What is the best way to answer this interview question, "Tell me about yourself?"

[lanab]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

hobbies interested esp those that relate to job you are applying for. this is not an invitation to spill your guts but may sound like it.

When they say Tell about yourself they don't want to hear your hobbies and all that private stuff, they want to hear what you achieved as a professional and what you have done, they are not interested in YOU, they want to know if you are good to them and they can make money on you and if you will fit in their biz.

[south_east2west]

Originally Posted by 313Weather

What I will tell you is, whenever that question is asked, there's a good chance you're not getting the job.

I mean, think about it, why would they ask you to "tell me about yourself" when everything they need to know is listed in your cover letter and resume?

Translated, they basically want to know why the hell are you wasting their time when you're not hardly qualified for this position?

As manager who occasionally hire for jobs paying upwards of $100k, I have to disagree with you. I write ALL of my interview questions and "Tell me about yourself" is usually the first question I ask. Why? Because I want to break the ice but more importantly i want to hear how well an applicant speak on a subject that SHOULD be the most comfortable....them self. This questions also affords me an opportunity to see how well the candidate speak (...think oral presentation assessment). Those who fumble over this question must blow me away during the remainder of the interview to even be considered.

[south_east2west]

Originally Posted by e_cuyler

It's basically an "executive summary" of your skills and experience, and of your objective/goal.

Precisely!

[Dub D]

I've been asked this question over phone interviews. I can't imagine them asking that over the phone if they aren't interested. It's alot easier to end an interview over the phone. I tend to go over my resume in more detail. I went to xyz school. I worked at xyz for 3 years which helped me get better analytical and decision making skills. I then move forward with the next job and do the same.

I can't imagine saying something like, "i love the beach and I'm awesome at poker." I say its similar to the "What is your weakness" question. I always say drawing. I can't draw a straight line. It's something somewhat major but its completely unrelated to my field. I can't remember anyone saying, "please refer to something to your field."

[ragnarkar]

Simple. Even if the interviewer isn't directly or consciously asking it, he/she wants to hear your "Pitch" whenever this question is asked (usually at the beginning.)