First of all, your answer must be well structured. This will allow you to cover all the relevant points and tell your interviewer about your journey without losing their attention. By nature, the answer to this question is very broad and may encourage candidates to tell their interviewer all the details about them, from the school they attended to their hobbies and interests, for example. However, what the recruiter really wants to know at this stage of the interview is : 

1) Your education and career path 

2) Key skills and expertise relevant to the position 

3) What do you expect from your next job and what do you like about it 

So, in answering this question, how should you approach each point? 

 

Begin your response by giving the recruiter a brief overview of your training and professional background. Be sure to include only experience and credentials directly related to the position. No need to talk about your summer jobs when you were a student or the high school you attended. For example, if you are applying for a senior position in digital marketing, this part of your response might look like this: “I hold a degree in management and business management and a master's degree in digital marketing. After my studies, I dedicated myself for two years to marketing in the sports industry. » As you can see, this response only presents your education and career history that might be useful for the job, keeping your interviewer attentive and ready to hear the next point: the skills you acquired during this period.

 

 

Now is the time to talk about the job-related skills and expertise you have developed throughout your education and career to date. For example : 

“During my time working in this sector, I was able to apply what I learned during my master's degree, while developing my expertise in digital marketing. » You must also be able to support this part of your answer with concrete examples and figures : 

“The email marketing campaign I recently ran, which increased our conversion rate by 10%, is the best illustration of my digital marketing skills. » 

So to recap, by this point in your answer you should have provided an overview of 1. your education and professional background related to the position 2. your key skills, expertise and knowledge in digital marketing, evidence at 'support. 

For the last part of your answer, it's time for you to explain to your interlocutor what your professional ambitions are and what you expect from your next position. At this point, it may be tempting to talk about why you want to leave your current employer. Instead, you should succinctly explain why you are interested in this position and this company. The golden rule for answering point 3 is to stay positive and focus on the opportunity that presents itself, for example : 

“My previous company helped me develop the digital skills I have today, however, I think to upskill and grow my career, it's time to move on. I am therefore looking for more challenging assignments within a dynamic international company, where I could grow as a marketing professional, and that is why I am delighted to have been invited to interview for this position. »

 

 

Now that you know what specific points to cover when answering this question, think about the language you use. Keep language simple and, if possible, use action verbs to better showcase your skills. For example, by saying "The email marketing campaign I recently ran, which increased our conversion rate by 10%, is the best illustration of my digital marketing skills", you demonstrate your leadership skills, as well as your ability to achieve positive results.

With all of these golden rules in mind, the perfect example of a “Tell me about yourself” response might look like this: 

1. “I have a degree in management and business administration and a master's degree in digital marketing. After my studies, I dedicated myself for two years to marketing in the sports industry. 

2. During this time spent working in this sector, I was able to apply what I learned during my master's degree, while developing my expertise in digital marketing. The email marketing campaign I recently ran, which increased our conversion rate by 10%, is the best illustration of my digital marketing skills. 

3. My previous company helped me develop the digital skills I have today, however, I think to upskill and grow my career, it's time to move on. I am therefore looking for more challenging assignments within a dynamic international company, where I could grow as a marketing professional, and that is why I am delighted to have been invited to interview for this position. 

Practice, practice, practice! This will allow you to let go of any behavior that betrays your nervousness, such as talking too fast, fidgeting too much, forgetting what you want to say, stuttering, scratching your head, or not making eye contact. Try practicing answering this question in front of a mirror, a camera, or someone you trust who can give you their opinion. 

In summary, the question "Tell me about yourself" is more complex than it seems, and it is very likely to be one of the first questions asked during the interview. So put all your chances on your side from the start of the discussion, prepare a relevant and concise answer in advance that explains to your interlocutor why you are sitting opposite him, and why your skills and experience make you the best person. for the post.