The best way to handle the 'Tell me about yourself' question in a job interview, and how to explain a layoff

• Career coaches said not to recite your résumé from top to bottom when asked to introduce yourself.
• Recruiters recommend a reverse-chronological format and emphasize only relevant experiences.
• Career coaches said candidates should be transparent and professional about past layoffs.

“Never badmouth a previous employer,” Berrick said of addressing a layoff. “Recruiters want to know that you have emotionally dealt with it, processed it, learned from it, and can be professional and mature about it.”