How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo
In most job interviews, you can expect to be asked common questions to help the hiring manager gauge if you’re a fit for the job. A few popular questions are “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “What can you bring to the company?” However, another question, which is often asked first, is, “Tell me about yourself.”
While many may find this question easy, some people stumble when answering. Whether it's due to nervousness, being unprepared, or just not knowing how to sum up your professional life in a few sentences, this question can be challenging for many.
If you’re ready to impress interviewers, use these tips to answer “Tell me about yourself” during your next interview.
Choose a good starting point
This question is meant for you to share your career journey and how you believe this position is the right move for your professional development. So, as you prepare to answer this question, think about where you currently are in your career.
Are you switching careers? Or did you graduate from college with a relevant degree? Use your past work experiences and educational background as a starting point to tell your story, and include how these experiences apply to the position.
Highlight your professional accomplishments
Use this question to professionally “boast” about your career accomplishments and their relevance to the position you’re interviewing for. For example, do you remember when you led your team on a grant-funded project or earned the Google Analytics certificate? Think about your past achievements, and choose the ones that show your skills and knowledge.
Keep it short
Try to avoid spending too much time answering this question. While it’s tempting to give a lengthy response to such an open-ended question, your answer should be concise. Aim to spend no more than two minutes sharing your career story. Remember, this is typically the first interview question, so you’ll have more time to share your experience and skills in later questions.