Tell Me About Yourself.

Strategy

• Start with a short summary of where you are now (which could include your current job along with a reference to passion or related course/certification)
• Describe how you got to where you are (mention education/side projects, or an important experience such as a past job, internship or volunteer experience)
• Transition into what you’re looking to do next and why you’re interested in this gig (and a great fit for it, too)

Template

• Sure! I've always enjoyed [insert industry skill #1] and [insert industry skill #2], even going back to [insert college/high school/grade school]. This led me to pursue being a [insert position/title/role] for [insert student organization/club/nonprofit]. I learned how to [insert related experience/skill #1] and [insert related experience/skill #2].
• Well I’m currently a [insert current position] at [insert current company], where I handle [insert current duty]. Before that, I worked as a [insert previous position] where I was [insert previous duty/achievement]. And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I’d love the chance to dig in much deeper with [insert interest that matches the job you are interviewing for], which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity with [insert name of company you’re interviewing with].
• After college, I took a job at [insert company] as a [insert position], doing [insert task #1]. I raised my hand to work on the [insert project]. This opportunity led me to discover my interest in [insert interest/skill related to role] & ultimately this role where [insert why this role relates to your interest].

Examples

• Sure! I've always enjoyed story telling and technology, even going back to highschool. This led me to pursue being a Data and visual story telling for my professional and personal endeavors. I learned how to code SQL as my first programming language and was introduced to tableau 4 year ago, which is favorite visual tool to use.
• Well I’m currently a BI Analyst at Regeneron, where I handle Data Visualization’s department tasks from product development and core development. Before that, I worked as a D.H. Keene Associates in a similar fashion where I was worked alongside devs in building and updating new and existing softwares, along with creating charts and reports. And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I’d love the chance to dig in much deeper with my core values and a place that inspires me everyday, which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity with Tesla.
• At my most recent job Regeneron as a BI Analyst, doing, while building an internal visualization tool on the Apache Suite called Superset. I raised my hand to work as a product developer. This opportunity led me to discover my interest in product development, and managing and communicating gaps and roadmaps with stakeholders be i upper management the decision makers and the devs & ultimately this role where the role of Business Data Analyst, which is a hybrid position role combining really speaks to me.

Tips

• Tailor Your Answer to the Role and Company
  • “Tell me about yourself” actually means “explain to me what about you & your experiences make you stand out from the rest interviewing for this role”
  • Look at the job description, research the company, and figure out how you can show you are 100% the person who can fulfill the needs
• Professional NOT Personal
  • Don’t tell your life story
  • Focus on being brief in your answer of how you are professionally equipped
• Be BRIEF
  • Don’t list your resume; covers important points without rambling
  • Emphasize the most important experiences & aspects of you that address TECHNICAL skills from the job description
• NEVER Memorize, ALWAYS Practice
  • They can tell if you memorize a script & your answer won’t seem authentic
  • Instead, hit record on your phone & practice until you get comfortable answering questions regardless of the environment or person asking it
• AVOID Controversy:
  • Don’t talk about politics, religion, or anything that could cause offense.
  • This isn’t the opportunity for you to discuss all the terrible things that happened to you at your last job (in fact, you should NEVER do that)

Alternatives