How To Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview

When you are job searching, you will probably have a few phone interviews, then some face-to-face interviews, and hopefully an offer at the end of it all. A big part of these job interviews is answering interview questions about yourself. This can be one of the most challenging interview questions for some, but it doesn’t have to be scary. Whether it’s an in-person or phone interview, you should always feel confident when answering interview questions about yourself. These common job interview questions are typical because they give the hiring manager insight into your skills, abilities, and characteristics. You will also likely get these same types of questions during every stage of the interviewing process – from first contact with a prospective employer to final negotiations on a contract. Knowing what to expect will help you appear relaxed, informed, and ready to wow potential employers.

Knowing What to Expect

While no job interview is exactly the same, there are certain topics that are common to all interviews. Knowing what to expect will help you feel more prepared to answer these questions and show the hiring manager that you are the best person for the job.

• Tell Me About Yourself - This is one of the most common job interview questions and is a great way for the hiring manager to get to know you as a person. It is often a way for them to see if you are a good fit for the company culture and your understanding of what the needs for their vacancy is. Pairing their need with yourself if the key to this question. If they’re looking for someone creative, energetic to solve complex problems, and a willingness to work cross-functionally (multiple teams) then this should be communicated in this answer.
• Why Are You Looking for a New Job? - This is another common question that you might be asked in any type of job interview. It is usually asked to understand if you are a good fit for the company and if you are currently happy in your current job. The question is obvious, you want to make a living. But the answer they're looking for is to challenge yourself in insert role or sector to support your career trajectory and ambitions in the space.
• Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? - This is one of the most important job interview questions that you will be asked. It is important to remember that hiring managers want to know why you left your last job, but they also want to know that you are ready to commit to a new job. Make sure to not be too honest here and never talk negatively about your previous employer. If you left for a larger compensation package then say that you left for a role that fairly compensated the value that you brought to the organization.
• Why Do You Want to Work for Us? - Another important question that you will likely be asked during a job interview is why you want to work for that specific company. This is a great chance to brag about the company and show why you want to work there.
• How Can You Help Our Company? - This is a great opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how you could be helpful to them. Be sure to do your research before the job interview so that you can confidently answer any questions they may have.

The bottom line with these common interview questions is to understand what the hiring manager is looking for. You want to show them that you are a good fit for the company and that you can be helpful in any way possible.

Tell Me About Yourself Job Interview Question

This is one of the most common job interview questions and is a great way for the hiring manager to get to know you as a person. It is often a way for them to see if you are a good fit for the company culture. This question is about you, but it can also be used to gauge how well you research the company. If you are interviewing for a position in accounting, the hiring manager may ask you to describe your job in detail. She wants to know if you really know the job or if you just memorized a canned answer. Be sure to research the company and position as much as you can before each interview. This shows the hiring manager that you are self-aware and confident in your abilities.

Why Are You Looking for a New Job?

This is another common question that you might be asked in any type of job interview. It is usually asked to understand if you are a good fit for the company and if you are currently happy in your current job. If you are currently employed, you may want to be careful how you answer this question. You don’t want to be seen as disloyal to your current employer, but you also want to make sure you don’t come off as uninterested or uninspired. If you are interviewing for a different field, you can explain that you are interested in making a career change. If you are currently employed and interviewing for a different job in the same field, you can explain that you are ready for a new challenge and that your current job no longer offers the opportunities you are seeking.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

This is one of the most important job interview questions that you will be asked. It is important to remember that hiring managers want to know why you left your last job, but they also want to know that you are ready to commit to a new job. This is a great question to ask the hiring manager because it gives you insight into the company culture and gives you a chance to brag about yourself. You should have a convincing and honest answer prepared. If you have been unemployed or underemployed for an extended period of time, you may be asked to explain what you have been doing. Be sure to have a good explanation prepared.

Why Do You Want to Work for Us?

Another important question that you will likely be asked during a job interview is why you want to work for that specific company. This is a great chance to brag about the company and show why you want to work there. At the same time, you don’t want to sound like you are completely ignoring other job offers. If you are currently interviewing with multiple companies, be sure to mention that you are interviewing with other companies as well. This shows the hiring manager that you are serious about finding a job and that you are not just interviewing at their company because you are desperate.

How Can You Help Our Company?

This is a great opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how you could be helpful to them. Be sure to do your research before the job interview so that you can confidently answer any questions they may have. You may be asked to talk about the company’s mission statement and how you can help them achieve their goals. You can also show them how your past experience makes you a good fit for the company and position.

Bottom line - The bottom line with these common interview questions is to understand what the hiring manager is looking for. You want to show them that you are a good fit for the company and that you can be helpful in any way possible.

If you are ready to land your next job, you can sign up for our job search coaching. We will help you target your resume, practice interview questions and tips for following up with hiring managers.