Chase is targeting some cardholders with a new offer that can save you $55 at select merchants when you checkout with Paze. The offer is showing up on some most cards, so check your accounts now if you are interested and save the offer. Let’s go over the details below.
Offer Details
Get $5 when you activate Paze and get $50 when you spend $100 or more at your favorite participating merchants.
Offer expires 3/20/2026.
Find Chase Offers here.
Newegg is one of the eligible merchants and they sell lots of third party gift cards.
Important Terms
You’ll earn a $5 statement credit when you activate your Paze wallet after your eligible card has been linked, and a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase of $100 or more with your eligible card using Paze during the offer period of 11/01/25 to 03/20/26.
Please allow up to 8 weeks after qualifying purchases post to your account for statement credit to appear on your monthly credit card billing statement.
To be eligible for this offer, your account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment.
Purchases must post to your account with a transaction date during the offer period to qualify and delays by a merchant could extend the transaction date beyond the offer period.
This bonus offer is non-transferable and applies only to cardmembers who receive marketing communications for this offer.
About Chase Offers
Chase Offers are available on Chase credit cards and debit cards. With these offers, you usually get cashback when you use your eligible Chase card to shop at a participating store. You can see your offers in the Chase app or in your account online. Here are a few things worth noting about these offers:
You can add the same offer to multiple cards, and you will receive multiple credits. The Savewise app helps you add and manage these offers.
Chase Offers could be targeted to certain accounts, so not every offer will be available for everyone.
Credits will appear in your account in 7-14 business days.
Usually the same offers will also show up for US Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Regions Bank, Suntrust Bank, BBVA, BB&T, PNC, Columbia Bank and Beneficial Bank customers.
Guru’s Wrap-up
This is a nice discount if you see any of your favorite merchants listed. Newegg could be a good option, as they sell third party gift cards, including Uber Eats, DoorDash and many restaurants. Doctor of Credit reports that the offer has tracked for Newegg purchases, more so for Visa cards than Mastercards.
Straight‑A report cards have never been more common for America’s teens—but the payoff is not what parents think. A new National Bureau of Economic Research study finds that when teachers hand out “easy A” grades, their students are more likely to skip class, score worse on future tests, and earn less money years later. For a typical high school class, the researchers estimate grade inflation can shave about $213,000 off the group’s future earnings, or roughly $150 a year for each letter grade quietly nudged up.
The findings arrive as President Donald Trump pushes a crackdown on grade inflation on college campuses, tying federal funding to whether universities hold the line on grading. Gen Z is already the first generation to score lower than their parents on some measures of cognitive performance, as reading habits erode and schools lean harder on grades instead of learning.
The study, entitled “Easy A’s, Less Pay: The Long-Term Effects of Grade Inflation,” found that for each individual student, this dynamic chalks up to a decrease in yearly earnings of about $150 for every grade bumped up to a B+ from a B, for example.
“Average grade inflation hurts,” Nolan Pope, one of the study’s researchers and a labor economist at University of Maryland, told Fortune. “They are less likely to learn if it’s very easy to get an A. They spend less time and effort.”
The debate around grade inflation has stretched from the classroom to the Oval Office. President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue last November, establishing a higher-ed compact linking federal funding for universities to strict parameters his administration set, barring grade inflation (or deflation). The practice could be harming young people. Gen Z is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents. Many young people are ditching books at record levels and some are even failing to complete reading assignments on par with previous expectations. From high school to college, grade inflation has offered educational institutions increasingly dubious value propositions.
The researchers analyzed administrative high school records from Los Angeles and Maryland and linked them to long-term postsecondary and earnings data. They measured grade inflation by comparing student grades to their actual performance on standardized tests.
The hidden costs: absences, suspensions, and dropping out
Whether it be with grades or money, inflation degrades value. Wealth managers are grappling with a strange problem in 21st century America: the rise of many “everyday millionaires” who are illiquid, with much of their wealth tied up in housing, often struggling to afford the things they feel entitled to by their paper worth. The straight-A students, in other words, likely have parents with straight-A portfolios, but both end up with B- or even C-level experiences in this inflated economy.
“The economy wasn’t built to handle this many people with this much money,” Nick Maggiulli, New York Times bestselling author of The Wealth Ladder, told Fortune in an interview last year. “On a relative basis in the United States, the competition for these higher-end goods is very high, so now it feels like we’re all canceling each other out with all this extra wealth,” he added. So too, in the classroom, when high scores are liberally handed out, the A loses its sought-after value.
The NBER study found that it’s not just future earnings being degraded. Grade inflation could actually have the inverse effect of their implied outcome. Students that are assigned a teacher that inflates grades are more likely to score poorly on future tests. They’re less likely to graduate high school, and even less likely to enroll in college. Most of these impacts, of course, usually happen well after the student has handed in their final exam, and that makes it harder to catch.
Teachers generously tossing out easy As also made it easier for students to skate by. The research found that higher grade inflation is linked to increased absences and suspensions, suggesting that when the academic bar is lowered, student engagement and school discipline may fall with it.
“It ends up actually being somewhat harmful for the student,” Pope said. “Nobody really is on the side of that harm because nobody sees it until much later.”
However, the study found grade inflation benefitted some students, specifically those at threat of flunking out. When teachers raised scores for students at threat of failing—from an F to a D, for example—that actually paid off, preventing those students from repeating a grade and improving their high school graduation rate.
Whatever the outcome, grade inflation has gained steam over the past decade. And despite the president’s efforts, the trend doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Pope said grade inflation remains so pervasive because all parties benefit from it, offering a perverse incentive that perpetuates the seemingly benign practice semester after semester.
“As a teacher it’s usually easier,” he said. “You get less complaints. Parents are happy. Students are happier if you give slightly higher grades. A school typically looks better if their grades are higher. It benefits everyone.”
The new head of Bank of Montreal’s U.S. operations is ramping up growth plans for the Canadian banking giant south of the border, hiring bankers, opening and revamping branches, and building out its wealth-advisement business.
Department of Education is transferring responsibility for defaulted student loan collections to the Department of Treasury.
Later phases would expand Treasury’s role to include non-defaulted loans and potentially other Federal Student Aid functions, including FAFSA administration and Pell Grants.
Borrowers do not need to take any immediate action and should continue working with their assigned loan servicer.
The Department of Education and the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new interagency agreement on March 19, 2026, that will shift operational control of defaulted federal student loan collections from Education to Treasury. This comes as nearly 7.7 million student loan borrowers holding $180 billion in student loans are in default.
The move, which the administration has branded the “Federal Student Assistance Partnership,” marks an big step forward in dismantling the Education Department in what officials described as the equivalent of the “fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States.”
Under the agreement, Treasury will immediately take over collecting on defaulted student loan debt, using private collection agencies to help borrowers in default enroll in rehabilitation programs or return to good standing.
Treasury will also absorb the operations of FSA’s Default Resolution Group, which manages the Default Management and Collections System (DMCS). In future phases, Treasury would expand to managing non-defaulted loans and potentially other FSA functions, including FAFSA administration.
It’s important to realize that Treasury already played a large role in collections, but this is now administrative control of the bigger program.
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Why The Administration Says This Step Is Necessary
The federal student loan portfolio now stands at nearly $1.7 trillion, with fewer than 40% of borrowers actively making payments.
There are an estimated 7.7 million borrowers in default, and another 4 million are in late-stage delinquency, meaning close to 12 million borrowers are either in or approaching default.
The portfolio is roughly twice the size of all American university endowments combined and exceeds total U.S. credit card debt and auto debt individually.
“The Federal Student Assistance Partnership marks an intentional and historic step toward breaking up the Federal education bureaucracy and dramatically improving the administration of Federal student aid programs that millions of American students, families, and borrowers rely on to access higher education,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in a statement.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent framed the move as overdue financial oversight. “Treasury has the unique experience, the operational capability, and the financial expertise to bring long overdue financial discipline to the program and be better stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Bessent said.
The administration pointed to the Biden Administration’s 2021 decision to terminate all private collections contracts, which left the Education Department with limited infrastructure to handle calls and help defaulted borrowers. Many of those borrowers have remained stuck in default for more than six years, damaging their credit and limiting financial options.
How The Partnership Will Work
The basic premise that Treasury will now handle student loan debt collection. For most other government debt, Treasury handles collections. But the Department of Education received a waiver back in 2001 to collect their own debt. The Treasury Department is revoking this waiver.
The rollout will happen in phases. The first phase puts Treasury in charge of defaulted loan collections.
Subsequent phases would extend Treasury’s operational role to non-defaulted student loan debt and other FSA functions, to the extent “practicable and permitted by law.”
The Department of Education, through both the Office of Postsecondary Education and FSA, will retain all statutory responsibilities, including policy development.
Treasury Already Handles A Lot Of The Backend Work
The Treasury Department, specifically through its Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS), already touches student loans at several points.
The biggest one borrowers encounter is the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). TOP allows the government to intercept federal payments owed to a borrower (tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and more) and redirect them toward defaulted student loan debt.
This is the primary involuntary collection tool for defaulted federal student loans, and it’s been in place for decades.
Beyond TOP, Treasury already disburses the actual funds for federal student loans: meaning the money students receive originates through Treasury’s payment systems.
Treasury’s IRS data systems are also used for income verification on the FAFSA and for income-driven repayment plan certification (the IRS Data Retrieval Tool). Both agencies have also contracted with many of the same private collection agencies, so there’s workforce overlap.
What’s new here is that Treasury is going from being a back-end infrastructure partner to an operational one: actually managing the collection process, running the Default Resolution Group, and overseeing private collection agencies directly.
What This Means For Borrowers
Borrowers do not need to take any immediate action as a result of the partnership. Borrowers in repayment should continue working with their assigned loan servicer.
Those in default should visit myeddebt.ed.gov for help getting out of default.
However, the move has drawn significant pushback. Protect Borrowers Policy Director Aissa Canchola Bañez said in a statement, “With more than 8.8 million Americans already in default and millions more at risk of falling behind after being kicked off the SAVE plan and forced into more expensive options, this move will cause even more confusion about a student loan system that has been fraught with unprecedented disruptions and instability.“
Democratic lawmakers, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, have warned that shifting the loan portfolio away from Education could be a precursor to selling the debt to private investors, which they argue would strip borrowers of protections tied to federal loan programs, including access to income-driven repayment and public service loan forgiveness.
The administration has not announced plans to sell the portfolio.
There is also a practical track record to consider. A 2014-15 pilot project that tested Treasury’s ability to collect defaulted student loans, and they didn’t have as much success compared to the existing Department of Education infrastructure.
The Education Department has also recently delayed involuntary collections (including Social Security garnishments and Treasury Offset Program seizures) to prepare for the new repayment options under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Wage garnishment notices had begun going out to about 1,000 borrowers in early 2026, with plans to scale up monthly.
Shares of Microsoft(MSFT 0.64%) have been slammed so far in 2026. As of this writing, the stock is down about 19% year to date — a decline far worse than the S&P 500‘s 3% pullback.
This sell-off comes even as the company continues to post impressive top- and bottom-line growth.
So why did shares fall?
The answer likely comes down to the staggering cost of the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race and the risks this race introduces. Even though Microsoft’s top line is compounding at an enviable rate, the massive investments required to support this growth are elevating the company’s cost structure.
Image source: Microsoft.
Accelerating AI demand
Microsoft’s second-quarter results for fiscal 2026 showed a business firing on all cylinders.
Total revenue in the period came in at $81.3 billion. And the company’s profitability was particularly impressive. Microsoft’s non-GAAP (adjusted) net income jumped 23% year over year to $30.9 billion.
Highlighting the software giant’s underlying momentum, its Microsoft Cloud segment was a key driver for the business.
“Microsoft Cloud surpassed $50 billion in revenue for the first time, up 26% year-over-year, reflecting the strength of our platform and accelerating demand,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella explained in the company’s second-quarter earnings call.
The company is seeing rapid adoption of its AI-powered software tools, too. Microsoft 365 Copilot — the company’s generative AI — saw paid seats hit 15 million during the quarter. This was up more than 160% year over year. In addition, paid subscribers for GitHub Copilot reached 4.7 million, climbing 75% year over year.
And Microsoft’s overall business momentum should continue. Management guided for third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of $80.65 billion to $81.75 billion. The midpoint of this range implies a strong year-over-year growth rate of about 16%.
The high cost of AI
But looking under the hood, things become more concerning.
The AI build-out is incredibly expensive.
While the company is generating massive amounts of cash from its operations, its free cash flow, or its cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, came in at just $5.9 billion in the second quarter. This represented a notable sequential decline as the company’s heavy infrastructure spending offset its robust operating cash flow.
Even worse, these mounting costs are beginning to pressure the company’s profit profile.
“Company gross margin percentage was 68%, down slightly year-over-year primarily driven by continued investments in AI infrastructure and growing AI product usage,” Microsoft chief financial officer Amy Hood emphasized during the company’s earnings call.
In other words, while AI is driving top-line growth, it is also highly capital-intensive. And it’s arguably necessary to stay relevant as other tech giants are ramping up their own capital expenditures on AI. As these infrastructure investments continue to rise, they’ll increasingly show up as depreciation, creating a headwind for Microsoft’s earnings.
Today’s Change
(-0.64%) $-2.51
Current Price
$389.28
Key Data Points
Market Cap
$2.9T
Day’s Range
$387.08 – $392.49
52wk Range
$344.79 – $555.45
Volume
1.3M
Avg Vol
34M
Gross Margin
68.59%
Dividend Yield
0.89%
Is it time to buy?
With Microsoft down sharply this year, investors might be tempted to view this as a buying opportunity.
But I don’t think it is.
Of course, it is possible that the company’s massive investments yield an incredible return over the next decade. But I’m not convinced the stock is a safe bet today.
As of this writing, Microsoft trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 25. A valuation like this assumes the company will successfully thwart any threats to its business in an AI-first era, protecting its competitive advantages and continuing to grow revenue and earnings rapidly.
And if the AI infrastructure build-out takes longer to pay off, or if competitive pressures force the company to keep capital investments elevated for years to come, the company’s earnings growth could slow, and the stock’s valuation multiple could even contract.
Overall, I believe Microsoft simply doesn’t offer enough of a margin of safety right now. I’d avoid shares and wait for a potentially bigger discount before adding this tech giant to my portfolio.
Update 3/19/26: It’s been pointed out that the terms show clearly that the Price Match Guarantee is available for Sapphire Reserve consumer and business card. It could be it’s not yet live on the consumer card as it’s currently only showing in the login on the Business card version. Please let us know if anyone tries actually submitting a claim on the consumer version.
Original Post 3/18/26:
Chase has added a price match guarantee on hotel bookings made on Chase Travel hotel bookings made with the Sapphire Reserve for Business card. This includes The Edit hotel collection bookings.
You must submit a claim within 24 hours
Claim must be for at least $5
The stay must be at least one day away
For example, if you find the Chase portal charging more than Expedia or Priceline, you can book on Chase and get the lower price matched.
This is huge for those redeeming their their annual hotel credits on the Sapphire Reserve for Business card, and also for those using the Points Boost redemption option for hotels on the card.
Hopefully the personal Sapphire Reserve card will get this matching feature as well.
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Be honest — did you feel a little anxious just reading that? You’re not alone. There’s a reason this question (though really more of a statement!) is so tricky to tackle.
It’s open-ended, leaving many job seekers unsure how to answer or what details to highlight. And while you may wonder what the best answer to “tell me about yourself” might be, the truth is, there’s no single best response. The right answer will vary depending on your background, the role, and the company you’re interviewing with.
What’s universal, though, is the importance of learning how to introduce yourself in an interview. A thoughtful introduction can turn this daunting question into a golden opportunity that helps you create a positive first impression and sets the tone for a successful conversation.
By focusing on the role you’re applying for and preparing your response beforehand, you can craft an answer to “tell me about yourself” that’s confident and tailored to your unique strengths.
Why — and How — Interviewers Ask This Question
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Interviewers ask this question to gauge how your experience, skills, and career goals align with the role and the company’s needs. As FlexJobs’ Lead Career Professional Toni Frana puts it, “Employers are really looking to see how you would fit into the specific role at the company.”
It also sets the tone for the conversation, offering a natural starting point while providing insight into your compatibility with the company’s culture. Use this opportunity to highlight your professionalism, share relevant experiences, and let your personality shine.
Interviewers might rephrase “tell me about yourself” in different ways, so be prepared for variations, such as:
“Walk me through your background.”
“Can you share a bit about your professional journey?”
“What should I know about you?”
“Tell me about your career so far.”
“What brings you to this opportunity?”
“Give me a quick overview of your professional history.”
“How did you get into this field?”
Regardless of how the question is asked, it aims to uncover the same thing: how your background, skills, and goals make you a great fit for the job.
The best answer to “tell me about yourself” will be concise, tailored to the role, and well-rehearsed without sounding robotic. We’ve provided specific tips on how to answer “tell me about yourself.”
1. Relate Your Answer to the Job at Hand
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“Tell me about yourself” is probably better phrased as, “Tell me what brought you to apply for this job, and some of the main qualifications that make you stand out. And throw in something that helps showcase your personality.”
But that’s obviously too long a statement to make, so employers often shorten it to a much broader question. No matter how a hiring manager phrases it, focus on these four aspects in your answer:
Your most recent background that is applicable to the job
What made you want to apply for the job
Your top qualifications for the job
What makes you interested in the company
2. Keep Your Answer Short (About 30 Seconds or Less)
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Start by addressing those four subjects in a draft version of your answer. Once you’ve got a rough version on paper (or screen), it’s time to start narrowing, focusing, and distilling. You’re aiming for about 30 seconds from start to finish. (Yes, it should be that quick!)
Time yourself to find out how long you’re talking, and you’ll see that 30 seconds is just about right. Any more than that, and it can start to sound like rambling.
It might also help to remind yourself that this is just an introduction to you. During the rest of the interview, even if it’s just an initial screening, you’ll have further chances to showcase more skills, qualifications, and personality. So don’t try to pack it all in at the beginning.
3. Practice Your Responses
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Without sounding too rehearsed, you’ll want to have a clear understanding of how to answer this question. Practice will help you to:
Build your confidence, so you’re not shaken or nervous if you’re put on the spot.
Solidify your own understanding of who you are and what you can offer.
Focus your answer so you don’t ramble.
Show exactly how your path has prepared you to work for this particular company.
4. Focus on the Employer’s Needs
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When crafting your answer, think beyond your personal goals and highlight how your background aligns with the company’s objectives. Research the company’s mission, values, and challenges to ensure your response is tailored to its priorities.
For example, instead of simply stating your skills, you could say:
“In my last role, I spearheaded a marketing strategy that increased web traffic by 40%, and I’m excited to bring that same innovative thinking to your team as you expand into new markets.”
5. Highlight Your Personality Without Oversharing
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Most of the time, job interviewers are meeting with multiple people with very similar qualifications. Adding a touch of personality to your response makes you relatable and memorable while keeping the tone professional.
Share a passion or value that ties into the role or the company’s mission. For example, if the company values sustainability, you might mention your personal commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Keep it relevant and avoid overly personal details. Oversharing can detract from the professional image you want to project. Instead, focus on elements of your personality or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for the role and reflect the company’s values, ensuring your response remains thoughtful and impactful.
Template for Answering ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
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A strong response to “tell me about yourself” balances professionalism, personality, and relevance. Use this structure to craft your answer:
Introduce yourself by summarizing your professional background.
Highlight a couple of key accomplishments relevant to the role.
Explain what drew you to the job and company.
Wrap up with a statement that connects your background to the company’s needs.
Here’s a template you can use with these key points included:
“I am a (job title) with (X years) of experience in (field/industry). In my previous role at (Company Name), I (describe an achievement or responsibility).
“I am drawn to this opportunity at (Company Name) because (specific reason related to the role or company mission). I believe my expertise in (relevant skills) can help (Company Name) achieve (specific goal or need).”
Other Tips for Answering
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Here are additional strategies that can help you nail the “tell me about yourself” interview question.
1. Tailor Your Response to Each Interview
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While the core elements of your answer might stay the same, customizing it for each role and audience can make a big difference. Recruiters are likely looking for hard skills and qualifications, whereas hiring managers focus on problem-solving abilities and cultural fit. Adapt your examples and focus areas based on who’s asking the question.
For instance, when speaking to a hiring manager, you might highlight how your leadership and problem-solving skills contributed to a team’s success:
“In my previous role as a team lead, I prioritized fostering collaboration among diverse groups. By doing so, we successfully completed a high-stakes project two weeks ahead of schedule. I’d love to bring that same focus on teamwork to your organization.”
2. Focus on Positivity
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Even when discussing career transitions or challenges, framing your answer positively is a must. Instead of focusing on negative experiences with a previous role or company, emphasize what you learned or how those experiences shaped your career goals.
For example, you could reframe a lack of resources by saying:
“In my previous role, I faced challenges with limited resources, which taught me how to be innovative and adaptable. That experience strengthened my problem-solving skills and inspired me to seek opportunities where I can contribute to a team with a shared commitment to innovation and growth.”
3. Incorporate Storytelling
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Rather than simply listing your qualifications, weave your experience into a story that captures attention. People tend to remember narratives more than facts, so sharing a brief anecdote that illustrates your skills or passions can make your response stand out.
Consider incorporating something like this:
“My love for puzzles and strategy games sparked my interest in project management. In my last role, I led a team through a major system upgrade. By managing tasks, timelines, and resources effectively, we not only completed the project ahead of schedule but also saved the company significant costs.
“That experience confirmed my passion for bringing order to complex challenges.”
5 Sample Answers
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Need some examples? We get it — this question can be tricky to navigate, especially when you want to make a great first impression.
Following are effective “tell me about yourself” sample answers tailored to different career paths and experiences, each showing how you can craft a concise and impactful response.
1. Go Step by Step
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Start by breaking your response into clear steps — where you’ve been, what you’ve accomplished, and where you’re headed. This approach works well if you have a straightforward career progression.
“I’m an innovative recruitment manager with eight years of experience managing all aspects of employee prospecting — from resume screening and phone screening to benefits — for Fortune 500 companies. I have spent the last four years developing my skills, leading to performance recognition and two promotions.
“I love vetting candidates and determining how they align with an organization’s culture and business goals. And although I enjoy my current role, I feel I’m now ready for a more challenging assignment, and this position really excites me.”
2. Think ‘Past, Present, Future’
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Using this simple three-part formula can help you craft a professional, informative answer to “tell me about yourself.” Reflect on your journey and tie it to the role at hand.
“I’m currently an account executive at Smith, where I handle our top-performing client. Before that, I worked at an agency where I was on three different major national health care brands.
“And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I’d love the chance to dig in much deeper with one specific health care company, which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity with Metro Health Center.”
3. Answer With the Company in Mind
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Do some research ahead of time to best know about the company and how your specific expertise and strengths can help them. Putting yourself in the employer’s shoes is a great way to stay focused when answering this question.
“I was born and raised in this county and have an excellent knowledge of the area, as well as Central and Midland Counties. During the last nine years with the ABC Freight Company, I have progressed through positions of package leader, courier, dispatcher, and team lead.
“In my most recent position, I have had the opportunity to complete numerous management training programs, provide supervision and leadership to all positions within the station, and participate in special projects in conjunction with senior and district managers.
“I enjoy being a lead and the opportunity to empower and motivate my team. Last year I was awarded ‘Lead I’ for greatest team gains in productivity. I believe this experience and training has prepared me to take the next step and pursue a management position with you.”
4. Showcase a Career Change
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If you’re changing careers, your goal is to show how your previous experience translates and why you’re excited about this new opportunity. Start by framing the change as a natural progression of your skills and interests.
“For the last 10 years, I’ve worked as a teacher, where I developed strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. Recently, I made the shift to instructional design, combining my love for teaching with my passion for creating impactful learning solutions.
“In my previous role, I successfully designed training materials that improved employee onboarding processes by 30%. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to bring my expertise and fresh perspective to your team.”
5. Emphasize Industry Expertise
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If you have deep experience in a specific field, use this opportunity to showcase your expertise, notable accomplishments, and alignment with the company’s mission. This is an excellent approach for senior roles or niche industries.
“I have over 15 years of experience in IT, specializing in cybersecurity for financial institutions. In my current role, I implemented a threat detection system that reduced response times by 40%, safeguarding critical client data. I’ve also led cross-departmental initiatives to align IT security protocols with industry standards, resulting in increased client trust.
“What excites me about this position is the opportunity to lead security strategies on a larger scale while continuing to protect sensitive information. I’m passionate about leveraging my technical expertise to support your organization’s commitment to secure and innovative solutions.”
Regardless of your background, use these “tell me about yourself” examples as inspiration when crafting your own response.
What Not to Say
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Your response to “tell me about yourself” can either set a positive tone for the interview or create doubts in the interviewer’s mind.
FlexJobs Career Professional Keith Spencer highlights the importance of crafting a thoughtful answer: “Try your best to focus on your specific qualifications for this particular position, relevant experiences that have prepared you for the role, and your enthusiasm for the job—that’s how you can create a positive and professional first impression.”
Here are five ways to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your response stands out for the right reasons.
1. Don’t Regurgitate Your Resume
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Spencer cautions, “When answering ‘Tell me about yourself,’ you don’t want to simply reiterate information that your interviewer could have read about you in your resume.”
You can generally mention where your career started, some jobs along the way, and your most current role, but now is not the time to list them one by one or to talk about every task you had at each job. Keep it succinct and about 30 seconds long.
2. Don’t Focus on Unrelated Jobs
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Depending on where you are in your career, your job history may go pretty far back. If your first job out of college isn’t related to your current career, don’t mention it. Or, if you’ve had a career change, you can opt to only focus on the roles that directly relate to your new career area.
Mentioning unrelated roles could be a distraction and lead an employer to wonder if you’re focused on or experienced enough for the job you’re applying to.
3. Don’t Get Too Personal
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While it’s important to show personality, steer clear of any personal topics, such as if you do or don’t have kids, your marital status, or your religious or political affiliation.
Not only are these illegal for an employer to ask you about, but they’re not relevant to the job and could even cause your interviewer to discriminate.
4. Don’t Focus Too Much on Yourself
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Remember, the goal is to demonstrate how you can contribute to the organization, not just what you want from the job. Spencer advises, “Another mistake to avoid with your response is focusing too much on what you want, instead of emphasizing the value you can provide to the organization.”
Tailor your answer to highlight how your skills, experiences, and career goals align with the company’s needs, showing that you’re a solution to its challenges.
5. Don’t Be Vague
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Specifics are important throughout every stage of the hiring process.
Avoid generic statements like, “I’m a hard worker” or “I have good people skills.” Instead, provide concrete examples that demonstrate your qualifications and achievements, such as, “I led a team project that reduced processing times by 20%” or “I implemented a new onboarding program that increased employee retention by 15%.”
Specifics make your response more compelling and show that you’ve thought critically about your value.
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Management is defined as getting work done through others. In this introductory video, we explore the common functions of management and set the stage for the remainder of this video series.
