It’s the job interview segment that manages to catch even the seasoned veterans by surprise. No, it’s not negotiating salary. Not the “what are your weaknesses” question.
It’s that apparently innocent first sentence: “Tell me about yourself.”
Uttered with a smile, usually in a casual manner, it may appear to be mere small talk. However, to a potential employer, it’s anything but.
Behind those four words lies a high-stakes litmus test. One that is strong enough to set the tone for the rest of the interview, and in some cases determine whether it’s a quick conversation or the beginning of a career-altering pitch.
An Urge To Learn
“Tell me about yourself” can be an unnecessary question, but it’s a calculated icebreaker, states employment veteran William Vanderbloemen. He should know, having interviewed more than 30,000 job applicants during his career.
As CEO of the Houston executive search company Vanderbloemen Search Group, Vanderbloemen has honed the skill of talent assessment over the years.
He’s even written several books on hiring and leadership, including a new title, Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest.
To Vanderbloemen, this single question says a great deal not only about a person’s work history but also about self-awareness, communication skills, and whether or not they’ve done their research.
“When you’re interviewing for a job, you’re marketing yourself,” he states. “The most effective advertising is that which tells the truth. It’s brief and it’s interesting.”
And suppose you mess up on this piece? Don’t expect the interviewer to stick around for the remainder of your presentation.
Why This Question Trips People Up
So why is something so basic catching individuals off guard?
There’s a psychological element to it. You’re facing (or Zooming with) someone who has the power to change your life, and they’re instructing you to sell yourself without really providing you with any guidance.
Is it your life? Resume? Your childhood? Do you start with college and take them through your entire career?
Nine times out of ten, candidates get nervous and either over-elaborate, turning the interview into a life story, or under-answer, providing a lukewarm and forgettable answer like, “Well, I’ve always liked working with people…” Both are missed opportunities.
The Secret: Think Elevator Pitch, Not Life Story
Vanderbloemen recommends making this your mini elevator pitch, your brief, compelling overview of who you are, why you’re qualified, and what motivates you.
The equation, in his view, is fairly straightforward:
- One of your greatest strengths
- Indeed, a particular past example that shows it
- Why do you want this particular job?
Let’s suppose that you are interviewing for a software developer role at a fast-growing startup company. You can respond in this way:
“Right now in my career, I’ve come to understand that I really enjoy working in fast, nimble cultures. I despise sitting around and repeating the same thing on a daily basis. I experiment even with my own time off. One thing I appreciate about your firm is that you’re in hockey-stick-level growth right now. I’m excited to be a part of that, to learn as we go, and to enable other teams’ work wherever I can.”
Quick, customized, intense. That’s the way it becomes unforgettable. This kind of response also shows cultural fit. You’re not just qualified, you’re also attuned to the pace, mindset, and concerns of the company.
Self-awareness is the Actual Superpower
One of the most overlooked dimensions of this disparity is that it’s a test of self-awareness. And that, Vanderbloemen insists, is what separates the good from the great.
“When I ask the candidates to tell me about themselves, I’m looking for self-awareness,” he says. “The standout candidates are the ones who also tell me where their strengths lie, the kind of work they find they get excited about.”
Translation? Don’t just summarize your resume. Make a differentiation between what you do best, why you do it, and where it fits within the company’s job description or mission.
Here is an example for a human resource manager’s job:
“I’ve always been drawn to roles where I get to engage with people on a more individual basis. At my last company, I championed an unofficial mentorship program for new hires, and that actually paid off in the form of a 20% reduced turnover. I love building trust between groups, and I’m especially looking forward to the employee-centric culture you have here.”
It is less a matter of what you say, but rather how you clearly understand your own motivations and how you link them with the goals of the employer. Personalize each answer to each question.
And if you’re saying, “Fine, I’ll just learn one killer pitch and pitch it everywhere,” wait. One-size-fits-all solutions? Hiring managers can see them a mile away.
Your response needs to always be role- and company-specific. That means conducting your research: Read the job description carefully, familiarize yourself with the company’s values, and tailor your response accordingly.
Call it demonstrating, not telling, that you truly do want this position. Not merely a position.
“If you can tell the interviewer about why you’re wired the way you are, and how that will meet the demands of the job,” Vanderbloemen says, “you’ll blow them away.”
What To Avoid Like the Plague
Okay, so what not to do? Let’s start with the obvious.
- Don’t ramble – Shoot for 60-90 seconds. Anything more than that, and you’ll lose the interviewer’s attention (and patience).
- Skip personal life details – Unless it’s absolutely relevant to your working life, nobody has to know what you did over the weekend or what your dog’s name is.
- Don’t simply read your résumé – They’ve already seen it. Give them the “why” behind the bullet points.
And the biggest red flag of them all, perhaps?
- Vagueness – Answers like “I just enjoy working in groups” or “I’m a hard worker” without examples or context are interview quicksand. You’ll sink fast and won’t be remembered, at least not positively.
Nervous? Practice it Like a Monologue
It might sound odd to practice your “tell me about yourself” speech in front of the mirror, yet trust us, it is well worth it. It’s to approach your work life as if it were a scripted trailer of the film that is your career. You don’t want to improvise whenever there is much at stake.
If you’re especially anxious, put it in writing. Record yourself reading it. Practice with a friend. Get feedback. Edit. Your goal is not to be robotic, but rather to speak in the kind of confident, natural voice that only comes from being thoroughly prepared.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
Here’s the truth: The majority of interviewers decide in the first few minutes if a candidate seems good or not.
That’s why your answer to “Tell me about yourself” may well be the one that swings the balance in your direction, or shuts the door on you entirely.
Hiring managers like Vanderbloemen aren’t merely hearing what you say. They’re gauging your energy, your enthusiasm, and your ability to speak clearly when you’re under stress.
They are wondering about things that are important to the company. Does this individual know what they are good at? Are they able to communicate well? Do they really appear enthusiastic about this position?
Get this bit right, and the interview is a doddle from here on in. Squander it, and you’re on the back foot for the remainder of the interview.
A Final Word From the Hiring Pro
If all of this is too much, take a deep breath. Vanderbloemen’s final words of advice are beautifully simple: “Be honest. Be brief. Be you, at your best.”
Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Don’t just wing it. You’re the product. This is your 90-second commercial. Make it count.
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