“Tell me about yourself”: how do you nail that key moment in an interview?
Sep 09, 2021
4 mins
So you just got an interview with your dream organization – congratulations! Now it’s time to prepare for the best possible meeting with your recruiter and get the job. To start, you need to learn how to answer ‘tell me about yourself.’ This part of the interview defines what to say at the beginning of an interview. This is a decisive moment: your ‘tell me about yourself’ answer is a golden opportunity to stand out and show your personality. It is up to you to come up with the best ‘tell me about yourself’ answers. Your answer is about balance and moderation: somewhere between summation and spontaneity. But don’t worry; we’re here to help you pass your interview with flying colors. Preparing this question is the best way to prepare for an interview and learn how to[impress in an interview.
1. Preparing for an interview
However the recruiter phrases it, this is your opportunity to speak freely and have the chance of making a good first impression in a job interview. How you answer this question will set the tone for the rest of the interview. Preparing for an interview will help avoid memory lapses, panicking, stuttering, or other mishaps. It’s best to outline what you want to say beforehand, as this is one of the most important questions to prepare for an interview. And preparing for this critical moment ahead of time means you can focus on other details during your introduction: speaking calmly and confidently and keeping an eye on your body language, so you appear positive and self-assured.
2. How to answer ‘tell me about yourself’
At this stage in the recruitment process, the interviewer has already looked through your résumé. They are looking to get a feel for your personality and have a better idea of your strengths. It’s pointless to tell your life story; stick to your professional experience that matches the job description.
So what’s the magic formula?
The present
Who are you? What made you apply? Start your pitch with the thing you know best: your current situation. Explain, briefly, who you are and the context for your application. For example: “I’m a recent graduate, and I’m applying to this company because it builds on what I was doing in my previous internship.”
The past
What career experience do you have that could apply specifically to this company? Be careful not to repeat your history chronologically – it’s already listed on your résumé. Only bring up experiences that are relevant to the position. Tell them what you liked about your previous jobs and how you think they are applicable for the company you’re applying to. You can prepare two or three points ahead of time to give your introduction some structure. For example: the subject you chose to study, a project in a previous position, or a volunteer activity.
The future
How do you see yourself in terms of this job? What struck you in the job description? How do you meet the requirements for this position? Why do you think you’ll like it? What can you bring to the company, and what will it bring you? This bit aims to determine if you are suited for the position and if your expectations match the recruiter’s expectations. Keep coming back to the links between your skills and personality and the specifics of the position.
Pay close attention to the final sentence of your introduction and try to finish in an open-ended way so the recruiter can use your answer as a jumping-off point. For example: talk about your management abilities, how you function within a team, or your ability to work under pressure.
Don’t forget that this part of the interview should be short: about 1 minute.
3. How to show personality in an interview
Beyond highlighting a candidate’s professional skills, a job interview is an opportunity for the recruiter to get to know your personality. So don’t come off as too scholarly by giving overly polished answers. You should absolutely be prepared and know what you’re going to say, but you’ve also got to be spontaneous and natural. Be sincere about your interest in the job and the company, share your short- and long-term plans, and talk about what you want for your future. They’ll appreciate your ability to project forward and not just talk about yourself in the past.
Showing your personality means not overdoing it. You might come across as dishonest and make a wrong impression. So there’s no need to blow your own trumpet or overstate how much you love the company. The more natural your answers sound, the more logical your arguments appear. Keep your language simple: explain as clearly as possible what drew you to the job description and why you think you meet the requirements.
4. Set the tone of your interview
Usually, the “Tell me about yourself” question comes at the beginning of the interview and the answer is your first big chance to speak. Be aware that this is likely to set the tone for the rest of the conversation. So it’s up to you to keep it dynamic and share your enthusiasm with the recruiter. Smile and be energetic, show that you’re happy to be there, try to stay confident, and keep the conversation open. You’ll have a better time that way, as will the recruiter, and you’ll stand a better chance of making a strong impression.
Finally, remember: there’s no reason to be overwhelmed by stress or to view this question as an insurmountable challenge. All that’s really required of you is “just” to talk about yourself, so be confident and relaxed without trying to perform. It’s in everyone’s best interests to know if you and the company have similar expectations.
Updated August 11, 2022
Translated by Kalin Linsberg
Photo: Welcome to the Jungle
Follow Welcome to the Jungle on Facebook on LinkedIn and on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest articles every day!
More inspiration: Tackling common interview questions
Expert tips for answering tough interview questions. From behavioral questions to articulating career changes, ace any interview with our guide.
Great expectations: ace the interview question on what you want in a manager
Honesty is key when answering this question to save you from toxic managers and mismatched relationships.
Feb 27, 2023
Easing the exit: A guide to articulating your career change in an interview
While you may be tempted to rant about a toxic workplace, letting a recruiter know why you're leaving your current role should be handled with care.
Feb 13, 2023
Sell me this pen: how to answer one of the toughest job interview questions
For sales rep or business developer positions, the recruiter might test your ability to sell anything. So how do you get through this role-play?
Aug 22, 2022
Are you pursuing any other opportunities? How to answer this in a job interview
When asked by a recruiter if you're pursuing other job opportunities, what should you do? Say the truth or is it a dangerous bait?
Jun 10, 2021
Why you and not someone else? 4 tips to help you answer this in an interview
While the question may be off-putting to many candidates, we offer 4 tips to help you answer it with honesty, subtlety, and confidence.
May 12, 2021
The newsletter that does the job
Want to keep up with the latest articles? Twice a week you can receive stories, jobs, and tips in your inbox.
Looking for your next job opportunity?
Over 200,000 people have found a job with Welcome to the Jungle.
Explore jobs