“Tell me about yourself” is one of candidates’ most dreaded and awkward interview questions. And ironically, interviewers often ask it because they think it’s an easy way to establish rapport and ease both parties into the conversation.
While the question may sound like an invitation to share your life story, the interviewer is typically seeking a concise, professional summary of your background that’s relevant to the position. But how do you achieve all of that in under a minute?
To give your summary without getting too personal, needlessly exposing flaws, or rambling, you’ll want a simple framework to give your response some structure. And the best structure for telling interviewers about yourself is: Where I’ve Been, Where I Am, Where I’m Going.
Where I’ve Been gives you a chance to reflect on your past roles, accomplishments, and the great things you’ve learned. Where I Am prompts you to describe your current position, its scope, and what you bring to it. Where I’m Going is where you share your aspirations, why you’re interested in the prospective role, and how it aligns with your career trajectory.
The key to answering this question is threefold. First, don’t try to do too much with your answer. Remember that it’s often used to build rapport, so you want to sound natural and provide useful insight; you’re not going to ace the interview with this one question.
Second, give yourself some structure (like Where I’ve Been, Where I Am, Where I’m Going) to keep your thoughts organized and give your answer a flow.
Third, put specifics into your answer. The key to avoiding giving clichéd and generic answers is to infuse specifics from your career. The study “Words That Cost You The Interview” found that poorly rated interview answers were light on specifics but heavy on adverbs and absolutes (like “always” and “never”). In other words, poorly rated answers sounded like anyone with any background could have given that response. Here’s an example of a clichéd and generic answer:
“I’m the kind of person who is passionate about everything I do. I’ve always been a hard worker, a team player, and a quick learner. I pride myself on being able to wear many hats and juggle multiple tasks effectively. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently been the go-to person for getting things done efficiently and with a positive attitude. I thrive in a fast-paced environment and am always looking for ways to contribute to my team’s success.”
The golden rule in answering “Tell me about yourself” lies in speaking authentically. It’s about painting a vivid yet succinct picture of your professional journey, infused with the detailed specifics that leave an impression. And avoid the all-too-common trap of vague and generic language that can render your answer utterly forgettable.
Remember to keep your response concise, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your background and experience. Tailor your answer to align with the specific job requirements and company culture. Practice your response to ensure you convey confidence and enthusiasm during the interview.