How to Answer: Tell me about yourself.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Department of Justice job interview.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This initial question is an icebreaker. They want to get to know you and your individual strengths. Gaining insights into your personality will help them determine how well you'll fit into their work environment and how'll you'll compare to the others they've interviewed for this position.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2022
How to Answer
Help them get to know you. They want to know what it will be like to work with you. Be personable and conversational in tone for this question, yet remain professional and maintain your boundaries. Remember, it's typical for both the interviewer and the interviewee to be nervous in this situation. So, set a friendly tone for the interview by providing them with attractive insights into who you are. This will help frame your personality as a desirable fit for their work culture.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2022
Answer Example
"My grandfather was a litigation attorney. He was a real inspiration to me. So, I went to college and got a law degree. I've volunteered with at-risk youth, taking part in several after-school programs. Now it's my goal to continue my career path by seeing what kind of change I can bring about, large or small."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2022