Why should employers ask the “tell me about yourself” interview question?

The “tell us something about yourself” question—or any variation of it—can be a great way to start an interview.

It allows candidates to highlight their strengths and explain how their skills align with the role while giving employers a glimpse of their personality and how they present themselves in a professional setting.

This question helps set the tone for the interview and can reveal key information about a candidate’s qualifications and fit for the position.

Here are other key benefits of asking this question during interviews:

Allow candidates to showcase their relevant experience and strengths

Asking open-ended questions throughout an interview allows candidates to speak about themselves and address various topics. You might ask tell me about a time interview questions, such as “Tell me about a time you were disappointed with a career outcome and how you dealt with that” or “Tell me about a time you succeeded at a challenging task.”

However, the “Tell me about yourself” question is even more open-ended and encourages candidates to direct the conversation.

Give candidates a chance to differentiate themselves

This open-ended question also allows candidates to differentiate themselves, which is particularly helpful when hiring for a position with technical requirements.

For example, if you’re hiring a certified accountant, you’re likely already interviewing many certified professionals. If you’re hiring a Java programmer, all the candidates can likely speak to Java skills. Asking candidates to tell you about themselves lets each person speak about experience, skills or traits unique to them—and often ones you might not have considered.

Begin with a familiar question to help the interviewee feel comfortable

The “tell me about yourself” question is often expected during the hiring process. Using it as an opener may help candidates feel at ease with a question they’re prepared to answer, potentially leading to a better, more informative interview.

Variations of “Tell me about yourself”

The main point of the “tell me about yourself” question is to give candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves, highlight their relevant experience and demonstrate how their skills align with the role.

You can also do this by asking alternative questions, such as:

• Can you walk me through your work history?

• What led you to this industry or career?

• How has your experience prepared you for this role?

• How do you see your skills aligning with this position?

• What made you interested in applying for this role?

• If you could only tell us one thing about you, what would it be?

• How would you describe your career journey so far?

• What should I know about you that I can’t find on your resume or application?

How to assess candidate answers to “tell me about yourself”

When assessing a candidate’s answer to “tell me about yourself,” consider looking for clarity, relevance and confidence. The answer should highlight key skills and achievements, demonstrate self-awareness and show enthusiasm for the role. Pay attention to how well they communicate and whether their background aligns with the position.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re evaluating candidate answers:

Compare their answer to the position’s job description

You can start by comparing the candidate’s answer with your job description. A prepared candidate will likely tell you things about themselves that are relevant to the position, even if they aren’t listed on their resume. Pay attention to how the candidate talks about their experience and skills and how they align with the job listing requirements. You might also focus on how the applicant demonstrates passion or knowledge for your industry.

For example, if you’re hiring someone for an event planner role, they might use the invitation to “Tell us about yourself” to discuss their volunteerism. This not only shows their commitment to helping and serving others but can also reveal their ability to plan and implement effective initiatives.

Consider a candidate’s communication style and capability

Open-ended questions help you learn more about how a candidate communicates and whether their style and communication skills make them a good match for your team. Some factors to consider when you’re listening to an answer to this question include:

• Does the candidate engage in back-and-forth conversation freely?

• Does the candidate create a compelling narrative? This is especially important for positions that involve storytelling, such as marketing or training roles.

• Does the person use accessible language that might be helpful and appropriate in your team environment?

• Can the applicant concisely explain their thoughts and ask follow-up questions in a calm and logical way?

Depending on the position you’re hiring for, you may want to listen for key phrases and other indications that show a candidate has the knowledge you’re looking for. While this assessment should take place during the entire interview, it often becomes more obvious in open-ended responses.

Evaluate the candidate’s comfort level and confidence when replying

Consider whether the candidate was comfortable talking about themselves and did so confidently. This can indicate they have leadership qualities and are more likely to make effective decisions when given the opportunity.

A confident answer to this question that’s tailored to your position also demonstrates preparation. Candidates who research the position and come prepared with answers to relevant questions often show a greater interest in the job compared to those who don’t. This attention to detail can indicate that an applicant is likely to put in the same level of effort in their work if hired.

Imagine the candidate working with your existing team

Using the candidate’s answer to this question, try to imagine them working daily with your current team. Given what the candidate has shared with you, how do you think they might fit in with and support your existing employees and processes?

Frequently asked questions about the tell me about yourself question

What should you do if the candidate struggles to answer your questions?

Sometimes, candidates may be unable to respond immediately to open-ended questions. Give them a few seconds to provide an answer, and if they’re struggling, you might direct the answer. You could ask something like, “What have you liked best about your career so far?”

How long should you give for the tell me about yourself job interview question?

It depends on the amount of time you have for the interview and how much conversation the answer provokes. If you ask this question, allot at least a couple of minutes to an answer to demonstrate that you care about the candidate.

What’s the best answer for “tell me about yourself”?

The answers to this question may vary depending on the candidate, but you might evaluate whether the responses seem authentic and relevant to your open position. Candidates can use this question to elaborate on their backgrounds while explaining how it applies to your company.