How to Answer: Tell me about yourself.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Marketing job interview.
24. Tell me about yourself.
What You Need to Know
When an interviewer asks questions such as these, they are interested in hearing your best elevator pitch. Although it is a good idea to let your personality shine, you also want to describe your professional journey as a marketer to them. So the best approach is to compose an encapsulated biography of yourself, that is roughly 200 words or so, that describes who you are as a marketing professional. You'll want to offer context on why you are pursuing this opportunity with them, where you have come from as a marketer, breathe life into your prior work history, what your experience has taught you, and where you hope to take your marketing career next. Showcase your passion and enthusiasm, and where you can align your passions and value with theirs. If you have a personal mission statement, offer that as well.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
What to Avoid
Steer away from over sharing personal information, or trying to make yourself seem more interesting by sharing information that isn't relevant to your career pursuit. Save those facts for questions about how you spend your spare time or questions about your hobbies.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Pro Tip
Stay focussed on presenting yourself as their ideal candidate, while communicating your messaging clearly and succinctly. As a marketer, you are marketing yourself to them, and they want to hear your best pitch. So try to make your pitch great copy, and show them what you've got.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"When I was in high school, I read a book on marketing, Positioning The Battle for Your Mind, which captured my imagination. After that, I wanted to learn more, and that's when I discovered Neil Patel as a marketing influencer. He has a blog post on the marketing books you should be reading, and the next thing I knew, I was in the rabbit hole. That decided things for me, and the next thing I knew, I was pursuing a BSBA at UCLA Anderson. Having just attained my bachelor's, I am excited to put what I have learned to good use. I graduated at the top of my class, have a detailed five-year career plan, and feel as if your firm is the perfect fit. Our values feel very well aligned, and your culture aligns with my ideal working environment. So that's what brings me here today."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Experienced Example
"My uncle owned a general store in my hometown. And when I was little, I would always gravitate to the toy section. So my uncle one day asked me to rearrange the section, by what toys were the most popular in my age group. So I did. Then, when I was no longer interested in toys, he had me do the same with the stationary section, giving me tips along the way. I wasn't aware of it, but the whole while I was increasing his sales. Fast forward, I was merchandising the entire store in high school, and helped manage it through college. These humble beginnings are what sparked my pursuit of my MSBA degree. This launched my long career, first with working as a product manager with Brooks, then as Account director with Anthropology. But I feel like the next step of my career lies with working with you. Although I am grateful for the experience I gained through the opportunities my current employer has offered and provided my career path, the company is moving in a different direction, and I truly feel this opportunity with your company is more in line with my career goals, and where I want to take my career next."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Growth Marketing Example
"I started out with my degree in business management and landed my first job working in an entry level position as a growth marketer. After a few years, I rose into a growth marketing specialist position. Since then, I have dramatically increased our online traffic, which helped in our efforts to promote some outstanding rebranding efforts of our product lines. I am very cross functional, and engaged with everyone on all of our teams, which I see as one team. But as I revamped my career goals, I realized there was little opportunity to rise into a senior position. So I bided my time, and waited, which is what brings me here today. It is not everyday you see an opportunity come along that feels like a perfect fit, from the company's core values and mission statement, to the culture and working environment. Not to mention the opportunities for advancement from within. Ultimately, I'd like to enter as senior growth marketer, and in the next five years move into a director position."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Product Manager Example
"Right out of college, I landed an internship with Edelman, where I interned for a year. After that first year, I was hired on into their social media department, and the environment has been very competitive. From there, I was able to work my way into an associate product manager role, where they pretty much have me conducting market research. Despite helping significantly in our broader marketing efforts, most of the credit has gone to the product manager I am working under, and I am beginning to doubt I'll have the opportunity to progress my career at the rate I desire with them. Although they have been instrumental in launching my career, I feel like I have a lot to offer, and would prefer to work in an environment where my contributions are rewarded with more opportunity. The product manager I work under has repeated called me the most creative innovator they've worked with, and has directly thanked me for advancing their career. In all honesty, I was doing what I could to support the team, but disappointed with the lack of opportunity. So now, I am more interested in advancing my own career. I have very reasonable career goals mapped out in my five-year plan, and based on what your company and this position have to offer, it seems to offer a far better, mutually rewarding relationship."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Content Marketing Example
"As you can see on my resume, I have a very strong track record with branding, marketing, analytics, and SEO. Where I really thrive is in my campaigns, and have an outstanding track record running native advertising through apple news feeds, driving traffic to our website and to our Amazon Store. I started off writing copy, then very quickly moved into a content editor position. Now I am Director of Web Content. I truly love the company I work for, and it shows in my performance. However, I feel I have driven the company as far as they'll allow, and I am too driven to continue at the status quo. I feel the opportunity you have to offer with this position is more in line with my goals and the type of innovation I try to spearhead. I need to be motivated to keep doing what I love, and that's unshackling my creativity. So, I am obviously grateful to be sitting here, meeting with you to discuss this prospect further."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Traditional Marketing Example
"I have always enjoyed working with a more traditional marketing modality, ever since I worked at my first brick and mortar, designing our displays and end caps, and coming up with great signage. This was my favorite aspect of the job. So when a position came available at our corporate office, I applied, really focussing on my business management and marketing background. They were impressed with my degree, and decided to give me a chance. Not before long, I was proving myself by coming up with clever mailers, guerilla marketing campaigns, and directing all our brick and mortar stores on how to showcase our brands through coordinated signage, displays, and featured products. I love my job and could see myself working there for quite some time. It would only take the absolute right opportunity for me to consider me leaving, and this position with your company was certainly one worth considering. So here I am."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023