Hmmm.
Well, I’m from Colorado. I raise goats. I have a rash.
Most people get nervous before interviews. And nerves can cause you to stumble through even the most fundamental interactions.
That’s why the tell me about yourself interview question is the hardest part of the interview for some job seekers. It often comes first, and it’s mystifying.
That’s why you need to prepare.
But how do you know where to start?
It takes a bit of research and practice. But it’s worth it. And at least you can be sure that you won’t start your interview with a rant about your early childhood diseases.
This guide will show you:
What the interviewer is really asking.
How to answer the tell me about yourself interview question.
Several examples of the best way to answer and why.
And if want to make sure you’ll turn every interview into a job offer, get our free checklist: Things You Need to Do Before, During, and After Your Big Interview.
The tell me about yourself interview question is one of the first you'll hear in an interview.
Now, a lot of job seekers find it tough to provide a satisfying answer. That’s because they’re not sure what the hiring manager is asking.
So, what is the hiring manager asking?
There are a few possible ways that hiring managers can phrase the request.
You might hear:
Tell me about yourself.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Tell something about yourself.
Say something about yourself.
Describe yourself in three words.
What would you like me to know about you?
But what are they really asking?
Tell me about yourself as a professional.
What do YOU think is important for the job?
How are you going to fit in with the company and provide value?
Can you answer an “unstructured” question on the fly?
Even if the hiring manager doesn’t ask you point blank to talk about yourself, it’s a good idea to prepare an answer. That’s because the entire interview is about answering this question.
Preparation will also stop you from listing hobbies or talking about the time you got a rock stuck in your nose.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that the request is “unstructured.” See, the hiring manager will leave some interview questions vague on purpose.
That’s because the hiring manager wants to see HOW you answer the question. She’s less interested in what you say.
When she says tell me about yourself, what do you decide to share? What do you find important to tell your future employer about yourself?
What’s important - the company’s needs or yours?
Do you answer with personal information or professional?
Are you aware of what position on offer requires?
Do you know what the company does and values?
What type of thinker and worker are you?
Do you repeat information off your resume word for word?
Do you recite something practiced like a robot?
Do you think on your feet or do you ask for clarification?
What initial impression do you make on other people?
Are you articulate and confident?
Are you flabbergasted and confused?
What kind of first impression do you make?
Pro Tip: Your answer should reflect that you're aware of the company's needs and values. Meanwhile, your tone should register as articulate, confident, and prepared.
Do try to avoid sounding robotic. It’s hard, but not impossible. Even if you’re the nervous type.
Introducing yourself during an interview is a lot like introducing yourself on your resume. Read our guide: " How to Write a Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See "
To talk about your professional self, you’ll need to do two things.
First, you’ll need to identify your greatest professional achievements.
Second, you’ll need to tailor your accomplishments to the needs of the company.
So, what are your greatest achievements? Ask yourself:
Have you ever accomplished anything at work that you can illustrate with numbers? (Good examples are earning money, cutting costs, or improving efficiency.)
Can you think of accomplishments that demonstrate how well you use a skill?
Was there a time when your boss praised you?
Did you ever win an award or receive a promotion?
Note, you do not have to take your examples from your job experience.
If you have little or no work experience, you can take examples and success stories from anywhere.
Are you a student or fresh graduate? Your achievements can include success stories from your extracurricular activities. You can also talk about awards and honors you received at school.
Let’s say you’re a professional with a stretch of long-term unemployment. Or you’re a career changer, and your success stories are unique to a different industry.
It’s more than okay to refer to success stories from jobs you had a long time ago. Your tell me about yourself answer can span your entire career.
You can also talk about your achievements at the jobs you held in different industries.
The point of the exercise is to identify your achievements. You’ll narrow them down later. You can write down as many as you can think of now.
Once you have a master list of your top achievements, go back and take a long look at your job description. Underline all the skills and requirements listed. Where do you exceed the requirements?
Here’s an example of a job description for a Product Marketing Manager:
Notice the keywords underlined in the job description:
Strong analytical skills.
Can optimize the use of data and information to uncover customer insight.
Can provide strong evidence-based analyses that build brand equity and a differential advantage.
Customer Focused
Can develop and sustain positive relationships to obtain customer insight.
Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
Can coordinate information and requirements with related operational departments.
Proactive in identifying needs/issues.
Can employ effective solutions in a timely manner.
Detailed and action oriented.
There are a million possibilities here for your tell me about yourself sample answer.
The candidate could choose a success story based on communication. She could talk about the time she developed a relationship that gave her insight.
Now, look back at your master list of achievements. You’ll want to circle those that match the qualities you find in your job offer.