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Nov 8, 2024 · If you make it all about yourself, you might come across too self-absorbed or boastful. If you make it all about the company, they don’t get a chance to learn why you might be the right fit.
- Overview
- Why employers ask, "Who are you?"
- How to answer "Who are you?"
- Example answers
During an interview, an employer may ask you to share information about yourself. While these questions can feel vague, understanding what employers want to learn from you might make it easier to compose an effective answer. In this article, we explain why interviewers ask, "Who are you?" and how to answer this question, with included examples.
Employers often begin job interviews by asking you to tell them about yourself. When an interviewer asks this, they're trying to discover how your experiences relate to the position and if your traits and characteristics are a good fit.Related: "Tell Me Something Interesting About Yourself" (With 25 Examples)
Video: How to Answer “Tell Me about Yourself”: Industry-Specific Interview ResponsesHow to answer "Tell me about yourself," and how to prepare if you are trying to cater your answer to a specific industry.
1. Reflect on your experiences
When determining how best to answer general questions about yourself, consider achievements from relevant past positions and the skills you acquired in each role. This can help you develop a clear story to tell employers when they ask questions about you and it will also make it easier to connect with interviewers personally.Related: How To Introduce Yourself Professionally
2. Identify your values
Consider which values are most important to you when composing your answer. Once you understand your values, determine whether they align with the interviewing company's values and mission. For example, if you enjoy working in team settings with collaborative atmospheres, you can try to find companies that offer that type of environment.
3. Research the company
Review the job description and the company where you'll be interviewing to look for related skills and experiences to share. This allows you to offer relevant information that highlights your qualifications and helps an employer determine whether you would succeed in the open role.
Example 1
"I am a dedicated and hardworking person, and I demonstrated these traits while taking night classes for a master's program last year and working full time as a business executive simultaneously. During that time, I managed multiple commitments but delivered and performed above my expectations. Now that I've completed my degree, I'm seeking a job with more responsibilities and plan to use my strong work ethic to complete projects with a larger company."
Example 2
"I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Truly University and am a creative individual who consistently meets deadlines and is always looking for a way to tell stories from a new perspective. In college, I loved to work on challenging assignments that others avoided, even if it meant interviewing hard-to-reach subjects or writing about difficult subject matters. I won an award for an article about my experiences as a minority owning a small business in Detroit. Now that I have graduated, I'm looking for a job as a reporter where I can continue storytelling and covering important topics."
Example 3
"I'm a curious individual who asks questions to understand how processes work and find more effective solutions. When I was 10, I disassembled and reassembled my family's old computer to see how it worked. This level of curiosity has transitioned into my professional work and motivated me to create apps that help people perform daily tasks more efficiently. For instance, I recently created an app that gathers information from past grocery lists to determine when you need another item based on your average purchases. Like your organization, I want to help make consumers' lives easier through new applications."
When describing yourself in a job interview, consider your personality traits, strengths, and values. Focus on highlighting positive traits that are relevant to the job. For example: Adaptability: You can adjust to changing situations and working conditions. Problem-solving: You can identify and work through challenges efficiently.
Oct 7, 2024 · Learn how to respond when employers ask "Tell me something interesting about yourself" in a job interview, and review example answers for various roles.
Our top 20 personality based interview questions. Includes a strategy to use for these questions as well example answers you can use for inspiration...
May 22, 2024 · Wondering how to answer the tell me about yourself interview question? Check out this article for tips, tricks, and sample answers.
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Practice 20 Personal Interview Questions. Written by professional interviewers with 154 answer examples and 37 community answer examples.
