Tell me about yourself

Tell me about yourself is an opportunity to condense your enormous complex set of experiences down into a few seconds. Good luck!

When you think about describing your most successful friend, what comes up first?

When other people need to describe you, what do you think they say about you first?

How you describe yourself or how you are described can be the difference between a lasting relationship and a missed connection.

How can you make it easy for you and everyone around you? Choose interesting and choose big things to tackle, then practice telling your story.

Appendix:

Navigating the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question with Impact

A powerful introduction can make a lasting impression. But it's not always easy to convey a well-rounded view of ourselves in a succinct manner, especially in professional scenarios like job interviews or networking events. The seemingly simple prompt "Tell me about yourself" can prompt a wave of uncertainty: What should you include? What should you leave out? How personal should you get?

1. Understand the Context

The context in which the question is asked plays a significant role in determining the answer. A job interview's context is distinct from a casual get-together or a networking event. In the professional context, the other person is likely seeking to understand your professional persona, skills, qualifications, and how they align with the job at hand.

2. Follow the Present-Past-Future Framework

Start by sharing where you are in your career presently. Then, touch upon relevant past experiences and achievements that led you to where you are now. Lastly, share your future aspirations and how this opportunity or interaction fits into that picture. This strategy not only provides a linear and coherent narrative, but it also gives your conversation partner a clear understanding of your journey and ambitions.

3. Highlight your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

It's crucial to focus on what sets you apart from others. Maybe you've developed a rare combination of skills, or perhaps you've excelled at a particular project that most people would find daunting. The key is to make your listener understand the unique value you can bring to the table.

4. Be Concise but Authentic

While it's important to be concise, your introduction should not feel too scripted or stiff. Authenticity plays a key role in making strong connections. Share personal details if they are relevant and could potentially strengthen your narrative or help the listener better understand your motivations and values.

5. Practice

Practicing your response will make you feel more comfortable when the question arises. However, remember to stay flexible. Depending on the context, you might want to emphasize different aspects of your story.

Let's take an example:

"Well, I'm currently an account executive at XYZ Corp, where I handle our top-performing client. Before that, I worked at an agency where I was on three different major national healthcare brands. And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I'd love the chance to dig in much deeper with one specific healthcare company, which is why I'm so excited about this opportunity with ABC Health."

The 'Tell me about yourself' question is more than just a conversation starter. It's an opportunity for you to control the narrative, make a memorable impact, and lead the conversation towards your strengths. Approach it with a clear understanding of your audience, a defined narrative, and most importantly, authenticity. Remember, the person asking the question isn't just interested in your resume — they want to get a sense of who you are and what you could bring to the table.

Having a strong description to use in your first impression is essential for several reasons, particularly in a professional context:

1. Establishes Authority and Credibility: By showcasing your skills, achievements, and experience, a strong description can quickly establish your authority in your field. This credibility can inspire confidence in others that you're capable and competent.

2. Sets the Tone for Further Interactions: First impressions often set the stage for future interactions. A powerful, well-crafted introduction suggests that you're a person of substance and preparation, which can make people more interested in engaging with you or hearing your thoughts.

3. Controls the Narrative: Your introduction allows you to control the narrative about who you are, what you do, and what you stand for. It's your opportunity to share the aspects of yourself or your work that you think are most important, rather than letting others make assumptions.

4. Differentiates You: A strong description that highlights your unique skills, experiences, or perspectives can set you apart from others. In a competitive job market or crowded industry, this differentiation can be critical.

5. Facilitates Connections: A well-articulated introduction can make it easier for others to understand what you do and how it might relate to their own work or needs. This understanding can facilitate connections, open up opportunities for collaboration, or simply make your interactions more meaningful and productive.

6. Boosts Confidence: Knowing you have a strong, clear way to introduce yourself can boost your own confidence. This can make you feel more at ease in professional settings and can make you more effective in networking, interviewing, or other aspects of your work.

The 'Tell me about yourself' question may seem simple, but your response can significantly impact how you are perceived. Therefore, investing time in crafting and practicing a strong self-description can pay substantial dividends in your professional life.