How to Answer the Dreaded Interview Question, “Tell Me About Yourself”
What you will find in this blog:
- Why do recruiters ask, “Tell me about yourself”?
- How to answer, “Tell me about yourself”
- “Tell me about yourself” handled with ease
You know it is coming. Almost all interviews start with the same request:
“So, tell me about yourself.”
Even though people know it is coming, it is so common for candidates to be unprepared with an answer. Why?
On the surface it seems easy, so when headed to an interview most candidates do not prepare an answer in advance for this ice breaking inquiry. However, since this prompt is usually at the very beginning of an interview, your answer can set the tone for the rest of the conversation.
Why do recruiters ask, “Tell me about yourself”?
Recruiters love this question because it can provide them with a wealth of information.
First, it is a sign to you that the interview is starting. After the introductory niceties there needs to be a smooth transition into the formality of the interview structure. This is it.
It can help recruiters assess your communication skills, see where your experience aligns with the job opening, see if you understand how you fit the role, and gives you an opportunity to shout out your most relevant achievements.
While most see it as a throw-away question they need to pass over to get to the rest of the interview, do not make that mistake. This is a gift and you should take full advantage.
How to answer, “Tell me about yourself”
Here are some tips for answering this dreaded question, and turning it into a strong starting off point for the rest of the interview:
Start with your current role – Do a quick recap of what you have been doing now, and highlight any important accomplishments relevant to the open position.
Recap your past experience – This could sound like, “Before that, I started with COMPANY and handled xyz for them.” Remember to call out anything relevant to the job opening. Do this for all the positions in your work history that are relevant to the role for which you are interviewing.
Talk about the future – Share why you were drawn to this specific job at this specific company. Share how the position aligns with your professional goals for the future. Note to the interviewer how your previous accomplishments set you up for future success here.
Keep it short and sweet – Try not to go over two minutes. The recruiter will ask you more in-depth questions on areas and work history that interests them, so this is just a preview and ice breaker.
Practice your response – Again, this will set the tone for the rest of the conversation. If you have practiced and know what to say and what to highlight before you go in, you will feel more confident and that will be apparent to the recruiter.
Keep it professional – When someone says, “Tell me about yourself,” it might seem like they want to hear about you. However, in this setting it really means, “Tell me about your work experience,” so avoid any personal details.
“Tell me about yourself” handled with ease
This question is a fantastic way to start an interview, especially for candidates who recognize the potential. It gives recruiters a lot of information and the ability to assess a candidate’s communication, both verbal and non-verbal.
For the candidate, it essentially is carte blanche to share specific experience that directly relates to the job opening, and the opportunity to shout out accomplishments without hoping that the recruiter asks a secondary question that allows for those highlights.
Candidates who practice and tailor their responses will stand out, so make sure to treat this like the tremendous opportunity it is and put some time into crafting a response in advance.
I can help you create an answer to this common interview question and others you are likely to receive. Connect with me to learn about interview coaching sessions.