“Tell Me About Yourself?” is one of the most commonly asked interview questions. Do you know how to answer it in a way that will get you a new job?
How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in Job Interviews
Tell Me About Yourself.
“Tell me about yourself” is a very common interview question. Though it is seemingly innocuous, you should be careful to think before you answer! This question can trip people up quite easily, but if you learn to answer it well, it could help you to stand out from the crowd.
Why Do Hiring Managers Ask “Tell Me About Yourself”
Recruiters ask this question for a number of reasons. First and foremost, this is a relatively gentle and non-intimidating question that can act as an icebreaker and help interviewees to relax. This question is intended to give the hiring manager an idea of what kind of person you are and what type of employee you can be.
How you answer can also have an impact on the rest of the interview by prompting the interviewer to ask follow-up questions. This question, therefore, represents a great opportunity for you to make a good first impression and get the job interview off to the right start.
First, Prepare for Your Job Interview
Before you even have to give a good answer to this type of question, however, you will need to prepare for your job interview. The way that you prepare for your job interview will depend on whether you are having a phone interview, a video conference interview, or an in-person job interview.
For an in-person interview, for example, you will need to plan travel and pick an outfit. These general interview tips will help you to prepare:
- Practice mock interview questions with your friends or family.
- Read sample answers to common interview questions.
- Re-read the job description and make a list of your most relevant strengths and skills.
- Re-read your resume and cover letter to acquaint yourself with the key skills and resume achievements.
Taking the time to consider example answers to common interview questions is the single most effective way to prepare for your next interview. You can also consider these interview tips and tricks from ResumeNerd to ensure you make a great impression.
Three Simple Ways to Answer the “Tell Me About Yourself” Question
When you arrive at your interview, the recruiter may start with a general icebreaker or jump right into questions about your job search and how your skill set aligns with the role they are hiring for. “Tell me about yourself” is the most likely job interview question to be used as an icebreaker, and there are a few ways that you can turn this question into a great opportunity! Here are three good example answers to this question:
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The ‘Then and Now’ formula
Answer this question with a brief overview of where you are now, how you got there, and give a goal for the future. This is a great answer formula for those on vocational career paths where advancement is the main goal. It can also be a good option for grad students with minimal professional experience. Here’s an example:
“I’m a recent graduate from [xyz] medical school. I’ve been interested in working in healthcare since I was a child because of how safe the doctors and nurses at [local hospital] made me feel when my mom was sick. I like to excel at what I do and work hard; that’s how I became valedictorian. I’d really like to specialize in brain surgery in the future.“
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The ‘Highlight Reel’ formula
An overview of the best bits of your professional experience so far. This is a great way to answer this question if you are highly qualified for the role, but don’t forget to talk about yourself as a person rather than just focusing on your work. Here’s an example:
“I’ve been working in marketing for fifteen years, and it’s been great. I’ve had great opportunities to work with companies like [xyz] and [abc]. I’ve learned to treat each client as if they’re your last; because if you don’t treat them well, they could be! I’m an artist in my spare time, which I think has been helpful in my work.”
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The ‘People Person’ formula
This is a simple formula for answering this question that focuses on how you build relationships and past experiences with people that have helped you to grow in a professional sense. If you want to work in a caring profession or the job interview is for a very people-centered role like customer service, then this could be the way forward for you. Here’s an example:
“I like to think that I’m a team player. I play a lot of team sports in my free time, soccer is my favorite, and I think that it’s helped me to manage day to day stress better. You learn a lot about human nature when you play sports like this, and I’ve found that I enjoy being in support roles rather than center stage. I enjoy helping people meet their goals.”
Whatever information you choose to include, try to give an example of previous experiences or actions that support the statements you make about yourself. This will help you to stand out from the crowd and impress recruiters.
