10 Good Ways to ‘Tell Me About Yourself’

You know it’s coming.

It’s the most feared question during any job interview: Do you think I would look good in a cowboy hat? Just kidding. The real question is: Can you tell me about yourself?

Blecch. What a boring, vague, open-ended question. Who likes answering that?

Unfortunately, hiring managers and executive recruiters ask the question. Even if you’re not interviewing and you’re out networking in the community — you need to be ready to hear it and answer it. At all times.

Now, before TheLadders shares a list of 10 memorable answers, consider the two essential elements behind the answers:

The medium is the message. The interviewer cares less about your answer to this question and more about the confidence, enthusiasm and passion with which you answer it.

The speed of the response is the response. The biggest mistake you could make is pausing, stalling or fumbling at the onset of your answer, thus demonstrating a lack of self-awareness and self-esteem.

Next time you’re faced with the dreaded, “Tell me about yourself…” question, try the following suggestions from TheLadders. Keep in mind that these examples are just the opener. The secret is thinking how you will follow up each answer with relevant, interesting and concise explanations that make the already bored interviewer look up from his stale coffee and think, “Wow! That’s the best answer I’ve heard all day!”

Ultimately, it’s about answering quickly, speaking creatively, and breaking people’s patterns.

Click through for 10 memorable answers to wow them in your next interview.

Grabs their attention immediately. Demonstrates your ability to be concise, creative and compelling.

Proves that personal development is an essential part of your growth plan. Also shows your ability to motivate yourself.

Companies hire athletes – not shortstops. This line indicates your position as a thinker, not just an employee.

This response offers insight into your own level of self-awareness.

Tech-savvy, fun, cool people would say this. Unexpected and memorable.

People don’t care what you do – people care who you are. And what you’re passionate about is who you are. Plus, passion unearths enthusiasm.

An answer like this shows that you’ve been preparing for this job your whole life, not just the night before.

Engaging, interesting and entertaining.

Then, pull something out of your pocket that represents who you are. Who could resist this answer? Who could forget this answer?

Almost like a testimonial, this response also indicates self-awareness and openness to feedback.