Cracking the Code: How to Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself' in Interviews

Hello, dear readers!

Today, I've decided to address one of the most popular questions that arise during my sessions with job seekers. While we've previously discussed this topic in one of my previous posts, I believe revisiting it is crucial to ensure everyone fully comprehends and grasps it. Let's dive right in!

"What is the most challenging aspect of participating in any recruitment process?" It's talking about yourself.

Surprisingly, many candidates struggle with knowing what to say and where to begin. Some tend to focus on their personal lives, such as mentioning they're a parent of two kids or a proud owner of two dogs. Others reminisce about their childhood or dwell on their past work duties. Unfortunately, these approaches don't align with what interviewers want to hear and fall short of delivering a compelling self-presentation.

Why Do Interviewers Ask “Tell Me About Yourself”?

"Can you tell me about yourself?" is a common interview question typically posed as an icebreaker or pathfinder question right at the start of an interview. You can find more about answering standard questions during initial interviews in this article: Nailing the First Impression: A Guide to Answering Common Interview Questions.

However, this question can catch you off guard because it may seem vague, broad, and somewhat tricky. But understanding why interviewers ask this question, often framed as a command, can provide you with valuable insights on how to answer it effectively.

Interviewers ask this question to help ease both you and them into the core of the interview, transitioning from introductory formalities to the heart of the matter. It allows them to gauge how well you can summarize your experience and demonstrate its relevance to the job you're applying for, which, in turn, guides them on what to ask next. Trust me; the interviewer isn't inquiring about your preference for dogs or cats but is interested in learning about your background, skills, qualifications, and experiences that led you to this interview today.

How Interviewers Can Frame this Question

I've mentioned how this question can sometimes be phrased as a command, such as "Tell me about yourself." There are various ways interviewers may pose it, but they all share the same underlying intention, and therefore, your response should follow a similar structure. Common variants include:

• "I have your resume in front of me, but tell me more about yourself."
• "Can you please describe yourself in a few words?"
• "Take me through your resume."
• "Tell me something about yourself that's not on your resume."
• "What brings you here today?"
• "Tell me about your background."
• "Can you tell me more about why you’re here?"

What You Should Research Before Stepping into an Interview

Although this question is often considered an icebreaker, it's critical to answer it correctly. Consider it your elevator pitch, a prime opportunity to convey who you are professionally and showcase the key skills and experiences you can bring to the team and the company's success.

A. Study the Job Advertisement and Position Description

If you're unsure how to answer "Tell me about yourself," a valuable tip is to refer back to the job advertisement. The job ad will provide specific keywords that should be incorporated into your response. When the job ad lists particular skills and experiences the company desires, ensure you mention them in your answer. Provide a broad overview of your experiences where you've utilized these skills, and don't hesitate to highlight your achievements related to these skills using quantifiable figures and numbers to enhance your presentation.

B. Company Culture/Projects/etc

Understanding what a company represents is crucial. Conduct thorough research on the company's website, as well as on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and other websites that cover aspects of the company's culture, major projects, clients, and detailed descriptions of their services. This research will help you identify relevant examples and experiences to include in your elevator pitch. Optionally, you can align your goals and achievements with the company's news and objectives, demonstrating your interest and loyalty.

C. Research the Interviewer

Take the time to research the person you'll be meeting with. Check their LinkedIn profile or their profile on the company's website if available. Gain insight into the interviewer's background, achievements, and the type of person they are. This preparation will make it easier to establish a connection and improve the quality of communication during the interview.

D. Prepare Your Answer Before the Interview

Consider drafting your response before the actual interview. This will help you maintain a structured approach and reduce stress during the real conversation.

E. Practice! Practice! More Practice!

Carefully rehearse your response and ask a friend or someone you trust, who is willing to assist you, to listen to your answer and help you rehearse for the interview. This practice will enable you to sound natural and confident.

In other words, avoid memorizing a scripted response, as it may come across as insincere. Instead, develop a general outline, memorize the structure, and let the conversation flow naturally during the interview.

TIPS: The more interviews you have, the less preparation you'll need. Over time, these skills will become second nature, allowing you to adapt to any questions or situations and modify your responses on the spot.

In summary, for your introduction to be as effective as possible, it's essential to understand your audience and their needs. When introducing yourself in a job interview, you should have a clear understanding of the company and the position you're applying for. Additionally, you should be aware of the type of personality the company is seeking for the role.

So, what comes next after you've been asked, "Welcome to the interview, [Your Name]. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and describe yourself in a few words?"? Let's break down your response into seven sections:

1. Melting the Ice Part

The primary goal here is to break the ice, and you can initiate this process. Both you and the interviewer share an interest in making the meeting as productive as possible. While you're seeking a job, the company is also searching for an employee, aligning your objectives. It's important to remember that everyone, including HR managers (I mean it :) ), can feel nervous when conversing with strangers.

Example: "Interviewer's Name, first and foremost, I'd like to express my gratitude for inviting me to today's interview. As you may know, my name is [Your Name], and I'm a [Your Job Title] with over [Number of Years] years of experience in [Your Field]."

2. Format Your Response

To ensure your response is clear and concise, consider organizing it using a format or formula.

TIPS: There are two common formulas you can choose from based on the roles and experiences most relevant to the position you're seeking: Present, past, and future, OR Past, present, and future.

One effective elevator pitch formula is the Present-Past-Future pitch. Simply discuss yourself in this order:

Present: Describe your recent activities.

Past: Highlight your experiences, past work, and accomplishments.

Future: Explain why the role excites you and how you envision your future with the company.

3. WAP - Set the Structure

Divide your response into three sections: Work, Academic, and Personal. Your discussion of work should constitute around 80% of your answer, focusing on your previous experiences and achievements. Your academic background should account for 10-15% of your response, and your personal aspects, while keeping them relevant to the company, should make up the remaining 5-10%.

4. Get the STAR - Highlight Impressive Experiences and Accomplishments

Identify the skills the job requires and showcase recent actions that demonstrate them. Consider using the STAR method to narrate compelling stories during your interview.

You can find detailed instructions about the STAR in my previous post - Nailing the First Impression: A Guide to Answering Common Interview Questions

As well, you can also employ the X-Y-Z formula to convey your accomplishments: "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].", as we discussed in Your CV, Your Success: Maximizing Skills and Achievements to Land Your Dream Job article.

5. Show Yourself (optional)

Briefly mention hobbies that reflect your intellectual growth, community engagement, or personal discipline and achievement. These hobbies could include reading, music, volunteering, or learning new skills. Discussing personal interests is an excellent way to conclude your response while maintaining a professional tone.

6. Keep Within the Time Limit

To avoid overextending your answer, adhere to a concise timeframe. Aim for a response that typically lasts between 2 to 5 minutes.

According to psychologists, a person can maintain attention during a monologue for only about 10 minutes.

7. Conclude by Explaining Your Current Situation

Conclude your narrative by providing insights into your current situation. Explain why you applied for the position, what excites you about it, and your vision for contributing to the company's success.

Phew! That was quite a bit of information! Let's summarize with some key takeaways and conclude this article with a few examples you can use as a reference. Keep in mind that each candidate is unique, so don't hesitate to craft your response accordingly:

Example #1: Unemployed

"Interviewer's Name, first of all, I want to express my gratitude for inviting me to today's interview. In my most recent position at XYZ Company, I specialized in Java programming. I applied for this job because the tech stack mentioned in the job description aligns well with my skills and experience. One of my significant achievements at XYZ Company was reducing cloud costs by 20% while maintaining legacy systems and updating naming conventions. I'm confident that I can deliver similar results here and more."

OR

"Interviewer's Name, I'm glad to be here and walk you through my career path. I am an accredited software engineer and systems integrator with more than ten years of active development experience. I am proficient in Java, .NET, Python, and a wide range of associated languages and frameworks. I thrive as a team player, relishing the opportunity to exchange ideas with my colleagues and engage with diverse perspectives. I make it a priority to stay updated with the latest technology trends, and I have a strong competitive drive when it comes to troubleshooting. Furthermore, I possess a keen eye for detail and clean design, and I am committed to delivering a seamless and streamlined experience to end-users. I would be delighted to join your team as the project that requires engineers appears highly interesting to me."

Example #2: Looking for a Job While Currently Employed

"Certainly, I'd be happy to share. First of all, thank you for inviting me today. My career began in IT as a tech support specialist, but in recent years, my professional interests have shifted towards DevOps methodology and leadership roles. Currently, I serve as a Director in my current role at XYZ Company, where I've successfully managed teams and projects, leading to a 20% increase in communication efficiency. I've found a strong interest in your company's goals, especially regarding AWS Premier Partner status, and I believe my experience and dedication can contribute to your success."

OR

"Sure, I'd be delighted to share. Firstly, thank you for extending the invitation to me today! I've been a tech-focused project manager for nearly eight years now. My educational background includes a major in business administration and a minor in computer science from University X. My journey into the industry began as an administrative assistant at Company X, where I provided crucial clerical support, facilitated interdepartmental communication, managed schedules, and maintained our digital filing system.

Following that role, I transitioned into a project manager position at Company Y, which specializes in cloud computing solutions. During my six-year tenure there, I personally oversaw the management of more than five software project teams. I ensured the seamless execution of projects in alignment with business goals, meeting deadlines, adhering to budgets, and more.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I'm an avid reader with a keen interest in AI, technology, and robotics. Given your company's involvement in all three areas, I felt compelled to apply for this opportunity."

Example #3: Recently Graduated

"Interviewer's Name, thank you for having me here today. I'm 22 years old and recently graduated from University X with a B.A. in IT. During my time at university, I focused on AI & ML, and my diploma project involved face recognition and picture capture using Java, Python, Hadoop, Kinesis, and Airflow. I received the highest score and a certificate of merit for this project. While I don't have real-world work experience, I'm eager to apply my knowledge and hands-on skills. I believe I can be a valuable part of your team and contribute to the company's success."

Still Need More Help With Answering “Tell Me About Yourself”?

If you need further assistance with answering "Tell Me About Yourself" or any other aspect of your job search, please feel free to reach out to me!