How to answer “Tell me about yourself” in an interview 

This blog will cover expert tips, strategies and examples on answering one of the most common interview questions: “Tell me about yourself.” Including some great ideas on how to give a highly engaging and punchy response!

I can guarantee you, that if you have ever been for an interview, then you have been asked to ‘tell me about yourself’. The responses to these questions are so vast – right from the highly engaging and punchy to the rambly and irrelevant. I have highlighted a few points below which will hopefully steer you away from the ‘rambly’ and point you toward the ‘highly engaging’!

“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”

Why do interviewers often ask this question? Well, for starters, it is a way for the interviewer to assess your communication and interpersonal skills. It tests your ability to think on your feet, to be succinct and answer the question directly. 

Other variations of TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF can also be;

• ‘I have your resume in front of me, but tell me more about yourself’
• ‘Take/talk me through your resume’
• ‘I’d love to learn more about your career journey to date’
• ‘Tell me a little bit more about your background concerning this role you are applying for’
• ‘Describe yourself’
• ‘Tell me something about yourself that is not on your resume’

Focus your answer

The number one piece of advice I can give you with this question is to choose the right starting point for your story. 

“I was born in a small town in..19…” is not the right start! If you are a recent graduate, start with the fact you just graduated or if you are a seasoned executive, start with a highly relevant and very high level overview.

Example – “I have spent the last 15 years of my career in sales management roles, and have then focused on (more specifically on the last 10 or so years…)”. 

If you have a moderate amount of experience, start with the moment you graduated, however, focus more on your more recent experience, as that is most likely the most relevant to the job to which you are applying. 

So, in an interview what is the ideal answer to “tell me about yourself?” 

Some food for thought below…

This is your chance to sell yourself!  – A great idea is to include some impressive experience and achievements while keeping in mind the relevance to the role to which you are applying. Don’t give them a random fact of ‘I hold the Guinness world record for…” Mention experiences and key successes as they relate to the job. Try and focus on strengths and abilities supported with examples. This is also a great opportunity to let a little bit of your personality shine through, to break the ice. 

You may want to mention hobbies that demonstrate intellectual tendencies or community engagement or relevance to the job at hand, or further education. 

Keep your answers professional and work-related –  as you can divulge all the weird and wonderful facts about yourself over a drink once the job has been secured! 

Be concise – I have heard ‘tell me about yourself’ go for half the interview – which really doesn’t do you any favour whatsoever. Try and keep it to a maximum of two minutes – this is enough time to introduce and sell yourself, give a brief career summary and explain why you are here. We don’t need a full play by play going back to primary school house captain.

Conclude the pitch by explaining your current situation – why you are applying for their job, and what you are looking to do next. 

Don’t lie – remember the truth will always come out.

Three ways to answer “Tell me about yourself”

If you are a tradie a great example is:

“I’m particularly skilled in troubleshooting complex electrical issues and I’m certified in the latest safety regulations. In my previous role, I led the installation of a large solar power system for a commercial building, which resulted in significant energy savings for the client.”

If you are involved in a community activity an example might be:

“On the weekends I volunteer as a lifeguard at my local beach. As a lifeguard, I’m responsible for ensuring the safety of swimmers, responding to emergencies, and communicating with team members to coordinate our efforts. These experiences have taught me to remain calm and focused in high-pressure situations, communicate effectively with a diverse range of people, and work collaboratively in a team environment.”

If you have a practical hobby, an example might be:

“I’m passionate about ceramic wheel throwing. I’ve been practising this craft as a hobby in my spare time for several years now. I love this as I have a keen eye for detail, creativity,  patience, and an ability to work methodically and with precision. It is also a great way to relax after work, and be involved in the local community as I work out of a community centre space”

What to avoid saying when you are asked “tell me about yourself”

A few big ‘no-nos’ are important to be aware of, and the most important ones to remember are;

• Do not tell your life story, the interviewer does not need your entire life story, just  a little bit that is relevant is fine
• Do not complain about your boss or job search – big no no. You will look like the problem, not the boss.
• Do not get too personal or bring up risky topics which could elicit far too much emotion for an interview. 

In summary – your first impression matters, tailor your answer to the role and company, practice but don’t memorise, keep it positive and professional, and don’t ramble!!!

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Written by Emma Moore. Based in Bayside in Melbourne, Emma has spent 15 years in Corporate Talent Acquisition roles in global organizations across Consulting, Professional Services and Telecommunications.  Emma has tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Business (Human Resource Management) and Careers Development and Education. Emma has read and provided feedback on thousands of resumes, interviewed hundreds of candidates and made those all important hiring decisions with her stakeholders. Emma is in a unique position to enable you to represent yourself in the best possible way. She knows exactly what prospective employers like to see and hear throughout the application and interview process as a result of being ‘on the other side of the fence’ for so many years.

Want to work with Emma? Contact her today to set up a Resume, LinkedIn or Interview Coaching session.