How to Ace the “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question

One of the most frequently asked questions in any job interview is “tell me about yourself”. It may seem simple, but it can also be tricky, as it requires you to give a brief, concise, and relevant overview of your career story. How do you answer this question in a way that impresses the interviewer and sets the tone for the rest of the interview?

In this blog post, we will share some tips and examples on how to answer “tell me about yourself” in an interview. We will cover:

• Why interviewers ask this question and what they want to hear
• How to choose the right starting point and structure your answer
• How to highlight your achievements and skills that match the job requirements
• How to end your answer with a professional tone and a positive note

Why Interviewers Ask “Tell Me About Yourself” and What They Want to Hear

Interviewers ask this question to ease you out of those introductory jitters and into the nitty-gritty of why you’re there. It’s their way of establishing a direction for the interview, as it shows them how you summarize your experience and show its relevance to the job you’re applying for, which in turn tells them what to ask next.

They want to hear a brief, clear, and engaging story that showcases your:

• Background: how you got started in your field and what led you to this point
• Current situation: what you’re doing now and what you’re good at
• Future goals: where you want to go next and how this job fits into your career plan

They also want to hear how your strengths and achievements can benefit the company and the role you’re applying for. They want to see that you’ve done your research and that you understand the job requirements and the company culture.

How to Choose the Right Starting Point and Structure Your Answer

The best way to answer “tell me about yourself” is to construct a narrative centered around your professional life. Your answer should include the basic elements of how you got started, your current situation, and your future goals.

You can use this simple formula to structure your answer:

• Start with a brief introduction of who you are and what you do
• Then, talk about your past work experience, key responsibilities, and skills
• Next, mention your relevant achievements and how they demonstrate your value
• Finally, explain how your strengths and goals align with the company and the role

Here is an example of how to use this formula:

Hi, I’m John, a marketing manager with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. I started my career as a social media coordinator at ABC Company, where I managed the online presence of several clients across different platforms. I then moved to XYZ Company, where I currently lead a team of four marketing specialists. I oversee the planning, execution, and analysis of various online campaigns, such as email marketing, SEO, PPC, and content marketing. Some of my achievements include increasing the website traffic by 50%, boosting the conversion rate by 25%, and growing the email list by 40% in the past year. I’m passionate about creating and delivering effective and engaging marketing strategies that help businesses grow and connect with their target audience. I’m looking for a new challenge and opportunity to apply my skills and experience in a larger and more diverse company, such as yours.

Notice how this answer follows the formula and covers the main points that the interviewer wants to hear. It also uses specific numbers and examples to quantify and qualify the achievements and skills.

How to Highlight Your Achievements and Skills that Match the Job Requirements

One of the most important parts of your answer is to show how your achievements and skills match the job requirements and the company’s needs. You want to demonstrate that you have the relevant experience, knowledge, and abilities to perform well in the role and to contribute to the company’s success.

To do this, you need to:

• Review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for
• Think of examples from your past work that showcase how you used or developed those skills and qualifications
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe those examples in a clear and concise way
• Emphasize the positive outcomes and the impact of your actions on the company or the client

Here is an example of how to use the STAR method to highlight your achievements and skills:

One of the skills that you’re looking for in this role is SEO expertise. I have extensive experience in SEO, both on-page and off-page, and I have successfully implemented SEO strategies for various clients in different industries. For example, one of my clients was a new online store that wanted to increase its organic traffic and sales. I conducted a thorough keyword research and competitor analysis, and I optimized the website’s content, structure, and metadata according to the best SEO practices. I also built high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites and blogs, and I monitored and reported the SEO performance using Google Analytics and other tools. As a result, the website’s organic traffic increased by 300%, and the sales increased by 150% in six months.

Notice how this answer uses the STAR method to describe the situation, the task, the action, and the result of the SEO project. It also uses specific numbers and details to show the effectiveness and the value of the SEO skills.

How to End Your Answer with a Professional Tone and a Positive Note

The last part of your answer is to end it with a professional tone and a positive note. You want to leave a good impression on the interviewer and express your interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company.

To do this, you need to:

• Summarize your main points and restate your value proposition
• Explain how your strengths and goals align with the company and the role
• Express your appreciation for the opportunity and your eagerness to learn more

Here is an example of how to end your answer:

To sum up, I’m a marketing manager with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. I have a proven track record of creating and executing effective and engaging online campaigns that drive traffic, conversions, and growth. I’m passionate about SEO, content marketing, and email marketing, and I have the skills and experience to help your company achieve its online marketing goals. I’m very excited about this opportunity and I would love to join your team and work with you on your upcoming projects. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Notice how this answer summarizes the main points and restates the value proposition. It also explains how the strengths and goals align with the company and the role, and expresses the excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.

Conclusion

The “tell me about yourself” interview question is a great chance for you to showcase your professional story and your value to the employer. By following the tips and examples in this blog post, you can craft a compelling and convincing answer that will impress the interviewer and set you apart from other candidates.

Remember to:

• Review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications
• Choose the right starting point and structure your answer
• Highlight your achievements and skills that match the job requirements
• End your answer with a professional tone and a positive note

We hope this blog post helps you ace the “tell me about yourself” interview question and land your dream job. If you need more help with your interview preparation, check out our services and contact us today. We offer resume writing, interview coaching, career counseling, and more. We are here to help you succeed in your career.