Are you ready to talk about yourself during a job interview? Interviewers might start the interview with an open-ended question like “Tell me about yourself.” This question is a way to break the ice and make you feel comfortable during the interview process. However, some people may find this question – and other interview questions about you – a bit stressful.
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy boasting about yourself, you may find it difficult to answer these types of questions. But it’s a good way for the hiring manager to gain insight into your personality, so it’s wise to prepare to answer them.
What the interviewer wants to know
Interviewers ask this type of question to gauge whether you are a good fit for the job. They are looking not only for indicators that you are qualified for the position but also for how well you might fit in with the team and company culture.
For example, a startup that allows employees to bring their dogs to work and serves beer in the break room might want to hire someone who volunteers at an animal shelter or brews their own beer. (Provided, of course, that the candidate has the hard skills they are looking for.)
The interviewer will also notice how comfortable you are answering open-ended questions. This will speak to your ability to think on your feet and prepare for important conversations at work.
How to answer “Tell me about yourself” in the interview
While it may be tempting to share a list of the most attractive qualifications for the job, a more measured approach may help you build a personal connection with the interviewer.
One option for responding is to share some personal interests that aren’t directly related to your professional life. Examples might include a hobby you are passionate about, such as sewing, astronomy, playing chess, singing in a choir, golfing, skiing, racquetball, or collecting antique furniture. It’s worth mentioning interests like long-distance running or practicing yoga that represent your healthy and active side. Hobbies like voracious reading, crossword puzzles, or mental challenges can showcase your intellectual inclinations. Interests like golf, tennis, or fine dining can hold some value if you will be entertaining clients in your new role. Volunteering will demonstrate your character and commitment to the well-being of your community. Interactive roles such as volunteering in a parent association, guiding museum tours, fundraising, or heading a social club will show your comfort with engaging with others.
Remember, as with “Tell me something that’s not on your resume,” one of the goals of this question is to get to know you a little beyond your professional life and position at work.
Using the present-past-future formula
If you’re struggling to prepare an answer from scratch, you can rely on a simple formula to build your response. The “present-past-future” formula is a way to share the key points of your background while ending on a high note.
Start with a brief overview of your current position (which can include your current job along with a mention of a personal hobby or passion), then indicate how you got to where you are (you can mention your education or significant experience like a previous job, internship, or volunteering), and conclude by touching on a goal for the future.
It’s good to be able to articulate how the position you’re applying for aligns with your vision for the future.
Examples of great answers
The best answers to this question are honest, concise, and delivered confidently. Your goal is to share something interesting about yourself that highlights who you are as a person and an employee.
Come prepared with a few points to share and make sure to relate them to the skills and qualities that are valuable in this position.
Sample answer #1:
“When…
I don’t work; I love spending time with my dogs. I go on walks with them, visit historical sites, or even stroll around the city. A lot of people are attracted to dogs, and I always enjoy talking to those I meet. I feel that communication is one of the most important aspects of my professional life as well. When talking to people, the ability to steer the conversation in a certain direction is one of the ways I have succeeded in various situations in the office.
Why it works: In addition to sharing an unrelated fact (“You love dogs!”), this answer also establishes that the candidate enjoys talking to people and understands the importance of communication – a valuable skill in many roles.
Example Answer #2:
I participate in charity walks several times a year. Recently, I took part in a march to combat hunger, and I have some events planned for summer and fall as well. I also walk for exercise with friends after work and on weekends. I enjoy the fresh air, learning new ways, and connecting with new people. I also love the fundraising aspect, which helps me in my work. I’ve learned how to engage with people to increase their commitment to the cause.
Why it works: This answer connects the candidate’s hobbies to skills that are useful at work and shows that they are a responsible person who cares about the community. Additionally, hobbies involving physical activities demonstrate energy and a commitment to health.
Example Answer #3:
In the past few years, I have become very interested in treasure hunting. I love the challenge of finding treasures and spending time outdoors with friends. I enjoy using my problem-solving skills to find well-hidden treasures. Learning how to hide things from people and where they might look for them has helped me a lot in my design job. It’s all about learning to see things through someone else’s eyes.
Why it works: This answer demonstrates the ability to learn from experience and work as a team, as well as an adventurous spirit.
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Move from the personal to the professional. After sharing some interesting personal aspects of your background, you can transition to mentioning some key professional skills that will help you add value if you are hired for the targeted job.
You might consider using phrases like “In addition to those interests and passions, my career is a big part of who I am, so I’d like to talk a bit about some skills I will bring to this position.”
Share your experience. Be prepared to talk about three or four personal traits and skills and/or areas of expertise that will help you excel in the role for which you are interviewing. Ultimately, you will want to mention several additional strengths before the interview ends.
Prepare a list of your strengths before you go to the interview so you know what you will share. Look at the job description and match it with your skills. Then make sure to talk about the key skills that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
Be careful not to overwhelm the interviewer with information. After mentioning three or four strengths, you might mention that you have many assets you would like to discuss as the interview progresses.
At first, you should state the strength and only hint at some evidence of how you benefited from it. For example, you could say that you enjoy giving presentations, which helped you generate a lot of leads at a sales dinner for prospective clients. Later in the interview, you will want to be more specific and detailed in discussing the cases or interventions or outcomes resulting from your strengths.
Be honest. It may be tempting to claim interest in hobbies or activities that seem likely to impress the interviewer, but if you stretch the truth, it will become clear quickly. If you get caught in a lie, the conversation will be over before it begins. Worse still, you might land a job only to spend years pretending you want to become a professional athlete or a competitive crossword puzzle player.
What
What Not to Say
Don’t share too much or too little information. The other party doesn’t want to know everything about you, but revealing too little can make them wonder why you weren’t more open.
Avoid controversial topics like political or religious views, unless you are absolutely certain that your opinions will be welcomed by the other party.
Don’t talk about a hobby that might seem more important to you than your job. No employer wants to risk hiring someone who might be absent frequently or asks for long leave to pursue their passion outside of work.
Avoid sharing personal information about your family. There’s no need to discuss a spouse or partner, children, or any other personal details.
Potential Follow-Up Questions
What is your greatest strength? – Best answers What is your greatest weakness? – Best answers What motivates you? – Best answers What are your goals for the future? – Best answers Why do you want this job? – Best answers More interview questions: Top 10 Interview Questions and Best Answers
Takeaway
Be honest: Don’t pretend to be interested in hobbies and interests that aren’t your true passions. It may seem like it would impress the other party, but if you stretch the truth, it will become clear quickly. If you get caught in a lie, the conversation will end before it starts. Worse yet, you might land a job and end up spending years pretending that you want to become a professional athlete or a competitive crossword player.
What Not to Say: Don’t share too much or too little information. The other party doesn’t want to know everything about you, but revealing too little can make them wonder why you weren’t more open.
Use the present-past-future formula: If you find it hard to prepare an answer from scratch, you can rely on a simple formula to build your response. The “present-past-future” formula is a way to share the key points of your background, finishing with a strong point.
Best answers: Honest, concise answers delivered with confidence are the best. Your goal is to share something interesting about yourself that highlights who you are as a person and an employee.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/tell-me-about-yourself-job-interview-question-2060956
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