What “tell me about yourself” really means

The infamous "So, tell me about yourself" interview question...

My two cents is that a good interviewer doesn't need to ask this at all if they've had a quality, dynamic interview with a candidate.

Was there a "give and take" between the interviewer and candidate ?

Was there a connection made on an interpersonal level ?

Was there some small talk that provided some insights into the candidate's general and relevant background?

If there was then there should be a rapport and the interviewer should have a pretty good idea about fit and relevance.

If not- then, if the interviewer asks "Tell me about your self", what's the interviewer really looking for?

NOT your life history since high school. Not your hobbies, sports successes or marital, parenting or pet pet ownership details.

They're asking you to provide a short - relevant- overview of your more recent professional background- why and how your more recent (within the last 5-7 years only) position you to do well in the new position and company you're interviewing for.

This "Story" - and it really is a short, one to two minute story - should highlight a few bullets that tie directly to the new position and why you'd be a great fit.

Don't get bogged down into minutia. Don't go back 20 years, don't belabor every job. As they say, "just the facts".

Oh, yeah. You should have thought this through and even rehearsed it prior to the interview- don't wing it !