Answering the Daunting “Tell Me About Yourself” Question

“Tell me about yourself” seems like a simple request, but it’s often one of the most daunting questions of the interview. It’s open-ended, broad, and sets the tone for the rest of the conversation.

Here are some thoughts on how to effectively and impactfully answer this question.

Keep it professional

The key to nailing this question is setting the right tone. While it is tempting to dive into your life story or love of weekend hiking, remember that this is primarily a professional inquiry.

Focus on your professional journey, skills, and experiences relevant to the job you are interviewing for. This doesn’t mean you can’t mention personal interests, but this first question is your moment to position yourself for the rest of the interview and the position itself.

Structure your response

To avoid rambling, organize your response with a beginning, middle, and end. Start by briefly mentioning your experience and relevant responsibilities to this new position. This is the moment to communicate your fit for the role and express your enthusiasm to join this team or company.

Align with your resume

Your response should complement your resume, not regurgitate it. Use this opportunity to clarify key points. This can include explaining the context of specific roles or projects, the impact of your work, or particular successes you’ve had. It’s a chance to add color and depth to the bullet points.

Be concise and engaging

While covering sufficient ground in your answer is essential, brevity is just as important. Aim for a response that spans about 90 seconds. This forces you to focus on the most critical points without losing the interviewer’s interest. An engaging, well-paced narrative makes your answer memorable.

Practice your answer

Practice is crucial to delivering a smooth response that sounds polished. Practice your key points and allow for flexibility in how you deliver them based on the flow of the conversation.

“Tell me about yourself” is an excellent opportunity to confidently showcase who you are and set a positive tone for the rest of the interview.

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