When an interviewer asks you to tell them about yourself, what things should you discuss?

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[AnatomyGrey12]

Been to three interviews and I haven't been asked this yet. It is a dumb interview question

 

[Kkshake]

Be like "oooo this is awkward...I had assumed you read my primary and secondary applications..."

 

[sdhere1234]

from what I've gathered

Name (unless they say, "so sdhere1234, tell me about yourself")
where you're from
where you went to school
what you're currently doing
hobbies

that's it. Don't get into why medicine unless they ask.

 

[oogieboogie123r]

from what I've gathered

Name (unless they say, "so sdhere1234, tell me about yourself")
where you're from
where you went to school
what you're currently doing
hobbies

that's it. Don't get into why medicine unless they ask.

Dude's got it. Do this and you're golden.

 

[Alkaidius]

Been asked this in most of my interviews. I just do an elevator speech. That said, I have the advantage of having lived in multiple locations and being born outside the US, though. I do that because I want to highlight my experience with multiple cultures. As strange as it sounds, I've always considered it a question where the interviewer is on the defensive. It's an easy question to predict so you can prepare multiple talking points (BAIT!!!!) that you actually WANT to address.

My strategy for "what are your hobbies" is to get weird. I start off normal "Books...Tennis" and then whack 'em with "and I like to build Gundam models". The interviewer at the school I will go to bought them for her son. COINCIDENCE!?

 

[lnguyen1412]

Only LECOM asked this during group interview. Just tell them "about yourself", no medicine related.

 

[getfat]

Been asked this at all three interview so far. Most interview books see this as the chance for you to direct the conversation. You don't want your interviewer to focus on what you lack but ask about things that make you look good.

This is one of those questions that you should have prepared. Make sure you have rehearsed and it is not longer than 1-2 minutes.

Personally I went with the following basic template.

1. Name, age, hometown,
2. Quality 1 I want ADCOMS to know about me
a) Include example that gives evidence
3. Quality 2 I want ADCOMS to know about me
b) Include example that gives evidence

 

[Neurality]

Been asked this at all three interview so far. Most interview books see this as the chance for you to direct the conversation. You don't want your interviewer to focus on what you lack but ask about things that make you look good.

This is one of those questions that you should have prepared. Make sure you have rehearsed and it is not longer than 1-2 minutes.

Personally I went with the following basic template.

1. Name, age, hometown,
2. Quality 1 I want ADCOMS to know about me
a) Include example that gives evidence
3. Quality 2 I want ADCOMS to know about me
b) Include example that gives evidence

This was the first question asked in two of my three interviews as well (3rd was MMI). Below is how I approached the question.

1.Name/Age/Hometown
2. High school (Named to include football state championship team) [Strength 1]
3. College (Why MSU, job, degree) [Strength 2]
4. Activities since graduating in December (Scribe job, music and fitness) [Touch on something personal/fun]

Ideally, I tried to say everything within 2 minutes. The key is presenting this part with good body language, tone and confidence 🙂

EDIT: Two of the 3 interviews were more standard format and conversational. Did not get grilled or anything.

 

[Marrowist]

I have been asked this on all three interviews. I used it as the intro to the rest of my interview. I put in about three major talking points I wanted to discuss, and they all related to why I wanted to practice medicine. Use this question to set the tone for the entire interview. At the last interview, the entire interview focused on my initial answer to this question and became a total conversation. It was awesome. Be confident!

 

[getfat]

Named to include football state championship team

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I got hit with this question last interview. I talked about music the entire time. Not sure if that's good or bad but I love it so I talked about it.