interview question: tell me about yourself

[strive01]

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what is the best way to answer the "tell me about yourself" question? there is just so much you can say

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

are you serious? this is the easiest interview question. if you can't talk about yourself in an interview you're going to struggle.

"i was born in X. i grew up in Y. i did this, this, and this growing up. i have Z number of brothers and sisters. my parents blah blah blah. i went to University of Stupid and studied blank before i realized i needed to blehhh"

and DONT ramble.

 

[DoctorJDO]

 

[PremedGunner]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential ... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament ... My childhood was typical: summers in Rangoon ... luge lessons ... In the spring, we'd make meat helmets ... When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds — pretty standard, really. At the age of 12, I received my first scribe. At the age of 14, a Zoroastrian named Vilmer ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum — it's breathtaking ... I suggest you try it.

 

[Ursa]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential ... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament ... My childhood was typical: summers in Rangoon ... luge lessons ... In the spring, we'd make meat helmets ... When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds — pretty standard, really. At the age of 12, I received my first scribe. At the age of 14, a Zoroastrian named Vilmer ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum — it's breathtaking ... I suggest you try it.

This is called trying WAY too hard

 

[DoctaFuture]

I know at first you might be like "wtf where do I start." But it's alright just think for a little bit key things about yourself. Where you were born, maybe a little about family, where you went to college and when you graduated, some things about your personality. not sure if you should talk about the family b/c the interviewers might want to already ask that.

 

[Catalystik]

This is a common question to break the ice and help an interviewee feel at ease. You can't get it wrong. You can rehash your primary statement or CV, give a mini-autobiography, talk about what's exciting in your life, fit in why this area, city, or school are important to you. It doesn't matter as you are articulate. Areas you mention may possibly be a springboard to further questions.

 

[280224]

It's a really simple question. Mention some interesting hobbies or activities that you like to do and maybe your interviewer will ask you more about those things. Then you can burn some time off the interview clock talking about something you actually like! That's what I tried to do at least.

 

[circulus vitios]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.

edit: Son of a bitch! Someone beat me to it.

 

[Isoprop]

I hate this question too.

 

[wanderer]

This question is usually asked if it's a closed file interview, or an open-file interview where the interviewer didn't get the chance to read your app or got a very poor understanding of what you are like. Just give them a brief overview of who you are, and what is present in your application. Don't give them too much info as it makes it harder to ask follow up questions. Also, this isn't a question that makes or breaks the rest of the interview so just relax and keep that in mind if you are asked.

 

[VikingLegacy]

baleeted

 

[planktonelement]

I had a really unsettling experience with this question. I got asked this in an interview and proceeded to go on a 12-minute-long, uninterrupted monologue about myself. I started off with the standard stuff that interviewers can latch onto, but the interviewer just wouldn't engage with me, so I resorted to telling my life story (people, places, lessons learned, etc). I tried to create openings in the conversation, but she just resisted with all of her might. So.... the point I'm trying to make is that it might be wise to have a lengthy answer prepared just in case the interviewer decides to really let you tell them about yourself.

 

[MightyMoose]

This is a common question to break the ice and help an interviewee feel at ease. You can't get it wrong. You can rehash your primary statement or CV, give a mini-autobiography, talk about what's exciting in your life, fit in why this area, city, or school are important to you. It doesn't matter as you are articulate. Areas you mention may possibly be a springboard to further questions.

So true. This is your opportunity to begin to steer the interview.


OP, I would always just think, "Ok, how did I end up in this seat..." then I would talk about it. I always kept mine about how I ended up interested in medicine, pursued medicine, then some brief highlights relating those to the school I was at, as Catalystik mentioned.

Just remember the old KISS motto, Keep It Simple Stupid. When in doubt rely on that. It keeps you from blabbing off on tangents, etc..

 

[MightyMoose]

I had a really unsettling experience with this question. I got asked this in an interview and proceeded to go on a 12-minute-long, uninterrupted monologue about myself. I started off with the standard stuff that interviewers can latch onto, but the interviewer just wouldn't engage with me, so I resorted to telling my life story (people, places, lessons learned, etc). I tried to create openings in the conversation, but she just resisted with all of her might. So.... the point I'm trying to make is that it might be wise to have a lengthy answer prepared just in case the interviewer decides to really let you tell them about yourself.

I disagree. If you answered the question you answered it. You shouldn't feel forced to say anything else. If you wrapped up what you initially said, this is the time you just smile and stare back at them.

 

[RedRaider19]

While I hate the question itself, it is a great oppurtunity to decide what you want to talk about for the next 30 minutes. Starts with the basics, then focus on what you think is most important. Maybe some really good clinical experience, perhaps some meaningful volunteerig, etc. I always end the answer with something non medical or school related, as it makes you seem like a normal person. Plus, you have the off chance of finding something you both have in common. I had a 10 minute conversation with my interviewer on the Texas Rangers beating the Yankees the night before.

 

[noshie]

I also used to hate this question. My strategy was to pick about 5 things that define me... Keep it short and simple.

1. I was born and raised in Texas.
2. I went to Unt for undergrad as a business major. But changed to biology.
3. I went to grad school and performed extensive immunology research.
4. I have worked full time since high school.
5. I currently work at UTSW as a clinical research coordinator.

The end. This should give them enough information to ask me questions about. Usually they will ask me what my masters degree was in and what it entailed... Then they will ask about my current job... I really think the reason they ask this question is to break the ice and get into who you are.