How To Answer the Tell Me About YourselfInterview Question

Tell Me Something About Yourself

Almost all interviews start with this question. The tell me about yourself question is really importantsince it allows you to guide the interview. Guiding the interview means making the interviewers ask youquestions which you want to be asked thereby increasing the chances of success in the interview. Themain objective of this question is usually to break the ice. You can and should use it to your advantage.Most people answer this question by rattling o their resume. You can better use this question bytelling the interviewer some specic personal attributes which are not listed in your resume or thingswhich you are good at and want the interviewer to probe more about.

First, lets start with the non-ideal answer to the tell me about yourself question.

Non Ideal Answer: My name is Ram Kumar. I was born in Delhi and grew up there. I did mygraduation at Delhi College of Engineering in the Computer Science stream. I passed my course withDistinction. Then I joined IBM Software Labs in Bangalore where I was working on the Andrew FileSystem for two years. I then moved back to Delhi to join a startup called Gohigh which is in the traveldomain. I am still working there. In my spare time, I like to listen to music, read history books andwatch movies. I am also a part of an NGO

This answer doesnt give the interviewer any new information he can read this in your resume. Thisalso leaves a chance for the candidate to guide the interview. Now, heres a better way to answer thisquestion.

Good Answer to Tell me about yourself

I am Ram Kumar, a Computer Science graduate from Delhi College of Engineering Delhi. I like to usemy analytical abilities to develop world class products in the travel domain. When I am not working, Ilike to read ancient Indian history since I am intrigued by the stories of brilliant minds like Chanakya.I also like to give back to society and am an active member of an NGO through which we teachunderprivileged kids on weekends.

In the rst case, the professor can ask Ram any question, either what is in his resume or aboutsome topic in the professors mind which Ram may or may not know about. In the second case,because Ram has made some intriguing statements, the professor is more likely to ask Ramabout his strengths like the world class travel product he has developed, some specic topicson ancient Indian history or on his work with his NGO. This are areas which Ram is good at andcan answer well, thereby increasing the chances of his success in the interview.

Ensure you prepare the Tell me about yourself answer well as it could be a major factor indeciding your success in the interview.

You may want to check out more sample answers to the tell me about yourself interviewquestion which are specic to your experience and work-stream.

Another important question asked in all MBA interviews which you absolutely must prepare for isthe Why MBA? Question.

We recommend that you also read up on learning to handle stress interviews.

Continue reading more MBA Tips for Indian B-Schools at http://mbaclub.in

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7 thoughts on How To Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question

EPGE by IIMCalcutta

Global Economics ExecutiveProgram by e-learning &

Campus Visit @ IIMC

i like this..

rakeshJuly 8, 2013 at 4:27 pm

Very useful points. I came across another good article on this same topic titled Best Answer to Tell mesomething about yourself question.

AditiJuly 21, 2013 at 12:43 am

51 6

sir/madam,i am fresher and preparing for MBA GD/PI,can u please suggest me what are points that wehave include in TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF,i have little confusion apart from academics,what i have toadd,please reply me ASAP

Hi Sreenath,

This article will help you prepare the answer to the tell me about yourself question from the point ofview of a fresher.

sreenath choppaJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:54 pm

adminDecember 26, 2014 at 10:32 am

Postauthor

It makes our condence level best

payalDecember 24, 2014 at 6:43 pm

sir/madam,i am preparing for MBA GD/PI,can u please suggest me what are points that we haveinclude in TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF,i have little confusion apart from academics,what i have toadd,please reply me ASAP

sagayarani.A.SFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:19 pm

adminFebruary 25, 2015 at 10:04 pm

Postauthor

Hi Sagayarani,Apart from academics, you should include your achievements or any hobby or interest that you aredeeply passionate about and which you can answer detailed questions on.