Do we think it’s time to retire the question “tell me about yourself?”. It always feels so rehearsed and broad. At this point it feels like a checklist item. Thoughts?

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Well, the upside to that question is that it is "well-known" and candidates usually prepare well, so it could be a good way to start where you can prepare in advance...

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No, it is still a very relevant question. It can distinguish well prepared candidates and other candidates

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Yes, please. It's turned into the human equivalent of "I'm passionate about..." on resumes. A better prompt might be: “Walk me through your last role and what you loved (or hated) about it.” That gives people space to be specific and real.

If it is the first question and you are the one being interviewed, I recommend that you answer it in a very specific manner. No more than 1-2 minutes. What you did at your past job and how it is relevant to 2-3 parts of the job description.

Honesty, some people need as a mental trigger to match the candidate to the resume or use it as a soft ice breaker to kick off the interview. I milk this moment for a it is worth and have an elevator pitch ready.

I like this question because if you're not your #1 Cheerleader, things are going to be though when no one has your back. Also gets rid of imposter syndrome, which can make developers struggle in a high pressure environment.

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Additional Posts in Ask A Recruiter - Tech

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Is a cover letter necessary?

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