How to Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself' in Interviews (With Examples)

"Tell me about yourself."

It's almost always the first question in an interview, yet it stumps more candidates than complex technical questions. Why? Because it's deceptively open-ended. You could talk about your childhood, your hobbies, your education, your career—where do you even start?

The truth is, this question isn't really about you. It's about whether you can position yourself as the solution to their problem. Get it right, and you set a confident tone for the entire interview. Get it wrong, and you're recovering for the rest of the conversation.

What They're Really Asking

When an interviewer asks "Tell me about yourself," they're not asking for your life story. They're actually asking:

• Are you a good fit for this role?
• Can you communicate concisely and professionally?
• What's most important about your background?
• Why should we keep talking to you?

Think of it as "Give me your 60-second elevator pitch for why you're here."

The Present-Past-Future Framework

The best answers follow a simple three-part structure:

1. Present (30 seconds)

Start with where you are now professionally.

What to include:

• Your current role and company
• Key responsibilities
• Notable achievements or skills

Example: "I'm currently a senior product manager at a fintech startup, where I lead a team of 8 in developing our mobile banking app. Over the past two years, I've shipped 12 major features and grown our active user base from 50,000 to 200,000."

2. Past (20 seconds)

Briefly explain how you got here.

What to include:

• Relevant previous experience
• Transition points in your career
• Skills you've built

Example: "Before this, I spent three years as an associate product manager at a larger tech company, where I learned the fundamentals of product development and user research. I transitioned to the startup world because I wanted more ownership and the opportunity to see features through from concept to launch."

3. Future (10 seconds)

Connect your story to why you're interested in this role.

What to include:

• Why you're looking for a new opportunity
• What excites you about this specific role
• How your goals align with the position

Example: "I'm excited about this opportunity at your company because I want to work on products at a larger scale while bringing my startup experience in rapid iteration and customer-focused development. The chance to lead product strategy for your payments division aligns perfectly with where I want to take my career next."

Complete Example Answers

Example 1: Mid-Level Software Engineer

"I'm a software engineer at TechCorp, where I work on the backend systems that process millions of transactions daily. I specialize in distributed systems and have recently led our migration to a microservices architecture, which reduced our API response time by 40%.

Before TechCorp, I spent two years at a smaller startup where I wore multiple hats—I worked on everything from frontend development to database optimization. That breadth of experience taught me how different parts of a system interact, which has been invaluable in my current role.

I'm interested in this position at your company because I want to work on systems at an even larger scale, and I'm particularly excited about your work in real-time data processing. The technical challenges you're solving align perfectly with where I want to grow as an engineer."

Time: 60 seconds

Example 2: Recent Graduate

"I just graduated from State University with a degree in marketing, where I focused on digital marketing and consumer behavior. During my studies, I interned at a digital marketing agency where I managed social media campaigns for three clients, growing their combined followings by 150% and improving engagement rates by 35%.

I got into marketing because I've always been fascinated by how brands connect with people. My internship confirmed that I love the combination of creativity and data analysis—coming up with campaign ideas and then measuring their impact.

I'm excited about this entry-level role at your agency because I want to continue developing my skills with a diverse client base, and I'm particularly drawn to your focus on data-driven creativity. Your recent campaign for Brand X was exactly the kind of strategic, measurable work I want to be part of."

Time: 55 seconds

Example 3: Career Changer

"I'm currently a high school math teacher, a role I've held for five years. I create lesson plans for algebra and geometry, and I've been recognized for using technology to make complex concepts more accessible—I built a series of interactive learning modules that improved student test scores by 25%.

While I love teaching, I've realized my passion is really for the educational technology itself. I taught myself Python and JavaScript, earned certifications in web development, and built several education apps in my free time. My teaching background gives me unique insight into what actually works in the classroom, which many ed-tech developers lack.

That's why I'm excited about this junior developer role at your ed-tech company. I can contribute both technical skills and real classroom experience. I understand teachers' pain points firsthand, and I'm energized by the opportunity to build tools that make learning more effective."

Time: 60 seconds

Example 4: Senior Executive

"I'm the VP of Operations at Manufacturing Co., where I oversee five plants and a team of 200 people. Over the past four years, I've implemented lean manufacturing principles that reduced production costs by 30% while improving quality metrics by 40%. I've also led our digital transformation initiative, bringing our processes into the modern era.

I started my career on the factory floor as a production supervisor and worked my way up through various operational roles. That ground-up experience taught me that the best operational improvements come from listening to the people doing the work, not dictating from an office.

I'm interested in this COO position because I'm ready to take on broader strategic responsibilities, and I'm drawn to your company's mission of sustainable manufacturing. The opportunity to build operational excellence while advancing environmental goals is exactly the kind of meaningful impact I want to make at this stage of my career."

Time: 60 seconds

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Starting with "I was born in..."

Don't go back to your childhood unless it's directly relevant. Interviewers care about your professional story.

Bad: "I was born in Ohio, went to Lincoln High School, and always enjoyed science..."

Good: "I'm currently a research scientist at BioTech Labs..."

2. Listing Every Job You've Ever Had

Hit the highlights. You don't need to mention every position, especially early career roles that aren't relevant.

Bad: "I started as a barista, then became a retail associate, then a..."

Good: "After spending my early career in customer service, I transitioned into sales..."

3. Being Too Personal

Keep it professional. Your hobbies might come up later, but lead with work.

Bad: "I'm married with two kids, and I love hiking and photography..."

Good: "I'm a project manager with a passion for process improvement..."

4. Rambling for 5+ Minutes

Aim for 60-90 seconds. If you're talking for more than two minutes, you're losing their attention.

5. Reciting Your Resume

Your resume lists what you did. Your answer should explain why it matters and where you're going.

Bad: "I worked at Company A from 2020-2022, then Company B from 2022-2024..."

Good: "I've spent the past four years building expertise in data analytics, starting at a consulting firm and then moving in-house..."

6. Being Too Modest

This isn't the time for humility. State your achievements confidently.

Bad: "I've done some work in marketing and helped with a few campaigns..."

Good: "I've led digital marketing campaigns that generated over $2M in revenue..."

7. Forgetting to Connect to the Role

Always finish by linking your story to why you're there.

Bad: "...and that's my background."

Good: "...which is why this role leading your marketing team is such a perfect fit."

How to Prepare Your Answer

Step 1: Research the Role

Review the job description. What skills and experiences are they looking for? Your answer should highlight those.

Step 2: Write It Out

Draft your Present-Past-Future answer. Time it. Aim for 60-90 seconds when spoken aloud.

Step 3: Practice Out Loud

Reading it silently isn't enough. Practice until it sounds natural, not memorized.

Step 4: Record Yourself

Use your phone to record your answer. Listen back. Do you sound confident? Concise? Engaging?

Step 5: Get Feedback

Practice with a friend or mentor. Ask: Is it clear? Compelling? The right length?

Step 6: Adapt for Different Roles

Create variations for different types of positions. Emphasize different skills based on the job.

Advanced Tips

For Phone/Video Interviews

Have bullet points in front of you (not a script). This helps you stay on track without sounding robotic.

For In-Person Interviews

Make eye contact, smile, and convey enthusiasm. Your body language matters as much as your words.

For Panel Interviews

Make eye contact with everyone as you speak, not just the person who asked the question.

If You're Nervous

It's okay to take a breath before starting. You can even say "Great question, let me start with where I am now..."

For Second/Third Interviews

You may need to answer this again with different interviewers. Keep it consistent but don't sound robotic.

What Comes After

Once you finish, the interviewer will likely transition to more specific questions. Your introduction should make them want to dig deeper into your experience.

A strong "Tell me about yourself" answer:

• ✓ Is 60-90 seconds long
• ✓ Follows the Present-Past-Future structure
• ✓ Highlights relevant achievements
• ✓ Connects your background to the role
• ✓ Sets a confident, professional tone
• ✓ Makes them excited to learn more

A weak answer:

• ✗ Rambles for 5+ minutes
• ✗ Lists every job chronologically
• ✗ Includes irrelevant personal details
• ✗ Doesn't connect to the role
• ✗ Sounds memorized or robotic

Practice Exercise

Write out your answer following the Present-Past-Future framework:

Present (30 sec): Where are you now? What do you do? What have you achieved?

Past (20 sec): How did you get here? What key experiences shaped your career?

Future (10 sec): Why this role? Why this company? Why now?

Time yourself speaking it aloud. Adjust until you're at 60-90 seconds.

Want to practice your answer? Use Reherse's AI interview coach to get real-time feedback on your delivery, pacing, and content. Start practicing →

The Bottom Line

"Tell me about yourself" is your chance to control the narrative from the start. It's not about reciting your resume—it's about telling a story that positions you as the right person for this role.

Use the Present-Past-Future framework. Keep it to 60-90 seconds. Connect your background to their needs. Practice until it feels natural.

Do this well, and you'll walk into the rest of the interview with confidence and momentum. The interviewer will be thinking "Tell me more" instead of "Next candidate, please."

Your interview starts with this question. Make it count.