Say something about yourself

How to Answer “Tell me about yourself” Interview Question

You might be thinking that telling about yourself to others is something very easy.

But is it really so?

Well, how hard it would be? After all, nobody knows best about you than yourself!

However, people get tongue-tied when a recruiter asks them this question “tell me about yourself“ in an interview.

In this article, we will be discussing the topics like,

So, where to begin?

Attending an interview without any preparation will not help you land the job interview. So your first stage should be preparing for the interview and researching about the company.

You can opt for any of the sources while preparing for interviews. In these days, you can find almost everything related to interview preparation on the web so make good use of it.

Also researching about the company would help you understand the goals and vision of the company. While preparing will give you an idea on how to answer the questions.

Even if the hiring manager does not ask you this question, it is always a better option to prepare an answer in advance so that you just don’t confuse yourself when this question pops up from the interviewer’s mouth.

Now let us begin with few tips. to help you through with one of the most dreaded questions in the recruiting process.

“Tell Me Something About Yourself”: Tips to Answer

Be prepared for:

This is one of the most expected questions in any interview. However, not many people know how to answer this well because they aren’t prepared too well to answer these kinds of questions. Now being unprepared for something even when you know you will be facing it is sheer laziness.

Some of the standard answers include your name, your educational qualifications, and some even go as far as talking about their hobbies. Some just recite their entire CV.

Although these are important, you need to be aware of the context while you are answering.

You need to understand what the recruiter is expecting from you when they ask you to talk about yourself. The recruiter is always assessing you even when he/ she is informal with you.

Make sure you take some time off to focus on this question and find a suitable answer. Make a list of things you are good at and focus on the ones that suit the role you are expected to play in the company.

Even if you are trying to tell them about something you are proud of, but is inconsequential to the outcome of your interview, make it seem like the lessons you have learned from the experience helped you grow in a way that will be beneficial to your job designation.

Answer to the question varies:

The answer to this question varies depending on who is asking you the question. If you are asked this question in the technical round you will have to concentrate more on your technical achievements and interests.

But if you are asked this question in the HR round, the recruiter is looking to asses you as a person, as to how you will gel with your co-workers, and how you handle stress.

It is best to keep your personal details to a bare minimum in both cases. Stating your name and academic background should be enough unless the recruiter probes for more.

Answer to the point without rambling as far as the personal details or hobbies are concerned.

Giving Self-introduction in an interview:

The objective of any job interview is to sell you as the best option for the position available.

So you should be like a good salesman and always focus on saying things that will improve your chances of being hired. That does not mean you can lie, but carefully select the facts you present to them.

For example, if you are looking for a job as a Marketing executive, bragging about your achievements on the cricket pitch will get you nowhere compared to the interclass quiz competition you won.

The same goes to tell them about you. Focus on the skills that you are known for, and the qualities that represent you, which help the recruiters determine how much of an asset you are to the company.

Rambling on and on about how you will be an asset to the company, how you are hardworking and easy-going will only bore the recruiter.

Stick to talking about the skill sets you have developed which will help you in your role within the company.

Do not dwell in the past always:

The question is to tell about yourself. If you waste time thinking about what it is that makes you what you are, you give off a bad vibe to the recruiter. This is why it is important to prepare beforehand.

Do not waste time in thinking about the best possible answers, have a couple of well-rehearsed answers/ qualities at the edge of your mind, which you can present to the recruiter.

Most of the time, the recruiter is looking for your confidence and enthusiasm when you answer this question. Do not pause or stall when you answer this question, this shows a sense of lack of self-awareness and self-esteem on your part.

Take care of non-verbal cues such as correcting your slouchy posture, smiling and generally looking alert when you answer this question.

Be passionate about yourself:

You have to captivate your recruiter right from the first instance. The first words that flow out of your mouth must reel your recruiter in, and keep him interested till the end of your answer.

Sound passionate about yourself, like you take yourself seriously and make it seem like you are the top priority in your life.

Going a bit over the top and using metaphors when answering these questions will actually be beneficial to you. here are a few phrases you can start with

“If I were to describe my life in three words…”

This lets out an aura that says you know well about yourself. It demonstrates your ability to be precise and crisp with your descriptions.

“I live by the words of/ The quote that describes me best is…”

An air of sophistication follows with a popular quote. Using an obscure lesser-known quote will also work well. It shows you are well motivated as well.

“My personal philosophy is…”

This is a great way to let the recruiters know that you are a thinker who has your life sorted out well.

“People who know me best say that I am…”

Shows you are confident and have a good rapport with people and have a charming demeanor.

“My passion is…”

This is a great opener, where you can start out about your passion towards subjects/ skills that are required in your job description.

“I’ve always wanted to be…”

This is a great way to let them know that you have been passionate about your job and have been looking forward to it for a long time, you can then go on to talk about your achievements and your preparations to make it in your profession.

“If they made a movie about my life…”

This is a great way to start out playful, yet show them your professional demeanor.

These are just a few examples, you can always improve on them to suit your needs best. However, memorize a few before you go to your interview.

You have to sound convincing, and the answers must seem natural and not rehearsed, this is very crucial for your performance. Practice these a few ties until you are comfortable talking about your academic achievements and leisurely activities without having to stop and think.

Although these responses are unorthodox, these stand out from the crowd of regular answers and make you seem more interesting, improving your chances of getting noticed.

Be prepared for follow up interview questions:

Once you have finished answering the question tell about yourself, the recruiter will throw a follow-up question at you, either after you finish answering or he will interrupt you in the middle to ask you a follow-up. This is done to throw the candidate off balance and to check if the candidate is giving a genuine answer.

These questions will usually probe slightly deeper about your answers to find out the extent of your interest you take in describing about yourself.

If you do not know the answers to these questions you can admit it and they can let it go. It is all about how you can handle those questions rather than how you answer.

The purpose of “tell me about yourself” interview question:

“Tell me about yourself” can be the first question asked by the interviewer in an interview process.

So make sure that you are not goofing up on the first question itself, as it will be the worst thing you could ever do in an interview process.

Understanding the purpose of this question helps you provide a clear and crisp answer to your interviewer.

Even though this is a tricky kind of question, most of the job seekers answer it by trying their own strategies. As every job profile and roles are different, there is no fixed kind of answer to this question. Moreover, the interviewer is not much concerned about the stuff you will be answering but will focus on HOW you are answering or specifically how you are handling this particular situation.

So before answering, analyze what the interviewer has asked. The interviewers might be phrasing the question “tell me about yourself” in different ways like:

You can be asked this question in any of the above-mentioned formats.

Remember, you are here to bag that job offer and not to chat with the recruiter. This is what the recruiter is looking to know about in your answers:

Here you need to answer the question in a professional tone rather than forming your answer in a general way.

How to Answer the Interview Question “Tell me about yourself”?

When you are about to answer this question, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, some of them are,

The answer you provide will be covering the above-mentioned questions too. Do not answer your question like a rehearsed version but be confident and articulated.

Here we will be discussing 3 best methods to answer this question with examples

I. Basic method :

There happens to be a basic formula for answering this “tell me about yourself” interview question.

By providing an answer this way, a trust factor can be built between you and the interviewer.

When speaking about the accomplishments, make sure to list down the ones which are related to the organization niche. Your answer should comprise,

Now this formula works in different types for different candidates.

For example:

If the candidate is a fresher, he can write all his awards and honors received in school or college

If the candidate is having 1-2 years of experience then he can cover all the success stories relating to his job.

If the candidate is an experienced person, then he can provide real-time examples and scenarios he has faced in his working career.

Altogether, the important point is that you need to list down all possible achievements of yours and match it to the requirements of the job role and the organization.

You can easily get that by looking at the job description or by researching a little about the company.

Another method for answering this question is using the STAR approach.

II. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Example :

Now to show how to use this approach in answering tell me about yourself interview question. let us consider an example of an online marketing manager’s achievement in building more traffic to the company website.

So when answering tell me about yourself, and covering greatest achievements this would be the perfect answer

III. Another method to answer “tell me about yourself” is the 3 step process’.

The 3 step process to follow for answering this question is

1. Start with your introduction
2. What makes you stand out
3. What makes you fit for the job

Start with the introduction:

Begin your answer with your name, followed by your designation and where you are working and details regarding your work experience

Example: I am an online marketer with 4+ years of experience and currently working for ABC company. Previously I’ve worked with 2 companies which are XYZ and J & J consultancy.

What makes you stand out:

In this section, you need to provide all your achievements and success stories followed with your real-time issue and problems and the ways by which you overcame all of those.

For example: I am highly workaholic and ambitious. Whenever I begin a new campaign, I try very hard to make it a successful one. Well basically as everyone, my goal is also to impress the client. Also as a matter of fact, I was rewarded with at least 12 industry awards and nominations.

I once handled a project for a client who wanted to add digital media to his company. My Creative manager asked me to get the client on board. So upon his instructions, I created some samples and a presentation which helped us get the whole project.

What makes you fit for the job:

Now, this is the final step in which you have to convince your interviewer that you are the perfect fit for the job role and that your aims and plans are in line with the organization goals. You also need to show your enthusiasm and interest in joining the company

For example: Though I enjoyed my previous work, it was kind of monotonous. It’s a dream of mine to work for different clients. I have learned that your company has connections with bigger clients and I’d love to switch gears. That’s is the reason why I have applied for this position.

Several examples of the best way to answer and why.

Things you need to include in your answer

The job at hand:

Research well about the job role, the company, and work culture etc into your answer. Help your interviewer to know that you are interested in the job.

Relevant experience:

You need to show your strongest skills, personality characteristics, knowledge, and experience that are relevant to the job.

Your current situation:

Tell them about your short term and long term goals and aims.

Things you need to avoid:

Information overload:

Do not speak about your or unload your entire life story, your favorite TV shows, pet name etc.

Sounding too perfect:

Showing enthusiasm is good towards the position and company, but remember nobody’s perfect.

Controversial subjects:

Also, do not mention or refrain from talking about politics, religion or similar subjects in this response.

How Not to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”:

Now that we have covered all the details relating to, ‘tell me about yourself question’, let us also look at some of the points on how not to answer tell me about yourself interview question.

Here are a few of the things that you need to avoid when answering this question,

How “tell me about yourself” question can work in your favour?

Recruiters are only looking for your strong suit. Unlike university exams where you are tested based on knowledge, a job interview only aims at knowing the depth of your knowledge in your field of expertise.

Hence, when you are asked to tell about yourself, you can easily steer the interview in a direction you are comfortable in.

If you highlight/ hint about your pet areas of expertise, the recruiter will tend to stick to that itself. The recruiter will tend to continue to ask in detail about the things you seem interested in if you make it seem interesting to the recruiter as well.

How to Start Caring About Yourself?

WhatToGetMy Instructional Article

Taking care of yourself seems like a big task. You might not know how to start caring about yourself because it seems overwhelming. The truth is, self-care isn’t a task at all. It’s something that can make you happy and increase the quality of your life. There are a lot of ways to treat yourself well. We’re going to give you some tips and advice about how other people do it. Surely, you’ll find something that works for you too.

Everything else can be put on hold but not taking care of your health. Managing mental, physical, and emotional health is crucial to leading a happy life. From setting healthy boundaries to keeping yourself in good shape, you need to prioritize your wellbeing. You can’t help others to the fullest either if you’re neglecting yourself. Start caring about yourself today, so you’ll have a bright future full of generosity activities to look forward to.

The beginning of the day can pretty much determine its outcome. To kickstart your day try:

Source Link: https://whattogetmy.com/how-to-start-caring-about-yourself/

What is actually self-care?

Table of Contents

This word became popular lately. Everybody keeps talking about self-care methods and offering advice but what does self-care actually mean? It’s actually pretty simple. Everything you do that preserves or improves your health is considered self-care.

Self-care choices can range from eating and sleeping right to exercising regularly (with necessary breaks). Taking care of your body and your mind, especially in stressful periods, is crucial for leading a healthy and happy life.

The most important thing in the process of self-care is being gentle with yourself. The result is learning to love yourself with all your strengths and weaknesses.

Self-care is not a chore

This isn’t one more task on your to-do list. Face it – the list is already long enough. Even though self-care is a priority, don’t treat it like a dreadful chore. You’re not “supposed” to care about your wellbeing, you want to, right?

Focus on mental health

Encourage yourself

Reframe your thoughts. Instead of saying “I can’t do this, it’s too hard”, try saying something like “The most important thing is trying even if it’s hard”. It can take a long time to stop talking negatively about yourself, so be patient. Give yourself time and take baby steps. You’ll eventually learn how to reframe your thoughts and look for the silver lining.

When we only consider the skills we don’t have, we forget about those skills we mastered. In difficult times, remember those things you already conquered. Nothing was out of your reach. Think about all the exams you’ve passed, successful job interviews, complicated puzzles you’ve solved – anything at all. Be proud of it and congratulate yourself! If you’ve done all of that, you can do so much more.

Do the things you enjoy

You have so little time on your hands, so spend it doing the things you love. Commit to the activities that bring you joy. That can be listening to music, dancing, doing yoga, and many other things. Find something you enjoy and don’t let it go.

If you love making gourmet treats, what’s stopping you? Make a nice healthy meal and invite your friends to a fabulous dinner party.

If you’re a book nerd, why do you feel guilty for diving in another novel? Let yourself dream and be happy. You’ll have even more time to read if you stop endless scroll through the stressful newsfeed.

If you love video games, why do you care if people judge you? Games are not only for kids and teenagers. After all, there are so many game genres and nobody can claim that only certain types of people can play.

Set boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for preserving your mental health. It’s not easy to learn how to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally but setting the limits is a good start. A boundary can be established between you and another person, or you can set it up to protect your “me time” from yourself. We often sacrifice our self-care time to do other things. It’s time to stop with this and put yourself as a priority.

Some ways to establish needed boundaries are:

The most important thing about setting healthy boundaries is learning to say “no”. Don’t feel obligated to do something you don’t want. When someone asks you for a favor, check your calendar (and your gut) to see if you should do it. You have the right to reject any invitation, favor, etc. Nobody can hold it against you as long as you’re polite about it.

Reduce stress in your life

We all have stressful things that we can’t cut out of our lives. However, there are lots of ways to reduce the amount of stress. You can try something simple like meditation. If that doesn’t work, book a spa weekend. Just imagine the relaxation you’ll get from massages, baths, steam rooms, etc. If the money is the issue, get a little creative, and make a home spa.

You can’t always escape stressful situations but there are some things you can control. For example, you probably can’t quit your stressful job. However, you can set boundaries we talked about to prevent the job interfering with every aspect of your life.

Journaling

A lot of strategies for self-care revolve around collecting your thoughts. For example, journaling gives you the needed time to check in on yourself. Write about your thoughts, feelings, or frustrations. Writing has therapeutic effects, so make sure to always have a notebook prepared.

Nurture friendships

Spending time with your friends is very important for your mental and emotional health. Having a strong support network made of people you trust can help you through difficult times in your life. Besides, if you enjoy someone’s company, you’ll have fun which will make you feel good.

Try to find time in your busy schedule for each other. You can call or text, but meeting up in person is important too. You can have a quick coffee on your lunch break or just go for a walk in the park. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Caring about your physical health

Exercise regularly

You don’t need to push yourself over the limits. Exercising 3 times a week is just enough. You don’t have to go through exhausting repetitive workouts. Instead, do something you enjoy, or try a new activity. Jogging, cycling, and swimming are excellent outdoor activities. For ideas about indoor workouts, browse the internet for inspiration. You can find various videos about dance workouts, Zumba, Kickbox aerobic, HIIT workouts, and so much more.

Catch up on your sleep

Keep your room dark and cool for a higher quality of sleep. If you can, try to cut screen time for at least 30 minutes before going to bed. You’re also more likely to fall asleep faster if you get rid of distractions in your bedroom like television and laptops.

Stay hydrated

It is said so many times that it became cliché advice. However, water does help your body immensely. Drinking enough water helps your organs run more efficiently which results in you being more energized. If you’re like us and often forget about water intake, consider downloading a water tracking app. It’ll do wonders for you.

Spa and relaxation

Spa treatments won’t just help you reduce stress. They’ll be amazing for your body too. Pamper yourself a bit with hair masks, face masks, manicure, baths, massages, and anything else you can think of. Men enjoy baths too, so don’t be afraid to do something special for yourself (or your partner) once in a while.

Have a break

You need it and you deserve it, so take a break! Put your responsibilities on hold and take a self-care trip. You’re allowed to have a weekend getaway to disconnect and relax for a while. These small trips don’t have to be hard on your budget. Drive to the nearest town and go sightseeing or explore the nature nearby. How long ago was your last camping trip?

Spending time outside can help you reduce stress. You catch fresh air and feel so much better. It is also known that spending time in nature helps you lower your blood pressure and reduce fatigue while also relieving some symptoms of depression.

Ask for help when you need it

The most difficult part is taking that first step. You can consult with your friends and family to seek their advice on the matter. There are also SOS phones you can call when you’re feeling down. Others are experiencing a lot of similar stuff like you, so you’re not alone in this. Help is reachable and we strongly encourage asking for it.

Conclusion

What should I answer when an interviewer asks to say something «about yourself»? [duplicate]

I am a software professional. I have attended many interviews, in 99.99 % of them started with a question like «Tell me about yourself»

I start with my name, where I’m from, what I’ve studied (personal info) etc., then talk about my hobbies, interests and sometimes about my current working environment.

As everybody knows the first impression is the best impression?
Which is the best way to impress an interviewer by telling «about oneself»?

4 Answers 4

The «tell me about yourself» question is usually just used by interviewers to gauge your social/conversational skills. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer for it, but since you are seeking a job at the company, use that question to your advantage. You can tell them about about what you studied in school, what skills you have, give them a brief summary of all of your previous jobs, and then tell them how your skills and experience are a good fit for the position. Remember what skills and other requirements they mentioned in the job ad, and if you have those skills, be sure to mention that.

I wouldn’t bother with mentioning any personal hobbies or interests, unless they are relevant to the job. For example if you like to work on open-source software projects in your free time, then definitely mention that. But don’t waste the interviewer’s time by mentioning that you like to go horseback riding or anything that’s not related to the job.

«Tell me about yourself» is such an open-ended question that it’s a great opportunity to tell them your skills and experience and to sell yourself for the job. It’s the best question you could ask for in an interview. I’ve interviewed many people and asked that question, and a few people seemed intimidated by the question and didn’t know what to say. They really blew a golden opportunity to tell me why we should hire them.

Say something nice about yourself

I have a kind heart

Sometimes I am almost overwhelmed by my incredible perfection.

.

..An so you should be oh perfect one

I’m patient and know it’s better to hear the quality within the noise than to be the one constantly making the noise. Katie

What a GREAT quality, Katie.

Thanks Motown, I like yours as well, great rule to follow!

I try never to judge a person by my first impression of them because I never know who may turn out to be a wonderful friend later on down the road.

Great quality. Never judge a book by its cover. Awesome 🙂

Yeah, MT-like you taking me to Australia with you!

I stopped peeing on my neighbors azaleas when I get in that Jack D and Heineken state of mind. when its light out anyway. hey,that’s pretty good for me.

lol awesome.

I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit people like me.

A lot of people seem to like me, so there must be something nice I could say about myself, I just can’t think what it could be.

Your awesomeness is only exceeded by your beauty.

You just got a friend for life, Paradigmsearch.

LOL
I am happy all the time

Awesome. To have people like you means you reflect something positive which they see in you

I would like to be happy all the time.

If you were happy all the time, you wouldn’t know you were happy.

Making the effort to be happy is great. Happiness is a choice and you have made the right one sofs. Great learning from you : ) : )

well sofs says she is happy all the time, how does she know.

Okay, maybe she is, but she still experiences different levels of happiness. When she sees me here on the Forums, for example, she senses sudden joy, which diminishes when I’m gone again, even though it doesn’t go as far as to make her totally miserable and depressed. She is probably nicely contented for most of the time. You can see she’s feeling very happy at the moment.

And me, too, to see you both.

oh yeah me and Camlo are an item alright. ha ha

I am a good communicater, though not always happy, but working on it.

That is awesome:)

thanks i am learning a lot from your hubs

Let’s see, what’s nice about me? I’m an awesome mom and grandma. I have a great sense of humor. I’m kind and sensitive. And I look amazing for my age. LOL!

you sound just like me, we should meet up sometime.

Ah, yes I can see you have a great sense of humor. LOL!

Amazing Disturbia. You ooze confidence. Awesome and

sbsolutely, will we bring the grandchildren or leave them at home, i have seven. I could leave a few at home.

My humility makes me perfect

I am too modest to mention I am a genius. I am not so stupid to really believe it.

I’m simply the best, but no one ever found out about what.

You believe in you. That’s the most important thing

I am coming to hub pages even though i am tired, now that has to be a good thing.

I’m still as curious about the world as a 2-year-old.

I am 27 years old and I’m about as curious about the world as an 80 year old.

I am a fine human being in my own right!

And I salute to that!

As I do too to your own wonderful self.

glad it is not in front you. Well done. i could not do that.

So Yeah. Get Over It. Coz the Worst Is Yet To Happen

I love to read positive hubs, and make friends here on hubpages. I read the negative ones, but dont always comment, does that make me a good person, or a coward.

I’m great

I love children.

I love making people smile.

yes you do! and you do it well.

I possess integrity.

Cool! wonderful trait to have.

I am the most honest person I know.

I tend to stay calm and rational during a crisis.

I keep a positive attitude.

I like my smile. See:

You like mine?

I believe totally in honesty and tell the truth, even when I know it will get me into trouble.

That’s admirable.

I am patient and don’t let anything bother me.

I am hardworking

I like my tenacity

I am very loyal.

I am a romantic

I haven’t killed anybody, yet.

I know exactly what i want.

I am going to make it!

I am hard-working

I am always on a learning mode, ever-ready to absorb new things and hubpages is a wonderful platform, besides other sources.

I take pride in what I do!

I am an intelligent person who participates in engaging discussions of current events

I am a good listener

I totally agree!

I can cry well.

I give great hugs.

earnest, you brat! That’s funny stuff.

Thanks MC
Once a brat always a brat.

That’s alright. Bratty folks can be lots of fun!

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What should I answer when an interviewer asks to say something «about yourself»? [duplicate]

I am a software professional. I have attended many interviews, in 99.99 % of them started with a question like «Tell me about yourself»

I start with my name, where I’m from, what I’ve studied (personal info) etc., then talk about my hobbies, interests and sometimes about my current working environment.

As everybody knows the first impression is the best impression?
Which is the best way to impress an interviewer by telling «about oneself»?

4 Answers 4

The «tell me about yourself» question is usually just used by interviewers to gauge your social/conversational skills. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer for it, but since you are seeking a job at the company, use that question to your advantage. You can tell them about about what you studied in school, what skills you have, give them a brief summary of all of your previous jobs, and then tell them how your skills and experience are a good fit for the position. Remember what skills and other requirements they mentioned in the job ad, and if you have those skills, be sure to mention that.

I wouldn’t bother with mentioning any personal hobbies or interests, unless they are relevant to the job. For example if you like to work on open-source software projects in your free time, then definitely mention that. But don’t waste the interviewer’s time by mentioning that you like to go horseback riding or anything that’s not related to the job.

«Tell me about yourself» is such an open-ended question that it’s a great opportunity to tell them your skills and experience and to sell yourself for the job. It’s the best question you could ask for in an interview. I’ve interviewed many people and asked that question, and a few people seemed intimidated by the question and didn’t know what to say. They really blew a golden opportunity to tell me why we should hire them.