If you, like me, have done a bunch of interviewing lately, then you’re probably familiar with my least favorite interview question of all time: “Tell me about yourself.”
How could I possibly provide an overview of my entire professional life, highlight the attributes that make me a good fit for the job, and come across as personable—all in three minutes or less?
However, I have also done some hiring, and I have to admit, I’ve asked candidates this very question. Because it’s so open-ended, you can really learn a lot about the applicant by the way he or she answers it. And, because it generally comes at the beginning of the interview, a candidate’s answer will often shape the rest of our conversation—for better or for worse.
During my recent job search, I put together a process for answering this question in a way that set me up for success. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a confident opener the next time you step into an interview.