Communications of the ACM
How Do You Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself' in a Job Interview?
For IT job candidates, one of the most stressful points in an interview is "Tell Me About Yourself." For employers, this question really means, "Give me an overview of who you are, professionally speaking." There's a reason this is asked at the very beginning of an interview—it helps the interviewer understand the broad background before diving in to specifics. You want to be ready with about a one-minute answer that summarizes where you're at in your career, an overview of your most recent job, what you do, and what the strengths of your approach are. Depending on where you are in your career, this response can be adapted to take into account your professional persona.
If you're a more experienced IT worker, start by explaining why you got involved in your current career path. Mention the aptitudes, skills and experiences that led to your decision. You can also mention aspects of your job that you really enjoy, and how that passion and enjoyment has paid off for your employer. Finish by summarizing the various functional areas that you've been able to bridge, and how that makes you unique in the eyes of a potential employer.
If you're an entry-level IT worker without a full career to describe yet, provide a more forward-looking answer. Start by mentioning how your education prepared you for your current career path, and what aspects of the job initially appealed to you. Mention specific aspects you're good at (or have been told you're good at). Then, wrap up by explaining where within the company you envision yourself working and why you're excited about that opportunity.
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