The Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question

[cubbyphan]

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Hey everyone. I haven't had any interviews yet, my first one is next week. But I have been looking over some sample questions/topics and it seems like every piece of information I got from my college as well as every web site lists one question first: "Tell me a little bit about yourself." This broad kind of question drives me nuts. For those who have already had interviews, were you asked this question? Also, how do people tend to answer this question? Do you focus on academics, personal issues, just give a little bio of yourself of what? How long is your answer and how much detail do you go into? Do interviews usually interupt to ask for clarification on certain points? Let me know. Thanks.

 

[cheesypoofs]

I was asked this question, and I said "Well, I am x years old and grew up in x,x. I attended high school at x and graduated with by bachelors at x. Recently, I just received my master's degree in science at x.

And that was about it, the guy interrupted me and asked another ?
I agree these questions are too impossible

 

[swankydude]

I was asked this question at two separate interviews. And what I have found is that interviewers who are not skilled at asking questions and/or have little experience at interviewing applicants generally resort to this question as an "ice breaker". I have also noticed that of the two interviewers who asked me this question did not read my file in advance and left me with the responsibility to tell them everything they needed to know to complete my evaluation.

To date, I have had 10 interviews and have found that interviewers who have taken the time to read my file and who seem to be interested in my application tend to asked more "focused"/interesting/probing typed-questions and were able to keep the conversation flowing.

Good luck on your interviews.

 

[swankydude]

Oh by the way,

CubbyPha👎 = (m)?

If yes, I understand... you don't have to explain. 😉

 

[calebho501]

I got a twist to this question at Pritzker. "Assume that everything in your AMCAS application is non-existent, tell me about yourself" What makes it worst is that this was the last question in the interview, so I shouldn't repeat anything I said earlier, nor I could mention any of my volunteer experience on AMCAS.

I totally got stuck for a long time but my finally answer was considered as "interesting to put it that way" by my interviewer.

Now that I look back at it, I could have talked about my hobbies and my other personal beliefs. But those just didn't hit me at that time.

 

[dramaqueen]

Originally posted by calebho501
I got a twist to this question at Pritzker. "Assume that everything in your AMCAS application is non-existent, tell me about yourself" What makes it worst is that this was the last question in the interview, so I shouldn't repeat anything I said earlier, nor I could mention any of my volunteer experience on AMCAS.

I totally got stuck for a long time but my finally answer was considered as "interesting to put it that way" by my interviewer.

Now that I look back at it, I could have talked about my hobbies and my other personal beliefs. But those just didn't hit me at that time.

so how exactly did u answer his question