How to Answer “Tell Us Something Interesting About Yourself” in Interviews

Job interviews often come with a daunting array of questions designed to gauge your suitability for the role. Among these, “Tell us something interesting about yourself” stands out as particularly challenging. This question isn’t just small talk; it presents a unique opportunity to showcase aspects of your personality and experiences that may not be immediately evident through your resume.

Responding effectively can set you apart from other candidates by highlighting what makes you uniquely qualified and memorable. Crafting a compelling answer requires careful thought and strategic planning.

Why Interviewers Ask This Question

Interviewers pose the question, “Tell us something interesting about yourself,” to delve deeper into your character and uncover dimensions that standard questions might not reveal. This inquiry serves as a window into your individuality, offering a glimpse of your passions, values, and unique experiences. It allows hiring managers to see beyond your professional qualifications and understand what drives you as a person.

The response to this question can also provide insight into your communication skills. How you choose to present your interesting fact, the narrative you build around it, and the enthusiasm you convey can all reflect your ability to engage and connect with others. This is particularly important in roles that require strong interpersonal skills or public speaking.

Moreover, this question can act as a litmus test for cultural fit. Companies often seek candidates who align with their organizational values and culture. By sharing a personal anecdote or unique interest, you offer a snapshot of your personality that can help interviewers assess whether you would thrive in their work environment. For instance, a story about your volunteer work might resonate with a company that values community involvement.

How to Choose the Right Interesting Fact

Selecting the right interesting fact about yourself can be a nuanced process. The goal is to present something that not only piques curiosity but also reflects positively on your character and aligns with the position you’re aiming for. Start by considering your audience—think about what might resonate with the interviewers based on the company’s industry, culture, and values. For instance, if you’re interviewing at a tech startup, mentioning a personal project that involved coding or technological innovation could be particularly impactful.

Reflect on your unique experiences and achievements outside of your professional life. Consider moments when you demonstrated resilience, creativity, or leadership. These instances often provide compelling narratives that can captivate your audience. For example, if you once organized a community event or spearheaded a successful crowdfunding campaign, these anecdotes can highlight your initiative and ability to mobilize people around a common goal.

Hobbies and interests can also be an excellent source of material. However, it’s important to choose activities that reveal something meaningful about you. A hobby that requires dedication and skill, such as learning a new language or mastering a musical instrument, can illustrate traits like perseverance and passion. Avoid generic hobbies that might not add much depth to your profile. Instead, focus on pursuits that have a story behind them or have had a significant impact on your life.

Travel experiences can offer a rich tapestry of stories and lessons. Sharing a memorable journey that challenged your worldview or required you to adapt to unfamiliar situations can demonstrate your adaptability and open-mindedness. For example, recounting your experience of navigating a solo backpacking trip through a foreign country can showcase your resourcefulness and independence.

Unusual skills or talents can also capture attention. Whether it’s an obscure sport you excel in or an artistic talent, these unique facets of your personality can set you apart from other candidates. These skills often come with intriguing stories that can make your answer memorable. For instance, if you’re proficient in a rare form of dance or have a knack for creating intricate origami, these talents can serve as conversation starters and highlight your diverse interests.

Personal Achievements

When contemplating which personal achievements to share during an interview, consider those that truly define your journey and showcase your unique qualities. Think back to moments that challenged you and required you to go above and beyond your typical capabilities. These achievements often paint a vivid picture of your determination and ability to overcome obstacles.

For example, earning a degree while balancing a full-time job or family responsibilities can demonstrate your time management skills and dedication. Such accomplishments speak volumes about your ability to prioritize and stay committed to long-term goals. Similarly, if you’ve received awards or recognitions in your field, these accolades can highlight your expertise and the respect you’ve garnered from your peers.

Achievements outside the professional arena can be equally compelling. Perhaps you’ve completed a marathon or triathlon, showing your physical endurance and mental fortitude. These kinds of accomplishments can reveal aspects of your character that are not immediately apparent through your work history alone. They also offer a glimpse into your personal passions and how you channel your energy into achieving significant milestones.

In academic settings, achievements such as publishing a research paper or leading a successful project can underline your intellectual capabilities and leadership qualities. If you’ve been involved in mentorship programs or have taken on roles that involve guiding others, these experiences can underscore your commitment to helping others succeed, which is a valuable trait in any professional setting.

Unique Hobbies and Interests

Delving into unique hobbies and interests offers a rich tapestry for interview conversations, allowing you to reveal dimensions of your personality that might otherwise remain hidden. When selecting a hobby to discuss, think about activities that not only fascinate you but also reflect qualities that could be valuable in a professional setting. For instance, participating in competitive eSports can demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to perform under pressure. It also opens up a conversation about teamwork and collaboration, skills that are highly transferable to many work environments.

Unusual hobbies such as urban exploration or geocaching can highlight your adventurous spirit and curiosity. These interests suggest a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and engage with the world in unconventional ways. They also provide a treasure trove of stories and experiences that can make your answer both memorable and engaging. By sharing how you navigated an abandoned building or found a hidden geocache, you can illustrate your problem-solving skills and determination.

Creative pursuits like writing poetry, painting, or crafting intricate models can reveal your attention to detail and innovative mindset. These hobbies often require a level of patience and creativity that can be highly advantageous in roles that demand innovative solutions and meticulous planning. Discussing your involvement in local art exhibitions or poetry readings can also underscore your commitment to personal growth and community engagement.

Travel Experiences

Travel experiences can be a goldmine for intriguing interview anecdotes, especially those that have shaped your worldview or tested your adaptability. When selecting a travel story, consider moments that required you to navigate unfamiliar cultures or conquer significant challenges. These instances often highlight your resilience and ability to thrive in diverse environments. For example, recounting a solo journey through rural Japan where you had to communicate without knowing the language can demonstrate your resourcefulness and willingness to embrace new experiences.

Moreover, travel experiences that involve volunteering or meaningful interactions with local communities can illustrate your commitment to social responsibility. If you’ve participated in a habitat restoration project in the Amazon or taught English in a remote village, these stories can reveal your dedication to making a positive impact. Such narratives not only make you memorable but also show that you have a broader perspective on the world, which can be an asset in any professional setting.

Unusual Skills or Talents

Unusual skills or talents can serve as compelling conversation starters, offering a glimpse into your unique capabilities. These skills often come with interesting stories and can highlight your dedication to mastering something outside the norm. For instance, if you are proficient in juggling or have learned the art of blacksmithing, these talents can showcase your ability to focus and learn complex tasks. They also provide a narrative that is likely to be both engaging and memorable for interviewers.

Additionally, these uncommon skills can sometimes be surprisingly relevant to the job at hand. For example, if you’re adept at speed-solving Rubik’s cubes, this could be a testament to your problem-solving skills and quick thinking. Similarly, if you can perform magic tricks, it might indicate your ability to captivate an audience and think creatively, which could be particularly useful in roles that involve client interaction or presentations.

Presenting Your Interesting Fact

Once you’ve chosen the interesting fact to share, the manner in which you present it can significantly impact its effectiveness. Start by setting the stage with a brief introduction that provides context. This helps to engage the interviewers from the outset and makes your story more relatable. For instance, if you’re discussing a unique hobby like rock climbing, you might begin by explaining how you first became interested in it and what drew you to the sport.

It’s also important to weave in elements that highlight relevant skills or qualities. While sharing your story, subtly emphasize traits that align with the job you’re applying for. If your interesting fact involves a travel experience, mention how it enhanced your cultural awareness and adaptability—qualities that are valuable in a globalized workplace. The key is to link your personal anecdote to professional attributes without making it feel forced.