How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" in a Job Interview in 2023 (with Sample Answers)
Feeling the jitters and butterflies for your upcoming job interview? One way to make those nerves go away is to have a headstart on the interview questions.
While you may not be able to predict all the questions, a question that will almost certainly be asked in your interview is the classic "tell me about yourself". A simple, easy-sounding question - but easy to fumble and for you to ramble endlessly.
Sure, it's an open-ended question with no “right” or “wrong” answer, but it can be difficult to navigate - especially if you're not prepared. To ‘err” is human, but you’d also want to come across as well-spoken and confident. If you can master answering this question, it can set the tone for the rest of the interview and help you make a good impression beyond dressing properly for the interview.
Ahead, we discuss how to answer this age-old interview question to make you stand out amongst the crowd and clinch that dream job.
- Preparing for the Interview Question
- Crafting Your Answer
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice, But Don't Memorise
- “Tell Me About Yourself” Sample Answers
- Answering Follow-Up Questions
- Conclusion
- FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for the Interview Question
You may feel ready to tackle the question of “Tell Me About Yourself?”, but there are a few factors you need to understand and assess first before you start writing down your possible answer. Start off by understanding the following points:
Why do interviewers ask “Tell Me About Yourself”
Before you start crafting your answer in your mind, it's important to understand the purpose of the question. No, the interviewer is not asking for a life story of your childhood or romantic relationships, but rather they simply want to know if you are a good fit for the position. This is why your answer should focus on your skills, experiences, and career goals that are relevant to the job, while still being personable.
Interviewers ask this question for 4 primary reasons -
To form initial impressions of the candidate.
Initial impressions matter immensely in job interviews. In a study done by Prof. Tricia Prickett and colleagues at the University of Toledo, Ohio, naive observers were able to predict the outcome of a 20-minute interview by just looking at the first 20 seconds of the interview.Ease the candidate into the interview.
Tell me about yourself also acts as a conversation starter to begin the interview on a friendly note. Since candidates are expected to be comfortable talking about their professional experience and achievements, this question can alleviate some pressure and transition into more specific questions related to the job.Facilitate the direction of the interview.
Hiring managers will often use your answer to figure out the next question. Depending upon your preparation, you can also nudge the interview in your favoured area.Check how you handle open-ended questions.
Open-ended questions are a very useful tool for evaluating your ability to communicate effectively. A clear and structured answer to this question will increase the interviewer's interest in your profile.
Different Ways of Asking the Same Question
While interviewers will say the exact phrase - "So, tell me about yourself", there will be occasions when this question is framed differently.
For example, they may start with:
- “I have your resume in front of me but tell me more about yourself.”
- “Walk me through your resume.”
- “I’d love to know more about your journey.”
- “Tell me a little bit more about your background.”
- "Can you give me a brief introduction about yourself?"
Identify your key skills and experiences
To prepare for the question, you should identify the key skills and experiences that are relevant to the job. Keep in mind the job description and think about how your skills and experiences match the requirements of the position. Highlighting these key skills and experiences eloquently and succinctly will show the interviewer that you are the ideal person they’re looking for.
Conduct research on the company and tailor your answer for the role
In addition to identifying your key skills and experiences, you should also research the company and the position you are applying for. This will help you tailor your answer to the company's specific needs. For example, if the company values teamwork and is known for valuing internal collaborations, you can highlight your experience of working in a team environment.
Crafting Your Answer
Now that you have all those factors in mind, it’s time to jot down what you can answer during the interview to introduce yourself. Follow these steps to help you put it all together:
Step 1: Build a strong opening statement to capture the interviewer's attention
Try to have an opening statement that is bold and powerful. While maintaining an upbeat tone, start by introducing yourself and your current position or education.
Then, mention your relevant skills and experiences that are related to the job. Think of it as introducing yourself to a new friend – don’t stress it!
Opening statement examples:
- "Hi, I’m currently a Senior Software Engineer at Telecom X, where I oversee mobile app development for end-user applications."
- "I'm an experienced account manager at SaaS Inc. where I manage our top clients' accounts contributing over $1 million in revenue annually".
- "I'm an experienced sales representative with a passion for meeting new people and helping customers solve their pain points."
Step 2: Highlight relevant skills and experiences in a concise and engaging manner
When highlighting your skills and experiences, it's important to have laser focus on the key points you want to touch on. The last thing you’d want is to bore the interviewer with a long list of outdated and irrelevant achievements. Instead, choose a few key skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position and discuss them in detail.
Step 3. Provide specific examples to illustrate your strengths
Citing specific examples will illustrate your strengths and elevate your response. For example, if you are applying for a customer service position, you can provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer and personal testimonials that you might have received in the past.
Step 4: Discuss your career goals and how they align with the company's mission and values
In addition to discussing your skills and experiences, you should also mention your future career goals and how they align with the company's mission and values. Not only will this show the interviewer that you are passionate about the job and the company, but it also showcases that you did the necessary research before the interview. Help them to envision you becoming a valuable part of the team!
Step 5: Emphasise your enthusiasm and passion for the position
Before wrapping up your answer, emphasise your enthusiasm and passion for the position. This will show the interviewer that you are not just looking for any job, but that you are genuinely interested in the position and the company. Of course, avoid overkill and unnecessary compliments or it might seem like you’re a bootlicker. Subtlety is key.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While it’s important to have your thoughts organized, it’s crucial to steer clear of these typical errors when talking about yourself during the job interview. Here’s a list of mistakes you should avoid:
1. Rambling or providing too much irrelevant information
Nobody likes a rambler. One of the most common mistakes when answering the "Tell me about yourself" question is being long -winded or providing too much irrelevant information. Keep your answer concise and to the point.
Career and interview coach Leah Lambart, of Relaunch Me, cautions candidates against this. “Employers don’t want to hear your life story, and they’re not interested in every job you’ve ever had.”
“They want to hear a snapshot of your career history, highlighting any specific career changes that need some explanation, focusing on the most relevant or recent roles, key skills that you have developed, as well as some standout achievements that are a testament to the great work that you’ve done.”
2. Don't complain about your previous job or boss
Another thing to avoid is openly discussing what you dislike at work or dwelling on why you’re leaving your previous company. Complaining may put you in a bad light.
“Discussing problems that you’re having with your boss, or your team will only raise red flags to future employers,” Lambart says.
3. Focusing solely on personal information or unrelated experiences
Another grave mistake is focusing solely on personal information or unrelated experiences. While it's okay to mention personal information if it's relevant to the job, your answer should primarily focus on your professional experience and skills.
Bringing in hobbies or pop culture references is completely acceptable if they relate back to the job or company. Example: “I learnt a lot about medical procedures from watching Grey’s Anatomy, which is why I want to pursue a career as a nurse”.
4. Neglecting to tie your answer back to the position and the company
Especially if your answer is a lengthy one, make sure to tie your answer back to the position and the company so you don’t lose track of your points. Show the interviewer that you understand the role and how you can contribute to the company's success.
Practice, But Don't Memorise
Just like for everything else, practice makes perfect. Rehearsing your answer is essential if you want to ensure a smooth delivery of your reply. This will also reflect that you’re well-prepared. Here are some tips and suggestions for practising effectively.
Record yourself
Even if you’re not well-versed in Instagram or TikTok, take a cue from the Gen Zs and record yourself. Familiarise yourself with answering the "Tell Me About Yourself" question and watch the video back to see how you come across. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve and refine your answer to reach your preferred delivery.
Get feedback from others
If you’re camera-shy, why not practise your answer with friends, family members or mentors and ask for feedback? This will help you to get an outside perspective on your answer and identify areas where you can improve. To add an element to the interview preparation process, you can even have a mock panel consisting of your friends and family to roleplay the entire interview process.
Alternatively, you can also access an online Interview Practice Tool via JobStreet to tackle various typical interview questions, get helpful professional advice and record yourself to make self-improvements.
“Tell Me About Yourself” Sample Answers
Need a clearer guideline? Here are some “Tell me about yourself” sample answers you can refer to and adapt for your interview.
Answer 1: Focusing on Relevant Work Experience (Useful for Experienced Professionals)
The main thing employers want to know is how your skills and experiences will benefit their company - especially if you are an experienced professional. You can start by giving a brief overview of your work experience and then diving into the specifics of how your skills and accomplishments make you an ideal candidate for the position.
Example: "Sure! I am a marketing manager specialising in digital advertising campaigns, bringing over 5 years of experience leading successful campaigns across multiple industries. My expertise lies in leveraging digital channels such as SEO, SEM, social media, email marketing, and content marketing to drive brand awareness, lead generation, and conversion rates.
In my current role, I developed and executed a successful social media campaign that increased our brand's online engagement by 50%. In my previous role at XYZ e-Commerce Ltd., I spearheaded a number of successful campaigns that delivered significant growth in website traffic and revenue. For example - our digital paid search campaign in 2020 delivered 30% higher conversions at 20% lower cost compared to the previous year. To achieve this - we relied on a data-driven approach to keyword bidding to maximise high-intent traffic.
With ABC Inc. being one of the biggest digitally native start-ups in Malaysia, I believe my skills will be central to delivering on the company's objectives while presenting an opportunity to further learn and deepen my skills in this space."
Answer 2: Highlighting Transferable Skills (Useful for those looking to switch careers)
If you don't have direct experience in the position you're interviewing for, highlighting your transferable skills can help demonstrate your value as a candidate. These skills are those that can be applied across various industries and positions.
Example: “Thank you for giving me the chance to talk about myself and why I'm a good fit for this job. I've done a bit of everything and picked up some useful skills along the way. I studied Business Studies at University ABC, which helped me think critically and solve problems. In my past jobs in Retail and Hospitality, I learned to be flexible and easily handle different tasks.
One big thing I'm proud of is my communication skills—I can explain tricky stuff in a way that makes sense to everyone. I'm also super organised and pay a lot of attention to details. Managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines is my jam. I'm always up for learning something new, which keeps me on top of what's happening in the professional world.
So, in a nutshell, my mix of experiences and skills, from problem-solving to leadership and staying organised, makes me a great fit for this role. I'm excited about the chance to bring all this to your team and help the company grow!"
Answer 3: Demonstrating Passion for the Industry (especially useful for fresh graduates)
Passion speaks volumes, and is a vital factor that employers want to see. Expressing your enthusiasm for the job can help you stand out from other candidates, even if they might be more qualified than you on paper.
This is particularly useful for fresh graduates, who may not have experience working in a particular role but can highlight their passion for the particular industry through degrees and projects.
Example: “Ever since I can remember, I've really been into healthcare and medicine. That passion led me to gain a degree in Healthcare Services from University XYZ.
However, this wasn't just about getting a diploma but about building a solid foundation to kickstart my career. What gets me excited about the healthcare scene is how it can make a real positive change in people's lives. I'm all about being part of a team that comes up with great solutions, takes on tricky problems, and actually makes a difference.
I aim to use my skills to impact individuals, communities, or even globally. I'm also keen to stay up-to-date in the industry. I'm constantly looking for ways to upskill with workshops and certifications, bringing in fresh ideas to the table. Beyond work, I also focus a lot on giving back. I volunteer, join community events, and support causes that align with my values. Making a difference isn't just a 9-to-5 thing for me. It's a lifestyle I aim to embody."
Answer 4: Including Personal Background and Interests (Useful for those intending to leave a big impression)
Highlighting your personal background and interests can help you connect with the interviewer on a more personal level. It will make your answers sound more natural and conversational. However, be sure to keep it professional and relevant to the position.
A great way to incorporate personal background in your answer is by following the W.A.P. method:
- Work: What is your current position? What are some examples of your responsibilities?
- Academics: What are your educational background and accomplishments?
- Personal: What are your personal interests that are related to the job? Even when you think your hobbies and interests are unrelated to work - on some deeper introspection - you will often find some relevant skills that overlap between your interests and the job that you are applying to.
Example: "I am a project manager at XYZ Software Inc. As a project manager, I oversee large-scale software development projects, including implementing new software systems and improving existing products. I have a proven track record of leading large cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time, within budget, and with high quality. Recently, I oversaw a $100m Super App development program involving a team of over 600 engineers.
I have a bachelor's degree in computer science from ABC University - where I was the recipient of the prestigious Science fellowship. I am also a PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner and am well-versed in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies of software development.
Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering at a local animal shelter. It's taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and empathy – skills that I believe are crucial for success in this role."
Alternatively - even if you don't have unique interests - it still might make sense to highlight hobbies that may seem commonplace. But do remember that it should portray you favourably for the role you are applying for.
For example: "I enjoy practising yoga and meditation in my free time. It's helped me develop a strong sense of focus and discipline, which I believe have been instrumental in my success as a project manager. I'm excited about the opportunity to bring those same skills to this position."
Answering Follow-Up Questions
After you've given your answer, you might want to pause on heaving a sigh of relief just yet. The interviewer will likely ask follow-up questions to clarify or expand on your response. It's important to be prepared for these questions and answer them effectively.
Common follow-up questions include:
- Can you tell me more about that experience?
- How did that experience prepare you for this role?
- Can you give me an example of how you demonstrated that skill in the past?
To prepare for these questions, think about specific moments from your past experiences and how they relate to the position.
Addressing the "Why Did You Leave Your Previous Job?" Question
Another common yet sensitive follow-up question that might catch you by surprise is “Why did you leave your previous job?’. “How ah?”, you think to yourself while trying not to let the interviewer see you sweat. Well, the question is easier to handle than you might think. While this question may seem intimidating, answering it honestly and positively is important.
Start by focusing on the positive aspects of your previous job, highlighting what you learned and what you enjoyed. Then, explain the reasons why you left or are leaving, keeping in mind that honesty is key.
Perhaps you’re looking for a new challenge? Or want to work in a different industry?
Even if the main reason is seeking a better work-life balance, you can share that too since some employers value utmost transparency. Whatever the reason, be sure to frame it in a positive light and emphasise how it led you to apply for the current position.
By taking a positive approach to answering this question, you can show the interviewer that you're capable of framing challenging situations in a positive light and that you're excited about the new opportunity in front of you. Remember to stay honest and positive, and focus on how your previous experiences have prepared you for success in the role you're applying for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the "Tell Me About Yourself" question is an inevitable part of job interviews. Preparing a thoughtful and engaging answer that showcases your skills, experiences, and passion for the position is essential.
By tailoring your answer to the company and position, highlighting your relevant experiences and skills, and including personal background and interests, you can make your answer stand out from other candidates.
As a final tip for success, practising and rehearsing your answer while building on feedback from others is crucial. Additionally, stay positive and confident throughout the interview throughout the interview process to give yourself the best shot at landing that job.
Visit the Career Resources Hub for more job interview tips and job-seeking guides. Do not forget to update your JobStreet profile to get the latest notifications on exciting new opportunities. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What should I include in my answer?
You should include a brief introduction, relevant skills and experiences, career goals, and enthusiasm for the position.
- How long should my answer be?
Your answer should be brief and concise, ideally no longer than two to three minutes.
- Should I talk about personal information or just professional experience?
It is important to strike a balance between personal and professional information. You should focus on highlighting skills and experiences that are relevant to the position, but you can also incorporate personal information to add depth to your answer.
- How can I make my answer stand out?
To make your answer stand out, you should craft a strong opening statement, provide specific examples, and tie your answer back to the position and the company's mission and values.
- What if I don't have much experience related to the position?
You can still highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences, such as internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.
- Can I use the same answer for every interview?
While you can use a similar framework for your answer, it is important to tailor your response to each specific position and company.
- How can I practise and prepare for the question?
You can practise by rehearsing your answer out loud, recording yourself, and getting feedback from others. You can also research the company and the position to better understand the requirements and tailor your answer accordingly.
- What if I get nervous during the interview?
It is normal to feel nervous, but practising and preparing can help alleviate some of that anxiety. Take deep breaths, focus on your strengths, and remind yourself that you are qualified for the position. You’ve got this.
- Should I memorise my answer?
While you should be familiar with your answer, it is important to avoid memorising it word for word. This can come across as robotic and insincere. Remember that you still want to relate to them as a human being first!
- What are some common follow-up questions and how should I answer them?
Common follow-up questions include asking for more detail about specific experiences or skills, asking about your long-term career goals, and asking why you are interested in the position. To answer these effectively, be specific, tie your answer back to the position and company, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the opportunity.