Imagine that you’re in an interview for your dream job, feeling focused, excited and nervous. You meet your interviewers and get settled. Then the dread creeps in as soon as they ask you, “So, tell me about yourself.”
You start to panic while wondering what exactly they want to know. Your life story? An overview of your resume? Why you chose this career path?
The panic causes you to ramble on and on about everything you can think of to share about yourself. You conclude your interview and immediately feel defeated. You know that you blew it from that very first question.
How Interviewers Really Want ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ to Be Answered
When an employer asks “Tell me about yourself” in an interview, they want a concise, professional summary. They want to understand who you are, where you have been professionally and what qualities you would bring to the position.
For instance, the information employers seek includes:
- How your background relates to the position
- What experiences in your professional background have prepared you for the role
- What strengths you bring to their organization
- Why you are interested in the role
Your goal in answering this question is to spark interest in you as a candidate and create a smooth transition into the rest of the interview.
The Present-Past-Future Formula Is Key to Answering This Difficult Interview Question
You can prepare for this question using this easy three-part formula:
- Present – Start with what you are doing now professionally. For instance, one way to answer this question would be “I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree in information technology while working the help desk for a local tech company.”
- Past – Briefly mention relevant professional or academic experiences that have prepared you for this role. A good answer would be “Prior to beginning my degree, I served six years in the military, where I developed leadership, problem-solving and teamwork skills.”
- Future – Connect your background to the targeted position. For instance, you could say, “I am now looking for an opportunity where I can combine my IT degree and help desk experience as well as my military leadership to support software development.”
Following this past-present-future formula will help keep your answer focused, relevant and professional. It will also be easier for potential employers to follow.
Tailor Your Answer to Your Industry
In addition to rambling, the most common mistake with answering “Tell me about yourself” is sharing information that has little or no connection to the job. Instead of discussing your entire professional and academic background, focus on just those experiences that best demonstrate your qualifications, skills, and career progression, just as you tailor your resume to answer a job ad.
Leave out anything that does not help the interviewer understand why you are a strong candidate for the job. The best answers to “Tell me about yourself” are customized to the industry.
For example, a human resources position should focus on communication, employee relations and leadership skills. Similarly, answering this question for a cybersecurity position can focus on your technical expertise, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
While your overall story remains the same, the details you cover in your answer should match what the employer values most.
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Answering ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
Many candidates make certain common mistakes when they answer the employer’s question of “Tell me about yourself.” In your interview, be sure to avoid:
- Repeating your resume verbatim
- Sharing highly personal information
- Taking more than two minutes to provide an answer
- Being vague and leaving out specifics
- Focusing only on your education
- Closing without connecting your experience to the position
Practice Your Answer Before the Interview
Even when you use the past-present-future formula, you run the risk of sounding awkward if you have not practiced your verbal interviewing skills. Consider recording yourself with a computer or smartphone. You can also reach out to a trusted friend or family member for a rehearsal or contact one of the University’s career coaches for a mock interview.
A word of caution: Refrain from over-practicing your answer to “Tell me about yourself” because you run the risk of sounding robotic and no longer authentic. By preparing your answers prior to an interview, you will be able to confidently explain your qualifications for the role and communicate your value.
Answering This Interviewing Question Properly Can Help You Stand Out from Other Candidates
The “tell me about yourself” question is your opportunity to set the tone of the interview and to make a memorable first impression to stand out from other candidates. In creating an answer that is focused, relevant, and structured, you will show your confidence and set the stage for a more successful interview.
A strong answer will not tell an interviewer everything about you, but it will tell potential employers exactly what they need to know and encourage them to learn more about you. Just a little preparation and planning can make this intimidating interview question one of the easiest questions to answer.
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