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Find out how to answer the common interview question "tell me about yourself" with examples and tips. Browse through hundreds of posts from job seekers who share their personal and professional details, strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, and goals.
- Why Interviewers Ask “Tell Me About Yourself”
- How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”
- “Tell Me About Yourself” Sample Answers
- Additional Tips For Your Interview Introduction
- How Not to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”
- Summary of The Main Points
- FAQ
To help you ease into the interview
You shouldn’t have too much trouble talking about your background and interests. That’s why interviewers think it’s a good idea to take some pressure off by initiating an informal conversation. They also need some warming up before moving on to more complex technical, performance-based, and behavioral interview questions.
To check how you handle open-ended questions
No matter what position you’re applying for, good communication is an essential skill. And open-ended questions are the best way to see if you can express yourself clearly and effectively.
To gauge if you’re a good overall fit
When answering the “tell me about yourself” question, make sure your narrative resonates with what matters the most to the company and its values. For example, if your potential employer champions diversity, sustainability, or innovation, try to incorporate that factor into your answer. This will show that you did your research.
Focus on your professional life and use the the present-past-future formula: 1. Present:describe where you’re currently at with your career. 2. Past:explain how your previous roles and experiences shaped your professional self. 3. Future:outline your career plans and how this role aligns with them. Let’s see what that means and how to structure you...
Now let’s see how you can use all these tips in practice for a winning answer when introducing yourself in an interview.
Understand your audience
Adjust your tone of voice, register, and terminology to match those of your potential employer.To do this, gauge the company culture and check their digital channels to see the lingo and style they use. For example, the perfect answer for a growing startup won’t be the same as the one for a law firm. Analyze the job ad and create your answer around it. Try to check most but not exactly all the boxes — you want to show you did your homework and yet don’t come across as trying too hard. Find th...
Keep it professional
Sharing the story of your life won’t get you very far, so keep it on a need-to-know basis. Also, avoid any personal details or controversial subjects. Although you should build rapport with the interviewer, talking about politics or offering your unsolicited opinion on any sensitive topic is a big no-no. The same goes for badmouthing your current employer or co-workers. Stick to positive aspects of your professional life and academic background.
Show your personality
(Obviously, not by bringing up your latest fishing trip to Alaska.) There’s nothing wrong with telling a cool (and concise) story about yourself, but only if it makes sense in this particular job interview.So, share an anecdote about how you picked up a hobby that turned into a full-fledged career only if you can work it into the conversation in a meaningful way. That is if it somehow relates to the employer’s needs and requirements. Similarly, it’s okay to mention your character traits and i...
Now that you have a better idea of how to answer the tell-me-about-yourself question, let’s cover some typical mistakes that candidates make. Here are some of the big don’ts (with examples).
A quick recap of the key tips when answering the “Tell me about yourself” interview question: 1. Don’t wing it. It’s the beginning of the interview, so it’s important to start strong. 2. Structure your answer using the Present-Past-Future formula and keep your answer relevant and brief. 3. Mention your work experience and 1–2 of your top achievemen...
What if they ask me to describe myself in 5 words?
Carefully select five powerful and relevant words that best describe your personality, values, and skills. Choose words that align with the job requirements and showcase your strengths, such as “adaptable,” “collaborative,” “innovative,” “results-driven,” and “efficient.” If you’re feeling more creative, you can try and form a sentence or at least a coherent phrase using five words, such as: constantly striving to improve efficiency.
How do I sell myself during an interview?
Describe how your experiences, skills, and achievements fit the needs of the company you’re applying to. Provide clear examples, be confident, show enthusiasm for the role, and demonstrate how you can add value to the organization.
What if they ask: “How would your coworkers describe you?”
Reflect on your interactions and experiences with your colleagues. Highlight your ability to work collaboratively by mentioning qualities like “active listener,” “helpful,” “reliable,” and “supportive.” And, as always, show, don’t tell. Reference specific instances and examples of situations that showcase these attributes.
Nov 16, 2023 · Learn the best way to answer this common interview question and impress employers with your career story. See examples for different levels of experience and industries, and avoid common mistakes.
May 22, 2024 · Learn why interviewers ask this question and how to prepare a tailored, structured, and compelling answer. See 79+ sample answers for different professions and levels of experience.
- 10 min
Apr 8, 2024 · Learn why hiring managers ask this question and how to prepare a concise and compelling response. See examples of different ways to highlight your skills, experiences and personality for various roles and industries.
Learn why interviewers ask this common question and how to structure your answer to showcase your skills, experience, and fit for the job. See examples, tips, and variations of this prompt.
Learn everything you need to know to ace the question “Tell me about yourself” in your next interview and land the job.
