How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview

Interviews pose an opportunity to make a great first impression on an organization, and the most basic questions can carry a surprisingly heavy weight especially when they are the first questions asked and recruiters are just beginning to form their impressions. While you may assume talking about yourself is a softball answer in an interview, perfecting your answer to this question can make you stand out as a candidate. Employers want to hear about your experience, relevant skills, and how well you might fit in with the organization, and this question shows how effectively you can communicate your abilities. Below are suggestions for how to craft a thought-out response for how to answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an interview . 

3 Tips on How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

#1: Keep it Professional 

The question “Tell Me About Yourself” may lead you to believe you can answer nonchalantly because of its casual connotations; however, staying professional and focused is still important. When answering this question, rambling or going into details about a not-so-relevant part of your résumé can take away value from the important and aligned portions of your résumé and experience. Remember that while this is a casual and conversational question, you are in an interview, not talking to a friend or a peer.  

To stay on the safe side, avoid talking a lot about hobbies or family unless it is applicable to the position you are interviewing for. Hobbies can be important for employers to explore when evaluating soft skills; however, don’t go astray.  

For example, say: “Of course, my name is [your name], and my background is in [your industry or area of expertise].”  Then provide a snapshot about your relevant experience and education, and how they connect to the organization.  Avoid saying, “I’m here because I heard you were hiring. In my free time, I like to [irrelevant hobbies or interests].”  

#2: Stay Conversational 

One of the worst mistakes you can make in an interview is being too robotic and calculated. Employers want to see that you can answer questions on-the-spot not just recall memorized answers from your notes. Practicing your answer to this question is important to stay on track, but don’t over think. Keeping your answer conversational while appropriate for an interview demonstrates an elevated level of emotional intelligence and communication skills.  

Work on managing the balance of being professional while also remaining relaxed and not too premeditated. Having a rough list of points you may want to cover in the interview can be an effective way to manage this balance.  

For example, add a personal touch to your answer, smile, and remain engaging with the interviewer. In fact, 39% of candidates create a bad first impression from their lack of smile, voice quality, and overall confidence. Avoid following a tight script, excluding voice inflection, and avoiding eye contact with the interviewer.  

#3: Tailor to the Organization 

Employers are looking for candidates who can seamlessly transition and fit into an organization in terms of skills, experience and expertise, and even character and personality. You can make yourself a more attractive candidate by highlighting your experience or skills that align most with the demands of the role and the company as a whole.  

Start by researching the role’s requirements and then match those qualifications to your experiences, skills, and certifications. Researching the company beforehand is key, in fact, 47% of candidates are rejected for knowing little to none about the organization. Talking about how your existing skills translate to this position showcases you as an experienced and outstanding candidate. Additionally, including your passions and how they align with the organization’s mission and values can demonstrate that you are a good fit for the company even apart from the job’s requirements. 

For example, say: “In my previous role as an [role], I facilitated projects and goals that align with the requirements of this position. [Elaborate]. I am also deeply committed and passionate about [a value or overall mission that aligns with the organization].” Avoid talking about past jobs that have no relevancy or highlight skills that do not relate to the position for which you are interviewing. 

Moving Forward 

Going into an interview can be a nerve-racking experience, but preparing for questions like these can make you a more confident and well-spoken candidate. Using these tactics, you can master a seemingly simple question and help yourself stand out as a prepared and memorable candidate.

If you are looking to improve your interview skills and make yourself a more impressionable and attractive candidate to employers, contact BCTG experts for help.    

Contributions from Leah Harding