How to Conquer the Dreaded Interview Question: “Tell Me About Yourself”

Veronica C. | March 25, 2011

So you think you are prepared for your interview? Think again. You may feel that you are prepared to answer any question that comes your way, but what would you say if this question was thrown your way: “tell me about yourself”…
There it is, the open ended question that you never saw coming. It seems sometimes the hardest questions to answer are questions that you hear everyday. Don’t get stuck in this situation; wide open questions like this can actually be used to your advantage.
Questions like “Tell me about yourself” should be looked at as opportunities. This type of question puts you in the driver’s seat and allows you to set the tone of the interview. Remember, if you can get through this one, the rest of the interview will be a breeze.
First, make sure you convey your strengths, but remember, nobody wants to hear your life story. Try to highlight 5 strengths that you have that are pertinent to the position which you are applying, but keep it short! Sometimes the best way you can convey your strengths is in narrative form. Tell a story that shows that you can handle what the position entails, that also highlights the strengths that you possess.
Next, try to spark the interviewer’s interest. Everyone is different, so this will always change, but do your best to get a feel for the person interviewing you. You should feel free to ask questions and keep the conversation casual. Through doing this you can tweak your response to something that the person wants to hear. Make sure that you never answer a question directly with a question.
Always make sure to let your personality shine through, whether that is through a story or even just a friendly greeting, give the interviewer some insight into who you really are. Remember, an interview is another opportunity to tell the story that your resume doesn’t.
In your next interview, don’t be surprised if you are asked to tell someone about yourself, and definitely do not panic. After all, now you know how to handle the most difficult question of the interview.