How to Answer: “Tell Me About Yourself”

Alright, you walk into a job interview, barely get yourself seated, and bam —

“Tell me about yourself.”
Like clockwork.

I’m convinced hiring managers have a secret bet going about how many people freeze up when that one hits.

It sounds simple, but let’s be honest — it’s a trap. Most people either start waffling on about their pet ferret or just recite their CV like a robot. Neither one gets you very far.

So what exactly are you supposed to say? Your life story? Deepest heartbreak? A five-year plan to become Batman?

Nope.
Keep it simple. Keep it sharp. Don’t overshare. No one’s got time for a TED Talk here.

What’s This Question Even For?

It’s not just polite small talk while they sip their flat white. This is them sizing you up.

They want to know:

• Can you summarise yourself without going off on a tangent?

• Can you talk like a normal person, not a glitchy chatbot?

• Do you sound like you actually belong here — or are you just in it for the free biro?

Basically, they’re thinking:

“Is this person a win or a hard pass?”

The Secret Sauce: Present – Past – Future

Here’s the move — break it down into three parts:

1. Present

What’s your deal right now?
Show off a bit. Mention your current job, main skills, recent wins.

2. Past

Where have you been?
Talk about previous roles, projects you smashed, things you learnt.

3. Future

Why are you here?
Why this job? Why this company? Show them you're not just hunting for the next payday — you actually care.

Your answer should feel like a short story, not a shopping list.

Quick Examples (for When Your Mind Goes Blank)

Marketing Person:

“So, I’m doing digital marketing at XYZ Agency — mainly cooking up social campaigns and making clients look like rockstars online.
Been deep into content, analytics, and paid ads for the last few years.
Before that, I did a rebrand at a tech start-up — web traffic shot up 60% in six months, so that wasn’t bad at all.
Now I want to step things up, join a brilliant team, and keep pushing myself.”

Just Graduated? (Congrats, You Made It.):

“Just finished my Computer Science degree — mostly been playing around with software development and machine learning.
Worked on a load of uni projects and did an internship where I helped build an app for a local business.
That’s when I realised I’m into full-stack stuff and teams that actually have fun.
I’m proper excited to work somewhere that gives juniors a real chance to grow — like this place.”

Changing Careers? (Bold Move.):

“I’ve been the go-to admin for five years — juggling diaries, dealing with office chaos, the works.
But after organising a few training sessions and onboarding new starters, I got really into the people side of things.
Took an HR course, got stuck in, and now I want to do this full-time.
Helping people and keeping things running smoothly? That’s my jam.”

How People Totally Mess This Up

Let’s be real — loads of people bomb this question. Here’s where they go wrong:

• Getting too personal. Unless you’re applying to a pet café, nobody needs to know about your cat.

• Rambling. Interviewers don’t want your autobiography.

• Reading your CV aloud. Mate, they’ve already read it.

• Sounding like you’ve just rolled out of bed. Even if you're nervous, bring a bit of energy.

⚡ Simple Hacks to Smash It

• Tweak your answer for the role. Use the same words they use in the job description. It works.

• Practise — but don’t turn into a robot. Be human.

• Time it. Keep it under two minutes.

• End strong. Leave them thinking, “This person actually wants to be here.”

Want to Get Good? Do This:

• Record yourself. Yep, it’s awkward, but it helps.

• Practise with a mate who’ll tell you the truth.

• Ask yourself:
• Did I cover present, past, and future?

• Did I drop some real results?

• Do I sound like I actually want the job?

• Was I quick and not boring?

Final Thoughts:

“Tell me about yourself” is coming. You know it.
So don’t wing it and hope for the best.

Sort your story out.
Keep it real.
Keep it tight.
Make them remember you.

This is your chance to grab attention — not just with what you’ve done, but with how you talk about it.

Be genuine. Be ready. And don’t let them forget you once you walk out.