How does Steve Huynh say to answer 'tell me about yourself' in an interview?

Steve Huynh, a former Amazon principal engineer and bar raiser, says no answer to 'tell me about yourself' can be complete, so every answer is a lie by omission and the job is choosing well. He advises picking three true items that paint a picture of you and that are also traits the company is selecting for, rather than restating your resume or oversharing personal history.

• Huynh describes a candidate whose introduction veered into typing speed and Harry Potter fan fiction.
• Everything said should still be true; the choice is which facts to put forward.
• The three items should tie back to why you fit the role.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on A Life Engineered (2026-10-21). Read the whole episode summary →

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