Tell me about yourself

I came across an article on LinkedIn here. It was about the most important question asked in an interview. 

To me, interview is often a chess game. Interviewer is trying to see if you are the best fit for the job being offered and A) an average interviewee is often trying to get fitted into the job, where as, B) a smart interviewee is trying understand if this is the best job at a highest possible salary level he/she can get. Anyway, coming back to the most important question asked in an interview. In my opinion, the most important question asked in an interview is the one typically asked first right at the opening of the interview - "Please tell me about yourself" or "Could you please walk me through your experience and background" or similar variant.

It sets the tone of the entire interview. The first 2 to 5 minutes you'll take to answer this question can help you take control of the interview from interviewer. If you handle the question correctly, you not only make the first impression right, you can also help guide interviewer to the next set of questions that are more suited to your strengths. It takes a smart interviewer to understand this move and take control back. You can win the interview in first 2-5 minutes on psychological terms, what remains afterwards is assessing the suitability of candidate for the job function and assessing the suitability of job (responsibilities, position in the corporate hierarchy, salary etc. etc.) from the view of candidate. 

So, I think, it's very important to think through what you'll be talking in your first few minutes of your self speech and make the first move right!