How to answer "Tell me about yourself"

Why do interviewers ask "Tell me about yourself"?

The question "Tell me about yourself" is common at the beginning of an interview, acting as an icebreaker or orienting question. It may surprise you with its apparent vagueness, breadth, and cunning. However, understanding the why behind this question (often posed as an order) will give you a clear perspective on how to respond.
Interviewers ask this to help you overcome initial nerves (which both of you feel) and delve into why you're there. It's their way of driving the interview, as it shows them how you summarize your experience and demonstrate its relevance to the position you're applying for, which in turn tells them what to ask next. Your answer must be relevant; the interviewer probably isn't interested in your hobbies but what background, skills, qualifications, and experiences have led you to this interview today.

Different ways to ask the same question

There are numerous ways this question can be asked, but they all express the same intent on the part of the interviewer, so they should all be answered in more or less the same way. Some variants might be:

"What brings you here today?"
"Describe yourself."
"Walk me through your resume."
"Tell me about your career path."

How to answer "Tell me about yourself" in an interview:

Choose the Starting Point
Your goal when answering "tell me about yourself" is to offer a brief and concise tour of your professional history that shows parts of your relevant experience. The first thing you should decide is where you will start the story. You can start at a point in the past and end in your current situation.
If you're a recent graduate: Start with the fact that you graduated recently, and explain why you chose this career or field of study.

If you have several years of experience, you don't need much detail from long ago, but a brief review that connects you with your current search.

Highlight Achievements and Impressive Milestones.

Highlight the most important moments of your career, such as acquired skills or career changes, if you received a promotion, achieved something significant, took on leadership roles.
You can discuss details, but the most important thing is how these achievements relate to your current search.

Close the answer by telling how your current situation is.

The best way to finish your story is by talking about your current situation and why you wanted to apply for this job
For example, you might finish your answer by saying:
"...and that's why I wanted to have an interview with your company. It seems like a great opportunity to advance in what I'm looking for my career, and I think I could be of great help to the company's search."

Personalize your answer and be concise

Don't forget to research the company before going to the interview. Your answer must be adapted according to the job description and its needs and the characteristics of the company.
Try to talk about experiences and qualifications that are relevant to the job you have applied for and that relate as much as possible to what the company may value.
Keep your answer related to work issues, at this point it is not important to talk about hobbies or personal tastes.
Remember to be concise, the answer should last approximately 120 seconds. Try not to be very poor in the answer, but also not to elaborate much more as it will take time from other questions.

Practice Your Answer

It's important to always practice your answers before an interview. No matter how well you know your experience, nothing comes out as planned, so the only alternative is to practice and be prepared.
Don't hesitate to prepare a document with your answers to interview questions and have it evolve as your career progresses and you find which answers you're most comfortable with.

Examples of answers to “Tell me about yourself”:

Example answer for candidates with no experience

"I recently graduated from the Marketing program at the University of Salamanca. I decided to study this career because since I was a child I was curious about how companies spread their brand and products and generate mass consumption. During my studies, I was able to do some internships designing sustainable strategies for the dissemination of new products. That's why I believe I can bring a lot of attitude to your company, and joining will be a big step in my career that is just beginning."

Example answer for candidates with experience

"I graduated with a degree in Systems Engineering in 2015, and immediately started working in a Software development company as a Junior Developer. I was able to collaborate for over x years on different projects, gradually becoming a Senior Developer.
At that moment and to take a leap in my career, I decided to take on a new challenge in one of the most important Product companies in the region. There I stayed for over 4 years in different leadership positions, and recently decided that it's a good time to pivot my career in search of financial companies where I have interests that connect me much more with the industry. That's why I'm conducting this search with you."

Guide to Creating a Curriculum Vitae

Definitive Guide to Interview Questions and Answers

The rise of remote work in marketing positions

Leer "Cómo responder a "Cuéntame sobre ti"" en Español