How to Answer the Dreaded, “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question For Recent Graduates
The dreaded “Tell Me About Yourself” interview question is really quite simple, once you understand what the interviewer is looking for. You don’t want to share too much or too little. Just the right amount of information in the proper order will help you master this question. Use the below as a guide to help you…
First, state your name with confidence.
There’s something powerful when a candidate answers the question by first introducing themselves by stating their name. Not only is it powerful, but it is rememberable and this is one of the biggest goals when interviewing for a position. You don’t want to be just another candidate. Introduce yourself with confidence and this will set a positive tone for the remainder of your answer.
Next, share how your degree relates to the role you are applying for.
If you studied Marketing and are applying to a marketing role, share some classes that you loved and what you learned from them. If your degree does not directly relate, try to think of some classes that could relate or classes that taught you transferrable skills.
Then, share relevant internship experience.
Use a chronological sequence to make it as clear as possible for your interviewer. For example, my freshman year, I interned with X company as an X intern and I learned x,x, and x. During my Sophomore year, I interned with X company…. and so on. If you don’t have very many internships or worked internships somewhat unrelated to the jobs you applied for, explain what you learned through those experiences that could translate over to this role. For a more impactful answer, try to pick 1 or 2 internships you felt you learned the most from. It can be overwhelming for the interviewer if you share too much experience and especially if it seems unrelated or all over the place. Be sure to wrap up your experience with a summary of what you learned overall and this will be a good lead into the final portion of your answer.
And finally, share what makes you stand out as a candidate and why you applied for the job.
Did you study for a certification online that relates to the position you’re applying for? Do you have any other side hustles that could help you stand out like writing, podcasting, designing content, etc.? Employers want to see that you are willing to make the time commitment to something, anything that interests you. If you are able to do this outside of work, you are more likely to dedicate that same effort to your job. If you can, try to relate this skill back to why you applied in the first place. Share what interests you about that company and that particular opportunity. This is a great way to end your answer and shows the interviewer that you have a lot to offer and are committed to offering your value to that specific company.
