“Tell me about yourself,” the recruiting manager would ask at an interview, starting the dialogue. They would like further information about you and evaluate your uniqueness from other applicants. Knowing how to respond to this question can help you raise your employability and raise your likelihood of receiving a job offer.
We discuss in this post why hiring managers say, “Tell me about yourself,” variants of this question, how to build an answer and samples of replies you may reference while developing your own.
Why do companies probe with the interview question, “Tell me about yourself”?
One often used beginning point to help you both enter the interview is asking questions to find more about you. It enables the interviewer to have a synopsis of your past and expertise, thereby providing them with understanding of what experience and credentials you believe to be most pertinent to the job.
Some interviewers could use your answer to start an informal discussion to get to know you better, therefore acting as an icebreaker. Others could, on the other hand, approach other interview questions straight forwardly after your response.
Variations on “Tell me about yourself”
In several forms, including “Tell me about yourself,” interviewers could ask: I have your résumé here, but tell me more about yourself.
Walk me through your résumé.
I would be much interested in knowing your path further.
Tell me a little bit more on your background.
Indicate yourself.
Tell me anything about yourself not seen on your CV.
Related: What To Expect in an Interview and 10 Steps To Prepare Tips on Reacting to “Tell Me About Yourself”
How should I respond?
The way you answer their need to know more about you will determine the course of the whole interview. Imagine in two minutes or less crafting a fantastic narrative about yourself while you practise responding. Use these guidelines to ready your reply:
1. Talk about achievements and experiences connected to the work.
Review the job description first. Observe the abilities needed for the position and note your most recent, matching behaviour. Review the STAR approach to help you to deliver outstanding tales in your interviews. Mostly, refer to current professional experience; but, you may also include prior volunteer work and other pertinent events to help to reinforce your story.
2. Think about how your present employment fits the one you are seeking for.
Talk about your present employment and link your background to the available post. If you are vying for a more senior post, describe how you have assumed additional responsibility in your present one. Describe how your current abilities fit the new job if you are moving laterally into one with different capabilities.
3. Emphasise your talents and capabilities reinforced by examples.
As you begin to draft each example, pay close attention to specifics and measurable results. For instance, go beyond merely stating you enhanced customer service in a previous job and discuss how you did it. Say you raised customer service response rates each quarter by 10% to 15%, to strengthen your example. If you lack the specific knowledge, project a reasonable value.
4. Emphasise your unique qualities.
Share your personality with the interviewer as “Tell me about yourself” is about getting to know you. You might underline your community involvement or discuss interests that exhibit your intellectual progress. Among these interests might be your passion of reading, music, volunteering, or team sport performance. You may also talk about interests like mastering a new ability that exhibit personal discipline and success. Concluding your answer with a discussion of personal hobbies can help you to keep a professional distance.
5. Organise your answer.
Arange your response using a formula or structure if you want it to be succinct and unambiguous. Two often used formulae should be taken under review:
Present, past, and future.
Past, now, and ahead.
Both of these recipes will help your response; but, depending on the positions from your experience most pertinent to the job you are looking for, you might select one. Start with the present, for instance, if your most recent job emphasises many of the abilities and credentials needed for the position. You could choose to start with your history, though, if you are changing your job and your experience more directly relates to the position.
improve your CV.
Showcase your abilities using the advice of a resume professional.
Typical responses to “Tell me about yourself”
These quick scripts below explain how you may promote your talents in less than two minutes using successful outcomes:
First example
Here’s a response from an applicant hoping to work in the healthcare sector:
“I started my career in retail management, but a few years ago the healthcare sector attracted more of my professional attention. I have always been adept at bringing people together and towards shared objectives. After successfully managing stores and directing teams, I started thinking about administration. Over the past four years, I have been creating a career as a motivated health administrator. In my present employment at XYZ Medical Centre, office efficiency has become a personal interest particularly with relation to patient results.
Working with our IT team last year, I set up a communication system for procedure scheduling to make sure every department had sufficient personnel. Our new web scheduling system raised 20% of communication efficiency. I interact with different healthcare professionals on a daily basis to be updated on their continuous issues. I’ve been enjoying that aspect of my profession, and I particularly want to provide the staff at ABC Health my acquired experience. Outside the job, I like hiking and am a voracious reader.
Second example here
Here is a candidate’s response for a job in the interior design field:
“From my early years, design has captivated me. While I was in high school, my parents rebuilt their house and let me participate actively in the interior design ideas. At that point, I realised I wanted to work in interior design. During college, I studied interior design; four years ago, I finished with a bachelor’s degree. Since graduation, I have worked for a Savannah, Georgia interior design company. Designing both residential and business environments has helped me to develop my portfolio while there. Working for the company has helped me to develop my proficiencies in modern technologies and fostered close ties with local vendors. Working among Savannah’s historic structures has been the most fulfilling aspect of my employment. This experience has taught me ideal building preservation techniques. I would want to work with a design company such as this one that specialises in the design and preservation of historical structures going ahead. I think my background and love of preservation will be quite valuable to your design team.
Example 3:
Here is a candidate’s response for a job application in the restaurant business:
“At XYZ Restaurant right now, I am a host. I have been there for somewhat over two years. Among my duties are client greeting and seating, wait time assessment, fulfilment of to-go orders, phone answering and XYZ Restaurant’s vibrant and hectic surroundings appeal to me, and they have encouraged me to improve time management and multitasking skills. I spent a year working as a retail floor associate before joining XYZ Restaurant. This position helped me improve my customer service abilities and grow more at ease working in a team. As a host in a restaurant, I want to hone my customer service and problem-solving abilities even further. Your restaurant particularly interests me as the staff members have a strong reputation for providing first-class customer service while keeping a vibrant and dynamic surroundings. I enjoy baking and learning mixology with pals outside of the office. Although I actually love these pursuits, they also help me hone my professional abilities. ‘
