Tell me about yourself?

[FreudianSlippers]

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As I have been preparing for interviews, I am dreading the simple question: "Tell me about yourself." It seems so easy, but I feel like i'm over thinking it and I am having such a hard time coming up with a solid answer. I'd absolutely love some input on how to answer this question?

Also, how common is it for sites to ask this question?

 

[Justanothergrad]

Very common.

It's a very big question so I suggest breaking it down starting with a focus on the professional. So keep in mind what the question is actually asking; it is not saying "I'm most interested and curious about your family background". When someone in a professional settings asks you to tell them about who you are, they generally want to know (a) brief summary of previous training, (b) training objectives, and (c) how your goals align with their offerings as a training institution. The big training picture you should demonstrate is fit- how well does your experiences and set of training goals align with what they offer (or picture themselves as offering... there can be a gap there at some places).

From there you can always say something like, "I'd also be happy to share with you about my personal interests as well" if you want. That demonstrates a degree of multidimensionality. It also offers them an opportunity to see if you would 'fit' in the area and be happy.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

*insert Dr. Evil monologue here….*

 

[forcefive17]

I've been asked this question on 3/3 interviews thus far. I agree with Therapist4Chnge, this question is more so about answering these three: What have you done? What do you need? How can we help you? A piece of advice that I've used is to keep it short, simple, and to the point. If you spend all day rambling on about everything you've done, you lose their attention and interest rather quickly.

 

[FreudianSlippers]

I've been asked this question on 3/3 interviews thus far. I agree with Therapist4Chnge, this question is more so about answering these three: What have you done? What do you need? How can we help you? A piece of advice that I've used is to keep it short, simple, and to the point. If you spend all day rambling on about everything you've done, you lose their attention and interest rather quickly.

Thats actually extremely helpful. I feel like I have been overthinking this question like crazy!

Do you think its important to say something to make yourself stand out or show some vulnerability, or is it better to be more "to the point"?

 

[psych.meout]

Thats actually extremely helpful. I feel like I have been overthinking this question like crazy!

Do you think its important to say something to make yourself stand out or show some vulnerability, or is it better to be more "to the point"?

No matter what kind of interview it is, don't be too self-deprecating. Be humble to the degree that you acknowledge you don't have all the answers and understand the nuance and complexity of the field in general and the particular questions and topics in which you are interested, but don't undermine your own qualifications. Talk about what you've done and accomplished and what you want to do in the future in a pointed way that doesn't downplay yourself, but also doesn't make you seem conceited or full of yourself.

 

[FreudianSlippers]

Very common.

they generally want to know (a) brief summary of previous training, (b) training objectives, and (c) how your goals align with their offerings as a training institution. The big training picture you should demonstrate is fit- how well does your experiences and set of training goals align with what they offer (or picture themselves as offering... there can be a gap there at some places).
.

I've been asked this question on 3/3 interviews thus far. I agree with Therapist4Chnge, this question is more so about answering these three: What have you done? What do you need? How can we help you? A piece of advice that I've used is to keep it short, simple, and to the point. If you spend all day rambling on about everything you've done, you lose their attention and interest rather quickly.

No matter what kind of interview it is, don't be too self-deprecating. Be humble to the degree that you acknowledge you don't have all the answers and understand the nuance and complexity of the field in general and the particular questions and topics in which you are interested, but don't undermine your own qualifications. Talk about what you've done and accomplished and what you want to do in the future in a pointed way that doesn't downplay yourself, but also doesn't make you seem conceited or full of yourself.

This is great advice, and I appreciate everybody taking the time to write their thoughts. However, i'd like to play devils advocate and hear your thoughts! Shouldn't sites already have an idea about what you have done and where you want to go? Even if they don't, it seems like those concerns will come up later when talking about site fit (which will inevitably be asked). Would it perhaps be beneficial to talk about your interests or something that sets you apart from other candidates? Or would this be a bad idea?

 

[forcefive17]

This is great advice, and I appreciate everybody taking the time to write their thoughts. However, i'd like to play devils advocate and hear your thoughts! Shouldn't sites already have an idea about what you have done and where you want to go? Even if they don't, it seems like those concerns will come up later when talking about site fit (which will inevitably be asked). Would it perhaps be beneficial to talk about your interests or something that sets you apart from other candidates? Or would this be a bad idea?

IF they looked over your application before hand, then yes, they should know already. In my experience my interviewers were not who I submitted my applications to though, and they spent time during the interview looking everything over. I believe that this question is more about how well you can speak about yourself in person. Anyone can make themselves look like the best candidate on paper, but when it comes down to actually articulating that verbally (which is what our profession is all about, right?) a lot of people will struggle. Another observation from my experience has been the "fit question" hasn't actually come up. It's questions like "Tell me about yourself" or "What are your areas for growth?" that allow you to demonstrate right off the bat how well you will fit at their site.

 

[Justanothergrad]

This is great advice, and I appreciate everybody taking the time to write their thoughts. However, i'd like to play devils advocate and hear your thoughts! Shouldn't sites already have an idea about what you have done and where you want to go? Even if they don't, it seems like those concerns will come up later when talking about site fit (which will inevitably be asked). Would it perhaps be beneficial to talk about your interests or something that sets you apart from other candidates? Or would this be a bad idea?

Sure, and some do have that idea about your trainings from your application material. However, not everyone who will met with you has spent the time reviewing your application. Every site does it differently, but we break into teams here so I may not know. Plus, I may not remember. Plus, I want to hear you say it and articulate it versus letting me read a letter that has been polished, edited, and refined by who knows who and who knows how many people. After all, I want to hear your goals and interests not what other people have polished those to be.

When they ask about who you are and your training needs they are asking about "fit".

 

[CheetahGirl]

Would it perhaps be beneficial to talk about your interests or something that sets you apart from other candidates? Or would this be a bad idea?

If you feel you need to share more than what your CV says (when asked "Tell me about yourself"), be more on point and have a take-home message. Interviewers need to see someone who is astute and succinct (i.e., convey much with less words - which anyone can tell by my verbose posts, I'm still working on this goal). ‎

If you want to be memorable (and you think your essays didn't achieve that goal), come up with your target message now (which it seems is the goal of this thread, so bravo). Like for me, it was to convey I was team player, so I may have said something upbeat, like "I am enthusiastic, hard-working, committed, and my colleagues/supervisors have consistently shared that they enjoyed working with me. And I enjoy contributing to a pleasant environment, no matter the gravity of the work."

And when it came to MORE personable qualities, I had my blanket statements there, too. For example:

"I'm family-oriented." (could mean I'm close with my adult siblings, or I have four kids...both are true...but I'm not sharing any of this on an interview; this conveys appeal towards my familial relationships - not necessary, but interesting)
"I'm detail-oriented." (could mean I could be obsessive, but usually no detail gets left behind; conveys how I am as a worker)
"I'm a team player." (could mean I'll go out of my way to get along...which I do; conveys my interpersonal functioning above & beyond patient interactions)

So...you get the picture. All of what you say about yourself should be backed up by your application (rec letters, essays, CV). Just be authentic.

Edit: For some reason, I was thinking internship interviews (at that point, most doctoral candidates know how to answer this question to present themselves in a favorable way). But, my points still stand for doctoral interviews, too.
‎

 

[Sanman]

When all else fails, I usually mention that I am good friends with Bret Easton Ellis and the inspiration for the character Patrick Bateman. For some reason, no one wants to hire me as a psychologist. I have recently been told I should run for president though.

Seriously though, I think you are overanalzying a bit. Some the advice here is good, but when I have gotten this question it is often about who I am as a person. I ended talking about historical fiction on my interview for internship and got a perfect ranking (and a spot). You are concerned about the benefits of the position to your career. Those that will work with you are often looking for someone dedicated and easy to get along with for as long as you work ther.

 

[FreudianSlippers]

Wow, the advice in this thread is gold. I really appreciate all the insight...lots to think about and process. I like the idea that this question is really about fit and that the interviewers may not be familiar with my application, and I think i'm going to answer it by being myself and giving more of a succinct/goal orientated answer.

Seriously though, I think you are overanalzying a bit. Some the advice here is good, but when I have gotten this question it is often about who I am as a person. I ended talking about historical fiction on my interview for internship and got a perfect ranking (and a spot). You are concerned about the benefits of the position to your career. Those that will work with you are often looking for someone dedicated and easy to get along with for as long as you work ther.

This definitely makes me feel less pressured, I agree that I have been over analyzing.

 

[FreudianSlippers]

Sure, and some do have that idea about your trainings from your application material. However, not everyone who will met with you has spent the time reviewing your application. Every site does it differently, but we break into teams here so I may not know. Plus, I may not remember. Plus, I want to hear you say it and articulate it versus letting me read a letter that has been polished, edited, and refined by who knows who and who knows how many people. After all, I want to hear your goals and interests not what other people have polished those to be.

When they ask about who you are and your training needs they are asking about "fit".

Love this! Great explanation.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

"I'm a great fit bc I need an internship and want to graduate and you need an intern and want them to graduate!"

😀