How to Answer the Interview Question: “Tell Me Something About Yourself”

One question that will instantly determine your success at a job interview is: “Tell me something about yourself.” Despite appearing straightforward, this question necessitates a thoughtful response that emphasizes your skills, experiences, character, and suitability for the job.

By reading this in-depth guide, you will be capable of answering this question strategically and confidently.

Remember: regardless of the job role, you will need to answer this question with a TOP-SCORING answer to stand out from the other candidates and pass your interview!

When an interviewer asks, “Tell me something about yourself,” they are not looking for a detailed biography of your life.

It’s a chance to give a succinct but impactful introduction that highlights:

• Your professional background
• Your skills
• And how you fit the needs of the company.

✅ Do tailor your answer to the particular role and business.

✅ Do highlight your skills and experiences that match the job’s requirements.

❌ Don’t discuss personal matters that are unrelated to the position.

❌ Don’t talk too much, listing a chronological history of your life.

These steps should be followed to produce a top-scoring answer:

Tailor to the Position: Make your response specific to the job description. Emphasize your experiences and qualifications that are most relevant to the job.

Structure Is Important: Use the SEAT method to structure your answer.

SEAT stands for:

S – the skills and qualities you have
E – your experience or educational accomplishments
A – any notable achievements you have gained to date
T – the type of person you are (match the company’s requirements)

Include Quantifiable Achievements: Numbers grab attention and show the extent of your influence in a professional environment. So where you can, quantify your achievements. 

Keep It Brief: Try to make your response last for about two minutes. Being concise demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly.

Below are the top 10 best skills & qualities for job interviews:

#1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Able to communicate well in writing and in person, especially when dealing with customers and clients.

#2. COLLABORATION SKILLS
You are a good team player who puts the needs of the team first.

#3. WORKING AT PACE
Get your work completed quickly and to a good standard.

#4. EMBRACING CHANGE
Someone who understands the importance of change and supporting your employer in trying out new initiatives.

#5. PROBLEM-SOLVING
Take ownership of difficult challenges and problems as opposed to leaving them for others to deal with.

#6. MANAGING SELF-DEVELOPMENT
You take responsibility for your own self-development to ensure your knowledge and skills are relevant and up-to-date.

#7. ORGANIZING AND PRIORITIZING WORK
You organize your work and prioritize tasks in line with the company’s goals.

#8. MULTI-TASKING
You are capable of organizing and completing several tasks or projects at once.

#9. FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE
You are prepared to carry out tasks outside of your job description and work overtime to help the company.

#10. TIME-MANAGEMENT
You have the skills to manage your workload to ensure everything gets completed on time and adapt to complex challenges without changing your work schedule.

Examples of achievements to talk about include:

HELPING YOUR TEAM IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS
In a previous job, you identified ways to improve the service offered to customers which increased sales.

STREAMLINING COMPANY PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS
In a previous job, you helped the company save money by making processes and systems more efficient.

WINNING A TEAM SPORTS EVENT
You are part of a sports team that has excelled and won trophies or awards.

COMPLETING A CHALLENGING TEAM PROJECT / SOLO TASK
You have successfully completed difficult and challenging projects and tasks that helped the company progress.

WINNING EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH OR RECEIVING PRAISE FROM A MANAGER
You have been identified as a high-performing member of the company or received praise during appraisals from your manager.

Be careful what you include! Good examples of hobbies and interests are:

• Reading self-development books.
• Studying online training courses.
• Studying for additional qualifications.
• Caring for, or supporting your family.
• Learning a new hobby or skill.
• Fitness and playing team sports.

At the end of your answer, it is important to conclude with what you will do in the position if they hire you. This tells the employer what they will get in return for hiring you!

In order to successfully answer the “Tell me something about yourself” question, you must carefully consider how to relate your skills and experiences to the job description.

You can craft a top-scoring answer that demonstrates your suitability for the position by tailoring your response, taking a structured approach, and quantifying your accomplishments.

Remember, a strong answer will significantly increase your chances of interview success. Use this common interview question as an opportunity to stand out from the competition by carefully planning your response and delivering it with confidence.