"How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview"

It’s usually the first question. And most candidates waste it.

“Tell me about yourself” isn’t an invitation to recite your resume or share your life story. It’s your chance to set the tone and direct the interview where you want it to go.

Here’s how to nail it.

What They’re Really Asking

When an interviewer says “tell me about yourself,” they want to know:

• Are you relevant to this role?
• Can you communicate clearly?
• What will you bring to us?

They don’t want your childhood story or a chronological career history.

The Formula That Works

Structure your answer in three parts:

1. Present: What you do now and what you’re good at
2. Past: How you got here (relevant highlights only)
3. Future: Why you’re excited about this role

Keep it under 2 minutes. Seriously – time yourself.

Example Answer

“I’m a marketing manager with 7 years experience in FMCG, currently leading a team of 4 at [Company]. My strength is digital campaigns – last year I delivered 200% ROI on our social media spend.

I started in brand management at [Previous Company], which gave me strong foundations in consumer insights. I moved into digital because that’s where marketing is heading.

I’m excited about this role because [Company] is doing interesting things in e-commerce, and I want to be part of scaling that. The combination of brand building and digital performance is exactly what I do best.”

What NOT to Say

Don’t:

• Start with “Well, I was born in…”
• Recite every job you’ve ever had
• Talk for 5+ minutes
• Ask “What do you want to know?”
• Mention irrelevant personal details
• Sound rehearsed and robotic

Tailor It Every Time

Your answer should change based on the role. If you’re interviewing for a technical role, emphasise technical achievements. For a leadership role, focus on team results.

Research the company and role. Work in something specific that shows you’ve done your homework.

Practice Out Loud

This isn’t a question you can wing. Practice your answer until it flows naturally. Record yourself. Time it.

You want to sound polished but not scripted. Confident but not arrogant.

If you want to practice with someone who’s sat through thousands of interviews and knows what works, book a session. We’ll work on your answers together until they’re sharp.