"So tell me about yourself...."

What a boring question that is.
The answer's not boring, but the oft-repeated question is.
Well, okay.
Here's every job I've ever had, in chronological order, starting at age 11!
Gas station attendant
Bakery order packer
KFC cook
Road crew worker
Trucking crew assisant
Burger King cook
KFC cook again
Accounting assistant, Public School bus garage
Retail clerk, Sears Automotive
Foundry worker (shakeout, grinder)
Plaster caster
Dishwasher
Bartender
short order cook
prep cook
Theatre usher, janitor, box office and concession worker
Theatre manager
Receptionist
Factory line worker
Medical kit assembly
Retail commission sales
Assistant manager, video store
Personal care attendant
Papermaking assistant
Art exhibition setup
Teaching assistant, summer program
Adjunct faculty, technical college
Adjunct faculty, art college
Crew leader assistant, US Census
Adjunct faculty, art college
So what's the point?
Very few of us have direct paths, yet the job hunting process is geared towards only recognizing specific, directed skills.
"have you done this all your life?"
"Not yet..."
This is in part due to marketplace strictures. After all, if you have a choice between someone with 45 years of direct experience and someone with 45 years of transferable skills, it's likely that you'll hire the former.
But you could be doing yourself a disservice.
Someone with a wide range of experience knows how to adapt to different environments. That person also has skills and confidence in a wide range of areas. You're missing a bet by not hiring that person!
Of course, this is a call for an employer to hire me, but it's also a general call for a new vision on the part of employers.
Not giving someone a chance to use any of their skills wastes all those skills.

Photo from the Library of Congress Archive!