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"So, Tell Me About Yourself"
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“Tell me about yourself”
At this point, you are just a face with a name and one of many candidates.
Refrain from repeating what is on your resume or telling your life story. It might become more important to expand later if you prove to be a viable candidate.
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- Highlight the most important aspects of your resume.
- Mention a passion that shows that you’re a self-starter. This is a great chance to display your quirks and interests in order to connect with the interviewer.
- End with why you’re here in the first place. You want the interviewer to think, “Wow, I really think this might be the one.”
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The reason for the question
Interviewers ask questions like "tell me about yourself " to determine if you're qualified to do the work and if you will fit in with the team.
How to Answer the Question
It might be a good idea to share something about yourself that is doesn't relate directly to your career.
For example, interests like running might represent that you are healthy and energetic. Pursuits like being an avid reader might showcase your intellectual leaning. Volunteer work will demonstrate your commitment to the welfare of your community.
The “present-past-future” formula
This is a simple formula to construct your response.
- Start with a short overview of where you are now (which could include your current job along with a reference to a personal hobby or passion).
- Reference how you got to where you are (you could mention education, or an important experience, internship or volunteer experience).
- Finish by describing a probable goal for the future.
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'So, Tell me about Yourself'
... or some version of that is one of the most fundamental and common questions asked in any first round of a Job Interview.
Hiring managers usually like to ask this question, because it ...
Short vs long answers
The conventional expert opinion is to provide a crisp, 30 second to 1-minute answer to the question "Tell me about yourself", but one minute isn’t enough time to deliver a meaningful response that benefits you as a candidate.
Experts prefer a short answer, as it has less chance of leading the candidate to drift or ramble.
Benefits of a long answer
- A longer answer to "Tell me about yourself" allows you to provide a useful narrative beyond the résumé.
- It lets you reveal key motivations that drove your career path.
- You can shape the interview in your direction.
- It's an opportunity to stand out from the other candidates.
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Why Interviewers Ask It
This introductory question serves as an icebreaker to lend an easy flow to the conversation. It helps the recruiter to get to know you in terms of hard and soft skills.
It’s a great op...
How to build your response
- Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and possibly a recent achievement.
- Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention a past experience that’s relevant to the job and company you’re applying for.
- Future: Continue with what you’re looking to do next and why you’re interested in this job.
Tailor Your Answer
Interviewers want to know how your answer about yourself is relevant to the position and company you’re applying for.
This is an opportunity to articulate why you’re interested and how your objective fulfills their goals. In order to do that, spend some time researching the company. If your answers resonate with them, it shows that you really understand the role.