How to Answer: Tell Me About Yourself.

Summary

This lesson tackles the often-feared 'Tell me about yourself' question in job interviews. While it seems simple, many candidates struggle with how to answer it effectively. The key is to craft a concise elevator pitch that highlights who you are, why you’re qualified, and why you're interested in the position. By avoiding common mistakes like overly detailed personal anecdotes and focusing on relevant achievements and enthusiasm, you can make a strong first impression. With practice, this approach will help you confidently navigate the interview and set the tone for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace the 'tell me about yourself' question as it’s a critical part of interviews, offering a chance to set the tone.
• 😀 The question, though seemingly open-ended, is an opportunity to guide the conversation and make a strong first impression.
• 😀 Avoid a scripted response. Instead, outline key points to communicate naturally and confidently.
• 😀 Focus on a concise elevator pitch that highlights your top selling points for the position.
• 😀 Your elevator pitch should include who you are, why you're qualified, and why you're interested in the position.
• 😀 Step 1 of the elevator pitch: Start with a confident statement of who you are professionally, without delving into irrelevant or outdated details.
• 😀 Step 2: Focus on your key qualifications, highlighting accomplishments and experiences that directly relate to the job.
• 😀 Step 3: Express enthusiasm for the role, showing why you’re excited about the opportunity in a short, impactful way.
• 😀 Tailor your elevator pitch to the specific job and company, but keep it flexible enough to adapt to different opportunities.
• 😀 Practice delivering your elevator pitch naturally, without sounding rehearsed, so that your personality shines through.
• 😀 Use bullet points for each of the three steps (who you are, why you’re qualified, why you’re here) and refine them as you gain more confidence.

Q & A

Why is the 'Tell me about yourself' question so commonly asked in interviews?

This question is typically used by interviewers as an easy way to start a conversation and get the candidate talking. It helps break the ice and gives the interviewer insight into the candidate's background and communication style.

What makes the 'Tell me about yourself' question challenging for candidates?

The question is open-ended, and candidates often struggle with how to approach it. They may be unsure about which details to include or how to present their story in a concise yet impactful way.

How can candidates prepare to answer the 'Tell me about yourself' question effectively?

Candidates should outline a few key points to cover during their response, focusing on their most relevant qualifications. It's recommended to prepare an elevator pitch, highlighting strengths, experience, and enthusiasm for the position.

What is an elevator pitch, and why is it important in an interview?

An elevator pitch is a concise, focused response that sums up your qualifications and experience in a way that's brief enough for a quick elevator ride. It's essential because it sets the tone for the rest of the interview and allows the candidate to make a strong first impression.

What should candidates avoid when answering the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

Candidates should avoid giving too much irrelevant detail, such as personal stories or a lengthy chronological recounting of their career. The answer should be focused on what's most impressive and relevant to the position at hand.

How can candidates make their answers sound more natural and less scripted?

Candidates should outline their main talking points rather than memorizing a script. This allows for flexibility and spontaneity, making the answer sound more genuine and conversational.

What are the three key components of a strong answer to 'Tell me about yourself'?

The three key components are: 1) Who you are—start with a compelling professional identity statement. 2) Why you're qualified—highlight your most relevant experience and achievements. 3) Why you're here—express enthusiasm for the role and explain why you're interested.

How should candidates highlight their qualifications in their response?

Candidates should focus on 2-4 key points that demonstrate their relevant experience and accomplishments. It's crucial to emphasize what sets them apart from other candidates and to tailor the response to the specific job description.

What is the ideal length for an answer to the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

The answer should be kept under two minutes, providing enough time to cover the key points without overwhelming the interviewer with excessive detail.

How can candidates tailor their response to a specific job or company?

By researching the company and role beforehand, candidates can emphasize specific skills or experiences that align with the job description. Customizing the response shows the interviewer that the candidate is genuinely interested and prepared.