Tell Me About Yourself Interview Questions: How to Answer

5 Tips for Answering ‘Tell Me About Yourself

The advantage of general questions, such as “Tell me about yourself,” is that you can prepare them effectively in advance. This will help you a lot as this is usually an interview opening question. A strong answer can determine the success of the interview. Here are five tips to help you craft the most effective answer to this question:

1. Think about your answer in the context of the past, present and future

Tell the interviewer where you are in your career, where you are now, and where you want to go. This allows you to share past and current experiences while providing an optimistic outlook on your career goals. This is a great opportunity to show how great it would be if the company you are interviewing with becomes part of your future career plans.

2. Indicate specific skills or accomplishments that best represent you

Think about these parts of your answer in terms of how each answer relates to the job role you are applying for. This is your chance to make a great first impression, so be prepared to share your career accomplishments and best skills.

3. Show the interviewer what turns you on

What motivates you in your career? What gets you up in the morning? Through your answers, demonstrate how that passion will transfer to your performance in the required job responsibilities. Your enthusiasm will also show your love for the company and your career path.

4. Know what topics to avoid

Try to answer this question only related to business. Don’t discuss personal, political or religious topics. A well-prepared job candidate will answer this question without hesitation, sticking to career highlights. You can always add more personal answers gradually as the interview progresses, but only if possible.

5. Practice your answers before the interview

It’s always a good idea to practice your answers to the most common job interview questions beforehand. Practice in front of a mirror, make a video or ask an objective person to evaluate your interviewing skills. Improve your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. This includes good body posture, eye contact, hand movements and delivering the presentation in a relaxed manner.

Finish your answer by explaining your current job and your reasons for looking for a new job – specifically that job.