“Tell me about yourself” is usually the first question interviewers ask, but it is one of the hardest questions to answer.
Interviewers usually start with this question because it serves as a good icebreaker that eases into the interview. It can also determine the flow of the rest of the interview. Interviewers can decide to ask follow-up questions on your answer to this question. Sometimes it takes different forms, as well. Interviewers ask variants of this question, like “Describe yourself,” or “Tell me a little more about your background.”
Because this question is extremely broad and vague, it can be difficult to answer it. What are interviewers really looking for in your answer? Well, they typically want to see an overview of where you’ve been in your professional career. Additionally, they want to know where you hope to be in the future. They also want to have a general summary of your strengths and what you can bring to the position.
We put together some tips to help you craft the perfect answer to this question for your next interview!
Mention experiences relevant to the position.
This question is a great place to talk about past experiences that have shaped you and made you a good candidate for the position. Identify 3-5 skills or traits that the position is looking for. Then, share stories that demonstrate you have those skills.
This includes:
- Success stories from previous positions that showcase your strengths.
- Relevant professional experiences that have taught you the skills necessary for the position
Interviewers will already have your resume. Therefore, don’t reiterate what they can already see on your resume. Instead, go beyond your resume. Use specific anecdotes and examples to show that you would be a good fit for the company.
For example: “In my previous role as a project coordinator, I developed strong project management and communication skills by implementing weekly check-ins and using software to track progress. This helped align teams and meet tight deadlines. Through this, I improved my ability to coordinate across departments and adapt processes. I believe these skills are essential for success in this role.”
Show that you’re passionate.
Take this question as an opportunity to speak on why you started working in the field in the first place. A meaningful story explaining why you’re passionate about the job can show the recruiter how much you value your work. Consider how the company’s mission might align with your story. Relating the two with each other will show recruiters that you would be a good fit for the company. While your answer should maintain a professional tone, bringing in a personal, relevant story can make your answer more memorable. It’s all about standing out from the other candidates!
For example: “I’ve known I wanted to work in this field since I was a kid. I would spend hours tinkering with old computers. I even helped some neighbors set up their first email accounts. That experience sparked my passion for technology’s potential to create positive change. When I learned about your company’s mission to empower underserved communities, I knew I wanted to contribute my skills to a team with such a meaningful purpose.”
Be specific to the company and position.
Make sure to research the position and company before going into the interview. By doing so, you can tailor your answer better. Identify specific information about the company and position that resonate with you. Explain why those things are important to you. Figure out how the company’s values align with your values. Defining how your professional goals are aligned with the position. Being specific shows recruiters exactly why you want this position. More importantly, it demonstrates that you would fit in well with the company and contribute to their overall mission.
For example: “My professional goal is to continue growing in a role that allows me to leverage my skills in project management while contributing to projects that have a lasting impact. This position perfectly aligns with that by offering opportunities to work on innovative initiatives. Additionally, I admire how your company values sustainability. This resonates deeply with my own belief in creating positive environmental change, making this an ideal fit for both my career and personal values.”
Organize your answer.
Having a clear organization of your answer will make your message clear and help you organize your thoughts. Your answer should include three components: the past, present, and future. Your past professional experiences should reflect your skills and previous successes. The present involves what you’re looking for in a position right now. The future includes what your long term career goals look like.
One way you can do this is by organizing your answer chronologically. Start with past experiences, then go into what kind of position you’re seeking, and end with your career goals. Alternatively, you could start with the position you’re seeking, then go into your past experiences, and end with your career goals. Take the previous components discussed in this blog post and organize them in one of those two ways. By doing so, your answer to the question will have a clear structure and purpose. Additionally, organizing your answer can keep you from rambling, which is easy to do because this question is so broad.
Be positive!
Last but not least, make sure to maintain a positive, professional tone in your answer. Avoid speaking negatively about your previous employers or work experiences. If you were recently let go from a position, this question is also not the place to discuss that. Instead, focus on showing that you are excited about the position. Show that you are confident that you will succeed in this position. Since “Tell me about yourself” is the first thing interviewers ask, it’s important to make a good first impression with your answer.
For more interview advice, check out this blog post on interviewing with confidence, or this blog post on acing online interviews. You can find more sample answers for “Tell me about yourself” here.