This is every interviewee's worst nightmare — a fundamentally important interview question disguised as an icebreaker. The answer you give to the "tell me about yourself" opener sets the tone for the rest of the interview. It has the power to engage your interviewer within the crucial first five minutes and positions you as an ideal candidate…but only if you plan your answer ahead of time.
We asked Tony Koyratty (Senior Talent Manager, Robert Half) to give advice on planning a good answer to “tell me about yourself”. He shares what an employer is really looking for when they ask the question and how to structure your answer for a better chance of success.
Why the “tell me about yourself” question is significant
There’s a good reason why “tell me about yourself” is one of the first (and most popular) questions asked in a job interview. It gives the interviewer a clearer sense of each candidate's personality, communication style, and background.
The 'tell me about yourself" icebreaker question gives the interviewer a glimpse into your current career situation, professional outlook, goals, and passions. It also shows them what inspired you to do what you do and how your work reflects your values and interests.
“In an interview — especially in a highly competitive market — you have a two-minute window to tell a story which reflects your experience, values, passions and, most importantly, your motivations in relation to the job you’re going for,” says Tony.
“A short, crisp overview which matches the ‘must-have’ responsibilities of the job will help you stand out from the crowd. Most employers are looking for the right attitude, drive, and the willingness to learn rather than the perfect skill set.”
Related: When should you start discussing salary in an interview?
Plan your answer with strategy
Before you can decide how to structure a "tell me about yourself" answer, you
should review the job description for the vacancy you're applying for. In it, you’ll find plenty of clues as to the qualities and skills your employer is looking for in their ideal candidate. It's also a good idea to research the company to learn more about its values, approach, and culture.
Your next step is to review your CV to pull out any highlights that correspond with the job description or company ethos. Top points to include would be:
- Your strengths and abilities
- Areas of expertise
- Professional and personal passions
- Why you got into the role you currently have
- Where you hope to take your career in the future
“It’s important to keep your answer short and to the point but also detailed enough to highlight key achievements related to the role and the value you’ll add. Focus on one or two key projects you’ve worked on and what’s gone well,” says Tony.
“Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and make sure you understand the business well by researching them beforehand. Use a search engine to dig up the latest news on the company — have they been acquired? Who are their key customers? What is their market valuation?”
Related: How to answer why do you want this job during an interview
“Tell me about yourself” interview answers to avoid
It’s possible to fall at the first hurdle by giving a ‘red flag’ response to this ice-breaker question. There are three main red flags employers will be looking out for:
1) Getting too personal
Refrain from recounting your life story and entire academic history when you give your answer. Instead, stick to your current career status, professional aspirations, and skills.
2) Complaining about your current job
Focusing on the drawbacks of your current employment situation may reflect poorly on you in an interview scenario. It could frame you as having a negative attitude and suggests you’re applying for new roles with the sole intention of escaping your current employer.
3) Summarising your CV
The interviewer wants to get to know you and your outlook by asking you to talk about yourself. Simply rehashing the contents of your CV could signal a lack of initiative and may even disengage the interviewer.
Example answer from a recruitment expert
Here’s a detailed “Tell me about yourself” question and answer, according to our expert Tony:
I'm a [personality traits] kind of person. I've worked in [current job title] for [tenure length] years and I'm keen to learn more about [an aspect of your role that you enjoy]. I think this role can help me do that.
I always meet deadlines, communicate well, and can handle multiple tasks at once. My manager always praises my enthusiasm and attention to detail in my performance reviews.
I'm a hardworking, resilient, tenacious, and professional person who sometimes takes an "unorthodox" approach to problem-solving. In addition, I'm [insert personal interests here].
I'm ready to take the next step in my career and would love to find an opportunity with a leading [characteristic] company like yours. I’m passionate about [specific company values or beliefs] and would love to be able to make a difference through my work.”
Final tips
Keep your answer short and sweet! Remember — the opening icebreaker sets the tone for your interview. You want to pique your potential employer’s interest while showing a little of your personality.
Related: How to prepare for a job interview
“Be positive, be humble, and ask the interviewer at the end if they have any concerns or reservations about you. If so, what are they,” says Tony. “It’s vital that you tell them you want the role and ask what timescales they have regarding feedback and an update.
“Finally, smile, show loads of enjoyment, and treat it like a learning journey. Regardless of whether you want the role, you can take something away from the interview for your self-development.”
Visit the Robert Half blog for more advice on how to answer popular interview questions or start browsing the latest vacancies now.
