Building responses to tough interview questions: ‘So, tell me about yourself...’

No matter how well you prepare for an upcoming interview you can never be certain which questions will be thrown your way. Even if you spend hours inspecting your potential new employer’s website, research every minuscule detail of the company’s history, and reread the job description for the hundredth time there is often a chance that you’ll be thrown a curveball question.

But there are some generic questions you can guarantee will come up, and preparing a solid answer to these will help you build a strong first impression. The very first of these will most likely be...

“So, tell me about yourself…”

If you haven’t considered preparing an answer to this seemingly simple question, it is easy to fall into a linear ramble about what you’ve been doing with the past few years of your life without giving it a coherent structure designed to impress your interviewer.

Avoid the temptation to simply list off your previous jobs. You can expect the interviewer to have a copy of your CV in front of them, so running through your employment history is just reiterating what they already know about you. Instead tell them about what experiences you gained and skills you have acquired from each relevant role, and how in turn you can apply these to the role at hand.

From the interviewer's point of view, they are asking this question to determine if you are going to be a good fit for the role and the company, so take it as an opportunity to show your compatibility and passion for the job and that you have researched the position you are applying for.

It is also tempting to talk about your personal interests which should only be approached if it provides some relevance to the employer. As exciting as your recent summer holiday might have been, it doesn’t provide the interviewer with any information that deciphers your potential to do the job.

However if you have been teaching yourself a new language, learning first aid, or attending an evening course, as examples, these show to an employer that you are an active learner who strives to better themselves even if not directly related to their industry.

When you feel you have adequately summed up your history and experience, bring the answer to a close with a statement such as “I am ready to transfer these skills to a role such as this one and take on a new set of challenges.”

The key to successfully answering this question is to give it structure and purpose without overthinking. Keep your response concise and the information you give relevant to the employer and the role.

For expert advice from the recruitment specialists on any aspect of your career, email consultants@1strecruit.co.uk or call 01534 875444.