The first question in an interview is of the utmost importance as it sets the initial impression. Check out our professional videos and explanations to learn how to answer this popular interview question.
"Tell me about yourself" - The Don'ts
The tell me about yourself question is quite vague and general and usually creates confusion or a dilemma for the interviewee. You may think: "What does she mean?"/ "What am I expected to answer?" / "Is she referring to my personal or professional life?"
Watch the short video below, taken from our Interview tips video. In a job interview for a project manager position in a software company, the interviewer poses the applicants the "tell me about yourself" question:
As you can see, there are two things to learn from this video; first, prepare yourself to typical interview questions and avoid looking surprised and speechless. Second, try to avoid turning the interview into an informal and personal conversation. In this video, David wishes to induce sympathetic feelings in the interviewer and turn the occasion into a warm and friendly one. This attitude does not coincide with a professional manner.
When you are unconfident, hesitant or apprehensive you will have a harder time responding to such a question. If you ask the interviewer questions like: What do you mean exactly?" / "Could you be more specific?" / "This is a question I often have difficulty in answering", it means you are trying to figure out the interviewer's intentions. Don't try and decipher the interviewer's agenda. Such responses present the interviewee in an insecure manner and may affect the development of the interview.
Here is another example of an answer you should avoid:
"My name is O'Brian, I was born to a warm and loving family; I am 36 and married to Jeanine. We have two wonderful daughters which I adore. I think that fatherhood in general and the relations we have with our loved ones are extremely important and would like to think that I value and maintain relationships more than most people. I put a great emphasis on relations with others."
Again, this person presented himself as sensitive and emotional; the message he portrayed was one of emotion rather than professionalism. One may even conclude that as a manager this person may be overly sensitive and may have a hard time pursuing a professional agenda.
"Tell me about yourself" - The Dos
Look at the following video, taken from our interview tips video:
In this case David chose to answer concisely, in a manner that exemplifies his capabilities which are relevant to the position he was interviewed for. David has already created an advantage for himself through his initial response to the question.
The first question in an interview is an opportunity to make a concise and professional manner. It is vital that your response remains to the point and focused; 40 seconds that describe your professional experience in a nut shell.
Keep focused, concise, don't hesitate and don't be concerned; open the interview with a sense of power and enthusiasm.
Put emphasis on your professional skills; concentrate on the aspects that present your abilities and accomplishments at work.
We recommend:
Avoid lengthy and cumbersome responses. Long answers are tiresome and may create a feeling that you are trying to control the progression of the interview. The interviewer has no interest in your personal experiences; they are interested in your abilities as a professional. Concentrate on your professional accomplishments and advantages and refrain from personal stories.
Respond enthusiastically and cooperate with the interviewer. He / she are not your enemy; they are trying to figure out if you are a worthy candidate – prove it to them. Cope with the situation and the question asked, do not indulge in self pity.
- Begin with a description of your last position, the main responsibilities you had (3-5 sentences).
- Continue with the description of your position prior to that (1-2 sentences) and so on with any other positions you had which are relevant to the position you are applying for.
- If your education is relevant – present it briefly; if it isn't – leave it out. Conclude with a few words on the traits you have that are important for the position.
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