How to Answer: Tell me About Yourself

One of the most common interview questions that you’re likely to be asked is “Tell me about yourself.” Despite its simplicity, this question can be surprisingly difficult to answer. It’s a broad question that leaves a lot of room for interpretation, and it can be hard to know what the interviewer is really looking for. In this article, we’ll explore some strategies for answering this question effectively and show you how to make the most of this opportunity to showcase your skills and personality.

Understand the purpose of the question Before you can answer this question effectively, it’s important to understand why interviewers ask it. In most cases, the goal of this question is to learn more about you as a person and a professional. Interviewers want to know how you present yourself, how you communicate, and what your priorities are. They’re also looking for clues about your experience, your qualifications, and your potential fit within their organization.

Keep it relevant

When answering the “tell me about yourself” question, it’s important to stay focused on the job at hand. This means talking about your professional experience and qualifications, rather than your personal life or hobbies. Of course, it’s fine to mention some personal information if it’s relevant to the job or helps to establish a connection with the interviewer. For example, if you’re interviewing for a job in a specific industry and you’ve been passionate about that industry since you were young, it’s fine to mention that.

Highlight your strengths

The “tell me about yourself” question is a great opportunity to highlight your strengths and accomplishments. This is your chance to showcase your skills and show the interviewer what you can bring to the table. Be sure to focus on your most impressive achievements, and explain how they demonstrate your value as an employee. For example, if you helped to increase sales at your previous job, explain how you did it and how it contributed to the success of the company.

Be concise

One of the biggest mistakes that candidates make when answering the “tell me about yourself” question is rambling on for too long. Remember, this is just the beginning of the interview, and the interviewer is likely to have many more questions for you. Keep your answer brief and to the point, and avoid going off on tangents. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a response that lasts no longer than two minutes.

Practice your answer

The more you practice your answer to the “tell me about yourself” question, the more confident and polished you’ll come across in the interview. Take some time to prepare a brief, concise response that highlights your strengths and qualifications. Practice saying it out loud until you’re comfortable with the wording and the delivery. You can even practice in front of a mirror or with a friend to get feedback on your body language and tone of voice.

Use the “STAR” method

One effective strategy for answering the “tell me about yourself” question is to use the “STAR” method. This stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here’s how it works:

Situation: Describe a situation or challenge that you faced in your previous job or education.

Task: Explain what your role was in that situation, and what you were responsible for.

Action: Describe the specific actions you took to address the situation or complete the task.

Result: Explain the outcome of your actions, and what you learned from the experience.

Using the STAR method can help you to provide a clear, concise answer that highlights your problem-solving skills and your ability to work under pressure.

Be authentic

Finally, it’s important to be authentic when answering the “tell me about yourself” question. Don’t try to present yourself as someone you’re not, or embellish your qualifications or achievements. Interviewers can usually tell when someone is being insincere, and it can harm your chances of getting the job. Instead, focus on presenting yourself honestly and authentically. Talk about your strengths, but also be honest about your weaknesses and what you’re doing to improve them.

The “tell me about yourself” question can be a challenging one to answer, but with the right preparation and strategy, you can use it to your advantage in the interview process. Remember to keep your answer concise and relevant, highlight your strengths and accomplishments, and use the STAR method if it helps you to organize your thoughts. Most importantly, be authentic and let your personality and passion shine through. By doing these things, you’ll be well on your way to making a great impression on your interviewer and landing the job you want.

Ultimately, the key to answering the “tell me about yourself” question is to be prepared, confident, and authentic. By taking the time to prepare a concise, compelling answer that highlights your strengths and qualifications, you’ll be well on your way to acing your next job interview and landing the job of your dreams.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2018). Mastering the Job Interview. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/career-resources/job-interview

Doyle, A. (2021). How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview. The Balance Careers. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tell-me-about-yourself-job-interview-question-2060958

Forbes. (2018). How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2018/01/22/how-to-answer-tell-me-about-yourself-in-a-job-interview/?sh=726b36a03b91

The Muse. (2021). How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview. Retrieved from https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-answer-tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question

. Zemke, R. (2019). How to answer “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/90347914/how-to-answer-tell-me-about-yourself-in-a-job-interview

In addition to these resources, there are also many books and online courses that can help you improve your interview skills and prepare for common interview questions like “tell me about yourself.” One book that comes highly recommended is “Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell, which is specifically geared toward technical interviews but includes advice and strategies that can be useful for any type of job interview. Another popular resource is the online course “Ace Your Job Interview with These Strategies” offered by Coursera, which covers a range of interview topics and provides tips and practice exercises to help you improve your interview skills.