How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview (40+ Examples)

It can be daunting to face an interview underprepared, especially when you’re asked the dreaded question, “Tell me about yourself.”

According to experts, there are different ways to answer this question in an interview. 

Here are some excellent examples of how to respond appropriately:

Approach it as if you’re sharing your personal brand statement or elevator pitch

To answer the question “Tell me About Yourself,” well, it is important to first understand why this question is being asked. A lot of people misunderstand the point of this question.

In part, the interviewer is asking this question to help the interviewee ease into the interview, and so they can ease into the interview themselves. However, it is so much more than that.

They are also comparing you with other candidates, so you have the opportunity from the beginning of the interview to demonstrate that you are a good match for the role.

When you answer this question, approach it as if you are sharing your personal brand statement, elevator pitch, or infomercial with the interviewer.

However, it should be tailored to the role and should be delivered naturally in a conversational style.

You should prepare for this question prior to the interview by making a list of the work experiences, soft skills, hard skills, certificates, qualifications, and degrees required for the role.

Then prepare a tailored response to the question highlighting your unique selling points, experience, and interests that relate most closely to the position.

Commentary on the example:

This is a strong example of how to respond to this question successfully. The interviewee concisely outlined their journey and experience related to the role, quantifiable achievements in these roles, their USP related to the job role, and why they are applying for this role.

The interviewee did not talk about personal life and interests, recite back their full CV, or discuss problems or issues with their previous employer.

Discuss why you’re a good fit for the intended position

First, remember that they likely have your resume in front of them, so you don’t need to regurgitate what is written there or go into any extreme level of detail.

Start by discussing your current role and any skills or responsibilities that make you a good fit for the intended position. Don’t forget to mention relevant achievements or awards.

Summarize while providing a high-level overview of prior experience

Next, provide a high-level overview of prior experience. Again, avoid going into excessive detail. Summarize and be succinct while also providing color around the development of skillsets that will be applicable to the prospective role.

Avoid speaking negatively about prior companies or roles. Doing so will reflect more poorly on you than them.

Showcase your passion for professional development

Finally, transition to your current career aspirations and why you’re excited about the opportunity to discuss the open role. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your passion for professional development and your focus on finding a role that allows you to add value.

Optional:

Gauge whether incorporating interests outside of work will allow you to be better aligned with the company culture and values. This is a frequently debated topic.

Many say to exclude personal interests completely, but with the rise of the company focus on employee satisfaction, it may be worth briefly mentioning things that align with their current employee benefits or programs.

For example, if you enjoy fitness and the prospective company offers to pay for employees’ gym memberships, mentioning this may help you to appear more aligned with the company’s initiative to increase and maintain employee satisfaction.

Practice your response.

This question (and its many variations) is the most frequently asked question in interviews. Practice your answer until you can say it naturally and without hesitation.

Pick a couple of personal experiences that relate to the job role you are applying for

When you are interviewing for a company, the one question you will most likely be asked is, “Tell me about yourself.”

As a recruiter, I have seen some candidates answer this question brilliantly, and they make their case strong from the first answer. I believe you should be structuring your answer instead of telling an entire story about yourself.

When telling the interviewer about yourself, you should begin with giving a personal introduction by summarizing your personal interests and characteristics.

After talking about that briefly, you should give a brief summary of your professional life.

While talking about your professional life is important, you should focus on not going into too many details. Therefore, I would recommend you pick a couple of experiences that relate to the job role you are applying for because that would add to your profile.

Moreover, you should always end the answer with an interesting fact about you that would make the interviewer remember you and differentiate you from other candidates.

Related: How to Come up With Interesting Facts About Yourself

Focus on the clear benefit you provide to a prospective employer

When prospective employers start their interview with “Tell me about yourself,” they really are asking, “Why should we hire you?”

Rather than responding with your life history, this is your opportunity to give your “sales pitch.” You want to communicate who you are, what you do, what differentiates you from the competition, and how you are a better fit than other candidates for the position.

Be prepared with a short statement (not more than two minutes or so), highlighting a few of your strongest skills related to the position you’re seeking, and give specific examples.

The trick is to focus on the clear benefit you provide to a prospective employer.

Get a general idea of the skills and attributes required for the type of position you seek

Think of yourself as a product and the employers as the buyers of your skill set. You’re selling your unique blend of qualifications, talents, expertise, and accomplishments.

Start by reading job listings and descriptions on company websites to get a general idea of the skills and attributes required for the type of position you seek.

Notice the language they use and repeat that terminology when describing what you have to offer a potential employer.

Related: Why Are Job Descriptions Important in the Recruiting Process?

Check if you have any skills or interests that could prove useful

Consider whether you have any tangential skills or interests that could prove useful to the employer in addition to the minimum education and experience required.

If you’re pursuing a second career or taking time out to pursue another occupational direction, such as writing, teaching, or running a business, discuss how honing the skills required to succeed in that endeavor adds value to the job you now seek.

Tell a consistent and easily understood story of your career trajectory

When responding to “Tell me about yourself,” if you put the puzzle pieces together for your interviewers, you’ll make it easier for them to envision you in the position—and offer you the job.

Give them reasons why they should prefer you instead of other candidates

I have taken many interviews to hire people for my company. “Tell me about yourself” is the first question asked to every interviewee.

Give hiring managers an idea of how you can become an asset to them if they hire you

Your “Tell me about yourself” answer can begin with you highlighting how long you’ve been in the industry to quantify your experience. Then, explain your current role and contributions to the company relevant to the new post you’re pursuing.

By doing so, you give hiring managers an idea of how your experience and qualifications can become an asset to them if they hire you.

Make the idea personal and unique

Also, to stand out among other candidates, offer a unique detail about yourself. For instance, if you’re a marketer, you may want to discuss successful projects with famous brands or partnerships with well-known public figures.

In addition, it helps if you could share some personal interests, such as advocating for specific causes or learning pottery, but always maintain a professional tone.

Lastly, don’t forget to mention your career goals for the future. Make sure you did your prior research about the prospect company’s mission, vision, and core values to align your goals to that of the business.

Choose where you want to begin telling your story about yourself

Allow some time before answering this question to consider where you might begin telling about yourself. You should think that your answer to this question will determine the following question you will be asked.

Emphasize your accomplishments and experience

When responding to this question, strive to emphasize your accomplishments and experience. However, all of this should be done in the context of a dialogue. It will make a favorable impression on the interviewer.

Discuss your current condition and long-term objectives

When you’re about to finish your response, think about your current circumstances and where you envision yourself in the future or what your aim is. It will assist the interviewer in understanding how you intend to achieve your objectives and plan for the future.

Keep your answer work-related

First, keep your answer work-related. When the interviewer asks this question, they’re looking to learn about you as a professional.

Then, end by explaining what you’re looking to do next in your career. Why are you job searching now, and why did this particular position interest you?

Show that you are a well-rounded candidate

All of the jobs I interviewed for were after I had served in the Air Force. I usually led with that when different variations were based on the position.

One component of the class consisted of teaching public speaking to students.

To ease them into this, I put simple topics on slips of paper, like your favorite food, favorite movie, etc., in a paper bag where they drew a topic and spoke for one minute, two minutes, up to five minutes. Students said this was a great way to introduce them to this.

As the job required copyediting research, I mentioned I was a published author and freelance writer and that I also had a master’s degree as this was a business school.

Lastly, I mentioned I had excellent research skills as I did technical research during my 21 years in the military. (I brought samples of published articles to the interview, one of which was a business article in a local magazine.

My goal was to show that I was a well-rounded candidate.

This question asking to describe yourself may seem like an easy enough question, but many people are put off by it because they don’t know where to start or what to say.

In fact, many candidates forget their manners and simply ramble on about themselves, never really giving any answer at all!

When recruiters ask “Tell Me About Yourself,” they are trying to get a sense of what it is that the candidate does and how he will fit into the company. They want to know about your experience and achievement.

It can be difficult to answer this question without sounding like you’re bragging, but there are a few tips to approach it.

Adjust your answers as per the situation

Pay attention to the nature of the job and organization you’re interviewing for and adjust your answers as per the situation.

For example, if you’re interviewing with a software company and they are definitely interested in your strong programming skills.

Focus on strengths and abilities; don’t ever talk about your weaknesses

When you’re talking to the interviewer, concentrate on your strengths and what you can do best.

Don’t ever talk about your weaknesses (unless they ask). You can play it safe by mentioning that you are a self-starter and motivated when it comes to completing tasks.

Related: Best Job Interview List of Strengths and Weaknesses

Highlight your personality and how you’ve done well in previous roles

Be honest, but try not to sound like you’re trying to sell yourself!

This is a good opportunity to talk about your background, how you’ve done well in previous roles, and the skills that you would bring to this role.

Act professionally: This is a great way to have them see you in a different light

Act like you are the best candidate for this job. This is a great way to have someone see you in a different light. So, be confident and approachable.

This is not a magic formula, but it is a great way to give yourself the best chance of getting the job. As long as you just keep practicing, success will come to you.

So there are a lot of ways to answer this question, but here are some of my favorite answers for both freshers as well as experienced professionals.

Give the interviewer a snapshot of who you are professionally and personally

That question is definitely difficult to answer. “Tell me about yourself” is often the first question asked in an interview. It’s a broad question, and your answer should aim to give the interviewer a snapshot of who you are as a person, both professionally and personally.

Your response should tell a story that gives an overview of your professional and educational background, as well as your skills and accomplishments.

The key is to stay focused on giving the interviewer the information they need to decide whether or not you’re the right candidate for the job.

It’s important to have a clear goal in mind when talking about yourself

Telling people about yourself can sometimes be the hardest topic to talk about. Things such as what you are going to tell them or how you will say it can play a big role in how the conversation will flow.

Not to mention, you would need to make your dialogue interesting and insightful for the interviewer.

Think about the critical milestones in your life and how these events have shaped who you are today. Once you have an idea of what to say, practice it aloud with close friends or family members to make sure that everything is clear and well-articulated.

When speaking about yourself, always be honest and authentic. The interviewer will likely be able to see through any facade you put up, so it is best just to be yourself.

Next, it is important to have a clear goal in mind when talking about yourself. Often, interviewers will ask you about your motivations and long-term goals for the company, so make sure that you have a solid answer lined up.

You can also do some research on the company beforehand to see if you share any common interests.

For example, if you are both passionate about environmental sustainability, you can mention how you would love to help the company achieve its green goals.

Lastly, always remember to end on a positive note. Thank the interviewer for their time and express your excitement for the opportunity. This will leave a good impression and show that you are genuinely interested in the position.

Discuss your most recent experience and how it led you to apply for the position

Candidates tend to ramble and get off-topic. I always stress that the interviewer does not want to know your life story. They want to know what led you to apply for the job.

I’ve got a framework I encourage my clients to use for answering this question.

First, try to keep your answer under two minutes. Start by giving a brief snapshot of the early stages of your career, connecting the skills and experiences you gained that led you toward the job you’re applying for.

Lastly, discuss your most recent experience, what you learned, and how it led you to apply for the position.

Sell yourself beyond specific industry skills or relevant past experiences

Many people who spend their time job-hunting tend to put their entire focus on the actual position they’re vying for, and not how their skills and personality fit that position.

Especially since the pandemic, businesses are prioritizing the overall employee experience in an attempt to boost retention. Bringing a new person into the workplace can seriously shift the dynamic and culture, so personality is just as important as skill or talent.

This is why the question, “Tell me about yourself,” is so important. This is your opportunity to sell yourself beyond specific industry skills or relevant past experiences.

Here are some ways to answer that question if you’re feeling stuck:

• Discuss your hobbies

Focus on one specific hobby. We all have hobbies, and if you don’t, you should get one! Hobbies are fantastic representations of our personalities and preferences beyond the business world.

Instead of trying to get as much information out as possible, focus on one specific activity or hobby that makes up a large part of your personal life.

Focusing on a hobby provides perfect segues to talk about your family, educational experience, or even what you were like growing up.

• Honesty is key

Just be honest. Answer the question for face value, and don’t try to twist your answer back to being about the company or the position you’re interviewing for.

Remember, the people who are hiring you actually want to know you.

An honest, real answer will go over way better than something that is overly planned and not related to the actual question.

• Use your cover letter

Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself in your initial cover letter and application. People often write cover letters that are too formal, and they just come across as walls of text and rambling to recruiters, including myself.

When I’m reading a cover letter, I want to get an idea of who this person is beyond them wanting this job. Be more creative with your cover letters. In today’s hyper-competitive business world, a little creativity can go a long way in setting you apart from your competitors.

Related: What Is the Purpose of a Cover Letter When Applying for a Job

Every office that I’ve worked at had a monthly production goal plastered to the wall of the break room and that number was the metric for success. Whenever situations arise where we would have to choose between the number or the well-being of an employee, the former would always prevail.

I’ve always believed that it was the people who were the business’s greatest asset but business decisions always made it appear otherwise.

I’ve spent the last 5 years of my life in an attempt to answer that singular question.

How you should answer it should be more akin to writing a personal statement

The vast majority of people are trying to answer this question, when in fact it is not even a question. It is technically a directive statement. How you should answer it should be more akin to writing a personal statement.

If you’ve applied for higher education, they expect you to write a one and a half-page response to two words with no further instructions. Personal statement.

My tip for how to answer it:

Do not rehash what is in your resume because if your interviewer wanted to know that, they would simply read it. What they actually want to know is more about you and at a deeper level.

Be a candidate who will readily and eagerly join in their efforts and is in line with their principles

I like to hear responses that speak to a person’s desire to help the less fortunate because that is a big part of our mission. I want the comfort of knowing that their pursuits square up with ours.

We operate in a space in which people can easily prejudge us as ambulance chasers or attorneys who are out to get quick bucks out of insurance companies and other plaintiffs with deep pockets.

We are a reputable firm that seeks to help the underprivileged. We consider it an honor to represent honest-working people who are, in many cases, immigrants seeking a better life.

We look for people who fit in well with our culture, and we expect to hear responses to “Tell Me About Yourself” to be framed in a way that makes us believe we’re talking to a candidate who understands the importance of pursuing justice for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

So many of our attorneys and employees are active in the Latino, African-American, Jewish and Middle-Eastern communities. We want candidates who will readily and eagerly join us in those efforts.

It comforts us when we hear responses that are in line with our principles.

As an office professional with 25+ years of experience, I have been a part of many interviews—both when I have been the interviewer and when I have been the interviewee.

As with many work-related questions, there isn’t only one right or wrong answer—especially when trying to find the best way to answer “Tell me about yourself” in an interview.

Be honest; don’t say something that isn’t true

You’ve probably repeatedly heard that honesty is the best policy, and there is a reason for that. When answering about yourself, or any question during an interview, it’s best to be honest.

This doesn’t mean that you must go into minute details about everything, but more importantly, don’t say something that isn’t true.

Related: What Not to Say in a Job Interview

Be concise; try to keep your answer to the point

Try to keep your answer short and to the point. If the interviewer needs you to elaborate, they will ask you. There is no need to give extensive details unless you are specifically asked to.

Direct your answer towards your professional accomplishments and abilities

Typically, during most of the interview, the interviewer wants to garner how much knowledge you have about the role they are trying to fill.

This means that your answer should probably be directed more towards your professional accomplishments and abilities rather than your personal life.

If, however, it’s the end of the interview, this would be an appropriate time to elaborate about the softball team that you are on or the crafting that you do on the weekends.

Be courteous; do not interrupt the interviewer while you’re being questioned

Do your best not to interrupt the interviewer while you are being questioned. If the interviewer happens to accidentally talk over you while you are answering, let them interject and answer appropriately.

Remember, first impressions are lasting impressions, and, in addition to your skills, your attitude will also go a long way in landing you the perfect job.

Managers would like to hear an overview of your professional background

First of all, don’t go into great detail about your profession or personal life with them.

It could seem logical to commence from the beginning and guide the recruiter through your professional experience, but this is not something I encourage.

Managers aren’t interested in hearing about your personal history, and they aren’t fascinated by every job you’ve ever had.

They really would like to hear an overview of your professional background.

Stressing any particular career transitions which need explanation, concentrating on some of the most significant or recent responsibilities, essential abilities that you have gained, as well as every notable accomplishment that is a tribute to the excellent work that you have accomplished.

Correctly structure your response

I would say that you should begin by summarising your current or most recent experience.

Explain the many chapters or major positions in your career, focusing on the recent five to ten years, for the ‘past’ component of the formula.

Additionally, you might quickly explain any unexpected career choices or employment changes that may not be immediately apparent.

This is critical for prospective employers, especially if the employment was brief. Then proceed to the future.

Justify your next move by describing what you’re seeking and why the role they’re offering is such a wonderful fit for your talents and experience. Additionally, highlight how the company’s ideals connect with your own.

Work experience should account for around 80% of your response

Work should account for around 80% of your response. It would be best to concentrate on your previous experience and accomplishments here, while the next 10-15% of your answer should be about your academic background. Finally, the last 5-10% should focus on you while remaining relevant to the company.

Make sure you explain why you want this particular job

I believe the ideal technique to answer, “Tell me about yourself” is to make sure you explain why you want this particular job and how you’re qualified for it in a brief and clear manner.

Spend some time reading through the job description in the recruitment ad for the position and researching the organization before you start constructing your selling points.

Then you’ll know exactly what qualifications the hiring manager is seeking in terms of education and work experience.

A short script outlining your relevant abilities, strengths, and areas of knowledge should next be written. If you’re interested in advancing your career or taking on new responsibilities, talk about why you seek the position in your cover letter.

Finish with a sentence or two describing why you want to work for this particular organization.

Don’t dread the interview

When you’re asked “Tell me about yourself” in an interview, it’s natural to dread answering it correctly, but only if you don’t know what’s the right way to respond.

Truth is there’s no single best answer to this open-ended question that the interviewer asks to get to know what kind of a person you are and to break the ice as well before delving into detail-oriented questions.

Tailor your answer and practice it

Depending upon where you are in your professional journey, you have to tailor your answer in a way that actually meets the employer’s needs.

You could be a student about to graduate, a mother who took a break from a career, or a mid-level professional who has a decade of experience or more. So in each scenario, your answer will have to be different.

Following is a comprehensive example on how to answer this question the right way:

As you can see from this answer, it’s clear and concise. There are no ramblings. The answer addresses every aspect an interviewer might be interested in and it follows the past present future format that’s easy to follow.

Job interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself” are very sure to come up in most job screenings, regardless of your profession, your levels of expertise, or the nature of the job.

Because it is often the first question asked during an interview, it is your best opportunity to create an excellent first impression.

Now that you know what to expect, here’s how to nail your first significant interview question.

Related: How to Nail a Job Interview

Make a positive first impression when you engage

Your first paragraph should act as a foundation for who you are as a professional, a summary declaration highlighting your accomplishments while also providing a glimpse into your personality.

Sell your knowledge and experience

You’re mistaken if you think the interviewer has thoroughly studied your résumé and understands your credentials. Use your impromptu speech to quickly emphasize at least two to four things that distinguish and separate you from the competition.

Provide a clear statement of your goals with the company

Finally, explain why you are the perfect candidate for the role and how they can benefit from your expertise.

Practice out loud what you’ll say

It’s totally normal to feel a little uneasy answering this question. However, if you prep for this question—even just a little bit—before your interview, you’ll be far less stressed.

Talk about your interests and hobbies; these can explain a lot about your characteristics

The statement “Tell me about yourself” can ask for many different things depending on who is asking them. A new acquaintance might want to know your general likes and dislikes, but an employer would want to gauge why you would be the perfect fit for the job they have to offer.

You do not need to talk about your academic and career achievements to prove something. Instead, you would be talking about your interests and hobbies.

Whether you like reading in your free time or if solving puzzles is your favorite past-time. Do you take an interest in volunteer work?

Usually, recruiters would try to test if you are speaking the truth.

Maybe, they would ask you about your favorite book or which social cause you are most drawn to. Or, maybe, they would give you a real-life problem to provide a solution for in minutes.

It is, therefore, important to be truthful with your answer. And your selection depends on the positive habits you instill in yourself, which takes years.

It’s advisable to speak about how you view your career goals

Recruiters wish to know details about your life that are not a part of your resume.

These details border your personal life, but the twist is that they must be helpful to understand your capabilities. However, it is often daunting to choose which aspect to speak on.

Under such circumstances, it is advisable to speak about how you view your career goals.

Recruiters often follow up your replies with much deeper questions.

For example, if you talk about how your interest in coding led to you wanting to become a data scientist, the recruiter might naturally ask you why data science was a choice and not any other coding-related profession.

It is necessary for applicants to consider such follow-up questions and keep answers ready beforehand. Being genuine about the answers would make the process a lot easier.

Highlight your academic and career achievements

When answering a “Tell Me About Yourself” question during an interview, do not start telling the interview panel details from your elementary days.

Instead, highlight your academic and career achievements. This will give more emphasis on why you are perfect for the job.

Develop an elevator pitch telling how others perceive you and your track record as an employee

Although it seems like a straightforward question, the “Tell me about yourself” interview query is really a test to see how organized and clear thinking you are, which is why your first consideration should be succinctness.

No one expects you to cover the full scope of your life or even your career in a single interview, but they do want to see how personable and informative you can be in a short period of time.

You must develop an elevator pitch that tells what you have been doing, how others perceive you, your career goals and interests, strengths, and your track record as an employee.

By creating a concise elevator pitch in which you can cover all the bases, quickly, clearly, and in a positive manner, you will be demonstrating your abilities to cover the task and do so economically and professionally.

Be conversational: It’s a good way to keep things light

Don’t answer it as if it’s scripted and don’t focus solely on things related to business and the work you do. Instead, create a conversation and chat with the interviewer.

Talk about relevant things that they know about or can relate to; give them a chance to respond to what you’re saying, and don’t script anything.

Being able to converse with the interviewer and keeping things relaxed are good ways to keep things light. Answering “Tell me about yourself” with some nice conversation is a great way to open the interview and get in the interviewer’s good graces!