Have you ever stared blankly when an interviewer says to you, ‘Tell me about yourself,’ wishing you had a killer answer? We’ve all been there. This blog isn’t just about answering that question; it’s about crafting a 60-second story so compelling, it makes you unforgettable.
If you have a job interview coming up soon, keep reading!
99% of job interviews will start with the question, Tell Me About Yourself. The question serves two purposes:
- It gives you the chance to talk about something you know a lot about – yourself. You will be the most nervous at the start of your interview, so giving you the chance to talk about a familiar subject will help ease anxiety.
- The question, Tell me about yourself, allows the interviewer to assess, early in the interview, if you have the skills, knowledge and motivation to do the job.
If the interviewer picks up from your answer that you lack the communication skills or confidence in your abilities, you probably won’t get hired. You must prepare a robust, structured and positive answer that will make the interviewer sit up and listen.
Before I teach you how to craft the perfect 60-second answer, let me first tell you 4 things you should never talk about in response to the question, Tell me about yourself. Take not of these!
#1. Hobbies and interests – the things you get up to outside of work have no bearing on your ability to perform your job role competently. Don’t talk about them in your answer.
#2. Family situation – again, personal details such as family are irrelevant to your work performance.
#3. Relationship status – you should never discuss your relationship status when answering any question in a job interview.
#4. Weaknesses or self-doubt – This is not the time to admit shortcomings. Keep your answer confident and positive.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF. EXPERIENCED
S – Skills:
“I’d describe myself as adaptable, collaborative, self-disciplined, and responsive to the needs of my team and employer.”
E – Experience:
“I have strong experience solving problems, contributing to team projects, and helping to overcome business challenges by working closely with others and staying focused on results.”
A – Achievements:
“In previous roles, I’ve helped deliver projects on time, resolved issues under pressure, and supported my organisation through periods of change, earning a reputation as someone who stays calm and resourceful.”
T – Type of Person:
“I’m the type of person who takes ownership, supports colleagues, and commits fully to the success of the company. I’m confident I can quickly add value in this role, and I look forward to sharing additional details in the interview regarding my suitability for this post.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF. NO EXPERIENCE
S – Skills:
“I would describe myself as adaptable, collaborative, self-disciplined, and responsive. I enjoy working with others, learning quickly, and staying focused on achieving positive outcomes.”
E – Experience:
“Although I don’t have much formal work experience yet, I have developed transferable skills through my studies and personal responsibilities. These include problem-solving, working with teams to achieve shared goals, and staying organised under pressure.”
A – Achievements:
“During my education, I successfully completed challenging assignments, contributed to team presentations, and often took the lead in helping my peers overcome difficulties. These experiences taught me how to stay focused, meet deadlines, and deliver quality results.”
T – Type of Person:
“I am the type of person who is eager to learn, open to feedback, and committed to working hard for my employer. I look forward to providing further details in the interview regarding my suitability for this post.”
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Find more tips and video walkthroughs to help you succeed when answering tough interview questions on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CareerVidz
