This question may be open-ended, but that doesn’t mean any answer is a good one. Here are some things to avoid in your response:
Rambling or talking for too long: Take a second before you begin speaking to gather your thoughts. You don’t want to monologue for several paragraphs in your response. Keep your response clear and organized as much as possible. Storytelling can be a valuable interview tool, but it should be seamless—and speedy. Don’t tell your interviewer that you’re about to tell them something. Get right to the point and respect their time by being concise.
Reciting your resume: Your interviewer has your resume and is interested in hearing something a bit different. You can give an overview of your career, but make sure it goes beyond the facts in your resume by highlighting why this path interested you. And make sure to focus on the high points. Don’t dwell on the early stages of your career, which might not be relevant to the position you’re seeking now.
Over-sharing: It’s fine to talk about hobbies and passions, but keep in mind the interviewer is really most interested in your job performance. Stay away from overly personal responses or sharing interests or hobbies that reflect poorly on you as a candidate.
Anything negative: Stay upbeat during the job interview. Avoid saying anything less than positive about former bosses, co-workers, or employers. Otherwise, hiring managers will assume that you’ll give them (and their employer) the same treatment. No one wants to hire someone who’ll talk about them behind their back later on.
Your prospective manager may assume that you’ll talk about them the same way – or that you’re the problem.
Unprofessional behavior: While this question offers you the opportunity to connect more deeply, it’s not an invitation to drop your guard or behave unprofessionally. Keep your language, demeanor, and stories safe for work.