How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself Like A Pro + Examples [Nov 2023]

Job search is hard. You do the hard work and finally land an interview. What is the one question you are guaranteed to be asked as a job candidate? – “Tell me about yourself” or a variation of it.

Here’s a video version of this blog

There are a million ways yo answer this question, and you don’t know what’s the right one. Don’t worry: with a few simple tips and some practice, you can answer this question confidently and make sure that you stand out from other candidates.

In this blog post we’ll go over exactly how to craft an effective response when hiring managers asks “Tell me about yourself.” We’ll also provide several example answers so that job seekers have an idea of what a great answer looks like.

Plus, we’ll give advice on body language and tone of voice so that your verbal presentation matches up with your written one! By the end of this post, you will be fully prepared for any conversation or interview where they might ask “Tell me about yourself.”

Let’s get started!

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask, “Tell me about yourself”?

5 reasons why hiring managers ask tell me about yourself

Ever wondered why the hiring manager always starts off the interview process with the open-ended question “Tell me about yourself”?

Deep Dive Beyond Resume: A closer look into the candidate’s personality, interests, and unique qualities not evident in the resume.
Personal Connection: Establishes rapport, giving the hiring manager insights into the candidate’s character and how they might fit into the company culture.
Communication Skills Check: Evaluates the candidate’s ability to articulate their thoughts, experiences, and qualifications succinctly and engagingly.
Opportunity for Self-Presentation: Allows the candidate to highlight their unique strengths and explain why they are an ideal fit for the position and the team.
First Impression Impact: Sets the tone for the rest of the interview; a well-crafted response can leave a lasting, positive impression.

The more you understand why this job interview question is asked, the better your response will be.

Here are some helpful job interview related blogs

How to structure your answer to Tell me about yourself

Set expectations on how long this is going to be

Set expectations on how long your story is going to be. I typically start with ‘ I know I can go on forever, but I’ll try to limit in 2-3 minutes. This way I let the hiring manager know that I’ll need their patience only for 2-3 minutes. It helps them relax and focus rather than wondering how long this is going to be.

Start With a Personal Touch

Kick off with a light, fun fact or a touch of humor about yourself. It sets a relaxed tone. For example, I’d start with being a middle child and fighting for attention before I even know what the word meant. Use humor only if it is natural to you, you don’t need to be a Trevor Noah.

Your Career Launch

Briefly touch upon how you started your career. This could be a mention of your first job or a pivotal moment that guided you into your current field. This part of the story sets the stage for your professional journey.

Proud Achievements

Share one or two significant achievements in your career. Pick stories that highlight your strengths, particularly those that align with the requirements of the role you’re interviewing for. These highlights should illustrate your capabilities and successes in a professional setting.

Link to This Job

Explain how your career path and aspirations have led you to apply for this specific position. It’s important to make a clear connection between your past experiences and the current position, demonstrating a thoughtful and deliberate career progression.

Fit for the Role

Wrap up by articulating why you believe you’re an ideal fit for the job. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and the enthusiasm you have for the role. This is your chance to align your professional profile with the job requirements. This might also save a question ‘why did you apply for this job’ later.

Keep it Work-Related But Personal

If applicable, weave in aspects of your personal interests or personal life that are relevant to the job (or even your current job). This can add depth to your professional narrative, giving the interviewer a fuller picture of who you are beyond the resume.

Concise and Conversational

Strive for a response that’s around 2 minutes. Practice beforehand to ensure your answer is focused and coherent, but avoid sounding like you’ve memorized a script. The goal is to be conversational and engaging.

Tailor to the Role and Company

Customize your story to align with the job description and the company’s culture. This shows that you’ve done your homework and see a genuine fit between your skills and the position.

Practice, Don’t Memorize

While practice is key to delivering a smooth answer, avoid memorizing it word for word. Your aim should be to know your story well enough to tell it naturally and confidently, allowing for a more authentic interaction with the interviewer.

Common Mistakes – “Tell Me About Yourself”

Let’s take a look at some common mistakes when asked “Learn me about your own story“. If somebody gives you a question or suggestion – go back!

Incoherent story

Don’t jump around from subject to subject randomly. Tell a clear and concise story that flows from one point to the next. You want to keep the interviewer engaged and make sure they understand how your past experiences are relevant to the role you’re interviewing for.

Excessive details

While it’s important to explain how your experience is relevant, don’t go into too much detail. Stick to what’s most important and leave out unnecessary information. If the interviewer is interested , they may ask for more details.

Relying on your resume

Your interviewer already knows what’s on your resume, so don’t just recite it back to them. Instead, focus on the key points and explain why you’re a great fit for the job by giving specific examples that show your skills and accomplishments.

Lack of enthusiasm

Your interviewer wants to get a sense of who you are. After all, they are looking for someone they can gossip, share a coffee and work with. Make sure you show your enthusiasm for the role and why you think it’s a great opportunity for you.

So make sure you show enthusiasm and passion for your work. Be passionate when you talk about projects or experiences of yours that you’re proud of.

Don’t ramble and share your entire life story

Remember, being a job seeker is hard. But it is also hard for the interviewers as they have to listen to a lot of stories and do their best to evaluate each candidate.

It’s important not to ramble or share your entire life story as this will make it more difficult for the interviewer to understand your qualifications and skills.

Keep your answer focused on what you can bring to the table and how your experience is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

And if you share any personal details, make sure it’s relevant to the job and provides insight into why you’re a great fit for the role.

Preparation before the job interview

Prepare well! Photo – Pexels.com

1. Make sure you thoroughly research the company and the job position you are applying for. Have a clear understanding of what the job requires, and the role you could play in helping with company’s goals and strategies.

2. Read up on any recent news/developments related to the industry or organization, as well as your prospective team members and the company culture.

3. Practice your answer until it flows naturally and is concise yet expressive.

“Tell Me About Yourself” Sample Answers

For junior software engineers

” I love talking about myself and the work I do. But I’ll try to keep it brief. My name is [Name], and I am currently a junior software engineer with [X number] of years of experience in the industry. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and have been working on developing applications that help [specific industry/company].

My main responsibilities include designing, developing and maintaining software applications. My main focus is on [Specific area of focus (e.g. web development, mobile development, etc.)] and I am always looking to expand my skillset and stay updated with the latest technologies.

We develop applications for XYZ market and I’m really excited to be a part of it.

In my current role, I have gained experience in programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++, and I am familiar with the Agile development process. Also, in my current role (& a previous one), I have gained experience in [specific skills or projects], which has allowed me to improve my problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

One interesting fact about my job is that I am currently working on a project that utilizes machine learning to improve the efficiency of our software, and also collaborate with colleagues from 10 different countries. Everyday is a learning experience and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this project.

Also, I am a creative person who enjoys problem-solving. I find great satisfaction in taking a complex issue and breaking it down into manageable pieces, before coming up with a solution. I am also a team player and I believe that the best results are achieved through collaboration.

On a personal level, I am a self-taught programmer and began learning how to code in my spare time while still in high school. I always had a passion for technology and I am excited to continue my career in software engineering. Outside of work, I enjoy staying up to date with the latest advancements in technology, and I also volunteer as a mentor for a local coding club for high school students (when I’m not playing tennis).”

I have always been fascinated with technology and how it can make a positive impact on people’s lives. That’s why I’m excited to continue growing in this field and pursuing a career in software engineering.

I’m particularly interested in this position because it aligns with my career goals and will give me the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and be part of a team that is making a real difference in the world. I believe that my skills, experience and passion make me a great fit for this role and I’m eager to contribute to the success of your company.

I would love to continue, but also like to keep my promises. So, I’ll stop here. “

For UX designers

“I love talking about myself and the work I do. But I’ll try to keep it brief. My name is [Name], and I am currently a junior UX designer with [X number] of years of experience in the industry. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and have been working on creating user-centered designs for [specific industry/company].

My main responsibilities include conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that the final product meets the needs of our users. My main focus is on [Specific area of focus (e.g. web design, mobile design, etc.)] and I am always looking to expand my skillset and stay updated with the latest design trends and technologies.

In my current role, I have gained experience in design tools such as Adobe XD and Sketch, and I am familiar with user-centered design principles and the design thinking process. I have also gained experience in [specific skills or projects], which has allowed me to improve my problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

One interesting fact about my job is that I am currently working on a project that utilizes virtual reality to improve the user experience of our product, and also collaborate with colleagues from 10 different countries. Everyday is a learning experience and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this project.

On a personal level, I am a self-taught designer and began learning design in my spare time while still in high school. I always had a passion for visual communication and I am excited to continue my career in UX design. Outside of work, I enjoy staying up to date with the latest advancements in design, and I also volunteer as a mentor for a local design club for high school students (when I’m not playing tennis).”

I have always been fascinated with the impact of design on people’s lives. That’s why I’m excited to continue growing in this field and pursuing a career in UX design.

I would love to continue, but also like to keep my promises. So, I’ll stop here.”

For Mechanical engineers

Good morning, my name is [Name] and I am currently a junior mechanical engineer with [X number] of years of experience in the industry. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and have been working on developing and designing mechanical systems for [specific industry/company].

My main responsibilities include designing, developing and maintaining mechanical systems. My main focus is on [Specific area of focus (e.g. HVAC, Automotive engineering, etc.)] and I am always looking to expand my skillset and stay updated with the latest technologies.

In my current role, I have gained experience in using SolidWorks, AutoCAD and ANSYS, and I am familiar with the design process. I have also had the opportunity to work on [specific skills or projects], which has allowed me to improve my problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

One interesting fact about my job is that I am currently working on a project that utilizes cutting-edge technology to design a more efficient HVAC system for a high-rise building. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience, and I look forward to seeing the finished product.

I am a creative person who enjoys problem-solving and finding new ways to improve existing systems. I am also a team player and I believe that the best results are achieved through collaboration.

On a personal level, I have always had a passion for technology and machinery, and I enjoy staying up to date with the latest advancements in my field. In my free time, I enjoy tinkering with engines and building robots.

I am excited to continue my career in mechanical engineering and I’m particularly interested in this position because it aligns with my career goals and will give me the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and be part of a team that is making a real difference in the industry.

I believe that my skills, experience and passion make me a great fit for this role and I’m eager to contribute to the success of your company.

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About the author: Ilam’s career in Technology and Financial Services spans more than two decades, characterized by leadership roles and vast international experience. He has managed large global teams, worked across five countries, and engaged with colleagues from over 100 nationalities. Through this blog, Ilam shares his diverse experiences and insights, aiming to contribute to and enrich the community.

How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself Like A Pro + Examples [Nov 2023]

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask, “Tell me about yourself”?

How to structure your answer to Tell me about yourself