How to Answer: Tell Me About Yourself in a Job Interview

Why Storytelling is the Secret to Answering "Tell Me About Yourself"

The dreaded “Tell me about yourself” question is the ultimate double-edged sword in a job interview. On one hand, it’s a golden opportunity to make a strong first impression and set the tone for the rest of the conversation. On the other hand, it’s so open-ended that it often leaves candidates stumbling, unsure of what to say or where to start.

Do you dive into your resume and list your accomplishments? Should you talk about your personal life? How do you avoid sounding generic or, worse, rambling on and losing the interviewer’s attention?

Here’s the secret: treat your answer like a story. Specifically, like the kind of story that captivates and resonates with an audience. Think of it as your chance to frame your career journey in a way that’s engaging, relatable, and memorable. After all, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people—and in an interview, connection is everything.

When I ask this question as a recruiter, I deliberately leave it open-ended to see where you’ll take it. Will you ramble, or will you be succinct? Do you project confidence, or do you seem unsure? Are you communicating with influence and purpose, or does your story feel disjointed?

I’m not asking this to trip you up—I’m looking for opportunities to coach you. Your answer helps me identify areas where I can help you improve your interview performance and become the best possible version of yourself.

But when you’re sitting in front of a hiring panel, the stakes are different. The panel isn’t just interested in what you’ve done; they’re assessing how you present it. They want a concise, engaging answer that showcases your ability to organize your thoughts, communicate effectively, and connect your experiences to the role. This isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you say it.

This question sets the tone for the entire interview. A strong, well-structured answer can give you momentum and build trust with your interviewers, while a weak or unfocused response might create unnecessary hurdles.

So, how do you craft an answer that hits all the right notes? The answer lies in storytelling—and specifically, the Hero’s Journey framework. This timeless storytelling structure, used in everything from ancient myths to modern movies, is the perfect tool to transform your career story into a compelling narrative.

Let’s dive into why storytelling works so well in interviews and how you can use the Hero’s Journey to confidently answer “Tell me about yourself.”

The Hero’s Journey: A Framework for Storytelling

Storytelling is an art, and every great story follows a structure. One of the most powerful and universal storytelling frameworks is the Hero’s Journey. It’s been used for centuries in myths, literature, and blockbuster movies to tell stories of transformation—how someone starts in one place, faces challenges, and emerges stronger on the other side.

The Hero’s Journey resonates because it mirrors the journeys we all experience in life. It’s a structure that taps into our shared human experience of growth, struggle, and triumph. When applied to a job interview, it can transform your answer to “Tell me about yourself” into a compelling narrative that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Hero’s Journey and how it applies to storytelling:

1. The Call (Origins): The Beginning of the Journey

Every hero’s story begins with a call to adventure—something that sparks the journey. In your career story, this is where you talk about how you started. What drew you to your field? What inspired you to take that first step?

2. Early Challenges: Learning the Ropes

No hero’s journey is smooth at the start. Early challenges test the hero’s resolve and teach them important lessons. In your career, this might include your first job, overcoming obstacles, or adjusting to the demands of your field.

3. Mentors: Guidance Along the Way

The hero doesn’t journey alone—mentors, guides, or allies step in to offer wisdom and support. Who in your career has influenced you or helped you grow? A manager, mentor, or even a team that taught you invaluable lessons can fit into this part of the story.

4. The Abyss (Turning Point): A Defining Challenge

The hero eventually faces their greatest challenge—the abyss—a moment of reckoning that tests their strength and character. For you, this could be a high-stakes project, a career pivot, or an unexpected challenge that forced you to grow in ways you didn’t anticipate.

5. Transformation: Emerging Stronger

Overcoming the abyss transforms the hero. They emerge with new skills, perspectives, and strengths. This is where you talk about what you learned from your challenges and how you grew as a professional.

6. The Return: Bringing It All Together

Finally, the hero returns to their community, stronger and wiser, ready to share what they’ve learned. For your career story, this is where you connect your journey to the role you’re interviewing for. Who are you today, and why are you excited about this opportunity?

How to Use the Hero’s Journey to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

Now that you understand the Hero’s Journey, let’s talk about how to apply it to your career story. The goal is to create a structured, engaging, and relevant answer that highlights your growth, achievements, and suitability for the role.

Step 1: Start with Your Origins

Think about where your career began. What inspired you to enter your field? This might be a passion, a pivotal experience, or even a mentor who encouraged you to pursue this path.

• Example: “I’ve always been fascinated by problem-solving, which is what led me to study engineering. During my first internship, I discovered my passion for designing systems that improve efficiency.”

Step 2: Highlight Your Early Challenges

Talk about the challenges you faced early in your career and what you learned from them. This shows that you’re adaptable and willing to grow.

• Example: “Early on, I struggled with managing competing deadlines, but I quickly learned how to prioritize effectively and work efficiently under pressure.”

Step 3: Introduce Key Mentors or Influences

Who has shaped your career? Share a specific example of a manager, colleague, or mentor who helped you grow.

• Example: “I had a manager who encouraged me to take on leadership responsibilities, which gave me the confidence to manage my first team and taught me the value of delegation and collaboration.”

Step 4: Share a Defining Moment or Challenge

This is where your story gains emotional depth. Talk about a pivotal moment in your career that tested you and ultimately shaped who you are today.

• Example: “One of the biggest challenges I faced was leading a project that initially felt impossible due to limited resources. I had to think creatively, rally my team, and deliver results under intense pressure. That experience taught me resilience and the importance of clear communication.”

Step 5: Reflect on Your Transformation

Explain how your experiences have shaped you as a professional. What skills or qualities have you developed?

• Example: “These experiences helped me grow into a confident problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced environments. I’ve developed a strong ability to adapt and lead through change.”

Step 6: Connect Your Journey to the Role

Bring your story full circle by linking it to the position you’re applying for. Show how your experiences make you the ideal candidate for the role.

• Example: “Today, I’m looking for an opportunity to leverage my skills in a dynamic team environment like this one, where I can contribute to meaningful projects and continue to grow.”

Hero’s Journey Checklist: Does Your Answer Hit All the Right Notes?

Use this checklist to ensure your answer is clear, engaging, and aligned with the role you’re applying for:

1. The Call (Origins):

   • ✅ Did I start with a strong introduction that explains how my journey began?
   • ✅ Did I share what sparked my interest in this field or career path?

2. Early Challenges:

   • ✅ Did I include one or two examples of early obstacles or lessons that shaped me?
   • ✅ Did I explain how these experiences helped me grow?

3. Mentors:

   • ✅ Did I mention anyone (e.g., managers, mentors, colleagues) who influenced or guided me?
   • ✅ Did I share how their support impacted my career development?

4. The Abyss (Turning Point):

   • ✅ Did I describe a pivotal moment or major challenge in my career?
   • ✅ Did I show how I overcame this challenge and what I learned from it?

5. Transformation:

   • ✅ Did I reflect on how my experiences have shaped me into the professional I am today?
   • ✅ Did I highlight specific skills, qualities, or perspectives I’ve gained?

6. The Return:

   • ✅ Did I connect my journey to the role I’m applying for?
   • ✅ Did I clearly articulate why I’m excited about this opportunity and how I’m uniquely suited for it?

7. Delivery:

   • ✅ Is my answer concise and within the 3-5 minute range?
   • ✅ Does my story flow naturally and stay focused on relevant details?

Tips for Crafting Your Hero’s Journey Answer

1. Be Concise: Aim for a 3-5 minute answer. Practice trimming unnecessary details to keep your story focused.
2. Be Specific: Use real examples that illustrate your strengths and achievements. Avoid vague statements like, “I’m hardworking.”
3. Tailor It to the Role: Highlight the parts of your story that align most closely with the job description.
4. Show Enthusiasm: Let your passion for the role and company shine through in your tone and body language.
5. Practice Out Loud: Rehearse your answer to ensure it flows naturally and stays within the time limit.

An Example in Action

Here’s how you might use the Hero’s Journey framework to craft your answer:

• The Call: “I’ve always been passionate about helping others, which is what led me to study psychology and later pursue a career in HR.”
• Early Challenges: “In my first role, I learned how to navigate difficult conversations while managing employee relations issues.”
• Mentors: “I was fortunate to work with a director who taught me how to balance empathy with clear decision-making.”
• The Abyss: “A defining moment in my career was leading a company-wide restructuring initiative, where I had to manage competing priorities and maintain employee trust during a challenging time.”
• Transformation: “That experience helped me grow into a strategic HR professional who can handle high-pressure situations with confidence and clarity.”
• The Return: “I’m excited about this opportunity because it allows me to bring my expertise in employee engagement and organizational strategy to a company that values growth and collaboration.”

Why the Hero’s Journey Works

The Hero’s Journey framework resonates with interviewers because it’s structured, engaging, and easy to follow. It highlights not just what you’ve done, but who you are—your growth, your resilience, and your potential.

By framing your career story as a journey, you create a narrative that’s both professional and personal, leaving a lasting impression that goes beyond the typical interview script.

With the Hero’s Journey, you’re not just answering “Tell me about yourself.” You’re telling a story that sets you apart, builds trust, and shows why you’re the right person for the role.

Start crafting your Hero’s Journey today, and watch how it transforms your interviews!

Ps. If you're interested in an Interview Checklist to make sure you've covered all of the preparation essential before your next interview then download my free resource here.