How to Answer: Tell me about yourself.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Netflix job interview.
7. Tell me about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Netflix's recruiters aim to build upon their "dream teams," which they describe as a collection of extremely talented top-tier professionals. They describe themselves as manic on high performance, and they make the distinction that they are more akin to a pro-sports team than a family. They also describe their hiring model in the following statement: "Our model is to increase employee freedom as we grow, rather than limit it, to continue to attract and nourish innovative people, so we have a better chance of long-term success." So, this introductory question offers you an opportunity for you to set the stage for what you have to offer Netflix. They want to hear your elevator pitch on why you feel ready to pursue this opportunity, and how your passion will help with their mission and vision "to entertain the world."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 19th, 2024
What You Need to Know
Here is an excerpt from a blog on Netflix's "WEARENETFLIX" webpage: "The Talent Team at Netflix has an amazing and important responsibility for identifying, attracting and developing stunning colleagues to make Netflix great. We are champions of our Netflix culture. We strive to create an amazing Netflix team in order to keep a pulse on Netflix's Cultural Values of Freedom and Responsibility. Everyone has the ability to make an impact [and] a seat at the table, and is expected to contribute, create, and share. Do your best work. Living our culture of freedom and responsibility [means] we treat you like an adult and trust you."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 19th, 2024
How to Answer
When crafting your elevator pitch, it's important to keep in mind that Netflix's recruiters are ideally looking for high performers who are innovative and self-managed in their work. They are looking for individuals who are passionate about Netflix's entertainment offerings, their business model, and their mission to cater to their audiences whose entertainment preferences widely vary, with a refusal to censor the artistic voices they showcase. They are also looking to recruit candidates who embrace their valued behaviors, of which there are many. "It's easy to talk about valued behaviors; it's harder to live them. We believe a company's actual values are shown by whom they hire, reward, or let go. If these values describe you, and the people you want to work with, you're likely to thrive at Netflix."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 19th, 2024
Answer Example
"It all started when I was a kid, and my little brother wanted to make short video serials that he wanted to broadcast on one of our local UHF channels. My mom worked for a local broadcast TV station, and she helped him. I wanted to join in the effort, so I filmed him acting out his stories on our 35mm camcorder, and I helped market our cheesy low-fi show to all the kids in our neighborhood and at our school. It became pretty popular, and the most-watched UHF TV show of our time. A few years later, when Netflix hit the scene, it broke my mind, and I grew excited by what this new revolution in entertainment meant for the world. I couldn't wait to cut the cord. Fast forward to college. I earned my degree in digital marketing, with a focus on the entertainment industry. Truth is, my goal has always been to land a job here at Netflix. This is my fifth time applying, and I am super excited to be in this interview with you. I'm pretty passionate and determined, and it's nice to see my determination paying off."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 18th, 2024