I do a lot of mock interview coaching for executive women and I’m always shocked by the answers they give to the “tell me about yourself” question. 

I want everyone to nail this first question! So I’m sharing the top tips I give to almost every single mock interview client: 

Listen, I get it. It’s a bad question. No one likes it. But it’s easy for interviewers to ask, even if they know they won’t get a good answer. (Come on interviewers, do better!!!) 

This question is meant to break the ice, and it is supposed to be an easy question. But most job seekers get it wrong.

Let’s reframe the question and get to what the interviewer really wants to know.

“Why are you qualified and interested in this role?”

THE CONTENT

◾Provide only information relevant to the role. (Thoroughly review the job posting)

◾Reference technical skills, processes/procedures, and industry knowledge

◾It’s a high-level summary

THE DELIVERY

◾Let your enthusiasm and confidence shine

◾Speak slowly

TIMING

◾Keep your answer under 2 minutes

You have the rest of the interview to cover additional skills and to let your personality and qualifications shine.

THE FRAMEWORK

I’ve seen candidates transform their entire interview trajectory just by shifting from a 'biography' to this simple three-part formula:

🕰️ Past

📅 Present

🔮 Future

This is what I’ve done in the past that qualifies me for this job

This is what I’m currently doing that qualifies me for this job

This is why this role would be good for my future career goals

Ending with why you are interested in the role makes it clear you are finished talking and is a nice transition for the conversation.

A SCRIPT TEMPLATE OPTION

Here’s another option:

"I am a ____________(job title or profession) with expertise in _________________ (specific work related skills). My background includes______________ (relevant roles or industries worked in). My unique ability is_____________ (differentiator). I’m interested in this role because ______________ (why you are attracted to this company or role).”

PRO-TIPS

💡 Don't just memorize it! Own it! With enthusiasm and confidence! You get there by practicing out loud!

💡 Athletes train for months before they compete to develop muscle memory. You want to train for confidence! 

The Job Search Referral Process Works - Lisa Rangel

Straightforward instructions and templates to use to make it super simple for you to implement! There’s no longer an excuse for NOT tapping someone who could serve as a referral for that job you really want to interview for! 

LinkedIn Now Requiring Verification for SOME Job Titles - HRMeg

LinkedIn is actively working to combat the rise of employment-related scams. This article details why this change is happening, who will be affected, and what steps to take next. We can all agree that any effort to stop these bad actors is worth supporting. Credit to Thomas Powner, NCOPE, CPRW, CCMC

5 Things Job Seekers Can Post About On LinkedIn - Adam Broda

Posting regularly on LinkedIn shows you are active on the platform and can increase the people seeing your posts. But what do you post about? Not your job search. Instead, choose one of these 5 topics. (There are many more, but this should get you started.)

The 9-Second Trick to Tell Me About Yourself - Dorie Clark

Try adding this one sentence to your answer and see what happens! 

The Labor Market Has Improved… - Guy Berger

Well, this is an interesting analysis. And it might not feel like the reality you are living in. But numbers speak. This chart shows dropping Unemployment Rates (blue line) and other decreases in unemployment+discouraged workers. Meaning that there are fewer of them in the labor market. 

For more labor market analysis, Guy Berger’s newsletter MostlyMacro is a great resource. 

The Types of AI Users - David Fano

Are you someone who feels amplified or shaken by AI? This post helps you look at the difference in thinking and what you can do about it to protect your career. 

8 Favorite Questions For Job Seekers

You can learn so much about a role by the questions you ask… and even more from the answers they sidestep. 

Smart questions help you gather real intel while exposing potential red flags. They help you:

Here are 8 of my go-to questions every candidate should keep in their back pocket:

1️⃣ What are the most important elements of this job? - Gives you the blueprint for what to emphasize in your responses.

2️⃣ Why is this position open? - Reveals whether this is growth or turnover.

3️⃣ What did the last person in this role go on to do, and what were they like? - Shows the career path and the qualities they valued before.

4️⃣ How is performance evaluated, and how often? - Helpful when negotiating compensation and expectations.

5️⃣ What goals do you expect someone to achieve in the first 30, 60, 90 days (or first year)? - Points to the real priorities beneath the job description.

6️⃣ What do you enjoy most about working here? - A peek into the culture from someone living it.

And then your non-negotiables:

7️⃣ What are the next steps in the process?

8️⃣ What’s your timeline for updating candidates?

These signal confidence and help you stay in control of your search.

Follow me on Instagram

Most people don't fully utilize their 100 skills in their LinkedIn profile

Networking is a Waste of Time- Or Is It? (Your Networking Agenda)

23 Reasons Why You Can’t Find A Job (Plus Tips)

If you enjoyed this… share it!