“Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Questions & Answers

Tell me about yourself. 

Interview questions can sometimes feel a bit awkward. And since you are trying to impress your recruiter, you can’t be too modest. On the other hand, being too cocky is also a bad idea. How to do it right?

Read on and learn all you need to know about answering the “Tell me about yourself” interview question.

This article will show you:

• What the tell me about yourself question is really about and why recruiters keep asking it.
• Different variations of the tell me about yourself interview question.
• How to answer “Tell me about yourself” without missing a beat.
• Best answers for “Tell me about yourself” (examples & what makes them great.)

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Looking for advice on other interview questions? Here’s a selection of guides you might find interesting:

• What Makes You Unique?
• Why Should We Hire You?
• What Do You Do In Your Current Position?
• Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
• Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
• What Motivates You?

Tell Me About Yourself: Why Recruiters Ask That Question?

There’s a reason behind each and every question the interviewer asks you. And unless you know what the reason is, you’re likely to fail your answer miserably. Why do recruiters ask Tell us about yourself?

Well, there are five main reasons:

1. To allow you to introduce yourself.

2. To smoothly start the interview without stressing you out.

3. To set the tone and direction for the entire interview.

4. To get a sample of your soft skills in a real-life situation.

5. To get to know you professionally.

Recruiters only know you from what you put on your resume (and maybe from a brief conversation on the phone), so they want to get to know you better. Remember that 78% of employers claim that personality is the most desirable quality in employees. But that doesn’t mean you should only focus on that.

The way you talk and behave will give them a glimpse into your soft skills: 

• Are you confident and calm while you’re speaking? 
• Do you maintain eye contact? Are you a good communicator? 
• Can you establish rapport?

Your answer could also determine what questions come next. If you win the recruiter over immediately, your entire job interview can go pretty smoothly.

Of all the common interview questions the recruiters can ask, this one seems most relaxed to begin an otherwise stressful conversation. Still, it’s quite meaningful. Answering it correctly will allow you to show self-esteem, which can

Different Ways of Asking the Tell Me About Yourself Question

Don’t expect that specific question to be asked precisely like that. A recruiter can try to get the same answer from you, by slightly rephrasing it, so keep your ears open.

Here are some variations of the Tell Me About Yourself interview question:

• Can you please describe yourself?
• Walk me through your resume.
• I don’t like resumes, let’s talk like people. I’d love to learn more about you.
• Can you tell me more about your background?
• I’ve seen your resume, but I am sure there’s more to you than that document.
• Tell me something about you that’s not on a resume in front of me.

And these are just some examples of many synonymized ways of asking the same question. So now, let’s see how to answer tell me about yourself in an interview.

There are many ways of describing yourself. Learn a lot of them in our guide: Words & Adjectives to Describe Yourself During an Interview

How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question

Before we see some examples, let’s find the best way to structure your answer.

1. Use This Simple Bulletproof Formula

 Here’s a simple formula for answering tell me about yourself:

1. Start with an important strength the hiring manager is looking for. Mentioning key skills and relevant achievements is always a good idea. 

2. Say how that skill or quality helped your employer in the past. Explaining how those traits helped the previous or current employer shows you know well that you’re really here for your recruiter and for the benefit of the company, not the other way around.

3. Make sure you give metrics to show your real-life impact. Quantifying shows you know very well what you are talking about and can give you extra impression points.

4. Explain how this new opportunity will help you grow your talents. It shows you have thought about your career goals and can’t wait to accomplish them with the new employer for mutual benefit.

Keep in mind that knowing this formula isn’t enough to give a good answer. It will only help you if you know how to make your answer relevant to the position you’re after. Let’s find out!

Pro Tip: Don’t ramble. Rehearse and time your answer. Have a solid ending. The worst answers take too long and trail off into silence.

2. Make Your Answer Relevant

Interviews happen after your resume has gone through a selection process. It passed the Applicant Tracking System and was marked as an ATS-friendly resume, meaning you know how to write a resume, and know that relevance is key. Now it’s time to make sure that what you plan to say is relevant, too. The first step involves revisiting the job offer.

There are surely certain hard and soft skills mentioned. Mention your recent accomplishments and work experience where they can be found. Perhaps some relevant coursework can be found in your education section. 

As you can see, there’s a lot to find on your resume. Use everything that’s relevant to the job opening.

Pro Tip: There’s a great way to practice storytelling during a job interview. It’s called the STAR Method, and it divides every answer into four parts: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It’s impressive and can help you form your answer more precisely.

3. Show Your Personality 

Being yourself is important because recruiters really want to learn something about you. The way you answer the tell me about yourself interview question helps them identify what kind of person you are. Focusing strictly on what they want to hear might seem fake and forced. And just like with lying on a resume, you want to avoid that impression.

It might be a good idea to share things from your additional resume sections, such as: 

• Hobbies and Interests
• Voluntary Work
• Certificates and Licenses
• Relevant Publications
• Language Skills

It’s also how to answer Tell me about yourself with no experience. Plus, done well, they can mirror and confirm both hard skills and soft skills wanted for the position you’re after.

Some other interview questions might surprise you as well. Don’t let them do it! Read our guide Situational Questions for Interviews

4. Know Your Audience

You know you need to have a tailored resume that answers the specific job opening. Remember to also tailor your answer to the person you’re talking to.

Different people can interview you at different stages of your recruitment process. If you’re applying for a job as a graphic designer in an HR-related startup, you wouldn’t discuss what type of tablet stylus pen you love the most with the CEO of your company, or even with the hiring manager. But you can do it when talking with the creative director, who speaks your lingo and knows exactly what you’re talking about.

Here’s a good interview tip: always tailor your communication style to your audience. 

There are many useful ways to succeed during an interview. Find them here: Interview Tips and Tricks

5. Practice a Lot and Follow Good Examples

It’s not just what you say that counts, but also how you say it. The goal is to be able to say exactly what you want, just the way you want. To do it, you might need to practice a bit. 

Remember, the way you deliver your answer will give the recruiter a glimpse into your communication skills and interpersonal skills. Practicing will help you smooth your answer, and it will help you if the stress kicks in. According to the Colombia Southern University, it’s also one of the most effective ways to prepare for an interview. Repeating your answer a couple of times will help you achieve that part of your interview, but don’t memorize it because it will make it sound unnatural. 

You know how to create your Tell me about yourself job interview answer. Now it’s time for some examples that will help you get inspired.

Pro Tip: What is the best way to practice your tell me about yourself answers? Rehearse them with a friend and ask for honest feedback. Someone else might spot something you don’t see practicing in front of a mirror.

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Tell Me About Yourself: Examples of Best Answers

Below, you will find 4 Tell Me About Yourself answer examples and explanations on why they work well. 

Tell Me Something About Yourself [Sample Answer]

Tell Me About Yourself Answer [Entry-Level Candidate] 

Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answer [Experienced Candidate] 

Tell Me About Yourself Interview Answer [Manager Position]

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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Key Takeaway

Here's how to answer “Tell me about yourself:”

• Try to incorporate this formula into your tell-me-about-yourself answer:
  • Start with what they are looking for,

• Follow it with how your skills helped your past or current employer 
• Quantify results to show real-life impact
• Explain how you will grow in your new role
• Make your answer relevant. That will only impress your recruiter.
• Be genuine and show your personality. Let them fall in love with it and hire you immediately!
• Tailor your answer to who you’re speaking to. Use lingo only when the other person will fully understand it.
• Practice your answer to feel confident enough to deliver it flawlessly under stress. Ask a friend for help and ask for honest feedback.
• Review the Tell me about yourself sample answers. They’ll help you give the perfect answer.

Do you have more questions about how to answer tell me about yourself interview questions? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

About Zety’s Editorial Process 

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• Rae Ann Fera, "An Employee’s Personality Is More Important Than Skills According To A New Talent Study"
• Matt Rowley, "Job Interview Practice: Why It’s Important and How to Do It"