19d • Job Search Discussion
Heres how to answer the "tell me about yourself" interview question
"Tell me about yourself."
You have 2 minutes to make a first impression.
Most Interviewees blow it in the first 30 seconds.
Here's how to nail it every single time.
What most people do wrong:
They ramble about their entire life story.
They overshare irrelevant details about jobs from 5 years ago.
They talk about projects that have nothing to do with the role.
Or worse, they give a 20-second answer that says absolutely nothing meaningful.
The interviewer zones out.
You've lost them before you even get to the technical questions.
Here's the structure that actually works:
1. Start with your education "I graduated from [University] with a degree in Computer Science, where I focused on algorithms and data structures."
Keep it brief. One sentence. Move on.
2. Talk about your projects or professional experience.
Now this is where you shine. Share 2-3 relevant experiences, but here's the key: only mention accomplishments that directly relate to THIS job.
Read the job description.
If they want someone with API development experience, talk about the REST API you built.
If they need cloud expertise, mention your AWS projects.
Example: "At my last role, I built a payment processing system that handled 50,000 transactions daily—I noticed your team is working on similar high-volume systems. Before that, I developed a microservices architecture that reduced deployment time by 60%, which aligns with your focus on CI/CD optimization."
See what you're doing?
You're connecting YOUR experience to THEIR needs.
3. Show you're a great fit Don't be shy about this. Literally say: "Based on what I've seen in the job description, I believe my experience with [specific skill] and [specific technology] makes me a strong fit for this role."
4. Add one fun, personal detail This makes you memorable and human.
"Outside of work, I love hiking and have a goal to visit every national park" or "My family is from Spain, so I grew up speaking both English and Spanish."
One sentence. That's it.
5. Close with enthusiasm "I'm really excited about the opportunity to contribute to [specific team/project they mentioned], and I appreciate you considering me for this position."
Pro tip: Practice this out loud 3-5 times before your interview.
Time yourself.
Aim for 120-180 seconds seconds total.
The "Tell me about yourself" question isn't about reciting your resume. It's about painting a picture of why you're the right person for THIS role, right now.
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Heres how to answer the "tell me about yourself" interview question
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