This guide gives you practical tools and examples on how to answer the “tell me about yourself” question in a job interview and build your story confidently and clearly.
Ah, the good old interview staple that sends shivers down every professional’s spine: ‘Tell me about yourself.’ It’s the question we all know is coming, ready to pounce with the force of a thousand awkward silences.
You’ve dressed to impress and practiced every question imaginable (including the pros and cons of your favorite superhero). And yet, this seemingly simple question can elude even the most well-prepared candidates. You may wonder why? Because it’s no easy task to outline your entire existence, professional accomplishments, and life aspirations before someone’s coffee gets cold. So, buckle up as we decipher how to answer this question without sounding like a walking resume.
What are the typical types of interviews?
- Phone interview:
- It is often Initial Screening Step.
- Focus on clarity and conciseness in your answers.
- Review the job description and tailor your skills and experience to be relevant to the role.
- Panel Interview:
- It usually involves multiple interviewers from different departments.
- Tailor your answer to demonstrate how your background fits into the diverse needs of the team.
- Practice structuring your answers to address multiple perspectives.
- Behavioral Interview:
- Questions based on relevant past experiences to predict future behavior.
- Use specific examples from previous positions to prove your qualifications.
- Structure your answer using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Video Interview:
- It is becoming increasingly common in the first round or later rounds.
- Please check professional settings and test your equipment beforehand.
- Maintain eye contact and be aware of your body language.
- Face-to-face interview:
- Direct interaction with the hiring manager or team.
- Please plan to arrive early and dress appropriately.
- Use your work experience and professional background to provide detailed and clear answers.
Common Behavioral Interview Questions
Navigating the maze of behavioral interview questions is like deciphering ancient script for many job seekers. These questions are designed to uncover how your past experiences and behaviors match up with potential future roles and are a staple of key interviews. Here is a list of common behavioral questions that explore beyond the surface of your resume:
- “Tell me about a challenge you faced in your current job and how you overcame it.” – Make your answers relevant to the job you’re interviewing for and highlight relevant skills.
- “Describe a situation in your current role where you had to work with a difficult team member.” – Employers are looking for model answers that highlight your interpersonal skills.
- “Can you give me an example of a goal you set in your current role and how you achieved it?” – This question tests your initiative and ability to execute.
- “Think about a time when you had to make a difficult decision in a previous role. What was the outcome?” – Tailor your answers to demonstrate your decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- “Give me an example of how you responded to constructive criticism at work.” – Your response should reflect your ability to grow and adapt.
- “Tell me about a successful project you led. What was your strategy and how did it contribute to the company’s goals?” – This will reveal your leadership and strategic planning abilities.
- “Describe a time when you failed at a task or project. What did you learn from that experience?” – Questions designed to measure your resilience and ability to learn from mistakes.
- “In your experience, how have you dealt with meeting tight deadlines?” – Demonstrate time management and prioritization skills.
- “Can you give us an example of how you improved a process or made a task more efficient in your current job?” – Demonstrate innovation and efficiency.
- “Describe how you handled a major change at work.” – Test your adaptability and change management skills.
Remember, the key to answering these open-ended questions is to frame your answer in a way that is relevant to the position you’re applying for, while keeping the anecdote aligned with the specific job function and company culture.
Why do interviewers ask this question?
This question allows the interviewer to set the tone for the interview and get a quick sense of who you are in relation to the job you’re applying for. To answer this question effectively, your answer should be concise and focus on past experiences that are relevant to the job search at hand. Practice your answer so that you set a positive tone and provide a clear, coherent story that shows why you should apply for your next job.
The interviewer isn’t asking about your life story
When asked in an interview, “Tell me about yourself,” many professionals are tempted to dig deep into their background. Life Storiesstarting from childhood. But this approach may be very different from what a recruiter or hiring manager is looking for. The key to a successful interview is to tailor your answers to take into account the job requirements and the company’s overall needs. Specifically, your answers should be clear narratives, ideally under two minutes, and highlight why your experience and skills make you the best candidate for a particular position.
Constructing a response
When preparing your answer to this question, think of it as verbalizing a resume summary that is customized to the requirements of the job description. Structure your answer as follows:
- Job title and experienceStart by matching your introduction to the job you’re applying for. If it’s a “Sales Team Leader” role that requires a wide range of experience, you might start with, “I’m an experienced sales director with over 10 years of experience leading successful teams…”
- Industry and Workplace InsightsInclude details about the role’s applicability to your industry and work environment. For a “Sales Manager” role at a tech startup, you could add, “…particularly in a dynamic startup environment that thrives on driving fast-paced sales activities.”
- Education and QualificationsIf your education or specific certifications are relevant to the job, highlight them. For a “Program Manager” role that requires specific certification, say, “I am also certified as a project management professional…”Human Resource Management) certification and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.”
- Expertise and expertiseHighlight the specialized skills that make you a perfect fit for the role. If you’re applying for an e-commerce “Full-stack engineer,” you might write, “…focused on developing scalable e-commerce platforms to enable seamless online transactions.”
- Key skills and achievementsConclude with a summary of your key skills and notable achievements that directly relate to the requirements of the job. For example, “I have experience leading projects that increased online sales by 35% using my expertise in JavaScript, Node.js, and React.”
This structured approach ensures that your answers are concise, relevant, and directly related to the specific role and company, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the interview.
Example Answer
As we answer this question, let’s look at some tips and examples to help you tell your professional story.
Example 1: Sales Team Leader Role
“I currently serve as Director of Sales with over 10 years of proven experience leading dynamic sales teams, especially in fast-growing technology startups. My approach blends innovative sales strategies with a keen understanding of the demands of the technology industry developed through hands-on experience and strategic thinking. My educational background includes an MBA with a focus in Strategic Management, which has helped me develop comprehensive sales campaigns that align with company goals. I specialize in creating and executing sales plans and have increased my current company’s quarterly sales by 40%. My team leadership expertise and ability to drive sales growth are complemented by my certifications in Sales Management and Negotiation Masters.”
Example 2: Technology Program Manager
“As a Program Manager with over 8 years of experience in technology, I have managed numerous software development projects from inception to completion. My role has always been at the intersection of technology and business, ensuring project deliverables meet the strategic objectives of the organization. With a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and PMP certification, I have honed my ability to oversee complex projects, especially in agile work environments. During my tenure at a leading SaaS company, I led cross-functional teams to deliver our flagship product and increase the company’s market share by 25%. My technical background combined with my project management expertise will make me a great addition to your team.”
Example 3: E-commerce full-stack engineer
“I’m a full-stack engineer with 10 years of experience in the e-commerce space, dedicated to building and optimizing online shopping platforms. I began my career with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Digital Media, which gave me a unique combination of technical skills and creative problem-solving ability. I have applied these skills in various startups, where I contributed significantly to developing user-centric e-commerce solutions that improved customer experience and operational efficiency. One of my key projects was the redesign of the payment integration system, which increased transaction success rates by 30%. With my technical expertise combined with my passion for creating impactful e-commerce experiences, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.”
Example 4: Customer Success Manager Role
“As a dedicated Customer Success Manager with 3+ years of experience in the software industry, I excel at building strong relationships with key clients to ensure a seamless and satisfying process from onboarding to renewal. My background in psychology and specialized certification in Customer Relationship Management has enabled me to effectively understand and anticipate customer needs and align service strategies with individual client goals. Currently working for a leading CRM software company, I have implemented customer success initiatives that increased customer retention by 20% year-over-year. I believe my experience working closely with cross-functional teams to proactively resolve issues and increase product value for customers will be a great addition to your team.”
Job Interview Tips
Finally, as part of preparing for the interview process, make sure you have an answer ready when you are asked, “Tell me about yourself.” This question will likely be one of the first you’ll be asked in the interview, so use the guidelines and examples above to help you answer this question in a way that sets you apart from other candidates.
- Match your experience to the job description: Reference specific skills from your background that are relevant to the job.
- Connect with the company’s overall missionState how your career goals align with the company’s overall goals.
- Use a relevant example: Give a brief example from your past that directly relates to the position you’re interviewing for.
- Preparing for your presentation: Practice a brief summary of your career that touches on key milestones relevant to the job and matches your personal story.
- ManSummarise your answer: Make your answer unique, memorable and create a good first impression by linking how the role you’re applying for fits into your career path.
