All Will Be Revealed: How to Answer the “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question
“Tell me about yourself” When you are asked this common question in an interview, the best answer is one that outlines your main selling points for the role and explains why you are interested in the job now. When you focus on your relevant qualifications for the job and can convince the interviewer that you are ready for the challenge, you have an excellent chance of at least making the hiring manager’s shortlist.
On the surface, “Tell me about yourself” seems like a simple question to answer, yet it is one that interviewees dread. The main reason is that interviewees are unable to determine what the hiring manager is looking for. However, if you prepare well enough for the job interview, you will be shocked by how easily you sail through your answer.
Why Interviews Ask You the “Tell Me About Yourself” Question
From the interviewer’s perspective, this query is one of the best for finding out if a candidate is suited to the role. It is worth remembering that the hiring manager wants to like you; it behoves them to find the best candidates for the sake of their reputation.
The idea behind “Tell me about yourself” is just that. The goal is to get you talking about yourself in a way that reveals enough information to mark you down as a ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ for the job. It is typically one of the first questions asked, and it helps colour the interviewer’s impression of you from the beginning.
How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”
You can use the most frequently stated do’s and don’ts in job interviews to help you avoid ineffectively answering any interview question. The don’ts when answering this particular question can be summed up like this:
- Regurgitate your CV
- Being too modest OR too arrogant.
- Including irrelevant information such as your favourite colour or wine.
- Discussing aspects of your career that have little or no relevance to the role or industry in question.
You need to answer this question with laser-like precision, and it is a much simpler task than you think. The best answer to any common interview question is short and succinct. You may need to inject just enough personality to get the hiring manager to like you but resist the urge to ramble, brag, or hide in your shell. A great answer involves the following facets:
- Details ‘Who’ You Are: Begin by outlining who you are professionally and throw in a couple of strengths.
- Provides an Overview of Your Skills: Your interviewer may not remember your CV, so remind him of your talent by highlighting a few key skills that make you a good fit for the job.
- Explain Why You Want the Job: If we’re cynical, the main reason to get a job is to pay your rent and not starve to death, but the interviewer already knows that! Instead, outline that you want a new challenge and believe the company and job offer it.
Sample Answers For the “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question
“I have had seven years of experience working for a top London financial firm as a technical project manager. Two years ago, I led a project that ultimately developed a multi award-winning trading platform. Now, I am seeking a role at another fast-paced firm to apply my problem solving and technical skills at a fast-rising IT firm such as this one.”
“After spending five years in retail, I moved into the healthcare space because I have always possessed the ability to bring people together through good communication. I spent the next three years as a manager and believe that my skillset would make me ideal for a role in administration. As a result, I switched careers four years ago and now operate as a dedicated health administrator.”
“I am an account executive at Johnson’s and have been tasked with looking after the firm’s biggest client. Before that, I worked at a major advertising agency that handled two of the country’s top three healthcare brands. Although I enjoyed the work, I now wish to focus on a single healthcare company, which is why the position at Acme Limited is so exciting for me.”
Things to Avoid When Answering “Tell Me About Yourself”
Perhaps the biggest mistake interviewees make when answering this question is to go off on a tangent. The result is an answer that is an incoherent and rambling mess. You know it is a common interview question, so there is no excuse for not creating a ‘scripted’ answer and sticking to it. Remember, it is usually one of the first questions asked, so there is little danger of repeating information already mentioned in the interview.
In any case, here are a few things you should avoid mentioning:
- Religious or Political Affiliations: It is said that if you don’t want to fall out with someone, avoid discussing religion or politics. You have no idea if the interviewer shares your views, so it is best to keep a lid on it.
- Personal Information: This means anything you wouldn’t ordinarily tell a stranger. It also relates to information about your family.
- Hobbies: Unless you have a hobby that is directly related to the job, it is best to keep your love of stamps or trainspotting under wraps. There is also a danger that a passion for a hobby could backfire. No company wants to take the chance of hiring someone that could miss work due to their obsession with a hobby.
Frequently Asked Interview Questions Related to ‘Tell Me About Yourself”
While the following questions are not necessarily the same as “Tell me about yourself,” they are all designed to gain a greater insight into ‘who’ you are personally and professionally.
- “Describe Yourself”
- “Why Would You Like to Work for Us?”
- “What Makes You Unique?”
- “Outline What You Do in Your Current Position.”
- “Where Do You See Yourself In 5/10 Years?”
- “What Motivates You?”
- “What Are You Passionate About?”
- “Why Should We Hire You?”
- “Why Do You Want This Job?”
- “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”