How to Answer This Interview Question: Tell Me About Yourself

So today I’m sharing with you from a CEO perspective, from a hiring manager perspective, from an employer perspective, what is the best response to the question, “tell me about yourself.”

I cannot tell you how many times I see people struggle with this question, but however, there are incidents that we are, very impressed with the response.

I’m also going to give you a simple way so next time when you are asked this question you know exactly what to say.

When someone on the panel asks you this question, “tell me about yourself”, they are not actually asking about your whole life story.

So, what they’re actually asking is, what are you bringing to the table. So, from now on, when you hear the question, “tell me about yourself”, I want you to make the mental switch. What value could you bring to the company? What problems can you solve for the company? That’s what they are asking. And you shouldn’t go on and on and on about all your background.

So, when they are asking you this question everything you share, any statement that you make you always want to tie it back to what’s in it for that particular company or person hiring you.

So, let me give you an example. Let’s say someone is hiring you for a manager position. And the hiring manager is asking you “well, so tell me about yourself.”, A typical response, someone will start talking about himself/herself and other needs.

But you should always turn your answer into a benefit and what’s in it for the person hiring you.

These are the things you should always focus on: Your Successes, Your Skillsets and The Situation

First, talk about your successes in the previous jobs and how they are going to be beneficial to your current employer. For example, If your new role involves organizing events mention about the successful events you have organized in the past you can also add something like I know all the suppliers and venue owners in this area, in fact, I can list some of those clients, that I’ve organized events for in the past just in case you need a reference for my work. You see how that works?

Secondly, talk about your skillset. What are you good at? With examples putting in mean what is it in for the person or company hiring you. How can your skillset be of value to them?

Thirdly, Situation you say what am looking for is a company that I could add value and produce a positive return on investment for.

In the end, you ask a question. Whoever asks a question controls the conversation. So, you want to ask a question. And now the hiring manager will be like, “okay, yeah, I guess that’s what I’m looking for” or “no that’s not what we’re looking for”. And you got from there. Just because you are in an interview, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to sell.

For coaching how to pass a job interview. Click on the link below. www.ethanmusolini.com/coaching