"Tell me about yourself" is a common interview question that might seem tricky, but it's an excellent opportunity to showcase your strengths, experience, and personality. To answer this question effectively, follow these steps:
Keep it relevant: Focus on your professional background and accomplishments. Do not delve into personal details unrelated to the job. The interviewer is looking for information that highlights your suitability for the position.
Start with a brief introduction: Provide a concise overview of your educational background, relevant experience, and key skills. This helps the interviewer understand the foundation of your career.
Highlight your achievements: Share a few significant accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise, problem-solving abilities, and success in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples and ensure they're relevant to the job requirements.
Connect your experience to the job: Explain how your skills and experience make you a great fit for the position. Be specific about how you can contribute to the company and what you can bring to the role.
Show enthusiasm: Convey your excitement about the opportunity and the company. Employers appreciate candidates who are genuinely interested in their organization and the job.
Keep it concise: Aim to answer the question in about 1-2 minutes. Avoid going off on tangents or providing too much information. This is an opportunity to provide a high-level overview of your professional background, not to recite your entire resume.
Example response:
"I have a master's degree in taxation and am a qualified Chartered Tax Advisor. Over the past eight years, I've been working in corporate tax roles with a focus on UK tax compliance and advisory services. In my most recent position as a Senior Tax Manager at ABC Firm, I led a team of six professionals, overseeing tax compliance for a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from SMEs to multinational corporations. I successfully managed complex projects, such as tax restructuring and transfer pricing, resulting in significant tax savings for our clients. One notable achievement was when I assisted a client in implementing a tax-efficient group structure that reduced their overall tax liability by 15%.
I am particularly excited about this opportunity because your firm has an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality tax services and is known for its commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. I believe my expertise in corporate tax and my experience in managing teams make me an excellent fit for this role. I'm eager to contribute to your firm's ongoing success and help your clients navigate the complex world of corporate taxation."
Make sure to tailor your response to the specific job you're interviewing for, focusing on the relevant skills and experiences that showcase your suitability for the role. Practice your answer beforehand to ensure you can deliver it confidently during the interview.”
