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A foolproof method for answering “So tell me about yourself.”
A foolproof method for answering “So tell me about yourself”
As a public speaker and viral content creator, I get asked this question a lot. On podcasts, interviews you name it.
So, tell me about yourself.
This is one of the hardest things to answer in a professional setting. How far back do you go? How much personal information do you include? What do they want to know?
The answer?
They want to know what you bring to the table. Why should they be talking to you? Whether it’s a job interview, a networking event or just a professional introduction, the other person wants to know what YOU can offer THEM. So tell them.
Letting someone know who you are and what you can offer in an entertaining and memorable way will keep you at the front of everyone’s mind and make you someone people want to talk to. So here’s how to answer the daunting question…so tell me about yourself?
Use the HELP method.
H — Hometown. Tell them where you’re from. But don’t go into details about where you went to high school or if you were prom king. Starting with your hometown is simply a way to add a personal touch to what is likely an impersonal, maybe study conversation.
E — Education. If you graduated within the last 10 years, share where you went to college or grad choose and what you studied. Especially if it’s relevant to the conversation or what the other person does for a living. If you graduated more than a decade ago, you can leave this element out. Unless you went to the same school as the other person or there’s another reason to mention our alma mater.
L — Last few jobs. Notice I said “few”. Share your last 1–2 jobs and a brief description of your roles and responsibilities. Don’t get hung up on details here. Remember, your goal is to let them know why you’re a valuable person to be talking with. Don’t bore them with your autobiography.
P — Professional Traits. share the professional skills you’ve gained throughout your career that are pertinent to the interview or networking conversation. For example “It was during my time as a project manager that i learned organization and team collaboration”
Remember, if you bore them, they’ll forget you. Stay concise and clear. And if they like what they hear, you’re likely to get another opportunity to share more details at another time.
Happy networking!