Tell Me About Yourself

When an interviewer ask the question, “Tell me about yourself,” they are not really asking you to tell them about yourself.  Recruiters don’t give a hoot where you were born, what interest you have, why you selected your university or how and where you got your first and subsequent jobs.  They may listen to these responses from you appropriately just to be nice but they really don’t care.

Instead, an employer only wants to know about you in relation to themselves and the job.  If where you were born and bred means that you have a good network of contact in the location that vital to an open position, then they care about where you grew up.  If your first job is a direct parallel to a role they may have for you, then they want to know about it.  Their interest is not about you, but rather the link between you and the job you are applying for.  Therefore, your primary objective isn’t to talk about yourself in general but rather to make the relevant connection between you and the position.

Also, your answer to “Tell me about yourself” can and should be different depending on who is asking the question.  Afterall, you want to establish rapport with the interviewer. There are many facts about you so you can still be truthful and at the same time being selective with presenting relevant and valuable information.  Select those facts that highlight and strengthen the connection between you and the interviewer.  This of course implies that you know something about the interviewer and the position (yes, you must do your homework before appearing at the interview).  Then you can pick specific stories and examples that parallel the skills and experience you are expected to have.  You can and should also highlight the interests that demonstrates that you are motivated for the right reasons.  You should never be there to talk about yourself. What you must do is to reveal the various compelling reasons why you are exactly what they need.

Here’s a question parallel for you to unravel the question disguise:

“Tell me about yourself” = “Tell me why I should hire you instead of the 50 waiting outside”

“Tell me about your interests” = “Why did you apply for THIS job?”

“Walk through your background with me” = “Convince me that you are relevant and will be an asset for me”

Everything you say must promote and further your suitability for the job.

Always keep in mind that the interview is about filling a position and as such, no question is asked that is separate from the job.