I am preparing for an interview I have on Friday and the standard "Tell me about yourself" has gotten me stumped. I could say all sorts of things about myself, but what I am wondering is what sort of direction should I take with this. Should I say the college I'm going to, what my major is, my hobbies, or what? I'm not sure what to include and what to leave out when responding to this one.
The "Tell Me About Yourself" Interview Question
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Well if they are suggesting the same thing that I am usually looking for:
Age, sex, location 😉
Age, sex, location 😉
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This is a great first question to get at an interview. Just keep in mind that they aren't looking for you to rehash your whole resume, just for you to point out the things that you think are important. You should look at this as an opportunity to start directing the conversation towards your strengths.
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Would it help if you remember that you're trying to convince the guy that you should be accepted into his medical school? Say something IMPORTANT!
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Do you know if the interview will be open (they have your file in front of them) or closed (they've never seen your file)?
If open: talk about your personality, hobbies, career aspirations, etc
If closed: highlight the important facets of your resume, ECs, etc
If open: talk about your personality, hobbies, career aspirations, etc
If closed: highlight the important facets of your resume, ECs, etc
When I ask this question, I usually want to learn the basics like where you are from, your undergrad, what you've done after graduation (if applicable) and what brought you to this point in life (i.e. why you are applying.)
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Well, practice saying it... More importantly, what do you see in yourself that you wish people saw in you? Maybe a better way of stating it; what do you HOPE that people see in you when they get to know you? And not just what you like, who you are, but WHY!
Ex: (Not me!) "I'd say that I am open to new experiences, but as much as I enjoy learning new things, I really like perfecting the things I already do and finding new ways to do them better. I compete with myself more than with other people and I like outdoor sports like running where I train and then compete and socialize with others. I love cooking because I like to see other people enjoy what I make, even though they don't always!"
So what was said there? That you are self motivated, that you are driven and competitive, that you are steady and exacting with tasks, that you enjoy making other people happy, enjoy socializing, the outdoors, and learning new skills.
Is that answer going to get you in? Maybe, depends on what they are looking for. Is it a CORRECT answer? If that is you. Is it a WELL FORMED answer? Yes, it gives them an idea of how you will cope with school.
You could have said the opposite:
Ex: "I'd say that I live for new experiences, but as much as I like new challenges; I always try and make myself improve the things that are already a part of my life so that I am always improving. I love team competition and forming a good group dynamic. It brings out the best in every team member, and it builds problem-solving skills and leadership. When I'm not in a group environment though, I really love my alone time where I can veg or reflect on recent events. Sometimes I like to write, even though I don't share it, because I can read my work later in life and remember where I was then as a person, and compare it to where I am now."
What did that say? That you are a dynamic member of a group and add value to a team. You see life as a "team" event and seek to lift those around you and accept the hand of those with more experience. You thrive on expanding your horizons, but you don't simply replace one infatuation with another. When you are alone, you are still content and confident, and introspective. You see the big picture and find the journey as important as the goal.
Again... you can see a medical school wanting either of those people. It all depends on the school. But the same things are there: how you measure yourself, how you interact with people, what you do for fun, how you view life.
Nutshell: it ain't what you say, it is how you say it. Be honest, but put your best foot forward.
Ex: (Not me!) "I'd say that I am open to new experiences, but as much as I enjoy learning new things, I really like perfecting the things I already do and finding new ways to do them better. I compete with myself more than with other people and I like outdoor sports like running where I train and then compete and socialize with others. I love cooking because I like to see other people enjoy what I make, even though they don't always!"
So what was said there? That you are self motivated, that you are driven and competitive, that you are steady and exacting with tasks, that you enjoy making other people happy, enjoy socializing, the outdoors, and learning new skills.
Is that answer going to get you in? Maybe, depends on what they are looking for. Is it a CORRECT answer? If that is you. Is it a WELL FORMED answer? Yes, it gives them an idea of how you will cope with school.
You could have said the opposite:
Ex: "I'd say that I live for new experiences, but as much as I like new challenges; I always try and make myself improve the things that are already a part of my life so that I am always improving. I love team competition and forming a good group dynamic. It brings out the best in every team member, and it builds problem-solving skills and leadership. When I'm not in a group environment though, I really love my alone time where I can veg or reflect on recent events. Sometimes I like to write, even though I don't share it, because I can read my work later in life and remember where I was then as a person, and compare it to where I am now."
What did that say? That you are a dynamic member of a group and add value to a team. You see life as a "team" event and seek to lift those around you and accept the hand of those with more experience. You thrive on expanding your horizons, but you don't simply replace one infatuation with another. When you are alone, you are still content and confident, and introspective. You see the big picture and find the journey as important as the goal.
Again... you can see a medical school wanting either of those people. It all depends on the school. But the same things are there: how you measure yourself, how you interact with people, what you do for fun, how you view life.
Nutshell: it ain't what you say, it is how you say it. Be honest, but put your best foot forward.
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You kidding? This is a MONEY question! This is where YOU get to lead the interviewer into asking questions about stuff YOU are AWESOME at! Take charge, tell them everything that is glowing about you, all the amazing things you've seen, done, and experienced.
This question is your chance to make your "story" shine and your chance to "come alive" as an applicant. If you bomb this question, you will be a cardboard applicant in the adcom meeting if you didn't shine elsewhere. Just bland and unremarkable fish in a sea of applicants... just. like. you.!
Nobody wants a cardboard fish.
You need to look at your resume, and see how everything about you can be put into context, as a thread, that weaves into you naturally becoming a Dr (no matter how you found your way).
Sell, sell, sell!! It's all about sales!
This question is your chance to make your "story" shine and your chance to "come alive" as an applicant. If you bomb this question, you will be a cardboard applicant in the adcom meeting if you didn't shine elsewhere. Just bland and unremarkable fish in a sea of applicants... just. like. you.!
Nobody wants a cardboard fish.
You need to look at your resume, and see how everything about you can be put into context, as a thread, that weaves into you naturally becoming a Dr (no matter how you found your way).
Sell, sell, sell!! It's all about sales!
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This is a nice place to illustrate examples based on your previous experiences and how they tie in with your desire to pursue medicine as a career and ultimately why you might be interested in their school.
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I was so stumped on this before my first interview, so I feel your pain! I think they key to this question is to find a succinct way to answer. Ex: "Well, I'm originally from _____, I went to college at _____ University where I studied _____. And it was when I did ______ that I first discovered my interest in medicine." Or something along those lines. It's such an open-ended question that people tend to ramble. Just give them a taste of who you are then give them room to inquire more.
Btw, during one of my interviews I was asked this, and then half-way through the interview I was asked, "what is the most difficult question you've been asked in an interview?". I responded, "tell me about yourself". Haha! My interviewer laughed, and I was ultimately accepted 🙂
I just want to add...
Try not to over-think this one. I know people here are emphasizing that this question is your chance to point out your strengths. But if this is the first question you are asked (which it usually is), it can come off as a little over-rehearsed or overbearing if you sell yourself too hard right off the bat. I see this question as more of an ice-breaker and lead-in to juicier questions. Trust me, there will be plenty more questions where you will have the chance to play-up your strengths. Overall, just stay positive and come off as a likable person. GL!
Btw, during one of my interviews I was asked this, and then half-way through the interview I was asked, "what is the most difficult question you've been asked in an interview?". I responded, "tell me about yourself". Haha! My interviewer laughed, and I was ultimately accepted 🙂
I just want to add...
Try not to over-think this one. I know people here are emphasizing that this question is your chance to point out your strengths. But if this is the first question you are asked (which it usually is), it can come off as a little over-rehearsed or overbearing if you sell yourself too hard right off the bat. I see this question as more of an ice-breaker and lead-in to juicier questions. Trust me, there will be plenty more questions where you will have the chance to play-up your strengths. Overall, just stay positive and come off as a likable person. GL!
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At an MD interview, I was asked, "Tell me about yourself. I've already read your personal statement, so tell me what's not in that."
In retrospect, I blew the whole interview on that question because I went in prepared to talk about my interest in medicine. The interviewer wanted to talk about my other work from my application, like my journalism forays and my leadership positions. I didn't think outside of the box; failed the interview.
If it's an open file "tell me about yourself" then come up with something you never mentioned. Talk about your love of fishing, your interest in rebuilding old cars, whatever it is.
If it's a closed file "tell me about yourself" then come up with something you mentioned but also shows a personality. Tell them about your love of fishing and how you succeed because you rig your baits to avoid major organs, thus prolonging their lives. Wow, that was a stretch!
In retrospect, I blew the whole interview on that question because I went in prepared to talk about my interest in medicine. The interviewer wanted to talk about my other work from my application, like my journalism forays and my leadership positions. I didn't think outside of the box; failed the interview.
If it's an open file "tell me about yourself" then come up with something you never mentioned. Talk about your love of fishing, your interest in rebuilding old cars, whatever it is.
If it's a closed file "tell me about yourself" then come up with something you mentioned but also shows a personality. Tell them about your love of fishing and how you succeed because you rig your baits to avoid major organs, thus prolonging their lives. Wow, that was a stretch!
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I usually first like to tell them what types of underwear i like to wear. (boxers and boxer briefs) and then I go on to tell them about the multiple women that I have had my way with.
I then go on to give them crucial details such as how i like my toilet paper (folded or in a krinkly ball) when I wipe my ass so they really get to know me. I hope this helps.
I then go on to give them crucial details such as how i like my toilet paper (folded or in a krinkly ball) when I wipe my ass so they really get to know me. I hope this helps.
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Hold the phone! Do you mean at the same time? Or do you alternate? I'm not sure that's even allowed...
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Its funny you ask that, because thats exactly what they ask for the second question of the interview. And then they go on to ask you the history of boxers and briefs and boxer briefs so make sure you know how they were created and how they are different.
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What if I am going commando that day?
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Well i mean if you were going commando (everyone has their own style) I would personally recommend telling them important details of WHY you like going commando. ie tell them the breeze down there feels nice, you like the freedom etc, and then relate that to medicine and how being commando is like being a DO.
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I'm with Maybreak - this question is the perfect opportunity to bring up the things in your application that you are most eager to talk about - i.e. any special experiences you've had or hobbies... When thinking of an answer for this question, I thought about it as if I had to write an abstract for my life - sort of lame, but I write a lot papers so this was a comfortable way for me to think about it. I personally tried to stay away from talking too much about Medicine during this question because you can almost guarantee that the "why medicine" question is coming and you don't want to be left with nothing new to say. I did have an interview where they didn't ask this question, but I don't think they read my application at all so anything I said was news to them 🙂 Good luck with your interview - just be yourself!!
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This is the type of question that is just used as a jumping off point. When I was asked this I started talking about my family and mentioned my sister was in dental school. A couple sentences later we were talking about how much we both hate going to the dentist and then somehow that topic changed to college basketball and I forget the rest.
The point is that for me it was just a conversation starter to get me talking about stuff. As long as you don't bring up anything weird I don't think there is much of a wrong answer to this question.
The point is that for me it was just a conversation starter to get me talking about stuff. As long as you don't bring up anything weird I don't think there is much of a wrong answer to this question.
I was actually honest with this question unlike a lot of people who just say what they think adcoms wanna hear. For the record I got into both schools I interviewed at
Instead of saying "well I like to spend my weekends helping out patients at the old folks home, oh gosh they just make me smile so darn much. I also enjoy going downtown to feed the homeless, I mean it just melts my heart seeing them smile"
I said "well i play sports blah blah.....I enjoy going out with my friends on weekends and partying when I dont have any exams......"
Be honest, dont give them a BS answer
Instead of saying "well I like to spend my weekends helping out patients at the old folks home, oh gosh they just make me smile so darn much. I also enjoy going downtown to feed the homeless, I mean it just melts my heart seeing them smile"
I said "well i play sports blah blah.....I enjoy going out with my friends on weekends and partying when I dont have any exams......"
Be honest, dont give them a BS answer
