Tell Me About Yourself

Summarizing who you are in a minute is a daunting task. It’s like crafting a tweet about your entire life – what you keep, what do you cut, and how do you make it sound good?

Interviewers, alumni, and recruiters use this question as a filter. They want to see how you think about yourself, and whether you can structure an answer that makes sense.

Every answer is unique, but they all have a theme. Maybe you’re the type of person who takes the path less traveled. Maybe you’re a doer. Maybe you thrive in chaos.

If there’s a common thread that runs through your life, this is the time to bring it up. 

Start with your theme. 

Pair it with 1-2 moments in your life that back it up. Then, tie it into your developing interest in the industry, and finally where you want to go in the future.

The biggest mistake is over-reliance on your resume. Your resume highlights what you do, and part of that might fit into the story, but try to limit it.

Another mistake is writing it down and reading off the page. If the call’s not on zoom, you might get away with it, but eventually you’ll have to tell it in person. So practice it – repeat it to yourself a few times. 

I find it helpful to pace around my room. Some like saying in a mirror. Find what works for you.

As with everything, the more you say it, the better it gets. It’s a good question for self reflection, so take your time with it. The more authentic it is, the more it’ll stick with whoever's listening.