Tell me about Yourself

General

"Tell me about yourself" is a common interview question that gives you the opportunity to talk about your background, skills, and accomplishments. It can be a great opportunity to stand out and make a positive impression on the interviewer. The interviewer is typically looking for a brief overview of your background, education, and work experience. It's a chance for you to give the interviewer a summary of your most relevant qualifications and experience.

As a program manager, you could respond to the question "Tell me about yourself" by highlighting your experience in leading and managing cross-functional teams to deliver successful projects or initiatives. You could also focus on your skills in project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication, as well as any relevant industry experience or knowledge you have.

As a Principal Program Manager / People Manager or a Program Director, you could respond to the question "Tell me about yourself" by highlighting your experience in leading and managing complex programs or initiatives at a high level, as well as your skills in strategic planning, budget management, stakeholder communication and team leadership. You could also focus on any relevant industry experience or knowledge you have, as well as any notable achievements or accomplishments in your career.

Here are some tips for how to answer this question

Keep it brief: You don't need to go into too much detail, but try to give a sense of your background and relevant experience. Remember to keep your answer concise and focused on your professional background, and to use specific examples to illustrate your skills and accomplishments. Keep it under 2 minutes.
Focus on your strengths: Highlight your skills, accomplishments, and any relevant experience that make you a good fit for the role.
Its about data and Impact: Add data to your answers and the impact. It's all about numbers. "In my most recent job, I ran a large program to deliver ___________ with 250 engineers and within one year the revene grew by 20M and the customer base grew by 120% to X Million users."
Tailor your answer to the job: If you have done your research on the company and the position, you should have a good idea of what they are looking for. Tailor your answer to emphasize how your background and experience make you a strong fit for the role.
Practice: This is a common question, so take some time to practice your answer beforehand. This will help you feel more confident and prepared during the interview.
Be Professional : This is a job interview and not a friendly conversation.

Common mistakes people make while answering this question

Going off tangents: It's important to stay focused and only discuss information that is relevant to the job and your professional background.
Being too vague: Avoid generalities and provide specific examples to illustrate your points.
Focusing too much on your personal life: The interviewer is interested in your professional background, not your personal life. Avoid discussing sensitive or inappropriate information.
Being too modest: While it's important to be humble, you should also highlight your strengths and accomplishments.
Rambling: Keep your response concise and to the point. Practice beforehand to make sure you can effectively communicate your relevant experiences and skills in a few minutes.
Being too self-promotional: While it is important to highlight your strengths, avoid coming across as arrogant or overly self-promotional. It is important to strike a balance and be modest while still being confident in your abilities.
Failing to tailor your response to the job: Be sure to tailor your response to the specific job and company you are applying to. Show the interviewer how your skills and experiences make you a good fit for the role.

What not to say !

It is not appropriate to discuss personal or sensitive information, such as your age, religion, or political beliefs.
You should also avoid discussing any negative experiences or problems you have had in previous jobs or with coworkers.

Overall, the goal of this question is for the interviewer to get a sense of your professional background and abilities and not your personal life achievements or struggles. By focusing on your relevant experiences and skills, you can give a strong answer that will help you stand out as a candidate. Here are some brief templates.

Examples - Cater your answer to include your achievements (numbers and impact)

Example 1

"I am a results-driven program manager with over 10 years of experience in leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. In my current role at XYZ Company, I am responsible for managing a portfolio of projects ranging in size and scope, and have a track record of successfully executing projects that drive business growth. I have excellent communication and leadership skills, and am skilled at building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders at all levels. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 2

"I am an experienced program manager with over 10 years of experience in the technology industry. In my current role at XYZ Company, I am responsible for leading a team of cross-functional professionals to deliver complex software development projects on time and within budget. I have a track record of successfully managing projects with multiple stakeholders and am skilled at driving collaboration and alignment towards a common goal. I have a proven ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members, and am comfortable presenting to senior leadership and external clients. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 3

"I am a results-driven program manager with over 10 years of experience in leading and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. In my current role at XYZ Company, I have successfully managed a team of cross-functional professionals to deliver multiple projects, including the implementation of a new CRM system that resulted in a 20% increase in sales. I am skilled at developing and executing project plans, identifying and mitigating risks, and communicating effectively with stakeholders. I have a strong background in the [industry] and a proven track record of success. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 4

"I am a highly skilled technical program manager with over 8 years of experience in leading and delivering complex technical projects on time and within budget. In my current role at XYZ Company, I have successfully managed a team of engineers and other technical professionals to deliver multiple projects, including the development of a new mobile application that has been downloaded over 1 million times. I have a strong background in [technical field] and am well-versed in the latest technologies and methodologies. I am skilled at developing and executing project plans, identifying and mitigating risks, and communicating effectively with stakeholders. I am confident that my technical expertise and project management experience make me a strong fit for this role at your company."

Example 5

"I am a technical program manager with over 8 years of experience in leading and delivering complex technical projects on time and within budget. In my current role at ABC Company, I have successfully managed a team of highly skilled engineers to deliver multiple projects, including the development of a new software platform that has been deployed to over 100,000 users. I have a strong background in [technical field] and a deep understanding of the [industry]. I am skilled at developing and executing project plans, identifying and mitigating risks, and communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 6

"I am a highly skilled technical program manager with over 8 years of experience in leading and delivering complex technical projects on time and within budget. In my current role at ABC Company, I have successfully managed a team of engineers to deliver multiple projects, including the development of a new software platform that has been adopted by several major clients. I have a strong background in [technical field] and a deep understanding of [technical skills or technologies relevant to the job]. I am skilled at developing and executing project plans, identifying and mitigating risks, and communicating effectively with stakeholders. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 7

"I am a strategic and visionary program director / people manager with over 15 years of experience in leading and delivering complex programs in the [industry]. In my current role at XYZ Company, I have successfully developed and implemented a new business unit that has contributed significantly to the company's growth. I have a strong track record of developing and executing successful strategies, managing budgets, and building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. I am skilled at leading and motivating cross-functional teams to achieve results, and have a proven ability to drive change and innovation. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 8

"I am a highly experienced program director/ people manager with over 15 years of experience in leading and delivering successful programs and initiatives. In my current role at XYZ Company, I have successfully developed and implemented several major initiatives, including a new professional development program for our employees that resulted in a 20% increase in retention. I have a strong background in [industry] and a deep understanding of [skills or areas of expertise relevant to the job]. I am skilled at developing and executing strategic plans, managing budgets, and communicating effectively with stakeholders. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your company and contribute to its success."

Example 9

"I am a strategic and experienced program director/ people manager with over 25 years of experience in leading and delivering large-scale programs. In my current role at XYZ Company, I have successfully developed and implemented several key initiatives that have had a significant impact on the organization. I have a proven track record of success in developing and executing program strategies, managing budgets, and building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. I have a strong background in the [industry] and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in this field. I am confident that my experience and skills make me a strong fit for this role at your company."

FAQ 1: FAQ