How to answer "Tell me about yourself" in an interview

'Tell me about yourself' is one of the most common opening interview questions, yet for many interviewees, it's also one of the most daunting.

Why? Because, regardless of the level you're operating at, many people lose sight of the real purpose of the question. Instead of using it as an opportunity to make a strong first impression, they ramble, lose focus or share information that isn't particularly relevant, such as "I'm 42, married and have two children."

Answered well; however, this question gives you a valuable opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the interview.

It's your chance to showcase your personality, highlight your strengths, key skills, achievements, motivation and the value you could bring to the role.

Why do interviewers ask this question?

'Tell me about yourself' helps interviewers understand more than just your career history.

They're often looking to assess:

• how confidently you communicate
• how clearly you understand your own career journey
• what motivates you
• how relevant your experience is to the role
• whether you're likely to be a good fit for the organisation.

What's the best way to answer it?

Because this is often the first question you'll be asked, it's worth preparing your answer in advance.

Start by writing down the key points you want to cover, then practise saying them out loud. As you become more comfortable, refine your answer so it sounds natural rather than memorised.

It can also help to practise with a friend, family member or career coach, or simply record yourself answering the question. The goal isn't to deliver a perfect script, but to feel confident talking about yourself in a clear and structured way.

One of the golden rules of interview technique is to aim to intrigue, not inform.

Share the key highlights rather than every detail of your career. This gives the interviewer opportunities to ask follow-up questions and keeps the conversation flowing.

As a guide, aim to keep your answer to around two minutes.

So, what makes a good answer?

It's often helpful to begin by giving the interviewer a brief picture of who you are before summarising your career journey.

You could introduce your answer by saying:

"I'll start by telling you a little about myself, then I'll give you a brief overview of my career to date."

Using feedback from others can also help demonstrate your strengths.

For example:

"My manager often describes me as someone who is highly motivated, positive and dependable. I enjoy working collaboratively and helping teams achieve their goals.

One of my strengths is motivating others and staying calm under pressure. I particularly enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions.

I applied for my current role because I've always had a genuine interest in this industry, and over the last few years I've developed experience in…

One achievement I'm particularly proud of is…

Before being promoted, my role focused on…, and during that time I also gained my… qualification."

Remember, this isn't your life story. It's simply an introduction that highlights the experience, qualities and achievements most relevant to the role you're applying for.

Final thoughts

Like any interview skill, answering "Tell me about yourself" becomes easier with preparation and practice.

The more comfortable you become talking about your experience, strengths and motivation, the more naturally your confidence will come across. Rather than trying to deliver the perfect answer, focus on giving the interviewer a clear picture of who you are, what you've achieved and why you're excited about the opportunity.