How to answer the difficult question at an interview “Tell me about yourself.”

What do you say when you are asked at an interview "Tell me about yourself?”

When you are asked "Tell me about yourself" you are being tested and your response to this question could determine whether or not your interview is a success. Because of the importance of this question, it’s important for you to think through and carefully prepare your response so you can put your best foot forward and show your interviewer that you’re the best candidate for the job.

You might wonder why interviewers ask a difficult question like this. Well, it’s really not a difficult question when you understand why it’s asked and if you are prepared with an appropriate response. Interviewers ask this question for various reasons. Some might use it as an ice breaker that opens the interview and gives them an opportunity to prepare and set the tone. A more experienced interviewer might use this question as an opportunity to see how well you express yourself and test your level of self-confidence. They might use it to get a better understand of your personal values and what you believe is important enough to mention. They should also be trying to determine if you have the ability to do the job, if you will be easy to work with, and if you will fit with their team. Of course, a highly skilled interviewer is looking for all of these.

Whatever the reason, it is important for you to have a prepared, appropriate response. What is an appropriate response? Let’s explore that by first considering how NOT to respond to this question.
There are many good books that describe common interview questions and you will find a list of job interview questions on this site by going here.

The wrong way to answer

There is more than one wrong way to respond to the question at an interview “Tell me about yourself.” The first is to ramble on about your personal life, your interests, your goals, why you want the job, when you expect to be promoted, or any other topic that is about you. As with each and every step in the job application process, the most important thing for you to keep in mind is that your interviewer is meeting you for one reason and one reason only which is to see if you are the right person to solve THEIR need, to help them take advantage of an opportunity THEY have, or the combination of these two reasons. The interviewer isn’t really generally interested in you beyond this so it is vital for you to focus on WIIFT (What’s in it for them).

The other common error is to ask them a question like “What do you want to know?” because you are expected to have an appropriate response prepared and asking a question like this indicates a lack of preparation.

The right way to answer

The right way to answer this question is with a prepared response that highlights your key skills and/or important accomplishments as they relate to the interviewer and his or her needs. Again, remember that the most important principle in the job application process is WIIFT (What’s In It For Them). WIIFT is the guiding principle for every communication you have with a potential employer because the only reason you are talking with them in the first place is that they have a need and you want to show them how you are the right person to fill that need.

The right response is a brief narration, 30 seconds or less, where you provide some examples of your success in recent work experience that relates to the job you’re applying for. It might also include a comment or two about your personal strengths, experience, and abilities that, once again, directly relate to the job you’re applying for. The idea is to provide a short commentary that is similar to a commercial or movie preview that gives your interviewer a clear picture of what you can do for them that is based on your recent, proven experience.

Examples:

This is an example of a good response for someone in sales:

“I’m an excellent communicator and I like working with people. I'm goal oriented and very persistent at achieving them. I worked as a sales rep for the Zzzzz Corporation where I was one of the top sellers for the last two years. My total sales volume for last year was over one million dollars.I can use experience and ability to build long-term, profitable relationships with your customers. I want to work for your company in particular because I see an expanding market with plenty of potential and a growth rate of 25% a year. I’d like to be part of that growth and I know I can play an active role in making that happen.”

Here is an example of a good response for a Finance Manager:

"I have enjoyed a successful career in Finance Management by using careful financial analysis to make well-thought-out decisions for the benefit of my employer. I approach financial and management challenges with logic, analysis, and sound reasoning. With my experience I could help you develop systems and procedures to make my department function efficiently and profitably. I would like to work for your company in particular because in the future potential to become the major player in the industry.”

Do you see how these candidates made a solid case for their being a valuable asset to the employer’s organization?

The next step is for you to think through your experience and your potential employer’s needs then write your own response. Once you have it written, practice with your response until you feel comfortable with it and feel confident about what you want to emphasize. Your written script will help you remember your response but be careful to not memorize it word-for-word because you don't want to sound stiff and rehearsed. Your response should feel and sound natural and conversational.

Remember, this is a very important question in the interview process that could determine the success, or failure, of the entire interview so be prepared with a great response.

Look at our list of common interview questions with suggested answers by clicking here.

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