How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself Phone Interview

Just updated for 2022.

"Tell me about yourself" is a job interview question that is guaranteed to come up in near (if not all) of your job interviews — regardless of your industry, experience level, and job type.

Since it's often the get-go question to exist asked in an interview, it'due south your large risk to make a first impression.

In fact, we recollect this question is and so of import that we created an unabridged video lesson around it in our flagship product Large Interview. Scout information technology hither:

This video is just one of dozens of lessons inside the full Big Interview training organization. If you lot've got some large interviews coming up, click here to acquire more well-nigh the system that will help you ace every one of them.

Many job searchers detest the "Tell me well-nigh yourself" question, and as a result, don't know how to ready and don't know how to give a stiff reply.

The frustration of the job seeker usually comes as a result of trying to decipher exactly what the interviewer is looking for. Still, if yous ready properly, there's no reason to dread this question.

In fact, this question is an opportunity — an opening for y'all to set the tone of the job interview and emphasize the points that you well-nigh desire this potential employer to know about you.

Don't waste the opportunity past simply diving into a long recitation of your resume. This also isn't the time to mention that you love flamenco dancing and bingo (yep, I have seen candidates constitutional on almost hobbies and personal preferences many times and information technology's a surefire fashion to make a weak get-go impression).

Instead, try a curtailed, enthusiastic response that summarizes your big-flick fit for the job. In this article, we'll show you the Big Interview Formula for crafting your perfect response to "Tell me near yourself."

Variations on "Tell Me Most Yourself"

Since yous're trying to get straight to the heart of what your interviewer is request you, it's important to heed for all the variations you lot may hear on the "tell me about yourself" question.

If the interviewer doesn't ask you to tell them virtually yourself straight out, they may ask one of these questions:

"Walk me through your resume"

This may sound like an invitation to simply repeat all of the information on your resume, but that is the absolute wrong approach to take.

Recollect of this question equally only a chat starter. Fifty-fifty though they asked you to walk them through your resume specifically, y'all don't want to just recite your resume bullet points and give them no additional useful information.

"Tell me something that's not on your resume"

Some other very like variation is:

"Tell me something unique nigh you."

These questions are phrased in such a manner that it may make starting the chat easier. You probably tin can think of something that'south unique about you, but remember you lot don't desire to raise any red flags or become off on too many rabbit trails.

If y'all have a hobby, interest, or unique history that tin be folded into a discussion about your job skills, then much the better!

Why Interviewers Utilize "Tell Me About Yourself"

This is ane of the most mutual questions interviewers ask candidates during a task interview.

So when they ask you "Tell me about yourself", what are they trying to reach? Well, for them, it's an piece of cake and open-ended way to start the chat.

Their ultimate goal for this interview is to find out enough about yous to decide if you're a good fit for the job opening that they are being paid to fill up. In almost cases, they want to similar you. Their life will be easier if they can notice a neat candidate quickly. Nevertheless, they are also on guard because a bad hire will reverberate poorly on their judgment and perchance be a mark against them when it comes fourth dimension to ask for a heighten or promotion.

They are hoping that this question will get you talking. This question is virtually always asked commencement, perhaps correct afterward some chit-conversation nearly traffic and the weather condition. Your reply to this question will dictate the interviewer'due south first impression of you and will set the tone for the entire interview, letting y'all pb with your strongest selling points.

How Not to Answer "Tell Me Virtually Yourself"

Before we jump into the Big Interview Formula for crafting the perfect answer, let's comprehend some of the most common mistakes yous might make when answering "Tell me most yourself". (If everyone is giving yous the post-obit answers as advice — run the other way!)

ane. The Resume Rehash

Many candidates respond past launching into a recitation of their resume from the very beginning. That tin turn into a very long monologue that starts with one's oldest — and probably least relevant and impressive — experience. Past the time you get to the good stuff, your interviewer has zoned out and is thinking about lunch.

Don't get me wrong. It's important to ready a brief summary of the loftier points of each of your by positions. It is likely that you will be asked about your accomplishments and 24-hour interval-to-day responsibilities in previous roles. Ideally, this should come out in an engaging chat, though, non a long monologue at the beginning of the interview. You lot'll only confuse your interviewer with information overload.

Even if the interviewer specifically asks you to "walk him through your resume," don't take the suggestion too literally. Y'all can nonetheless lead with your lift pitch and then segue into an overview of your nearly recent position, leaving plenty of opportunities for the interviewer to jump in and appoint with you.

2. Mr./Ms. Modesty

Many of my interview coaching clients make the mistake of existence too small-scale. They reply with a humble or vague introduction that fails to clearly communicate their strongest qualifications for the gig.

Some of these clients are just humble people who aren't comfy with "selling" themselves. Others have never really had to worry nearly a strong pitch — they were always courted for new opportunities when the task market was stronger.

Today, the competition for any expert job is fierce. Don't rely on the interviewer to encounter by your humble outside and figure out how slap-up yous are.

If you take the time to prepare, you can find a fashion to nowadays yourself to full advantage while staying truthful to your personality. For modest types, I recommend focusing on factual statements.

You don't have to brag, "I'thousand the best salesperson in the globe." Instead, you can country, "I led my division in sales for the last three years and had the opportunity to bring in more than than $18 meg worth of new business during that time."

iii. The Starting time Engagement Approach

This is not a outset date. Your interviewer does not want to hear that you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Many recent grads misconstrue the question and talk too much nigh their personal lives and hobbies (peculiarly if the question is asked as "tell me something that's not on your resume" or "tell me something unique most you".)

This is probably because many only have admissions and other school-related interview experience (clubs, programs, etc.). For these types of interviews, at that place is much more interest in who you are as a person. In job interviews, focus on who y'all are as a professional unless asked about hobbies or outside pursuits.

4. The Clueless Ramble

I take watched a surprising number of smart candidates totally flub this question because of overthinking. Their answers audio something similar this: "Y'all mean most my job feel or about my schooling or what kind of information are you lot looking for?"

I know that these candidates are aiming to delight and that "Tell me about yourself" can exist interpreted in many different ways. Nonetheless, asking for too much clarification only makes you look hesitant and confused. Dive right in with the approach that nosotros outlined for yous above. If they are looking for something else, they volition enquire you for it.

How to Nail "Tell Me About Yourself"

Retrieve of information technology as your elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a brusque summary used to quickly and simply define a product, service, or concern and its value proposition. It answers the question: "Why should I purchase/invest?" It should be concise plenty to exist delivered during a brusque lift ride (to the 5th floor, not to the 105th floor).

You need an elevator pitch for yourself as a job candidate — and it should exist customized for different opportunities. Continue it focused and brusk, ideally less than a minute, and no more than 2 minutes.

You lot won't exist able to fit all of your great qualities and resume high points into 2 minutes, so you'll have to spend some fourth dimension thinking most how to present yourself in a way that starts the interview on the right note.

A groovy answer will address the following:

What are your primary selling points for this job? Your strengths could be a number of years of feel in a item industry or area of specialization. You lot might also highlight special training and technical skills here. Focus on the qualifications in the job description and how you run into and exceed the requirements.

Why are you interested in this position right now? You can wrap upwards your respond by indicating why y'all are looking for a new claiming and why you feel this part is the best next step.

"Tell Me Nearly Yourself"
(The Big Interview Formula)

I'll share the "Tell Me About Yourself" formula that I teach to my interview coaching clients (and Big Interview members) that consistently wins jobs. In that location are three components:

ane. Who You Are

Your first sentence should be an introduction to who you are professionally, an overview statement that shows off your strengths and gives a little sense of your personality too. This is non like shooting fish in a barrel to do gracefully on the wing. It pays to prepare a bit in advance.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Good

"I'one thousand an innovative HR manager with eight years of experience managing all aspects of the HR function — from recruiting to training to benefits — for Fortune 500 companies."

Concisely summarizes a diverse background.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Bad

Bad: "Well, I grew upward in Cincinnati. As a child, I originally wanted to be a fireman, then later became interested in dinosaurs. I excelled in the sciences from early, placing showtime in my fourth-grade science fair. Funny story about that…"

Way too much data.

two. Expertise Highlights

Don't presume that the interviewer has closely read your resume and knows your qualifications. Use your lift pitch to briefly highlight ii-4 points that you think brand you stand out.

Tell Me Virtually Yourself Example: Good

"I have spent the last half dozen years developing my skills every bit a customer service manager for Megacompany Inc., where I accept won several functioning awards and been promoted twice. I dearest managing teams and solving client problems."

The emphasis hither is on experience, enthusiasm, and proof of performance.

Tell Me Nigh Yourself Instance: Bad

"My start job was as an authoritative assistant for Macy'south in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I learned a great deal in that role that served me well over the next 12 years. At the time, I wasn't sure about my career path, so I adjacent took a position selling existent estate. It only lasted for 6 months, but I sure enjoyed information technology."

Zzzzzzz. Nobody cares about your commencement job 12 years ago. You are starting with the to the lowest degree impressive role of your career and the interviewer is probable to melody out before you go to the good stuff.

iii. Why You lot're Here

Terminate past telling them you desire the position and why.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Good

"Although I dearest my current role, I feel I'yard now gear up for a more challenging assignment and this position really excites me."

Concise and positive.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Bad

"Because of the visitor'southward fiscal problems and my boss'southward issues, I'm worried about my job's stability and decided to starting time looking for new opportunities."

Don't be as well candid or y'all chance coming across as negative. This answer likewise makes it seem like y'all're interested in a job, whatsoever job — not this chore in detail.

Remember: Yous will accept fourth dimension later to walk through your resume in more than particular and fill in whatever gaps. Don't try to clasp in likewise much information or your interviewer WILL first to tune out.

A skilful interview is a dialogue, not a monologue. Go on information technology concise and requite your interviewer the chance to dive in and ask questions.

(We talk nigh how to build your reply in detail in the Arts and crafts Your Pitch section below.)

Case Answers for "Tell Me About Yourself"

"I've been working in marketing for the concluding two years since graduating from Cornell and I dear it.

I'grand currently working as a marketing coordinator at a mode e-commerce startup.

I'm responsible for our social media marketing presence and also work closely with our marketing manager on running our marketing events, which is a lot of fun.

Previously, I spent a year as an assistant in the Global Marketing team at American Express.

That was a slap-up feel.

I supported 2 VPs in the group, managed their calendars, handled expense reports, and fabricated certain everything in the office ran smoothly.

I loved how every day was a bit unlike and I got to work with great people who had a lot to teach me about marketing.

I also volunteered to work on some creative projects exterior of my role because I realized how much I loved the creative side of marketing and wanted to go some experience.

I helped coordinate a few big customer marketing events and worked on copy for a few email newsletter campaigns.

Unfortunately, due to a reorganization of the team, my position was eliminated and that's when I was recruited for my current position.

Although I like my job, at this stage of my career, I realized I need to find a company where I see a long-term career path and I think this position would be a great fit with my skills and goals."

Why we like it: Observe that the get-go line sums upwardly her experience and name drops "top Wall Street companies." It'due south e'er good to mention high-contour employers by proper noun. Most hiring managers will perk up considering they assume that if you fabricated it through the hiring process at other well-respected companies, you must be pretty proficient.

She then describes an impressive recent project that we can presume is very relevant to the work required in the open position. Next, she spends time talking about why she's interested in this company/role, using the terms fast-paced, creative, problem-solving, and innovative. This is groovy if those words are used in the task description and/or company values.

With this answer, the candidate is leading with some of her top-selling points — experience at superlative firms, recognized stellar operation (award), technical expertise, problem-solving skills, etc. This will assist him grab the interviewer's attention and make a strong outset impression.

It bears repeating that a strong first impression is critical in a job interview situation. Start the interview strong and end it potent and you might even become away with flubbing a few questions in the middle.

Hither'southward a sample for a candidate going through a career change:

"I'chiliad an attorney with more than than ten years of experience at ii international law firms, where my feel representing pro bono clients inspired me to make a career change into the non-profit world.

I'k confident that my skills and experience would make me a great fit for the Director of Legal Affairs part for your arrangement.

I have a track record of success as a Transactional Attorney and years of experience performing research and analysis and negotiating complicated cases. I also take extensive experience advising leaders of large organizations on legal matters of all kinds.

I accept represented a number of not-profits in my pro-bono work and institute that piece of work to be rewarding too as a great fit for my strengths and abilities.

I take a detail passion for literacy causes, which is why I was so drawn to this position.

Your mission is i that really resonates with me, as the daughter of school teachers and a long-time volunteer for literacy causes."

Why we like it: The candidate starts by emphasizing she's been in the business concern for more than ten years. The fact she'due south been a part of ii international firms tells u.s.a. that she probably is a skilled and experienced professional person.

She then provides her reasons for making a career alter. Conveniently, she has already had some experience working with pro bono clients, which inspired her and which will definitely be useful in her new role.

Her set of skills volition be a potent foundation for the new position, simply they besides connect the two roles together, which will give her an advantage over other candidates.

Finally, she explains that her life and work experience naturally led her to this position, as the company'south mission resonates with her values and she's been a long-time advocate for the cause. This personal alignment is an enormous advantage to have, as it's been proven that people are better at their chore if they love what they practise.

Here'south a sample for a candidate interviewing for a nutrient service or hospitality position:

"I really enjoyed my last task in food service.

One of the things I honey the most about the hospitality industry is existence able to help people and see them happy with their service.

I plant that I actually thrive in an environment where I can practise several tasks at once. Information technology's a challenge simply it's too usually a lot of fun. I like challenging myself and that manner I'm never bored.

I experience my past jobs equally a camp counselor helped prepare me to exist a bang-up server besides. I really learned to mind, communicate, and brand sure everyone has a nifty time, while too overseeing my diverse tasks and responsibilities."

Why we like it: The candidate starts past highlighting what she loves most the industry she's working in. With this, she reveals the values that are important to her and what kind of person she is.

She continues past commenting that she enjoys challenging piece of work which oft involves multitasking. This shows that she'southward a curious individual determined to constantly improve.

She finishes with a comment about the skills she acquired in her concluding position and shows that she loves a mix of interpersonal and hard skills, which make her a great candidate for this position in this industry.

Here'south some other sample specifically for new grads (aka "freshers" in other parts of the globe).

"I'm currently a senior at the University of Pennsylvania where I'g majoring in Marketing and have also had the chance to proceeds experience through a number of marketing internships.

I spent this past summer in London where I took courses at the London School of Economics and also interned in the Marketing section for an apparel company. It was a great experience overall and I learned a lot about international marketing.

The previous summertime I interned at a marketing agency here in Philadelphia where I supported the squad on marketing projects for a number of unlike clients in the way industry. I did a lot of work on social media marketing campaigns and helped to staff marketing events.

I likewise have past experience working equally a server, a receptionist, and a camp counselor, which accept all helped me develop my communication skills.

I'm really excited nearly this opportunity because it's such an innovative company and I think that the task description is such a proficient match with my social media marketing experience and my passion for fashion."

Why we similar information technology: The candidate briefly and succinctly informs usa of her bookish experience then far.

She then continues by listing her academic and piece of work experience which are directly related to her Marketing major. This is swell, every bit it shows the states she's determined and sure of what she wants to pursue.

A list of internships shows that she's hungry for experience and constantly develops her skills, which is a good indicator of her work ethic and shows she will probably be good at her chore. She briefly mentions her experience with social media marketing campaigns, which is a plus.

In addition to hard skills, she went through a list of temporary jobs that helped her hone her communication skills.

She wraps up by showing she'due south been following the company'south piece of work for a while (this is always a plus in the interviewer's eyes!) and states that the role is in line with her experience, aspirations, and interests.

Craft Your Pitch

Answering the "Tell me well-nigh yourself" question can however experience challenging, even if you know how to approach it.

You have to briefly summarize years of experience. Where exercise y'all commencement? How do you logically connect all the dots? What practice you focus on? With so many things to remember, creating a great answer on the spot is actually hard.

That's why yous need to practice.

Jot down key points

Grab a pen and paper or a tool like Big Interview's Answer Architect.

Start by outlining the answer to your question. Think of the central trait you'd like to present and the ways to stir the conversation in that direction.

Create a list that volition contain primal points: who are y'all professionally? How many years of feel exercise you lot take and in what kind of companies? What's your biggest strength? Why did you use for this position and what tin yous bring to the table?

Of class, it's ever a good thought to personalize your respond and add a thing or two to show you lot know the company and its recent initiatives.

Having this list will help you figure out what to focus on and memorize the order of things you want to mention and then the reply flows perfectly.

Here's an example of what your outline would expect like in the Big Interview Respond Builder.

Answer Builder: Tell Me About Yourself

Equally you can see, your main points volition stay the same, only your answer volition flow organically and be a fiddling different each time, so you don't sound strong or rehearsed.

Practise, practice, exercise

Time for practicing!

You don't want to overdo it and sound robotic, but you also don't want to be insecure and slow at coming up with things to say. Give it a try a few times until you're confident enough to know exactly what you're doing but also ready for some improvisation if needed. Remember what Picasso said: "Learn the rules like a pro, so y'all can break them like an artist."

Then, ask a friend to listen to you or use our Practise choice to record yourself while delivering the answer. Practise it equally many times as you want and make certain you're coherent, you're non speaking likewise rapidly or too slowly, you're non stuttering, using song fillers, and so on.

A friend or our AI tool can then requite you feedback on what to improve, while also pointing out the things yous did really well. A flake of encouragement volition elevator your mood and make yous more than confident so that you can stone that interview when the time comes.

Tell Me About Yourself Practice

Here'due south an example of what our AI study looks like. Our AI monitors your videos and makes sure your camera and sound are ok. It as well counts your filler and power words and pauses, the pace of your speech, vocabulary, and and then much more than. Basically, it helps yous spot details yous wouldn't be able to catch on the fly — later on all, we're all a bit subjective, aren't we?

And if you need assist with how to answer other common job interview questions, we're here for you.