Ken Chase 
Here's how to answer one of the most commonly asked interview questions with confidence.
Sometimes, the simplest interview questions can be the most difficult to answer. For example, how are you supposed to answer when an interviewer asks you to talk about yourself? While that might seem like an easy interview question, it's vital that you know how to answer the “tell me about yourself” question in a way that makes the right sort of impression on that interviewer.
What does the interviewer really want to know?
Typically, this is one of the first questions that you'll hear during your interview – and for good reason. It's a seemingly simple question that can help break the ice and set the stage for a more productive meeting. That's important since the interviewer will want to get a sense of who you are so they know which types of questions they need to ask during the rest of the interview.
To make the right impression, you need to know how to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question in a professional manner. Every employer will want to see you express confidence, of course. They'll also want to hear a message that focuses on you as a professional.
Related reading: Learn How to Answer Interview Questions with the STAR Method
How to answer the “tell me about yourself” interview question
The best way to prepare an answer to the “tell me about yourself” interview question is to create a brief 30-60-second elevator pitch. The following tips can help you to craft that introductory message.
1. Align your answer with the job role
When employers ask you to tell them about yourself, they're really asking you to explain how your skills and experience align with the company's needs. Make sure that you take the time to research the job role so that you can create an answer that demonstrates your potential value as a new hire.
Related reading: What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)
2. Be professional
No interviewer wants to hear you talk about your personal life, so always keep a tight focus on your professional identity. You can describe your notable achievements, why you're passionate about your career, and even your longer-term goals and aspirations.
Related reading: How to Advance Your Career (plus 10 Insightful Tips)
3. Highlight your experience and core strengths
As you research the job to create a response, focus on matching your experiences and core skills to the position. That will help you better highlight those strengths and relevant experiences in your answer. Remember, your goal is to convince the interviewer that you can add real value to the company if they hire you.
Related reading: 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks
4. Make sure that your response is structured
When you're trying to figure out how to answer the “tell me about yourself” question, it's helpful to simplify the process by using a structured approach. You can easily divide your answer into separate parts that all contribute to a clear narrative about you as a professional.
Start by briefly detailing your professional history. Then, mention your most recent role and achievements. Finally, explain your future goals. You can also end the answer with a question to the interviewer – perhaps asking them how your work style and goals might fit within the company's broader culture.
Related reading: How to Create an Effective STAR Method Resume (With Examples)
5. Differentiate yourself from rival job candidates
Above all else, make sure that your prepared elevator pitch response to this question is unique enough to help you stand out from other candidates. A great answer to this seemingly simple question can help the interviewer walk away with a better understanding of who you are as a potential employee.
Learn how to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question to get better interview results
Prepare your response to “Tell me about yourself” carefully since it's likely to be one of the first questions you hear during an interview. Your response is going to set the tone for the rest of the interview process. Learning how to answer the “tell me about yourself” question can help shine a light on your strengths and improve your odds of landing that dream job.
Need to make sure that your resume is ready for prime time? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today!
This article was originally written by Heather Rothbauer-Wanish in 2021. It was updated by Ken Chase in November 2024.