Everything You Need To Know About Answering Tell Me About Yourself In 2022
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Tell me about yourself is asked at every interview. Preparing ahead for it can save you some struggle during the interview. The question is seemingly easy but answering it can be quite a grueling task for some of us. The first step in preparing your answer is finding out the reason behind the question.
Employers use this question to ease into the interview and gain a basic understanding of yourself. Then, they can use the information you gave in response to pose the next questions. Your answer for this question can shape the direction of the whole interview. So, don’t take it lightly. Also, it gives you a valuable chance to make a good first impression.
A proper answer to this question needs to be:
- Tailored – Your answer should be tailored to the specific job you’ve applied for. So, skip those parts that are unrelated.
- Centered around experience and achievements – Make your answer specific. Mention your educational background, your best achievements at previous positions, and why you decided to apply for the job
- Structured – Use the Past-Present-Future format. Talk about the past (background and work experience), the present (your current position, what you have achieved there), and the future (your objectives, why you are interested in the company)
Still unsure about what to say? Don’t worry, we have compiled a list of tips to help you get through.
Be Professional
Your answer doesn’t need to carry unnecessary details. You can be brief and talk to the point. It’s wise to keep your answer under 1-2 minutes. So cut off the extra details and save time for the important ones.
Practice
Tell me about yourself is an integral part of any interview. So, prepare ahead for it. Word to the wise, don’t memorize your answer. If you forget your lines during the interview, things can go downhill from there. Having a general idea about the main points you want to bring up is sufficient.
Match your answer to the audience
Your answer needs to change depending on who interviews you. Save the technical details for the tech interview and talk about your career, aspirations, and interest in the company during the HR interview.
Balance your answer
Your answer must pay attention to 3 important sections:
- Work – Leave about 80% of your answer to talk about your previous work experiences, the key achievements you’ve had, and how you performed in similar roles before.
- Academic – Use around 10-15% of the answer to highlight your educational background. Mention your university, degree, subjects studied, and how you performed.
- Personal – The rest (5-10%) of your answer should pay attention to your personal qualities and attributes that make you a cultural match for the company.
Well done! Now you have the perfect answer for your question. So, be confident and ace that interview!
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