How to Answer: Tell me about yourself.
20. Tell me about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many interviews begin with this question, or some iteration of it, such as, "Tell me about your career journey," "Talk to me about your career," or "Walk me through your professional background." It is open-ended for a reason, designed as an icebreaker to launch the interview. It's the job of a hiring manager to get to know you better. They also need each candidate to be relaxed, otherwise they may not present their best self. The last thing a recruiter wants is to not identify their target talent and miss out on an opportunity to hire an ideal employee. How you answer will also stand to inform them of how strong a communicator you are, and may provide other insights worth following up on later in your interview.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 28th, 2024
What to Avoid
Avoid providing too much personal information, or focusing on factors unrelated to your career. Adding a splash of personal information is fine, but your primary focus should be on your professional profile. So, keep your answer as work-related as possible.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 28th, 2024
Pro Tip
Give your interviewer a glimpse into your character and who you are as it relates to your career journey and the job opportunity. Know your audience. Your interviewer is a representative of their company, and it is incumbent on them to continue to build upon and foster the culture of their teams. So go into your interview with a clear picture of why you are a strong fit, and what you would contribute to their culture, proving you could be trusted to represent their company. Also, learn what you can about your interviewer if you are able. Visit their LinkedIn page, and see if their career journey is in any way similar to your own. The better a fit you seem, the stronger a candidate you'll be.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 28th, 2024
How to Answer
Many interviews begin with the question, "Tell me about yourself." This question can turn any well-prepared candidate inside out because it's open-ended. You might wonder where to begin and where to end! The Past, Present, Future framework is beneficial for forming an answer to this common interview question.
1) Past: Provide a brief overview of your career journey.
2) Present: Discuss your current career situation as it relates to the job opportunity.
3) Future: Talk about your career aspirations and how this future opportunity fits.
When you frame your response using the Past, Present, Future method, it helps you keep your thoughts on track, allowing you to deliver a well-organized answer with impact. If it feels more natural, you can also frame your answer as Present, Past, Future.
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Healthcare Example
"(Past) I have worked as a patient care coordinator for over five years, consulting with patients and determining their needs. I have always enjoyed delivering patient care with compassion and empathy. (Present) Currently, I work for a private functional medicine clinic developing care plans and coordinating patient-care services. This role helped me expand my program development knowledge while meeting unique patient needs. (Future) Now, I am looking to broaden my experience to include actively educating patients and working with an established care team to evaluate interventions. Your organization's focus on care plans is one reason why I was thrilled to apply for this career opportunity."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Admin Example
"(Past) I have worked as an administrative assistant for four years, primarily working in the automotive industry. I have always enjoyed greeting new customers, being helpful on the phone, and helping the sales team to keep their paperwork organized. (Present) Currently, I work for the BMW dealership in the south of the city, where I manage the front desk in the showroom. This role has helped me learn more about the auto industry, how to approach high-end buyers, and how to keep myself organized in a bustling and open environment. (Future) I plan to grow my career and learn more about sales. Your sales assistant position seems like the next best fit in my career, and it would be an honor to grow my knowledge with your dealership."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 28th, 2024
Manager Example
"(Past) My background is in the hospitality industry. I spent many years as a customer service manager, where I hired and trained service staff and resolved customer complaints. (Present) Most recently, I left my job as the service desk manager at Hotel ABC, where I was responsible for a team of fifteen, including front desk agents and room service attendants. After two years with Hotel ABC, I realized that my skills and interests are best suited for the fast pace of the restaurant sector. (Future) After realizing my true passion is within restaurant environments, I set up job alerts for roles such as your restaurant service manager position. I've dined with your restaurant group many times before and jumped at the chance to apply."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Sales Example
"(Past) I have worked in the consumer product industry for over fifteen years, focused on key accounts and business development within commerce and e-commerce environments. (Present) Right now, I work as the VP of Business Development for a large toy manufacturer. My primary responsibilities include initiating and setting up meetings to sell multi-million-dollar contracts to large-size retailers and big-box stores. (Future) Over the past few months, I've discovered my excitement for the SaaS and Fintech industries, which is where I see a significant amount of opportunity. I wish to expand my business development experiences across sectors, which is why I am interested in growing my career with your company."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Retail Example
"(Past) I recently completed high school, where I was valedictorian thanks to my high grades and dedication to the Students' Association. (Present) Currently, I am seeking out an opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills and learn more about the business and retail industry before selecting my post-secondary educational path. (Future) I am eager to start my career on the right foot, and I believe that this part-time seasonal retail sales opportunity will help to guide and shape me for the future."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Teacher Example
"(Past) Initially, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, where I became fascinated with children's mental health, specifically the rise of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Upon graduation, I interned at a school for children with behavioral concerns. The internship sparked my interest in education, so I returned to obtain my education degree. (Present) I have gained considerable confidence in my knowledge of children's mental health, emotions, and behaviors. Now, I am also highly equipped to begin my teaching career. (Future) I plan to grow my career, specifically in outreach-based schools. I understand that your school focuses on launching outreach programs for families in this community. Your mission aligns perfectly with my core passions, and it would be an honor to grow my teaching career with this esteemed organization."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Marketing Example
"(Past) I am thrilled to have had the privilege to raise my children for the past ten years. Although being a stay-at-home parent took me out of the traditional workforce, I kept myself busy and relevant in many ways. (Present) Currently, I volunteer for the Parent-Teacher Association, where I facilitate healthy relationships between parents, teachers, and schools. This work includes building online engagement for the school and putting together fundraising campaigns. As my kids get older and more independent, I find myself seeking more. (Future) I have developed exceptional skills in social media management, creating compelling campaigns, and learning the art of persuasion. These skills align very well with the qualities your agency seeks for this marketing assistant opportunity. I am ready to step into the next phase of my career and would be happy to apply these skills with your agency."
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Counselor Example
"I've always been that person that after a few minutes of talking to someone, they start opening up to me, oversharing, and telling me their life story and all their personal struggles. I suppose it is because I am validating, extremely empathetic, always show a genuine interest in them, and am a strong listener. So, when I was deciding on a degree to pursue in college, my mother pointed out that I was already taking several sociology and psychology courses and that I should pursue psychology as a degree. So I did. I am certified as a family therapy counselor and am currently pursuing my master's in psychology. After reading everything about your clinic, the clinic's values, and the requirements of the job, this seemed like the fit and opportunity I've been looking for. Thank you so much for meeting with me."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 28th, 2024
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
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Kristine's Feedback
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Marcie's Feedback
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Marcie's Feedback
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Rachelle's Feedback
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My journey in test automation began in 2012 when I attended a course for QAs. After finishing the course, I was offered a Junior position at a company.
From my first day, I fell in love with this profession. I was impressed by the team collaboration, how knowledgeable everyone was, and how much effort they put into delivering the best quality product.
Throughout my career I worked on a number of different projects participating in a different stages of SDLC.
My hard-work, adaptability, organizational skills and my commitment to the work I'm doing helped me grow professionally and develop a great set of hard and soft skills.
I look forward to discussing my skills today and show that I'm the best candidate for the role."
Rachelle's Feedback
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Rachelle's Feedback
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Thank you for inviting me to be interviewed today.
I am very relational, empathetic, and love to help people feel welcome and comfortable. I enjoy working as part of a team and in a fast-paced environment. I have applied to become a nursing student at your school because I firmly believe I have the skills, qualities, and experience to perform to a very high standard and meet the school's expectations.
I have worked in a variety of nursing positions and I have gained considerable experience in dealing with challenging patients, working with healthcare team members from different departments, and ensuring the treatment and care provided are safe. I'm looking forward to gaining further experience and bringing my unique skillset and experience to this school.
My nursing knowledge and expertise and my flexibility in terms of being available to work the hours needed and more whenever required. On a more personal note, I am married, I have a 10-year-old daughter I have two dogs and I love hiking."
Marcie's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Providing security was always something natural to me because my father and my 3 older siblings are in the air force, navy, army, and police.
It was something like a family tradition.
So, in 2012, I graduated from Hellenic Police Academy for Lieutenants and since then I have been working as a Police Officer.
I served in the Road Traffic Police Division of _____ and in _______ Police Department.
I also worked in the Anti-Terrorist Unit and specifically in the Department for Combating Domestic Terrorism.
Since 2016 I have been serving in _______ Police Department, where I was appointed Head of the sea Border Crossing Point in the harbor of Megisti island which is a small island between Rhodes and Cyprus.
Also, I have a second bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Thessaly in Greece.
and since last December I moved to Warsaw because my husband joined Standing Corps in June 2020 and currently (at the moment) he is working in ______________ as a Satellite Imagery Analyst.
I requested maternity leave for 2 years and if necessary I will request another 3 years of unpaid leave until I reach my goal to join FRONTEX."
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