How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”
You can guarantee that “tell me about yourself” (or a similar variation) will crop up early in most interviews. It is intended as an icebreaker to get the conversation moving, but if answered strategically, candidates can use it to signpost some critical aspects of their story.
With an open invitation to say anything about yourself, what do you focus on?
While it is tempting to launch into a monologue of your greatest hits, it is worth pausing to think whether they will interest a hiring manager for this particular role.
The questions that they are really asking are:
“Tell me things about yourself that will help me to decide whether to hire you.”
When you put it like this, your answers suddenly become more nuanced. Here are some considerations to bear in mind when you come to construct your answer.
Tell me about yourself
Keep it professional and relevant.
It is the closest thing you will get to a personal question in an interview, but that doesn’t mean that your answer should not be predominantly professional. You are interviewing for a job at a company, so launching into a long rant about your passion for pot plants won’t get you very far. By all means, mention your green fingers, but don’t make them your main selling point.
Don’t prepare a perfect answer.
You never know when the “tell me about yourself” question will come in an interview. You may have already mentioned some of the aspects of your career story, so relying on a pre-prepared potted version that repeats what has been said will be a waste (and seem somewhat contrived). Be spontaneous and use what you have learned about the role and the hiring manager to gently influence how you answer.
Consider your audience.
While your answer should be focused on you and what you bring to the role, you should also consider your audience. What is the hiring manager interested in? Have you done your research on them beforehand? Do you have any professional or personal interests in common? Obviously, don’t indicate that you have been stalking them. Why wouldn’t you do your research if you are interested in the personality fit?
Show that you understand the role.
If you are smart, you might choose to tailor your answer to show that you have rare qualities that show you are a perfect choice for the role. The answer should not sound too contrived, but if you are telling the truth, the “fit” of this answer will prove to a hiring manager just how much you have thought about your suitability. More than half of your fellow applicants will be underprepared. Step above the mediocrity.
About your journey
Past. Present. Future.
Ideally, your answer could shine a light on your personal journey. Where have you been? Where are you now? What does your future look like? Make the interviewer a part of your career story – their decision will influence the trajectory of your life. Answering in this way can influence them to buy into your story. It is essential to show that this next step will be all about growth (in whatever sense). Your development will be beneficial to your employer.
60% work. 30% personal. 10% academic.
While the bulk of your answer should be about your professional story, this is a perfect opportunity to sprinkle a few personal details into the mix. Your future boss will naturally wonder what you are like. While certain personal questions are off-limits, this question offers a candidate the chance to open up. Which personal details do you think would advance your cause? Finally, don’t forget to mention your education briefly.
How not to answer “tell me about yourself”
…. Incomprehensible and breathless ramble with no ultimate message
…. Embarrassingly personal details that make the hiring manager blush
…. Modesty. Unimpressive if you haven’t got much to say for yourself
…. Monologue that mindlessly repeats the highlights of your CV
…. Ask the hiring manager what they would like to know – don’t be a smart-arse
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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists.
Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).
