Answers for “Tell Me about Yourself” If You Have No Work Experience

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Expert tips and tricks for acing your next interview

Written by Meredith Walters, MBA | Edited by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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• How to Respond
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• Sample Answers
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• Why do employers ask the question?
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• Video
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• Tips
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• Warnings

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When you’re interviewing and don’t have previous work experience, your other life and academic achievements become the most important topics. Employers for entry-level jobs want to see that you’re a perfect fit for the role, so finding ways to showcase your skills helps convince them to hire you. Whether you’re just entering the workforce or are changing career paths, we’ll help you through the major talking points to include. Keep reading to learn what topics to cover, why employers ask the question, and example answers that you could try.

This article is based on an interview with our certified career coach, Meredith Walters, MBA. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

• Mention your academics, like what you’re studying, what extracurriculars or student organizations you’re a part of, and what relevant schoolwork you’ve completed.
• Highlight volunteer experiences to show employers that you follow through on commitments and are able to communicate well with others.
• Explain why you’re interested in the role and how it will help you feel fulfilled toward your career goals and passions for the future.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Responding to “Tell Me About Yourself”

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1. 1
   Open with a brief personal summary. Take a second at the start of your answer to introduce yourself, mention what inspired you to apply for the role, and say why you’re motivated to interview. Then, discuss what you currently do, whether you’re a student, recent grad, or currently working in a different field, so the employer gets a sense of who you are

   • Practice what you’re going to say so you don’t freeze up or feel put on the spot during your actual interview. Just make sure to keep your answer loose so it doesn’t feel too rehearsed.
   • Reader Poll: We asked 134 wikiHow readers which job interview question is the most important to prepare for, and 57% of them said "Tell me about yourself?". [Take Poll] Readers agree that this question can make or break your interview, so don't skip the prep work!
2. 2
   Talk about past volunteer experiences or internships. When you don’t have work experience yet, focus on the other work that you’ve done that shows your character. Highlight any experience you have volunteering and what roles you performed. to show the employer your level of commitment and how much you care for others. If you’ve had paid or unpaid internships in a similar field, be sure to mention what duties you had and what you took away from the experience.

   • Try to include quantifiable examples in your answer to sound more impressive to the interviewer. For example, you may mention a specific amount of money you were able to fundraise while volunteering.
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3. 3
   Highlight relevant academic projects or achievements. If you’re still in school or a fresh graduate, talk about your major, relevant classes that you’ve taken, or large projects that you took on while studying. Be sure to give examples of times you’ve taken a leadership role in student organizations or during projects, and what responsibilities you held to show the employer that you’re reliable and hard-working.

   • Be sure to talk about any extracurriculars you’re actively involved in so the interviewer sees that you’re able to make commitments and stick to them.
4. 4
   Mention skills that you bring to the position. Even if you don’t have experience in the workforce, there are still plenty of times when you showcased applicable skills in your personal or academic life. Brainstorm what you’re skilled at and how you may have showcased those skills in the past with a few concrete examples. That way, the interviewer sees how capable you are of completing duties on the job.

   • You could say that one of your skills is problem-solving, and highlight a school project where you had to take a unique approach to overcome an issue.
   • If you’re changing your career path, then discuss how experience from your previous line of work could carry over to this position.
5. 5
   Discuss what you hope to gain from the position. Use the final moments of your answer to mention your current situation for why you applied and why you’re interested in the position. Talk about yourself and how the role aligns with your larger career goals, passions, and personal strengths. That way, the employer knows what assets you can bring to their business.

   • Do a little research on the company before going to your interview. Scan through the job description to pull keywords to mention, and read through their mission statement if they have one available.
6. 6
   Bring up topics not covered on your resume. The interviewer or employer may have already read through your resume, so try to expand on areas that you weren’t able to cover. You may discuss relevant hobbies or mention small details that you weren’t able to fit under previous academic or personal experience.

   • Talking about your hobbies also shows off your personality more so the interviewer can tell if you’re a good fit with other employees.
7. 7
   Keep your answer under 2 minutes. While you may be excited to go deep into the details of your life, stick to the information that’s the most relevant to the position. Try to focus on who you are, why you’re a fit for the role, and what you bring to the table rather than delving into the trivial details that aren’t as important.

   • During the interview, watch the interviewer's body language. If they start looking away or seem distracted, then it’s time to wrap up your answer.
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Section 2 of 3:

Sample Answers to “Tell Me About Yourself”

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1. 1
   High school student I’m John Smith, and I’m currently a junior at North High School. I’ve always been passionate about developing connections with other people, and this customer service position felt like a perfect fit. I’m currently the vice president of the student council, so I have lots of experience listening to others and finding solutions. I help keep open communication between students and faculty and lead our monthly meetings, and I will bring these leadership skills to this role. With my personable attitude and love of people, I know that I can assist customers to the best of my ability and get more sales at your business.
2. 2
   College graduate My name is Jenny Nichols, and I recently graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. I’ve had a fascination with how computers worked and have actively been building my Java programming skills since middle school. During my sophomore year, I had an internship with Google doing app development, where I learned how to write more complex code and assisted employees in designing an app that has had thousands of downloads since. I know my knack for problem-solving and working toward a solution will help me excel in this IT support role, and I’m excited to continue developing my coding skills here.
3. 3
   Entry-level candidate When I was in school, I was always a whiz with numbers and I always held top honors in my math and finance classes. Since then, I’ve been volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club for the past 2 years, where I lead classes on budgeting to help teens learn how to manage their money and be responsible financially. Even though I may not have professional experience, I know my passion and dedication will make me a perfect fit for this accounting position, and I can’t wait to continue helping more people feel in control of their finances.
4. 4
   Career change My name is Emily Watson, and I’ve always been an artist since I could hold a pencil. Since I started creating digital art in the past few years, my illustrations have been featured in local newspapers and magazines multiple times, so I know how to work under a deadline and design for print media. While I’ve held retail positions for the past few years, they have helped me develop strong communication skills with others that will help me work with future clients so we can deliver the illustrations to them. With my creativity and drive to only put out my best work, I’d be the perfect match for this junior artist role and I’m excited to help draw more attention to your brand with my art.
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Section 3 of 3:

Why do employers ask the question?

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1. 1
   To check if you’re a good fit Employers usually start off an interview with this question so they can immediately gauge how well you’d mesh with the company culture. Because they’ve already seen the hard skills you have on your resume or application, this is an opportunity for you to show your personality and passion for the position.
2. 2
   To test your communication skills Employers want to know that you’re able to communicate and articulate your thoughts clearly, so they’ll start you off with this question as an icebreaker. They’re typically looking at what experiences you deem the most important in your life and how well you condense the information into a general overview of who you are as a person.
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Tips

• Dress well for your interview. Ask the interviewer ahead of time about the company’s dress policy and be sure to follow it so you look professional and prepared.
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Warnings

• Avoid sharing any deep personal information or discussing controversial topics like politics or religion with a potential employer.
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