Job interviews can make you feel both excited and nervous. One question that usually comes up early in the interview is, “Tell me about yourself.” Although it might seem like a simple question to start the conversation, it’s actually quite important for the hiring process. In this article, we’ll look at why interviewers ask this question, how to give a good answer, and share five example answers to help you create your own strong response.

Why Does the Interviewer Ask It?

Hiring managers ask the “Tell me about yourself” question for several key reasons:

1. Icebreaker and Rapport-Building – It’s an excellent way to ease into the interview, allowing you to feel more comfortable and establish a positive tone.

2. Assessing Communication Skills – The question helps evaluate your ability to communicate concisely and effectively—an essential skill in almost any role.

3. Gathering Initial Impressions – Your response provides the interviewer with initial insights into your background, qualifications, and personality.

4. Tailoring the Interview – Your answer can guide the interviewer toward specific areas of your resume or experiences that they want to explore further.

5. Cultural Fit – The interviewer may look for clues in your response to determine if you align with the company’s values and culture.

A Variation of the “Tell Me About Yourself” Question

Interviewers may pose the “tell me about yourself” question in various ways. Here are some alternative ways they might ask it:

• Tell me more about your background.
• I’m interested in learning more about you.
• Tell me about your time working at “x” company.
• Can you tell me more about your experience?
• Tell me something I don’t already know from your resume.

How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” effectively involves following a structured approach:

• Present – Share your current career status.
• Past – Explain how past roles and experiences have influenced your professional journey.
• Future – Describe your career goal and demonstrate how this role aligns with them.

Now, let’s delve into each part and understand how to organize your response.

Present:  Share your current career status.

Explain your current career status and who you are in your professional journey. Begin by introducing yourself, mentioning your name, location, and job title. Highlight recent accomplishments and provide a brief overview of your responsibilities.

Example: I’m Sarah Smith, and I am Lead Poultry Nutritionist at ABC Feedmill Ltd. In this role, I head a team of 12 professionals dedicated to creating top-quality broiler and layer feed. Over the past year, we have seen a remarkable 15% growth in our market share, and our revenue has grown by 30%. It’s been a thrilling and rewarding experience.

Past: Explain how past roles and experiences have influenced your professional journey

Share relevant details about your previous jobs, work responsibilities, transferable skills, and education, emphasizing their connection to the position you’ve applied for. Additionally, provide insights into what motivated you to pursue this specific career path, demonstrating your genuine commitment and interest in succeeding.

Example: Before becoming a poultry nutritionist, I spent two years as a layer farm manager at Supreme Poultry Farm. During this time, I discovered my passion for animal feed and animal nutrition, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in animal nutrition. I even had the opportunity to represent my university as part of the poultry nutrition conference. Subsequently, I obtained the Poultry Nutrition Certificate and License, which felt like a natural progression. This certificate and license opened the doors to work as a nutritionist for one of the leading feedmills in the Philippines, solidifying my interest in the animal nutrition as a deliberate and dedicated career choice.

Future – Describe your career goal and demonstrate how this role aligns with them.

It is critical to highlight your skills and interests in this section, showing how they relate to the job’s responsibilities, so your potential employer can understand your plans and what drew you to this specific position. You can earn extra points by discussing your future goals, which demonstrate that you have carefully considered your career path and how relevant this job is to you.

Example: Even though I’m enjoying my position as a Lead Poultry Nutritionist, my goal is to progress to a regional role where I can handle more responsibilities and tackle unique challenges in different countries across Southeast Asia. My current role has provided me with the chance to apply my expertise in animal nutrition and utilize my knowledge of the Philippines’ feed market. After five years of preparation, I’m excited about a more demanding and dynamic role that includes expanding our business and boosting company revenue. I view this opportunity as the perfect stepping stone toward achieving these objectives.

Keep in mind the structure of present, past, and future while crafting your answer. Customize your response to match your individual experiences and the job’s specific demands. Practice your reply to appear self-assured, interesting, and ready for the interview.