Can you tell me a little bit about yourself.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
1st Entry Level Example
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

This question can sometimes trip applicants up because it's so open-ended. That said, you can expect some variation of this question, so make sure you have a solid idea of your answer before the interview! It's a way for both you and the interviewer to ease into the interview, allowing the interviewer to get a quick overview of who you are as a candidate while letting you highlight the most central aspects of your professional and personal identity.

Open-ended questions like this give you the chance to tell a story. When you talk about yourself, share information that the interviewer will find exciting and relevant to the position. Engage the interviewer by telling your story with enthusiasm! Consider sharing a skill you developed that will be useful for this position.

Avoid going into too much detail. Begin by discussing relevant aspects of your background that precede your current situation and explain why you're seeking this new role, highlighting your most salient skills and professional goals.

"I'm a recent graduate from college, where I studied Supply Chain Management. I plan to draw on my academic experience and two internships at (X) company and (Y) company to succeed in this role. I'm a huge extrovert, and I love to learn new things and travel and explore new places!"

"I started my career in sales about ten years ago. I love to travel and meet new people, so sales was a natural career selection for me. I recently moved to the area, so I'm still settling in. I enjoy hiking and mountain biking, so I use those outlets to maintain a healthy work-life balance."

"I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communications and Marketing from UBC in 2009. Since then, I have been actively making my way to a leadership role in social media marketing within the food and beverage industry. I am an energetic and positive person, ready to make a difference in a growing organization."