Tell Me About Yourself

And Why I’ll Never Answer That Question the Same Way Again

Recently, I had an interview with a company I deeply admire. It was the kind of opportunity that gets your heart racing—big vision, high-caliber team, ambitious mission. And then came the most predictable question in the world:

“Tell me about yourself.”

Like most people, I went straight to my resume. Even worse—I went in reverse chronological order. Tesla, Blue Origin, patents, projects, programs… a highlight reel of where I’ve been.

None of it was wrong, but I realized:

I hadn’t actually told them who I am.

That question isn’t really asking for a LinkedIn summary. It’s asking for your essence.

A few days later, while reflecting on the conversation, a different answer started forming in my mind—one that felt more human, more honest, and a lot more me. So I wrote it down. And I’m sharing it here in hopes it helps someone else answer that question with clarity and confidence.

Here’s what I wish I had said.

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I’m someone who sees the world through systems—whether that’s engineering systems, human systems, or emotional ecosystems. I love thinking deeply, tinkering thoughtfully, and solving problems not just at the surface, but at the structural framework and process level.

I used to think engineering was mostly “problem in, solution out.” But over time, I began to see it more like music—like learning piano. You have 88 keys, but the way you sequence, time, and play them creates entirely new experiences. That same philosophy applies to design: sometimes the solution isn’t at the product level—it’s in the process, or even the paradigm. And to create something truly impactful, it has to be sustainable—not just in energy, but in human effort, documentation, and system design.

In my last project, I built a product production process from scratch. But I didn’t consider it successful until I could remove myself from it—and it still ran. To me, that’s the definition of a sustainable solution: one that’s so well-designed that it doesn’t depend on burnout or heroics to survive.

I also believe in feedback—radically. It used to feel hard, especially coming from an Asian household where feedback often felt like scolding. But I’ve since learned that feedback, when given with care, is a shortcut to compounding wisdom. I practice 360° feedback with my team and mentors. It’s how I learn, and how I help others learn too.

I read every day. And I’m not religious, but I study Buddhist teachings because they’ve taught me something I never learned in school: that kindness, compassion, and empathy must begin with myself before they can touch the lives of others. That our social connections—friends, family, strangers—are not just part of life, they are life. Every person we meet reflects something back to us. And every interaction has the potential to bring light.

I play chess to stay sharp and strategic. I play volleyball to connect, communicate, and move in sync with others. I play piano to practice creativity, patience, and presence. I ride a motorcycle to navigate the crazy world with careful and intentional decisions. I meditate to calm the mind in a world of noise.

At the end of the day, I care about building things — tangible or not — that are smart, scalable, and good for people. I believe in doing the right thing—and doing it well the first time. That’s what drives me: not just solving problems, but solving the right problems, in a way that makes life more meaningful for the people around me.

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💡 What This Taught Me

It hit me that resumes don’t hire people. People hire people. And if you can’t answer “Tell me about yourself” with truth, reflection, and presence, then the rest of your interview doesn’t stand a chance.

So here’s my advice:

• Instead of listing what you’ve done, explain how you think

• Instead of name-dropping companies, describe what matters to you

• Instead of proving you belong, show people who they’re getting if you join the team

Tell them about your favorite failure.
Tell them about how your hobbies made you a better listener.
Tell them how your philosophy of life makes you a better engineer.

Because that’s the real answer.

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📝 Try This Prompt for Yourself

1. What would you say if you couldn’t mention your job title or company?

2. What have your hobbies taught you about leadership, empathy, or creativity?

3. How do you approach learning—and what does that say about you?

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If this helped you think differently about interviews, identity, or just life in general, feel free to share this post with someone who is going through interviews.

Because when we stop trying to impress to be someone we’re not—and start trying express who we are authentically and we’re meant to be—that’s when we actually stand out.