How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” (Examples)

What is the interviewer really asking?

When "Tell me about yourself" comes at the start of an interview, it works as an opening summary. The interviewer wants to know who you are professionally, why you are here and what to ask about next. It is not a request for your life story, and it is not a test with one right answer.

Coming early, a clear answer also sets the direction of the interview. Whatever you mention is likely to be what the interviewer asks about next, so mention the things you want to talk about.

What structure works?

Use three parts in the order present, past, future. Each part answers one question the interviewer has.

Some people prefer past, present, future, which tells the story in time order. Both work. What matters is that the three parts connect into one thread and end with the role you are interviewing for.

How long should the answer be?

Prepare two lengths: about one minute and about two minutes. Write the one-minute version first, with one sentence per part and one achievement. The two-minute version adds a second achievement or more detail on the first, not more history.

What does a good answer look like?

The answers below are fictional examples written to show the structure. Replace every detail with your own experience.

Example (an experienced professional): "I'm a product designer at a mid-sized software company, where I lead the design of our mobile app. Over the last two years I redesigned the sign-up flow, and the share of people who finished it went up noticeably after the change. Before that I worked in an agency, which taught me to design quickly for very different clients. I'm interested in this role because you're building your first mobile product, and setting up the design process from the start is the part of the job I enjoy most."

Example (a recent graduate): "I just finished a degree in economics, and the part I enjoyed most was working with data. In my final-year project I collected and cleaned survey data from over 300 students and presented the results to the university's housing office, which used them in its planning. I also worked part time in customer support, where I learned to explain things simply. I'm applying for this analyst role because it combines both: working with data and explaining it to people who need to act on it."

Example (a career changer): "I've spent five years as a high school teacher, and for the last two I also ran our school's online learning platform. I trained 40 colleagues on it and wrote the guides they still use. That work showed me I enjoy designing how people learn more than teaching in the classroom. I've since completed a course in instructional design, and this role is the step that lets me do that full time."

What should I leave out?

• Your full history in order. Choose the parts that explain why you fit this role.
• Anything that repeats your resume line by line. The interviewer has read it.
• Negative comments about a current or former employer.
• Personal details that have nothing to do with the work.
• Long lists of adjectives such as "hard-working, creative, a team player" without an example.

How do I practice?

Say the answer out loud and time it. Record yourself once and listen back: check that each part is there, that the achievement has a result, and that the last sentence names the role. Then practice the follow-up questions your answer invites, such as "Tell me more about that redesign."

You can try likely interview questions for a specific company and role in the free interview prep, without an account.

How Hired helps

Interview Prep in Hired (Premium plan) reads your resume and your Achievement Details and drafts answers to the questions you are likely to face, starting with the opening question about yourself and why you are interested in the role. You can set the answer length to about 60, 90 or 120 seconds. Without an account, you can start from interview prep by company and role, which gives you likely questions and answer hints for the company and role you enter. See pricing for what each plan includes.