10 Smart Tips in Answering "Tell Me About Yourself" During Interviews
“Tell me about yourself” is one of the tricky questions employers ask during an interview. It sounds easy enough, but if you’re not prepared, you may not give a satisfying answer. How can you answer such a broad question? What does the interviewer really want to know? To help you ace that interview, JobStreet gives tips, plus “Tell me about yourself” sample answers!
Why They Ask This Question
While this question is a way to communicate how you see yourself and how you present this information to other people, hirers also ask this to:
Officially start the interview.
The prompt aims to put you at ease, while signaling the start of the interview. The question is casual enough to pass off as small talk, but formal enough for the interviewer to gain insights about you.
Formulate follow-up questions.
After listening to your reply, some interviewers may move on to other questions. But others will base their succeeding questions on your answer. Your words have the power to set the tone of the whole interview, so you must give your answer some thought.
Know if you’re the best candidate for the job.
Sometimes, “Tell me about yourself” is really “Why should I hire you?” in disguise. If you use this question to highlight your credentials, the interviewer can get a clear picture of your skills and experience.
Gauge your confidence and communication skills.
The interviewer is mentally noting down what you say and what you don’t say. Pay attention to your body language—sit up straight and look the hirer in the eye. Answer questions directly in a clear voice. Showing confidence also show your competence.
10 Tips in Answering “Tell Me About Yourself”
Ace that job interview by reading our pointers in crafting an excellent response to this question.
1. Consider its importance.
Most interviewers form their first impression of you within the first few minutes. How did you enter the room? Did you greet the interviewer? How did you dress up for the interview? Making a favorable first impression may dictate the direction of the rest of the interview. If you fail to hit the target early on, you’ll spend the remaining time making up for your weak opening. But if you start out strong and show the interviewer that you’re prepared, they’re likely to pay more attention.
2. Strategize your storytelling.
To guarantee a coherent response, think about how you want to begin and finish it. Hiring experts agree that it’s best to start with your present skills, working your way back to your professional journey, and ending with what you can offer to your possible employer. Keep in mind though that this isn’t a strict format! If you feel that you should start with a past anecdote that’s sure to hook the interviewer, then go ahead. The most important thing is to finish it by saying why you’re interested in the job.
3. Convince that you fit the role.
Take advantage of this question to prove you’re the perfect candidate for the job. State past experiences and milestones related to the role. Research about the role and the company. Study the job description, and explore the company website to learn its work culture, values, and history. By incorporating some keywords in your answer, you let the hirer know you’ve done your research.
4. Mention why you applied.
Employers are always curious about why you want to work for them. HiTo present a convincing case, try answering these points:
How is this role compatible with your career goals?
How did you hear about the company?
Do you think you share the same values as the company? In what way?
How do you envision this industry’s future?
5. Tweak your answer based on the interviewer.
Your goal is to hold the attention of your interviewer. If you’re applying for a technical role and the one interviewing you is from HR (human resources), you don’t need to dish out procedural terms. But if you’re talking to a potential direct boss, go ahead and get into details. Just make sure to make your reply as clear and relatable as possible.
6. Let a bit of your personality shine through.
Professionalism is a must during the interview, but this doesn’t mean you should sound mechanical. A great way to show your personality is to describe your passion for your work. For example, if you’re applying as a production assistant in a film company, you can talk about what inspired you to enter the industry. Injecting a personal touch in your answer can make you stand out in a sea of applicants.
7. Be succinct.
Curate the details of your professional journey. If you talk about all the details, you’ll end up rambling. A pro-tip from the experts? Keep your answer down to one or two minutes.
8. Practice.
Before the interview, record yourself stating the answer. Note what you can improve in tone, word choice, and body language. If you can, practice with a friend, and ask for feedback afterward. But if you do rehearse, make sure that your reply doesn’t sound like it was memorized.
9. Maintain a positive tone.
You may have had a falling out with a former boss or colleague, but you don’t need to bring that up in the interview. If you get a chance to talk about it later in the conversation, try to focus on what you've learned from the experience. There’s no room for bad-mouthing or griping during your first interview.
10. Be truthful.
You want to show you’re the perfect candidate, but not to the point of lying about your credentials. Stick to the truth and emphasize your stellar points, but never invent accomplishments or skills. Honesty is a virtue much appreciated by employers.
Also read: 90 Day Reboot: Easy Tips to Get a Job While Still Employed
Answers for “Tell me about yourself” in Interviews
Here are some sample answers to get you started, depending on where you are in your career.
If you’re applying for a higher position in a similar industry:
“I started my career as a sales representative, and after two years, I was promoted to assistant manager. At first, I didn’t think I was ready for the role, but with the help of the manager, who’s been my mentor from the start, I was able to do my duties well. Two years in a row, I was recognized as one of the top employees because of my contribution to our team’s excellent customer service. After four years in this role, I’m ready to move up to a higher position, and I think this job opening for a manager is the perfect way for me to share my knowledge and skills while advancing my career.”
If you’re switching careers:
“I’ve been working as a marketing assistant for almost two years, and my job has helped me pinpoint what consumers want and what turns them off. Recently, the company migrated its products and services online, which helped boost my digital marketing skills. I was assigned to the content team, and I helped brainstorm blog articles and was in charge of social media posts. As a result, our website traffic increased by over 50%. The experience made me realize how much I enjoyed overseeing our socials, which is why I’m here to apply for the social media manager post you’re offering.”
If you’re a fresh graduate:
“I graduated last May with a degree in advertising, and I’ve spent my summer being an intern in a company that provides content. I was exposed to different areas of the industry, including print, video and digital. Since their clients were local and international, I got to know different work cultures and values. This has widened my perspective about global marketing trends. I helped complete close to ten projects, including producing a launch campaign for one of Asia-Pacific’s top shoe brands. I hope to bring everything I learned as a junior graphic designer in your company.”
Impress Interviewers and Land that Job!
Now that you know how to answer this tricky interview question, you can start job-hunting. Need more help? Try our Interview Practice Tool to boost your confidence and speaking skills.
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