Tell Me About Yourself - Structure a Strong Answer

Summary

This video offers a detailed strategy for answering the common interview question, 'Tell me about yourself.' It introduces the present, past, and future answer structure, which focuses on your current role, past achievements, and future goals. The highlight method is also discussed, emphasizing the use of concise, impactful examples to influence follow-up questions. The video concludes with a sample answer and stresses the importance of preparing this response to set the right tone and boost confidence for the rest of the interview.

Takeaways

• 🎯 The 'Tell me about yourself' question is pivotal as it sets the tone for the rest of the interview and can influence subsequent questions.
• 📈 Use the present, past, and future format to structure your answer effectively, providing a clear narrative of who you are, how you got there, and what value you can bring.
• 🏆 Highlight your current role, recent achievements, and success metrics to showcase your professional identity and accomplishments.
• 🌟 Employ the highlight method to draw attention to key strengths or experiences that align with the job requirements, prompting potential follow-up questions.
• 📚 Tailor your past experiences to the job you're applying for by focusing on attributes that the role seeks, even if your experience is not directly related.
• 🔮 The future portion of your answer should briefly reinforce your fit for the role and paint a picture of how you could contribute to the team.
• 💼 For professionals, detail your current role, achievements, and how they relate to the job you're interviewing for.
• 🎓 Students can apply the same structure by discussing their field of study, recent projects, internships, and leadership experiences.
• 📊 Keep your answer concise, relevant, and under one minute for each section to maintain the interviewer's interest.
• 🔗 Use data and results from your experiences to demonstrate your capabilities and the value you can bring to the role.

Q & A

What is the purpose of structuring an answer using the present, past, and future format?

The purpose is to provide a clear and concise snapshot of who you are currently, how you got to your current position, and what value you can bring to the role you're interviewing for.

Why is it important to keep the present section of your answer within one minute?

Keeping it within one minute ensures you stay focused on the most relevant and current aspects of your professional life without going off-topic.

What should you include in the present section of your 'tell me about yourself' answer?

You should include your current role, the success metrics you're measured against, and a recent achievement you're proud of.

How does mentioning your success metrics in the present section demonstrate your results orientation?

It shows that you are goal-oriented and confident in your abilities, as you're highlighting your achievements and the standards you're held to in your current role.

What is the main goal of the past section in your 'tell me about yourself' answer?

The main goal is to highlight key strengths or takeaways that you want the interviewer to remember, by sharing experiences that align with the attributes the role is looking for.

How can you make your past experiences relevant to a role you're interviewing for, even if they're not directly related?

You can focus on the transferable skills and attributes from your past experiences that align with the requirements of the new role.

What is the highlight method mentioned in the script?

The highlight method involves taking a small, impressive part of a larger story and including it in your answer to trigger follow-up questions from the interviewer.

Why is it beneficial to use the highlight method in your 'tell me about yourself' answer?

It helps keep your answer concise while still impressing the interviewer, and it can lead to more in-depth discussions about your experiences during the interview.

What should the future section of your answer accomplish?

It should reinforce why you're a good fit for the role by painting a brief picture of how you could contribute to the team in the future.

How can sharing a sample answer, as provided in the script, help viewers prepare for interviews?

It gives viewers a practical example of how to structure their own answers, highlighting the importance of aligning personal experiences with the job requirements.

What is the significance of the 'tell me about yourself' question in an interview according to the script?

It sets the tone for the rest of the interview and can boost your confidence if answered well, as it influences what the interviewer will ask next.