“Can you please tell us about yourself?”
It’s a common question in the first few minutes of an interview…. So, what is the best way to answer it?
We are often asked for advice by candidates about how to answer this question. It seems like an easy one, but many people find it challenging because it’s such a broad question, and very open to interpretation. You might be thinking “Where do I start? What exactly do you want to know? Which parts of my life should I pick out; should I include personal or only professional?”
Given it’s likely you’ll be asked this question time and time again, so it’s a good idea to prepare in advance.
One of the biggest tips we can share: Always keep it relevant and tailored to the job and organisation you’re applying for!
A simple way to respond is by talking a little about your past, present and future (in whatever order works best for you). For example, you might have an interesting and relevant story about how you got into the field and this would be a great starting point to answer the question. You then could speak briefly about your current role and a recent highlight and then you can lead into what you want to do next and how that links to this role. Another way to respond is to briefly cover: who you are (professionally), key skills/experience/qualifications, why you’re here.
A few key tips:
Keep it brief
You don’t need to go into every detail of your career or life. It should spark the interview’s interest and give a short overview of how your experience aligns, why you’re interested in the role and why you’re a great fit.Keep it professional
There will always be exceptions, but generally, it’s going to be best to keep your answer related to your career and professional life. There’s usually no need to share personal details at this time. In the Social Impact space you may have a connection to the organisation or cause so you could briefly share this if appropriate.Sell yourself
This is often your first opportunity to make a great impression and show the interview panel why you’re the right person for the job! Make sure you highlight any recent achievements or relevant expertise that will make you stand out (for the right reasons) You don’t have to brag, but it’s a competitive market so be sure to put your best foot forward!
Prepare and practice
Prepare your answer and practice saying it. You don’t want to memorise it completely and sound scripted, but you should feel comfortable and confident in your answer and delivery. Your preparation will show and that makes a great first impression.Tailor your response to the audience
You may answer this question slightly differently depending on who is asking. Whether it’s the reporting manager, a recruiter, or a CEO, think about the level of detail needed and the core areas they would be interested in hearing.Read the room!
Look for any signs of boredom, or encouragement to either continue talking, wind it up or change direction.
What an interview panel looks for depends on many factors, but some points they may considering with this question:
Do they align and connect with our values, mission and vision?
Do they build rapport? Are they confident? Are they engaging? Do they have presence?
Can they read the room? Do they talk to much or too little? Do they waffle? Are they articulate?
How will they present to clients and stakeholders?
Are they interested in this opportunity? Are they nervous?
Will they represent our brand with integrity and authenticity?
Good luck with this simple but complicated question.
In a highly competitive market, this may be the deciding factor to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.