence their decision. A strong and concise answer right from the start will set a positive tone for the rest of the interview. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare for this question and demonstrate your confidence and readiness. This will greatly enhance your chances of success in the interview.
2. Tailor your response
When an interviewer poses this question, they are essentially asking you to provide a tailored response about your background and experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for and the company you are interviewing with. This is your chance to succinctly explain why you possess the right qualifications for the role. To effectively answer this question, it is important to thoroughly review the job description, conduct research on the company, and understand how your skills and experiences align with the role and company. This is an opportunity to directly communicate your objective, but it must also align with the goals of the company.
For instance, if you previously worked on developing an antibacterial cream for clinical trials but are now seeking a role unrelated to that product, you should emphasize your ability to adapt and figure out how to drive progress in unfamiliar areas. Each job search may have a basic template for answering this question, but it should be customized to fit the specific company you are interviewing with.
This is a chance to demonstrate that you understand the company’s values and priorities. If the company places a strong emphasis on culture, incorporate that into your answer. Likewise, if the company or team has other focal points, try to include those as well. Using specific keywords that align with the company’s identity and industry can also showcase your research and suitability for the role. For example, if the company identifies as a tech company, startup, consumer brand, online retailer, publication, or blog, incorporate these terms into your response.
3. Consider your audience
When facing an interview question like “Tell me about yourself,” it is important to consider your audience and tailor your answer accordingly. At different stages of the interview process, you may encounter different individuals with varying levels of expertise. For instance, when speaking to a recruiter who may not be well-versed in the technical skills required for the role, it is advisable to focus on the broader aspects. However, when conversing with your potential boss, you can delve into more technical details. If your final round includes a C-level executive, it would be wise to highlight how you can contribute to the company’s overall mission. Additionally, as you progress through the interview process, you can personalize your response by incorporating insights you have gained about the specific role and company.
4. Keep it professional
Keep it professional. It is important to maintain a professional tone in your response when discussing your qualifications and experience in relation to the position and organization. This will show that you are serious about the opportunity and understand the expectations of the role. While it is advisable to keep personal information to a minimum at this stage, it is worth noting that customs regarding disclosure of personal information may vary in different countries. Therefore, it is always a good idea to research and understand the cultural norms and expectations of the specific region or country you are applying to. By doing so, you can ensure that your response aligns with the local customs and presents you in the best possible light.
5. Speak with enthusiasm.
While it is crucial to maintain professionalism in your response, do not hesitate to express why you are deeply enthusiastic about your work or the company you are interviewing for. Sharing this personal connection can truly make you stand out and leave a memorable impression. Remember, people want to engage with individuals, not automated machines. You can mention something like, “I possess a profound ardor for both x and y, which is precisely why your company caught my attention and captivated my interest…”
By speaking with enthusiasm, you convey a genuine interest in the position and demonstrate your dedication to the company. This can make a significant impact on the interviewer, showing them that you are not merely seeking a job, but truly passionate about the work you do.
Providing specific examples of how your passion and enthusiasm have influenced your previous work can further enhance your response. For instance, you could share a story about a project where your passion for x and y played a crucial role in its success. This showcases your ability to channel your enthusiasm into tangible results, reinforcing your value as a potential employee.
Additionally, you can mention any relevant statistics or achievements that highlight your passion for the industry or field. This could include mentioning any awards or recognition you have received, demonstrating your commitment and drive to excel in your chosen profession.
6. Don’t Ramble
When answering the question about yourself in an interview, it is important to avoid rambling and providing excessive details about your career. Instead of giving a long dissertation-like response, focus on being engaging and entertaining while also giving a glimpse into how you communicate with colleagues, superiors, and clients. It is crucial to find a balance in the length of your answer, as there is no scientifically proven optimal duration. Pay attention to the reaction of the interviewer as you speak and adjust accordingly. If they appear disinterested or distracted, it may be time to conclude your answer. On the other hand, if they show interest in a specific aspect of your response, feel free to elaborate further. Overall, remember that you do not need to share your entire life story at this stage. Consider your answer as a teaser that sparks the interviewer’s curiosity and allows them to ask follow-up questions about the topics that intrigue them the most.
7. Don’t memorize but practice
Practice, but don’t commit to memory. It is not advisable to rely on your ability to recall your answer when faced with this question during an actual interview. Instead, take the time to think about what you want to convey about yourself before each interview and practice articulating it out loud. You can record yourself answering the question and then wait for some time, perhaps an hour or more, before listening to it. This will give you some distance and perspective when evaluating your answer.
When you finally listen to the recording, assess whether your answer sounds strong and credible to you. If possible, go beyond practicing alone and seek the input of others. It is helpful to practice with other people so that you can hear yourself speaking and receive feedback on how others interpret your response. Ask a trusted colleague, friend, or family member to listen to your answer and provide their reaction. This will help you refine your response.
Practicing will improve the strength of your answer and increase your confidence in delivering it. However, it is important to avoid memorizing and reciting your response verbatim. There is a delicate balance between practicing and memorizing, and your answer should come across as genuine and authentic
8. Maintain a positive attitude
It is important to maintain a positive attitude during a job interview. If you have experienced a negative event such as being fired or laid off from your previous job, it is not advisable to mention it right away. Instead, focus on providing a glimpse into your professional first impression without overwhelming the conversation. As the interview progresses and becomes more comfortable, you can address specific questions about why you are looking for a new job or any gaps in your resume. It is crucial to avoid speaking negatively about your previous employer, especially during the initial stages of the interview. If you start by complaining about your boss and expressing your desire to escape their micromanagement, it will leave a negative impression.
“Tell me about yourself” sample answers
Check out these examples we created to guide you through.
Example answer #1 for someone looking for a role at a new company
During my high school years, I developed a passion for writing and public speaking. This passion carried over into college where I served as an editor for the school newspaper. In addition to honing my writing skills, I gained valuable experience in team management and the writing process. After college, I joined Arch as a social media manager, responsible for creating copy and social content for the company blog. However, it was when I volunteered to work on the communications plan for a product launch that I discovered my interest in product marketing. Transitioning into a product marketing role, I successfully managed the two most impactful new product launches of the previous year. This experience has made me eager to take on new opportunities. I have learned that I excel when working on products that I am passionate about and actively use. When I saw the job opening at your company, I was thrilled to apply because I am a big user of your products.
Example answer #2 for a recent graduate
I obtained my degree in computer science and theater arts from Howard University in May. During the summer, I had the opportunity to intern at a theater nonprofit, where I utilized my coding skills to improve the organization’s ticket sales page. Since its launch two weeks ago, the time it takes for patrons to complete their purchases has decreased by 43%, and the satisfaction scores on a survey have increased by almost 20%. This experience has further solidified my passion for merging computer science and theater, and that’s why I applied for the junior web developer role here as soon as I saw it.
Example answer #3 for a career changer
During the initial ten years of my professional career, I was primarily involved in managing accounts for SaaS startups that specialize in selling B2B software. This includes my current company, which focuses on developing remote collaboration tools. Over the past few years, I have taken on the responsibility of managing three to five individuals directly. I have found people management to be highly gratifying and have developed a particular interest in training and professional development.
One of my most significant achievements in my current role was the creation of a series of workshops aimed at enhancing skills not only for my own team but also for the entire revenue organization. Participants, including account managers and sales representatives, experienced an average increase of 22% in sales or renewal revenue per quarter. Reflecting on my experiences, it is clear that my inclination towards this path is not surprising, considering my previous involvement in tutoring and leading workshops for the communications department during my college years.
As I contemplate my future career steps, I have come to the realization that I desire to transition into a role within the HR field. This would enable me to channel all of my energy into the development and implementation of training programs. I cannot think of a more suitable starting point for this transition than a company that produces software that I have relied on in multiple previous positions.
