Tell Me About Yourself - Structure a Strong Answer

Summary

This video script offers a strategic approach to answering the 'tell me about yourself' interview question. It emphasizes structuring a strong answer using the 'addressing weaknesses' framework, highlighting how to align the role with one's career narrative, and avoiding common mistakes like going off-topic or being too verbose. The script provides a clear method to impress interviewers by proactively addressing perceived weaknesses, showcasing enthusiasm for the role, and maintaining a concise, coherent narrative.

Takeaways

• 📝 The 'tell me about yourself' answer sets the tone for the rest of the interview and can lead to rejection if poorly executed.
• 🔨 Use the 'Addressing Weaknesses Framework' to structure a strong answer by identifying and proactively addressing perceived weaknesses in your candidacy.
• 🔍 Return to the job description to pinpoint potential weaknesses that the interviewer might be considering based on your resume and experience.
• 🚀 Highlight your strengths by connecting them to the job requirements and showcasing how you've overcome or compensated for any weaknesses.
• 🎯 Make the role you're interviewing for seem like a logical next step in your career narrative to avoid disinterest from the interviewer.
• 🤩 Show genuine excitement and interest in the role and how it aligns with your skills and passions, especially if the role involves new technologies or initiatives.
• 🔑 Understand that humans think about careers linearly; help the interviewer see the job as a natural progression in your career path.
• ⏱️ Keep your 'tell me about yourself' answer concise, ideally under 2 minutes, to avoid taking up too much interview time.
• 📚 Be prepared with details and metrics from your past experiences to avoid fumbling when asked follow-up questions based on your initial answer.
• 🧠 Have a clear and easy-to-follow narrative in your answer to avoid confusing the interviewer with a disjointed or scattered response.
• 📈 Practice your answer before the interview to refine your response and ensure it meets the criteria of being concise, relevant, and memorable.

Q & A

What is the most important aspect of answering the 'tell me about yourself' question in an interview?

The most important aspect is structuring a strong answer using the addressing weaknesses framework, which involves identifying perceived weaknesses in your candidacy and addressing them directly while highlighting your strengths.

Why is it crucial to refer back to the job description when crafting your answer to the 'tell me about yourself' question?

Referring back to the job description is crucial because it provides the best signal about what the interviewer might perceive as weaknesses in your candidacy, allowing you to address these concerns head-on.

How does the 'tell me about yourself' question influence the rest of the interview?

This question sets the tone for the interview. If you address potential weaknesses and highlight your strengths effectively, it can positively influence the course of the interview by leading the discussion towards your strengths and qualifications.

What is the addressing weaknesses framework and how does it help in structuring an answer?

The addressing weaknesses framework is a method of identifying and proactively addressing the perceived weaknesses in your candidacy as seen by the interviewer. It helps in structuring an answer by allowing you to turn potential negatives into discussions of your strengths and qualifications.

Why is it a mistake to let weaknesses linger in the interviewer's mind without addressing them?

Leaving weaknesses unaddressed can lead to follow-up questions that revolve around those weaknesses, potentially overshadowing your strengths and qualifications, and increasing the risk of rejection.

How can mentioning the role you're interviewing for as a great next step in your narrative help your interview?

By positioning the role as a logical next step in your career narrative, you show excitement and alignment with the job, which can make you stand out as a candidate who is genuinely interested and a good fit for the position.

What is the recommended length for the 'tell me about yourself' answer in an interview?

It is highly recommended to keep the answer under 2 minutes to avoid taking up too much of the interview time and to maintain the interviewer's interest.

Why is it important to have an easy-to-follow narrative in your 'tell me about yourself' answer?

An easy-to-follow narrative helps to keep the interview structured and coherent, preventing the answer from becoming a jumble of topics and ensuring that the interviewer can clearly understand your career progression and qualifications.

What are some common mistakes people make when answering the 'tell me about yourself' question?

Common mistakes include bringing up details or stories they can't fully recall, going on for too long, and lacking a clear, cohesive narrative structure in their answer.

How can practicing your 'tell me about yourself' answer before an interview help?

Practicing helps you to refine your narrative, ensure you include all relevant details, maintain a concise response, and deliver it confidently, which can significantly improve your interview performance.

What is the purpose of the sample answer provided for a college student interested in an APM program at Spotify?

The sample answer demonstrates how to effectively address potential weaknesses (lack of PM internship, no music industry experience, and attending a middling school), express genuine interest in the role and company, and connect personal experiences and skills to the job requirements.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Crafting a Strong 'Tell Me About Yourself' Answer

This paragraph focuses on how to effectively answer the common interview question 'Tell me about yourself.' It emphasizes the importance of structuring the answer using the 'Addressing Weaknesses Framework' to counteract any perceived weaknesses in the candidate's profile. The speaker provides a step-by-step guide, starting with identifying potential weaknesses from the job description and then addressing them directly in the narrative. The example of a PM candidate at Microsoft is used to illustrate how to highlight strengths while acknowledging gaps in experience. The summary also touches on the importance of making the role seem like a natural progression in the candidate's career and avoiding common mistakes such as lingering weaknesses, long-winded answers, and disjointed narratives.

05:00

🎓 Navigating the 'Tell Me About Yourself' Pitfalls for New Graduates

The second paragraph extends the discussion to new graduates, addressing the specific challenges they face, such as lack of internship experience or industry-specific knowledge. It outlines the three main mistakes to avoid: forgetting details, being too verbose, and lacking a coherent narrative structure. The speaker suggests keeping the answer under two minutes and practicing beforehand. A hypothetical example of a college student applying for an APM program at Spotify is provided, demonstrating how to weave personal projects, technical skills, and career aspirations into a concise and compelling story. The summary underscores the need for a clear and memorable narrative that showcases the candidate's fit for the role and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Keywords

💡Addressing Weaknesses Framework

The 'Addressing Weaknesses Framework' is a strategy for crafting a compelling answer to the 'tell me about yourself' question in an interview. It involves identifying potential weaknesses in one's candidacy as perceived by the interviewers and proactively addressing them while highlighting one's strengths. In the video, this framework is presented as the most powerful method to structure a strong answer, as it allows the interviewee to control the narrative and turn perceived weaknesses into a discussion of their capabilities and experiences.

💡Resume

A resume is a document used by job applicants to present their relevant work experience, skills, and education. In the context of the video, the resume is crucial as interviewers often form opinions about a candidate's weaknesses based on the information it contains. The speaker suggests using the resume to identify potential weaknesses and to prepare a response that addresses these directly, ensuring that the candidate can provide a strong and structured answer to interview questions.

💡Job Description

The job description is a document that outlines the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for a particular job. In the video, the job description is highlighted as an essential tool for identifying the expectations and requirements of the role being applied for. It is used to pinpoint potential weaknesses in the candidate's profile and to ensure that the interviewee's answer aligns with the job's specific needs.

💡Consumer Growth Experience

Consumer growth experience refers to a background in driving the growth of consumer products or services. In the script, it is mentioned as a requirement for a job that the candidate does not fully meet, indicating a perceived weakness. The video suggests that candidates should acknowledge such gaps and connect their existing experience to the role's requirements to demonstrate their potential for growth in the position.

💡Hardware Platforms

Hardware platforms refer to the physical devices or systems that a product is designed to work on, such as smartphones, computers, or specialized devices like the Apple Vision Pro mentioned in the video. The lack of experience with specific hardware platforms is identified as a weakness in the candidate's profile, which needs to be addressed when crafting their interview answer.

💡Narrative

In the context of the video, a narrative refers to the story or sequence of events that a candidate presents about their career and experiences. The video emphasizes the importance of creating a coherent and compelling narrative that positions the job being interviewed for as a logical next step in the candidate's career progression.

💡Interviewer

An interviewer is a person who conducts a job interview to assess a candidate's suitability for a position. The video discusses how interviewers form opinions about candidates based on their resumes and how candidates can influence this process by addressing perceived weaknesses and showcasing their strengths.

💡Co-pilot for Teams

Co-pilot for Teams is a feature or product mentioned in the video as an example of a project the candidate worked on at Microsoft. It serves as an example of the candidate's experience and achievements, which can be used to address weaknesses and demonstrate their capabilities in an interview.

💡APM Program

An APM (Associate Product Manager) program is an entry-level opportunity for individuals interested in product management roles. In the video, the candidate expresses interest in an APM program at Spotify, using it as a context to discuss their passion for product management and their relevant side projects and experiences.

💡Side Projects

Side projects are personal initiatives or endeavors outside of one's primary job or studies. In the script, the candidate mentions a side project involving AI to generate songs, which demonstrates their technical skills and passion for the field. These projects can be leveraged in an interview to showcase one's abilities and interests.

💡Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions are designed to assess a candidate's past behavior and experiences to predict future performance. The video script discusses preparing for such questions and offers a newsletter for further guidance on this topic, indicating the importance of understanding and practicing responses to behavioral questions in the interview process.

Highlights

The importance of structuring a strong answer to the 'tell me about you' question for an impactful interview.

The 'Addressing Weaknesses Framework' as the most powerful method to answer the 'tell me about you' question.

The need to identify and address perceived weaknesses in your candidacy based on the job description.

Using the job description as a signal to understand potential weaknesses in your application.

The example of a PM from Microsoft applying for a job, highlighting the importance of aligning experience with job requirements.

Identifying specific weaknesses such as years of experience and lack of industry-specific knowledge.

The strategy of leading with strengths to counteract perceived weaknesses in the interview.

Making the role you're interviewing for seem like a natural next step in your career narrative.

The common mistake of letting weaknesses linger in the interviewer's mind and its impact on follow-up questions.

The significance of showing genuine excitement for the role to avoid disinterest from the interviewer.

Incorporating personal interest in AI and technology to connect with the job role at Tinder.

The importance of having a linear career narrative that makes the job seem like a logical progression.

Common mistakes people make when answering the 'tell me about you' question and how to avoid them.

The advice to keep the answer concise, under 2 minutes, to maintain the interviewer's attention.

The necessity of having an easy-to-follow narrative to avoid a disjointed interview response.

Drafting and practicing your answer before every interview to refine your response.

A sample answer for a college student interested in an APM program at Spotify, addressing specific weaknesses.

The formula for a successful 'tell me about you' answer, including addressing weaknesses, showing excitement, and maintaining conciseness.

The offer of a newsletter for more behavioral interview question preparation.

Transcripts

most people know that the answer to the

tell me about you question influences

the rest of your interview what most

people Miss is that a bad answer gets

you

rejected let's dive right into the three

main things you need to know number one

how to structure a strong answer using

the addressing weaknesses framework

number two making the role you are

interviewing for seem like a great next

step in your narrative and number three

how to avoid the most common mistakes

people make at the end we'll put

together a sample answer you don't want

to miss it now on to number one how to

structure a strong answer using the

addressing weaknesses framework this is

the most powerful way to answer the

question bar nut and don't let anyone

tell you otherwise the trick is to ask

what are the weaknesses in my candidacy

interviewers are looking at your resume

while you're answering the question or

they've just looked at it so they're

forming or they have formed certain

opinions about weaknesses in your

candidacy so you need to address what

they perceive are weaknesses and shine a

spite light on your strengths the

fastest and most objective way to do

this is to return to the job description

I know right most of those things are

copy pasted junk but they are still the

best source of signal for you on the job

let's say I'm this PM from Microsoft

I've had a couple years experience at

Microsoft I've worked at wafer before

that worked at ly and now here's the

school and I'm applying for this job

here we can see they're working on AI

and ml initiatives which aligns up with

my experience uh they want experience

with things like The Vision Pro that's

interesting and it looks like they have

a years of experience requirement so

this helps me then think about what are

the potential weaknesses the job is

looking for six plus years of consumer

growth experience which we just saw but

the candidate I was a consultant before

so the specific consumer growth

experience is about 4 and 1/2 years so

this is the first weakness by the way

don't worry if you're a student our

sample answer at the end is just for you

the job is also focused on new hardware

platforms like apple Vision Pro but the

PM doesn't have experience with that so

this is the second weakness finally the

job is at Tinder in the dating realm so

the interviewer is definitely going to

resonate most with those candidates but

as a candidate I don't have that

experience so the answer that we come up

with should address all three of these

weaknesses head on since graduating for

my MBA in 2019 at Duke I've been a PM at

Wayfair for a year and then Microsoft

for the last 3 years at Microsoft I'm

most recently proud of our co-pilot for

teams launch which I actually LED and I

presented on stage and ultimately

outperforming a lot of our launch

metrics I also worked on teams across a

variety of Hardware devices including

Mac OS Windows Chrome pad Android and

iOS although I've been a PM in consumer

products for 4 and a half years before

my MBA at deoy I actually worked as a PM

consultant for a variety of other

consumer products so my total time as a

PM is about 7 years one of my clients at

deoe was actually a competitor of

tenders a large public company this is

how you actually influence the course of

the rest of the interview you have head

on brought up the topics that the

interviewer might consider weak about

your candidacy the big mistake that most

candidates make is that they let those

weaknesses linger in the interviewer's

mind so the follow-up questions from the

interviewer all revolve around those

weaknesses on the other hand this

framing lets you lead with strengths

number two making the role you're

interviewing for seem like a great next

step in your narrative have you ever

asked someone if they wanted something

and they just felt disinterested this is

exactly how you do not want your

interviewer to feel people who get the

job seem excited about the role that

they're interviewing for so let's go

back back to our example this role at

Tinder is about things like working on

Vision Pro and AI so you should

incorporate your interest in those

here's how you could add that into your

answer with my experience working on

teams co-pilot using GPT 4 at Microsoft

I'm very excited about this role I

believe that AI really can be at the

Forefront of a lot of nextg products

like Tik Tok and so although things are

going super well at Microsoft I was

excited when I saw this posting and I

just had to apply the key to answering

these questions is realizing that humans

think about careers linearly so even

though your career has likely had its

twists its turns you need to help draw

the through lines in the interviewer's

mind that this job is a natural Next

Step that you're a natural qualified

candidate so for our candidate she's

connected to this back to her AI

experience and you should make your own

languages three addressing the key

mistakes that most people make

tell me about yourself question

definitely influences the rest of your

interview and that's mistake number one

bringing up details or stories that you

don't remember everything about a lot of

people tend to do this they

underestimate how many of the details

they've actually forgotten about stories

that are relevant to a job and then they

come into the interview and when the

interviewer asks follow-up questions

they're just like and so you don't

really want to be that person you want

to be the person who is I know all the

details I know the metric I I know all

the details I know the metrics that I

drove I know the initiatives that I took

on in order to drive those metrics so

you need to be that person who is on top

of everything mistake two is that people

go way way too long and I just can't

overemphasize this enough I have to

admit that even when I was a interviewer

this was the number one reason I

rejected candidates they just take up

most of the interview time and so I

highly recommend that you keep it under

2 minutes and you get good at staying

under 2 minutes and the way I like to do

that is that I like to practice it

before the interview but you can take

whatever works for you mistake three is

that people don't have an easy to follow

narrative so this looks something like a

jumble of a structure where you're

jumping from one topic to the next oh

hey I'm my

gosh yeah so that's my

background so whether it's chronological

or reverse chronological try to have

some flow to your answer the best way to

do this is to draft your answer to this

question before every

interview then record yourself and

finesse your

response now let's put this all together

for a good answer but this time let's

have a new example let's pretend I'm a

college student and I'm interested in an

APM program at Spotify my weaknesses are

I don't have a PM internship I haven't

worked in the music industry and I went

to a middling school I am really excited

about this role at Spotify I have been

using Spotify for over 10 years now I

constantly have ideas for how it could

be better that's because I actually

worked on several side projects in

college in a similar space one of my

favorites was generate a song with AI so

this was a website that I released I

leveraged some of those latest open-

Source apis from meta and with my CS

background I was able to build this app

and grow it to 5,000 users the fun I had

with that makes me really excited about

spotify's APM program I want to spend my

career in product management when I did

my soft engineering internship at Amazon

I loved working with PMS it made me

realize that this is the job I want to

take up in my

career it's the intersection of my

technical music and Builder talents this

really answers all three of those

criteria on the first it answers the

weaknesses on the second it really

brings into the relevant details in your

background that are relevant to this job

and then number three the mistakes it's

fairly concise it has stories that we

remember the details of so it's exactly

what we're looking for that's it that's

the three-part formula for your answer

to the tell me about you questions so do

you want to prepare for more behavioral

interview questions you'll love my

newsletter which I've linked below

that's it if you're interested in

getting more job content like this like

subscribe comment down below and I'll

see you in the next one