Tell Me About Yourself - Good Answer

Summary

In this video, Don Georgevich shares a more personal and engaging approach to answering the common interview question, 'Tell me about yourself.' Instead of listing accomplishments, he suggests sharing your career journey, starting from the passion or interest that sparked your path. He emphasizes storytelling, explaining how your personal experiences, challenges, and growth lead to where you are today and where you aim to go. By making the answer more human and relatable, you create a memorable connection with interviewers, leaving a lasting impression.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Tell me about yourself' question in interviews is an opportunity to connect on a personal level with the interviewer.
• 😀 Many candidates give cold, robotic answers focusing on accomplishments and experience rather than sharing personal stories.
• 😀 The best way to answer 'Tell me about yourself' is by telling a personal journey: How you got started, your interests, and your future goals.
• 😀 By sharing your personal story, you show the employer you're a unique individual, creating a lasting impression.
• 😀 For example, if you're in the medical field, you could share a childhood experience that sparked your passion for helping others.
• 😀 In fields like accounting or finance, share how a specific event or skill sparked your interest, like excelling at math in high school.
• 😀 It's important to discuss your journey from the beginning of your career to where you are now, highlighting milestones along the way.
• 😀 Employers want to know what motivated you, what fueled your passion, and how that journey has shaped your current career path.
• 😀 Your answer should be concise, ideally around 30-45 seconds, while still providing enough detail to make an impact.
• 😀 Recording and practicing your response helps you self-correct and refine your delivery for better impact in interviews.

Q & A

Why is it important to answer 'Tell me about yourself' in a personal way?

Answering 'Tell me about yourself' personally helps create a connection with the interviewer. It gives them a glimpse into who you are beyond your accomplishments, making you more memorable and relatable. It also allows you to stand out by showing your personality and passion.

How does storytelling improve your response to the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

Storytelling allows you to weave a narrative that explains your career journey, highlighting your passions and motivations. This personal touch helps interviewers remember you and creates a lasting impression. Instead of listing facts, you offer a story that resonates emotionally.

What should you focus on when answering the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

Focus on your journey—how you got started in your field, what sparked your interest, and how your experiences led you to where you are today. Ending with where you see yourself going in the future helps to show your growth and aspirations.

How can someone with years of experience use this storytelling method effectively?

Even if you have 20 years of experience, you can still use storytelling by talking about how you got started in your field. Whether it's your first interest in the subject or a significant moment in your career, the key is to frame your experience as part of a personal journey.

What’s the ideal length for your answer to the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

The ideal answer should be no longer than 1 minute, with 30 to 45 seconds being the sweet spot. This allows you to give a concise but engaging response without overwhelming the interviewer.

How does practicing your response help during interviews?

Practicing your response helps you refine your delivery, ensuring that it feels natural and engaging. Recording yourself and reviewing the footage allows you to fine-tune your answer for clarity, tone, and timing.

Why should you avoid answering the 'Tell me about yourself' question in a cold, corporate manner?

A cold, corporate answer makes you seem impersonal and robotic, which can fail to establish a real connection with the interviewer. It’s important to show that you are a unique individual with a passion for your field.

How can a story about a personal experience, like a childhood memory, enhance your response?

A personal story, like a childhood memory, makes your answer more relatable and memorable. It humanizes you, allowing the interviewer to connect with you on an emotional level. Stories tend to stick in people's minds far better than dry facts.

What advice does Don Georgevich give for improving your answer to 'Tell me about yourself'?

Don Georgevich advises that you tell the story of your journey—how your passion developed and how you reached where you are today. Focus on the moments that motivated you to pursue your career, and aim for a concise, memorable response.

What other resources does Don Georgevich offer to help with interview preparation?

Don Georgevich offers a guide called 'The Complete Interview Answer Guide,' which contains over 140 different interview questions and answers, including behavioral questions. It’s available in multiple formats, including e-book, audio, and video, to support various learning styles.