Tell me about yourself

What to Avoid

In general, everything is about the job. However, the question, “Tell me about yourself” is an opportunity to help you build rapport with the hiring manager.

Try to mention something that you both happen to like and have a brief, enjoyable conversation about it. You want your interview to be memorable. Then, you can jump right into your sales pitch.

Avoid giving too much personal information. Many job seekers make this mistake. Candidates mistakenly assume that the hiring manager truly wants to know their life story or hear about their family. A good first impression means everything, and having an example answer ready is a must.

You also want to avoid rehashing your work experience in the answer. Your interviewer likely already has a stack of cover letters and resumés in front of him. All your technical skills are already listed. These questions and answers are used to evaluate what you have accomplished in the past and how you fit with their organization. Here’s what you should say.

Hobbies

One possible response is to take the low-key approach. Share some of your active hobbies that suggest you are healthy and full of energy. These do not have to be directly relevant to your job field either. A few good examples include running, yoga, golf, or tennis.

An example that shows you care for yourself is a good place to start with an answer. Choose an example of how you are responsible for the answer, so the hiring manager knows you will be ready to give your best on the job.

Some intellectual hobbies indicate that you like to challenge yourself and keep your mind sharp. For instance, reading, solving crossword puzzles, and learning a new language are worth mentioning.

Any volunteer work reveals your strong character and that you value giving back to your community. These could range from spearheading a fundraiser to a member of the Parent-Teacher Association or PTA.

All the hobbies that you mention should have the ultimate purpose of building rapport with your interview. They should demonstrate that you are well-rounded, passionate and energetic.

Never mention activities that would question your commitment to your job in an answer, are extremely dangerous, or may make you miss work. Don’t spend too much time talking about your activities outside of work. Remember, this is an interview that should ultimately convince the interviewer that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

Strengths

After you break the ice, attempt to transition the personal discussion to a professional conversation. You can now highlight three to five strengths that make you fit for the job. These strengths should line up with real experiences that you can mention details about such as time, money, or people. You want to highlight your most important accomplishments.