How to answer 'Tell me about yourself' in an interview

[Ehsanuls55]

Although it may seem simple, your answer can set the tone of the interview.

It's easy to feel the heat, especially when you're sitting across from the hiring manager or CEO. Without proper preparation, starting off a job interview strong can feel overwhelming.

This guide will help you strategize how to answer the infamous “Tell me about yourself” question in your interview. We’ll explore variations of the question, come up with answers that hit all the right notes, and give you insights into what the hiring manager is hoping to hear.

Variants of Tell me about yourself
Before we dive into how to answer “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview, let’s prepare you vp quality email lists for some of the variations on this classic question. Hiring managers love to keep things interesting, so don’t let these ones catch you off guard.

Here are some ways for the interviewer to ask this without making it sound too obvious.

"I have your resume here, but could you tell me a little more about yourself?"
"Walk me through your resume"
"I would love to know more about your career"
"Tell me a little about your past"
"How would you describe yourself?"
"Share something about yourself that isn't on your resume"
The same open question, but with a different packaging.

Preparing for different ways to present yourself will help you stay calm during the interview and impress the hiring manager with a polished elevator speech.

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Understanding the interviewer's perspective
The first step to effectively answering the question "Tell me about yourself" is to understand why you're being asked.

It's not just to fill awkward silences.

Talent acquisition teams want to see if you are self-aware, know your career path, and can tie your professional background back to the job description . Your answer can guide the rest of the interview and hiring process, so it's important!

This question may seem soft, but the interviewer is actually looking for clues about what to ask you next.

For example, if you mentioned that you're good at meeting deadlines, he or she might ask, "Tell me about a time when you met a tight deadline." Suddenly, you'll be talking about your extraordinary time management skills.

But that's not all: this is your moment to stand out. Share something that isn't obvious on your resume. You don't want to repeat the same words.

Think: what will make you shine compared to other candidates with a similar profile?

Own your journey Every aspect of your journey contributes to your narrative. Whether it’s education, past jobs, or personal experiences, own your journey and present it with confidence—it’s what makes you, you!

This is where details come in handy.

If you're a social media manager, what are your growth metrics? Have you increased engagement by 50% in six months?
In sales? Mention how you exceeded your goal by 30%
If you're a waiter, highlight those killer tips you earned or the busy shifts you were assigned thanks to your skills.
Did you play any sports? Tell us how you got into the university team or became captain.
In short, interviewers want to know how you've achieved results, not just that you've held a job.