How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)

Open-ended interview questions or prompts, such as "Tell me about yourself," are widely used to start either in-person or online video interviews. Walk me through your resume is another example, as is "tell me anything about yourself that isn't on your résumé" and "explain yourself."

Every stage of the interview process, from the phone screen through the final rounds, is likely to include these questions. Their ambiguity is normal, and it can be challenging to figure out what the interviewer actually wants to know. However, there is a chance for you here because your interviewer is giving you the freedom to select your own response.

This page provides thorough "tell me about yourself" sample replies as well as advice on what to avoid saying in your response to the interview question, how to organize your answer, and how to get started.

How to answer “tell me about yourself”

The tone of the interview can be defined by your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question. In general, as you practice your response, you should aim to provide a compelling personal narrative in two minutes or less. Do the following in your response:

1. Mention past experiences and proven successes as they relate to the position. Reread the job description to get started. Make a list of the talents you have that are needed and write any recent activities that have shown them. However, volunteer activity can also enhance your narrative while displaying a dedication to your community. Ideally, you should draw mostly from recent professional experience.
2. Consider how your current job relates to the job you’re applying for. Is this a senior position? If yes, describe how your current position is requiring you to take on more responsibility.
3. Focus on strengths and abilities that you can support with examples. 
4. Highlight your personality to break the ice. It's a good idea to share your personality with your interviewer because the "tell me about yourself" interview question is meant to get to know you.
5. Format your response. You should structure your answer in accordance with a format or formula to make it clear and concise. There are two typical formulas you might consider: Present, Past and Future and Past, Present and Future

Example answers to “tell me about yourself”

Occasionally, even though each person's "tell me about yourself" response will be unique, it can be instructive to see an example. Several brief scripts that demonstrate how this question can quickly and effectively emphasize a person's skills and successful outcomes are provided below:

Example 1

“I began my career in retail management, but a few years ago, I was drawn to the health care space. I’ve always been skilled at bringing people together and working toward common goals. My experience successfully leading teams and managing stores led me to consider administration, and I’ve been building a career as a driven health administrator for the last four years.

“In my current role at ABC Medical Center, the efficiency of the office has been a personal focus, especially as it relates to patient outcomes. I set and oversee goals related to department budget and patient volume. Last year, I worked with our IT department to implement a communication system for scheduling procedures and protocols to ensure that all departments were adequately staffed at all times. With our new online scheduling portal, we increased communication efficiency by 20%. 

“To stay informed about their ongoing concerns, I hold regular meetings with physicians, nurses and other health care staff. In my role, I also manage marketing and advertising efforts on behalf of the center. I’ve been really enjoying that part of my work and I’m especially interested in bringing the experience I’ve gained as well as my commitment to efficiency to the team at ABC Health. 

“Outside of the office, I’m an avid reader and I love to hike. On weekends, you might find me at the local bookstore or exploring hiking trails in the area.”

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