How to master the pesky ‘Tell me about yourself’ interview question

This one interview question can  totally derail : Tell me about yourself?  No matter a candidates experience, age, gender, occupation, sector  or level, the question sees a rush on Panadol, hiding under the bed covers or a stiff drink or two.   So you need to know how to master the pesky ‘Tell me about yourself’ question.

Get your answer right and the interview has a better chance for success.  But get it wrong and it can be a nose dive in both confidence and progression.

The question itself though is a bit of a land mine as every interviewer will have their own quirks and preferences whilst looking for different things from the answer.  

I often recommend to clients to respond firstly when asked with:  ‘sure, before I answer  would you like a short sharp or longer version?      

Delivered with a smile and warmth, it is also a relaxing icebreaker for both sides and helps a candidate get a little more intel on what the interviewer is looking for.  

But save that either way you need to be prepared and relaxed.  A mistake too many candidates make is to drone on and on with a long detailed response.   Not only is it boring an unnecessary it stifles further interview questions.

And you don’t want to come across as a rehearsed robot without any personality and nuance.  Whilst I will be diving into the solution below, it still needs to have an element of bespoke flexibility and wisdom.

You want your answer to be succinct, engaging, relevant and relaxed.  I add in relaxed because when you are talking about a topic you know well, the words can flow.  And you know your career, skills and goals very well. 

I asked what people felt about the question in a  LinkedIn Poll .  Interestingly  63% said they were either terrified or confused by the question with 37% feeling they nailed it.  But truth is, how do the 37% know they nailed it?  Did they get feedback, progression to the next stage and ultimately the job?

4 Step Formula

This powerful 4 step formula crosses your past, present and future with a unique value statement. It’s delivered in between 60 to 90 seconds.  Again the goal is to be succinct, engaging, relevant and relaxed.   Your delivery has to be authentic to your personality style and top line and inviting.

This formula is like leaving magic breadcrumbs of information to create intrigue and curiosity.  Drop enough to whet the appetite so the interviewer can refer back and ask more.  

Commitment & Why Value Statement

A Commitment & Why Value Statement (CWV) is about your unique career genius.  It’s about what you care about and why. The 3 elements are:

a/   What you are deeply motivated/committed by towards

b/   Why that’s important to you

c/   End value & outcome  

One example :  Cybercrime is destroying far too many Australian’s.  I’m committed to eradicating it with a focus on creating  AI solutions that break the criminal’s access’.  

Read more on CWV and examples in my blog Become a simply irresistible job candidate

Note:   Use critical thinking when to use your CWV this at the start or end of your answer.  It may be more valuable at the end not the beginning for a whole host of reasons (flow, role, relationships of interviewer etc)

Past

A very short synopsis of your past.  This is where the question before answering of “would you like a short or longer version’ cane work a charm.   Remember a short top line and engaging journey.,

Current

What you are doing now is really important with a top line relevancy.  And if appropriate try (though again use critical discernment) and casually weave in something you are really proud of achieving.

Future  

Weave in a tailored narrative that matches the role you are being interviewed for.  This is where the critical thinking to use your CWV comes into play.  This depends on if the role is different to your sector, a major step up or a career pivot.  It’s about leaving a clear message of why the company and role is aligned to your objectives and purpose.

Practice like you are talking to a friend

I know that the question gets people all tied up in knots.  Perfectionism bites hard and keeps people out of the job search game.  You know your career and goals better than anyone.  And sure you need to write down points and practice and practice.

The most useful way to practice is to approach the answer like you were talking to a friend in a coffee shop or wine bar.   That will always be more friendly, relaxed and honest.  Then you move up from there to fine tune and finesse it.   This is also a fun way to break your own ice and relax. 

And don’t forget to deliver your answer as you would in normal business life with your own personality and voice.  Who you are in an interview must match the reality of who you are when hired.

You must impress and influence at interviews.  But focus on the being the best version of yourself.  Be well prepared, be curious and proud of your  value and career.

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