What To Say About Yourself In An Interview With These 12 Tips

What to say about yourself in an interview question should focus on the strengths most relevant to the job you are applying for.

Some interviewers will ask you to talk about yourself. This question is often used to break the ice and help put you at ease.

12 Ways To Say About Yourself In An Interview

You should take this opportunity to sell yourself. But make sure to keep your answer short and sweet.

Let’s discuss some things you can mention when an interviewer asks you to talk about yourself.

1. Your Name & Background:

So, start by giving them your name and briefly mentioning your background.

For example:

“My name is John. I am originally from Texas but moved to New York 3 years ago to pursue my career in fashion.”

Or when asked about your background, you can say:

“I have a degree in accounting, and I’ve been working in the field for five years.”

This will give the interviewer a brief overview of who you are without going into too much detail.

2. How Your Background Shaped You:

The focus should be on how your background and experiences have shaped you into the professional you are today.

So with the first example, you could continue by saying:

“The fashion industry is very competitive. And I’ve had to learn to be tenacious and confident to succeed.”

And with the second example, you might say:

“My experience in accounting has taught me to be extremely detail-oriented. It is a valuable skill in any field.”

Why is that relevant to the job you’re interviewing for? It is because you are giving the interviewer a window into how you think and what kind of worker you are.

3. Mention Why You Opted For This Career:

When you explain why you chose this career, it helps the interviewer to understand your motivations and goals.

It also gives them a sense of whether you will likely stick around in the long run.

Your answer to this question should be honest and reflect your true feelings. But it should also be positive and emphasize what you love about your chosen field.

For example, you might say something like:

“I’ve always been interested in fashion, and I love clothes. But it’s not just about the clothing itself. I’m also fascinated by fashion’s history, art, and cultural impact.

I chose this career because I wanted to be able to combine my love of fashion with my interests in art and history.”

4. Mention Your Strengths:

Without sounding conceited, you’ll want to mention your strengths in your answer.

This is an opportunity to show why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Some examples of strengths you might mention include:

4.1 I Am A Creative Person:

Give an example of a time when you had to be creative. For instance, you might say:

“I was recently asked to design a new clothing line for our company.

I had to be creative in developing new designs that would appeal to our target market.“

4.2 I Have A Strong Work Ethic:

Mention when you went above and beyond what was expected at work.

For example, you might say: “I remember when we were short-staffed, and I had to work extra shifts.

I didn’t mind because I knew it needed to be done.”

4.3 I’m A Good Leader:

Were you ever in a leadership position? If so, give an example of a time when you successfully led a team.

You might say: “I was once asked to lead a team of salespeople.

I motivated them successfully, and we ended up meeting our targets.”

4.4 I Have A Proven Track Record Of Success:

Success is always impressive. If you have examples of times when you’ve been successful in your career, mention them.

You might say: “I was able to increase sales by XX% in my last position.”

4.5 I’m A Quick Learner:

This is another quality that employers love. They want to know that you can adapt and learn new things quickly.

You might say: “I’m a quick learner and always willing to try new things.

For example, when I was asked to learn a new software program, I could do it in a matter of days.”

4.6 I’m A Team Player:

Most jobs require you to work with others, so it’s important to show that you’re a team player.

You might say: “I’m very comfortable working with others. I understand the importance of teamwork, and I’m always willing to cooperate.”

This will show the employer that you’re easy to work with. And you understand the value of teamwork.

4.7 I Have A Positive Attitude:

Employers want to know that you will positively contribute to the workplace.

You might say: “I have a very positive outlook on life. I’m always looking for the best in people and situations.

I’m confident that I can always find a way to get the job done.“

When you have a positive attitude, it shows in your work. And employers are looking for employees who will add to the workplace – not take away from it.

4.8 I’m A Good Communicator:

Communication is key in any job. And employers want to know that you can communicate effectively.

You might say: “I’m a very good communicator. I’m able to communicate clearly, both in writing and verbally.

And I’m also a good listener. So I ensure I understand the other person’s words before responding.”

5. Mention Your Weaknesses:

Now it’s time to talk about your weaknesses. But don’t worry; there’s a way to do this without harming your chances of getting the job.

First, think of a time when you overcame a particular challenge. Then, explain how you did it and what you learned from the experience.

This will show the interviewer that you can take the initiative and solve problems, even when faced with adversity.

For example, you might say, “I used to have difficulty speaking up in large groups.

But I overcame that by practicing beforehand and focusing on my breathing. Now, I’m much more confident when presenting in front of a crowd.”

6. Emphasize On Your Relevant Experience:

The bulk of your answer should be about your professional experience. After all, that’s what the interviewer wants to know more about.

Focus on experiences and projects most relevant to the job you’re interviewing for.

And whenever possible, include quantifiable results to back up your claims. For example, you might say,

“In my previous role, I led a team of five designers. Together, we completed 12 successful projects for high-profile clients.

I’m confident I could bring that same success to your team.”

7. Keep It Short and Sweet:

You want to refrain from rambling on about yourself for too long. Otherwise, the interviewer is going to get bored.

And you will need more time to sell yourself why you’re the best candidate for the job. Aim for 1-2 minutes tops.

8. Practice, Practice, Practice:

The best way to feel confident about what you’re going to say is to practice beforehand.

You can do this in front of a mirror, with a friend, or even by recording yourself on your phone.

The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to talk about yourself in an interview.

9. Mention Your Hobbies:

You can also mention a hobby or two to help the interviewer get to know you better.

Just make sure it’s something that won’t turn them off, like bungee jumping or sky diving.

You can say, “I enjoy playing tennis/painting/reading in my free time.”

The hobby must be relevant to the job you’re interviewing for.

For example, you’re interviewing for a graphic design position. You can mention that you enjoy painting; it scores you some points.

10. Share Your Future Goals:

It’s always a good idea to mention how you see yourself progressing in the company.

You can say something like, “I hope to get promoted to a position of greater responsibility in the company.”

Or, when you’re just starting, you can say something like, “I hope to gain valuable experience in this field.”

11. Be Confident:

This is easier said than done, but relax and be confident. The interviewer wants to get to know you, so just be yourself.

If you need more confidence, it will show in your body language and your answers to questions.

That said, don’t try to act like someone you’re not. Instead, be genuine and honest in your responses.

12. Do Your Research:

Before the interview, do your research on the company. Look up their values and see if they match your own.

Researching the company can also help you understand the interviewer’s perspective.

Their goal is to see if you’re a good fit for the company. And they want to know if you’re truly interested in the job.

So with that research, you can better prepare to answer questions about yourself.

Final Word:

So what to say about yourself in an interview? The key is, to be honest, genuine, and prepared.

Remember that the interviewer wants to see if you’re a good fit for the company. They’re looking for something other than perfection.

And show them that you have the skills, values, and motivation they’re looking for.

Last Updated on 2 months by Eesha Khan