The Worst Interview Questions: “Tell Me About Yourself?”
Never ever ask a candidate “Tell me about yourself”. It’s offensive, and it’s a fat-lazy-meaningless question. I read an article over on TheLadders.com written by an HR Executive. Let me start by saying this is a question that has been dead to me since the 90’s. The worn out interview question, “Tell me about yourself” is almost like asking someone if they surf the World Wide Web or referring to the Internet as Cyberspace. It’s old but unfortunately still used.
If you ask this question, puh-lease stop because you are making an ass out of yourself . In fact, please, PLEASE don’t tell me you ask this question if you directly recruited or cold called someone because it reeks of unprofessionalism. AND (if after you read this post), still insist on asking this lame interview question, then be sure to wear your beanie propeller cap because you’re a cyber-surfing dork.
In TheLadders.com article it goes on to say that the applicant comes across as not prepared for the interview or even unprepared for the job if they respond by saying “What do you want to know?” This is absolutely flawed thinking.
Let’s be real here for moment. All recruiters sigh and roll their eyes whenever a hiring manager wants to hire a “rock star” candidate. So, the recruiter goes through great lengths to find the perfect candidate, then qualifies them, and has them interested in the job. Once the candidate comes in for an interview, he/she might get asked, “Tell me about yourself?” And, it’s like smugly saying “I didn’t even bother reading your resume because my time is too….mmmmm precious.” Yeah, whatever.
I’m an IT recruiter. Do you know how hard it is to find a qualified Silverlight Developer with WPF and WCF experience??? So, if I directly recruit a Silverlight Developer out of a company, do you think my ice breaker question is “So, tell me about yourself?” Um, no it’s not. They will end the call and I’ll never get a second chance ever never evuh again.
If you had a chance to interview a true rock star would you open with the interview question, “Tell me about yourself?” What if you had a chance to interview a famous actor, athlete or even the POTUS, would you ask this ice breaker question?
Let me ask you this. What do you think of the person asking the interview question, “Tell me about yourself?”
Just harping on employers about this today. There’s no more surefire way to make a lousy first impression with someone than asking “tell me about yourself.”
Asking an applicant “tell me about yourself” is a sign of being lazy. As a Corporate recruiter it is necessary to learn who that person is by carefully going through his resume, and then asking what it is that the applicant is looking for. You shouldn’t even have to ask the applicant to tell you about themselves if you read and understood their resume.
When I first started this article I felt that asking the question tell me about yourself was a valid question, but you are so right. After the recruiter has went through hundreds of resumes they find the best candidates. Asking tell me about yourself is just being lazy. Thanks for the insight.
This is true! I own a business services and Virtual Assistant company, Virtual Assist USA. I interview approximately 50 people per year. What is most important to me is that they’re on top of details, have high standards of excellence and skill set. I avoid this question entirely– you’re right, it doesn’t give you any information! Thanks for the reminder.