This document provides guidance on how to structure your response to the common interview question "Tell Me About Yourself". It recommends following a past, present, future structure:
- Present: Discuss your current role, responsibilities, and recent accomplishments.
- Past: Explain your relevant experience and qualifications that make you a good fit for the role.
- Future: Express your interest in the role and company, and how you can contribute going forward.
It includes sample answers demonstrating this structure and format. Additional tips are provided on answering questions about why you want the job and why you are the right candidate.
1. Tell Me About Yourself
simple and effective formula for structuring your response: present, past, future.
Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and perhaps
a big recent accomplishment.
Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention previous experience
that’s relevant to the job and company you’re applying for.
Future: Segue into what you’re looking to do next and why you’re interested in this
gig (and a great fit for it, too).
SAMPLE
I've been in the marketing industry for over five years, primarily working in account
and project management roles. I most recently worked as a senior PM for a large
tech company managing large marketing campaigns and overseeing other project
managers. And now I'm looking to expand my experience across different
industries, particularly fintech, which is why I'm so interested in joining an agency
like yours.
I've always enjoyed writing and public speaking, even going back to high school. This led me
to pursue writing-related passions, for example in college, where I was an editor for our
school newspaper. In addition to writing, I got to learn how to manage a team and the
writing process. After college, I took a job at Acme as a social media manager, writing copy
and social content for the company blog, but I raised my hand to work on the
communications plan for a product launch which is where I discovered my interest in
product marketing. After switching to a product marketing role and managing the two most
successful new product launches last year, I realized I'm excited to take on a new role. I've
learned I work best on products that I love and use, and given that I'm a big user of your
company’s products I jumped at the chance to apply when I saw the open posting.
how to answer why do you want this job sample answer
2. A good way to brainstorm this question is to fill in the following blanks: “Working for you
would give me the opportunity to build upon my experience and skills in ___, ___, and ___
as part of what I know would be a really inspiring and rewarding environment, based upon
what I’ve heard about your company.”
This job is a good fit for what I've been doing and enjoying throughout my career. It offers a
mix of short-term projects and long-term goals. My organizational skills allow me to
successfully multitask and complete both kinds of projects.
how to answer why do you want think you are the right candidate sample answer
I am a self-motivated person who is willing to go above and beyond on any project, and to
learn valuable skills on my own time. For example, I taught myself five computer
programming languages in college, simply out of a passion to learn how to code. I know you
are looking for a self-motivated computer technician with both skills and passion, and I am
that person.
“Honestly, I possess all the skills and experience that you’re looking for. I’m pretty
confident that I am the best candidate for this job role.
It’s not just my background in the past projects, but also my people skills, which will be
applicable in this position.
On the other hand, I am a self motivated person and I try to exceed my superior’s
expectations with high-quality work. Being a fast learner, I quickly pick up business
knowledge related to my project.
Lastly, I would like to add that I work well both as an individual contributor and also as a
team member.
Collectively, all these skills put together makes me a complete package for this job.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to get interviewed at such a renowned company.
Your organization will surely prove to be an excellent platform for me to establish my skills
and knowledge in the corporate world.
Even though I am a fresher, I assure you that I will give my best and work to my full
potential so that I can contribute as much as I can towards the growth and welfare of this
great brand.”
3. how to answer how trustworthy are you sample answer
1. Keep your word
If you want to establish a solidreputation you must deliver on your promises.Without excuses
and without a changeof conditions,let your yes be a yesand where your convictions demand it,
let your no be a no.
2. Keep your commitments
If you say you’regoing to besomewhere at 11am, bethere at 11am.Ifyou think you’re going to
be late or suspect your prior appointment mightrun over,be sure to notify.Being on timeand
where you sayyou’regoing to besays a lotaboutthe character ofa business.Letting people
down by failing to show up or byhaving littleregard for another’s time is a surefireway to
damageyour reputation.
3. Pay attention to your environment
Your environment leaves clues about your identity and you can’t afford to be messy, unkempt
and unprepared. Organisation and cleanliness speaks volumesaboutintegrity,not justtowards
other people,but to yourselves asa company. The entire world is a spectator andit paysto put
your best foot forward at all times.
4. Stay focused
It’s easy to get tempted by distractions and other opportunities screaming for attention, but it’s
important to stay focused on what’s honestand true. If you’re on a job,you stayfocused on that
job until you seethe result you want.Putting your all into something draws admirers.
5. Surround yourselfwith honest people
Surrounding yourself withpeople offering solidcharacter anda positive attitudeis crucial for your
company’s integrity as a whole. The people youemploy should not only behighlyrespected in
their field,but offer great influence to theothers around them.Surrounding yourselfwith honest
people allows integrity to permeate theair.
7. Take responsibility
Everyone makesmistakes and this is true in both personal and professional life.Showing integrity
means admitting to these mistakesand notbeing afraid to say, “I’msorry, Igot that wrong”.
Words can be powerful,but only if youback them up with actions,so to be integrous,you must
work to prove your remorse.
8. Respect your employees