Expert Answers to the Interview Question ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
In almost every job interview, there’s one question that’s practically guaranteed to rear its head and that is the “tell me about yourself” question. On the surface, this question seems pretty simple. It’s just asking you to talk about yourself. But in reality this question is a lot more complex and honestly has the potential to set the tone for the rest of your interview. In this article, we’ll explore why this question is asked, what the interviewer is really looking for when they ask it, and how you can structure your answer to leave a lasting impression.
When and Why ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ Comes Up
To start, the “tell me about yourself” often acts as an icebreaker, giving both you and the interviewer a chance to ease into the conversation. The open-ended nature of the question allows you to highlight the most important aspects of your background and experience, and serves as the foundation for the rest of the conversation.
That said, most interviewers are asking this question for a few other, less-obvious reasons too.
For example, some interviewers will use this question to gauge your communication skills, suss out how well you understand the role, or how effectively you can talk about your qualifications. Alternatively, it may be a way for them to see how you prioritize information and whether you can succinctly explain who you are and why you’re in the room. This question allows interviewers to get a broad picture of your personality, work experience, and overall motivation, all of which are crucial for assessing fit for a role.
The Question Behind the Question
To make this easier for you, we’ve distilled these “reasons” into the simple list below.
Possible ‘questions’ behind the generic ‘tell me about yourself’:
- Who You Are as a Person?
- What Motivates You?
- Do You Have the Right Work Experience?
- Are You a Cultural Fit?
- Do You Have Any Red Flags?
Let’s dive into each of these, exploring why they matter to the interviewer and how you can craft your response to address them.
1. Who You Are as a Person?
Sometimes, when the interviewer asks the ‘tell me about yourself’ question, they are really genuinely trying to get to know you better and understand how you operate as a human being. They are really digging into how you approach challenges and what your general attitude is towards work. Remember, a company is not just hiring for skills and experience. They’re hiring individuals who will contribute to their culture and environment and want to know if you’ll be someone who gets along well with others, brings a positive attitude, and is adaptable.
Strong example answers:
- “I’m a really collaborative person who thrives in team settings. For example, in my previous role, I led cross-departmental initiatives that required constant communication and collaboration. I’m someone who believes that good relationships at work lead to better outcomes, and I’m really seeking out a role where I can continue to flex my team-working skills.”
- “I’m someone who is naturally curious and enjoys problem-solving. I’ve always been driven to figure out how things work, whether that’s a new system at work or even fixing things around the house. I think that trait makes me a strong fit for roles that require continuous improvement and innovation.”
2. What Motivates You?
Some interviews may be asking the ‘tell me about yourself’ question to get a better sense of what motivates and drives you. They may be trying to figure out if you are motivated by challenges and if you enjoy working in fast-paced environments. Interviewers care about this because it’s a proven fact that hiring someone whose motivations align with the company increases the chances of job satisfaction, drives better performance, and ensures long-term retention. Interviewers want to make sure you’re genuinely interested in the role!
Strong example answers:
- “I’m motivated by the opportunity to learn new things and take on new challenges. In my last job, I took on a project that required me to learn a completely new software program, and within a few months, I was training others on it. I’m excited by roles where I can continue to grow and develop these kinds of skills.”
- “I find motivation in seeing tangible results from my work and effort. Whether it’s launching a new product or streamlining a process that saves my team time, I’m really driven by the impact my work has on the overall success of the company.”
3. Do You Have the Right Work Experience?
While your resume outlines your experiences and qualifications, the interviewer may be asking you the ‘tell me about yourself’ question to give you an opportunity to expand on what has been written on paper. In these cases, the interviewer probably wants to hear about specific examples of your work so they can feel good about your candidacy for the role. After all, they need to know if you have the right experience to succeed in the role and take on the responsibilities that are required of you.
Strong example answers:
- “I’ve spent the past three years working in customer service, where I managed large volumes of customer inbounds while maintaining a satisfaction rate of over 95%. I’m really confident that my experience dealing with high-pressure situations like these and finding solutions will help me excel in this role.”
- “In my last role as a marketing manager, I was responsible for managing a team of five people and oversaw our whole digital marketing strategy. Over the past year, I led a campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in website traffic and a 20% increase in online sales. I believe my experience leading high-performing teams and developing successful campaigns positions me really well for this role.”
4. Are You a Cultural Fit?
Your response to ‘tell me about yourself’ could also offer insight into whether you’ll fit in with the company’s culture and it may be the reason your interviewer is probing. Even if you’re highly qualified for the role, a mismatch in culture can lead to disengagement, low morale, or even turnover, so it makes sense why interviewers care so much about it. They want to hire someone who will thrive in the company’s environment and contribute to a positive work culture.
Strong example answers:
- “I’m someone who thrives in fast-paced environments where collaboration is welcomed. In my last role, we had daily stand-ups to ensure everyone was on the same page and aligned, and I found that really helped drive projects forward. I’ve read about your team-oriented approach here, and I’m excited by the idea of working in such a collaborative environment.”
- “I value transparency and open communication, which I understand are central to your company culture. In my current role, I worked closely with leadership to implement feedback loops that encouraged more open dialogue between teams, and I’ve seen firsthand how that can improve team performance.”
5. Do You Have Any Red Flags?
Finally, your interviewer may be asking the ‘tell me about yourself’ question because they are trying to see if you have any red flags. If this is what they are seeking to find out, they’ll probably be listening for gaps in your experience, unclear career transitions, or any other hints that you may not be the right fit for the role or company.
If there’s something in your work history that could potentially raise a red flag, it’s best to address it head on. For example:
- “I took a career break for a year to care for a family member, but during that time, I continued to build my skills by taking online courses in project management and volunteering with a local nonprofit. I’m now fully prepared to return to the workforce and bring my experience to your team.”
Showing Personality: Don’t Sound Like a Robot
We just shared a bunch of examples that you can use if you get hit with the ‘tell me about yourself’ question in your interview. Before we close out, we want to stress one final piece of advice. While it’s important to answer with integrity and specificity, it’s also equally important to let your personality shine. This question is an awesome opportunity to differentiate yourself by sharing a bit about your hobbies, extra-curricular activities, or other interests that make you unique. In a sea of candidates with similar qualifications, sometimes what sets you apart is something as simple as a shared hobby or passion that resonates with the interviewer.
Strong example answer:
- “Outside of work, I’m an avid hiker and recently completed a 100-mile trail. I think that perseverance and determination show up in both my personal life and my work. I’m someone who doesn’t back down from a challenge, whether it’s in the office or on a mountain!”
In Summary
After all is said and done, how you reply to the ‘tell me about yourself’ has the power to set the entire tone of your interview and you should treat this question as an opportunity to make a powerful first impression. So, take the time to craft an answer that’s authentic, engaging, and aligned with the role you’re applying for—and don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality shine through. After all, it’s often the little details that make you memorable. Good luck!
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our other similar article on How to Answer the Job Interview Question What Are Your Weaknesses.
