Tell Me About Yourself: How To Answer and Top Sample Answers

Introduction: Tell Me About Yourself

Have you been asked to interview for a position in accounting or finance? Do you want to know how to respond to this challenging question? i. e. Tell Me About Yourself

Perhaps you are considering a position in banking or customer service and need assistance in summarizing all your fantastic experience. Then continue reading to find out how to respond like a pro and where to receive professional sample answers for any role or level, from sales to accounting.

As a result, when you get to the interview, you’re put on the spot. All eyes are on you when the interviewer poses the following opening query: Tell Me About Yourself

Okay, you reason, this is a wonderful open-ended question and should be simple, so you start into a ten-minute rambling monologue in which you describe every aspect of your life since the day you were born, down to your favorite pastimes and the name of your cat.

Although you are quite proud of yourself, there’s a potential that one answer cost you the job.

You can come across as unprepared, unable of summarizing, and lacking in concentration and direction to the interviewer.

Many interviewers, in my experience as an interview coach, give awful answers to this question, but in reality, I think this is a fantastic time for you to truly sell yourself and leave a lasting impression. What goes wrong, then?

“If the topic is asked early in the interview, the interviewer is interested in learning about your previous work experience and your strengths. In fact, it’s possible that they haven’t had a chance to read your CV and want you to assist them summarize it.”

How to Win Jobs with a Great Answer to “Tell Me About Yourself”

The reason why this interview question is so frequently asked is that it is an excellent one. This initial question enables the candidate to speak about a topic they are familiar with, i.e., themselves, which helps them feel more at ease. Additionally, it provides the interviewer with a ton of information in a brief period of time.

Additionally, it is used to assess a candidate’s communication skills.

It is a test of your ability to summarize, organize, and self-analyze so that you can convey the most crucial information in a brief amount of time.

Even though it could sound challenging, this is a terrific question for you as the candidate. No matter the industry or position, whether it be in banking, accounting, customer service, or finance, if you do it well, you might land the job.

Why Companies Ask the Tell Me About Yourself Question in Interviews

Your interviewers must begin somewhere, and this is a fantastically broad question that is the ideal approach to do it. You cannot simply respond with a yes or no because it is an open-ended inquiry; you must speak instead.

They might not have had enough time to thoroughly evaluate your resume, portfolio, or application, in which case this question is asking you to provide a summary.

These are the main justifications given for this interview question.

• Good interview start

They must begin somewhere, and this excellent open-ended question is the ideal way to initiate the interview. You must speak in response; you cannot simply say “yes” or “no.”

• Promotes relaxation

The interview question “Tell me about yourself” is an excellent ice breaker because it makes you feel comfortable and gets the conversation going. It is a question that you should have well prepared for and be able to answer confidently and effectively. Getting off to a strong start might ease interview anxiety.

• They failed to review your portfolio or resume.

They might not have had enough time to thoroughly analyze your resume, portfolio, or application, therefore this question is asking you to provide them with a summary. Even if they ask for a CV walkthrough, as you shall see below, don’t do it. This lesson will help you get your response perfect and ace that finance or accounting job offer because this is a genuine selling chance.

• They want to learn more about you

They need to know right away if you are the proper fit for the position. Your response will provide them with a high degree of interviewer; if you say the correct things, they will be interested and energized and want to hear more.

• It evaluates your communication abilities.

It is also used to assess your communication skills. For jobs in customer service, for instance, communication is a crucial ability. They’ll want to hear a succinct, impactful response that relates to the job and amply conveys your background and qualifications.

Additional Methods for Asking This Question

If the “tell me about yourself” questions are phrased differently, do not be startled. Employers may attempt to surprise you off guard by using a variant since they know you’ve practiced.

• Please go over your resume or CV with us.
• More about you, please.
• Describe your portfolio to us.
• Share with us a fact about yourself that isn’t listed on your application.
• What would you say about yourself?

No matter what, you will always respond with the same response. Regardless of how they word the question, you can present it with ease if you prepare it and practice it.

Rules for How to Respond to “Tell Me About Yourself”

1. Steer clear of personal questions and answers. Many applicants make the error of believing that the interviewer is interested in learning about their personal relationships, families, children, interests, and hobbies. In an interview, the employer has little interest in these and they almost always result in failure. They want to know about your work, your career, and your abilities.

2. Avoid giving a dull CV walkthrough: Simply put, this will probably turn into a monotonous monologue and demonstrates a lack of creativity and communication abilities. Use one of our methods to organize your response, even if the question is, “Talk us through your CV.” By doing so, you will direct the conversation’s flow and focus and project an air of authority and professionalism. The interviewer may then request more information on any topic.

3. Prepare and practice: It is important to take the time to craft a strong response before practicing it until you can deliver it fluently and with assurance. It is crucial because a strong response can create a favorable tone for the remainder of the interview, but a weak one can be very challenging to overcome.

4. Appropriate structure: The interviewer should be able to readily follow your answer if it has a correct structure and a smooth flow. Your most important points should be communicated clearly and briefly, ideally in a span of 2 to 5 minutes. Strong, pertinent, and concise material is required.

How long should your response to my question about yourself be?

As a general rule, try for an answer that lasts around two minutes. We have discovered that some industries, such as government, banking, and finance, especially at the top levels, will demand more and occasionally allot up to five minutes.

A monologue must be avoided at all costs.

Make a lengthy version that lasts for five minutes, then make a shorter version that lasts for two minutes. If asked for the longer extended response after delivering the shorter virion, you already have the information.

Use This Trick to Get the Tell Me About Yourself Question Right

Here is one that we think is excellent for your question.

It is perfect for all industries, not just those like banking, finance, or accounting.

You must create a brief advertisement for yourself in advance, and you should utilize the ICAAN+ formula to assist organize your response: Introduction, Professional Background, Accomplishments, Personal Qualities, and Next.

INTRODUCTION: Include your name, occupation, education, current job title or area of specialization, number of years of experience, and companies you’ve worked for in your introduction.

CAREER: Describe your professional history, including your current position, previous positions, responsibilities, and experience.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Now that you’ve described your work path, it’s time to call attention to your major accomplishments. Maximum three per person; make sure they are the ones most pertinent to the position you are pursuing.

QUALIFICATIONS: Describe your primary talents and strengths. Review the job description and the list of required competencies, and make sure to utilize the same terminology in your response. Your response should include some of these.

UP NEXT: Please include a brief summary of your motivation for applying and why you believe this is the best opportunity for you to advance your career.

PERSONAL: Feel free to add a single phrase transmitting some piece of personal information, possibly stating interests or hobbies, if time permits and depending on the role and level. It is a gentler, more human way to conclude the inquiry, and it is especially helpful if it is pertinent to the position.

Tell Me a Little About You A sample response regarding the role of finance and accounting

Here is a portion of a sample response for a candidate being interviewed for a manager-level position in finance and accounting. This template is excellent for any role, such as accounting or banking:

Introduction: James Smith* is my name, and good morning. I have six years of post-qualification experience working in the pharmaceutical business and am a certified accountant. (Expand)

Career: I previously held the position of assistant accountant at Glaxo Smith Klein, and I have spent the last four years working at Pfizer, where my most recent position is Project Accountant.(Expand)

I successfully oversee the daily operations of the project finance function, which includes supervising 8 qualified part-time employees.(Expand)

Achievements: To start, I recently implemented a new financial management system, which helped the company save over £500,000 in the first year.(Expand and go through at least 3 major accomplishments.)

Characteristics: I bring a variety of important strengths, such as my attention to detail, my ability to complete significant tasks on time, and my enthusiasm for working with intricate financial data.(Expand, and once more, with supporting data, we recommend three essential strengths pertinent to the position.

Next: Moving ahead I’ll be working in a demanding finance position in this sector, and I’ve deliberately picked your company. I just met your staff at a conference, and I was quite impressed with their work ethic and how well their ideals matched mine. Additionally, it is the best decision for my career because… (expand)

3 Errors to Avoid When Responding to Tell Me About Yourself Questions

With our coaching clients, we frequently observe these 3 errors:

Lack of focus: Talking too much is the main mistake. It can be challenging for senior applicants in particular to summarize a successful career to date. They frequently begin at the beginning and work their way through, which is improper. Concentrate, keep it current, and make sure the main things you discuss are appropriate for the position in question.

Don’t undersell yourself: Resist the urge to be modest about your accomplishments. Tell them about anything amazing you’ve accomplished. They might not notice it while it’s on your CV, and they might not question you about it. Selling yourself and demonstrating your accomplishments in previous jobs or tasks, both within and outside of the workplace, is a fantastic idea.

Too much personal information: The focus here should be on your ability to perform the job, so stay away from disclosing too much about your personal life, interests, or hobbies. Useless time should not be spent on anything unless it is important to the job.

You may also be interested in… Complete 50 Common Interview Question

Why These Typical Responses Work

As you can see from these responses, we have answered the capability, commitment, and compatibility criteria. The essential phrases that make this a good response are emphasized above.

Please be aware that these are condensed versions of optimal responses.
To fully sell yourself and your abilities, you will need to elaborate on your responses.

When you have finished speaking, inquire as to whether there are any particular topics you would like me to cover in more detail. alternatively, “Would you like me to elaborate on any of my accomplishments?”

We would anticipate the interviewer to ask more questions even if there was no cue. Be prepared with your responses, and use the STAR formula—which you can learn more about here—to organize them.

Online Courses for Job Interview

Conclusion

In summary, when asked the common job interview question, “Tell me about yourself,” I would present a concise and impactful response that highlights my professional background, skills, and aspirations. With a warm introduction, I would mention my name and background, emphasizing relevant qualifications and achievements. Furthermore, I would outline my educational background and any significant experiences that have shaped my career.

I would then proceed to discuss my key strengths and skills, aligning them with the requirements of the position. Additionally, I would emphasize my ability to work effectively as part of a team and my strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

To demonstrate my dedication to personal growth and development, I would discuss my interest in learning and continuous improvement. Moreover, I would express my passion for the industry and the company’s mission, showcasing my commitment to contributing to their success.

Finally, I would conclude by expressing my enthusiasm for the opportunity to be a part of the team and contribute my talents to the organization’s growth. This response would aim to leave a positive and lasting impression, demonstrating my suitability for the position and my potential as a valuable asset to the company.