How to answer 'tell us about yourself' (& sample responses)

Many people struggle with the classic (and vague) “tell us about yourself” interview question. If you find the prompt difficult to answer, you’re not alone. Trying to answer an open-ended question can be overwhelming. There are simply too many possible directions for your potential response.

Fortunately, you can perfect your answer to this dreaded interview question. Think of it as an opportunity to talk about your passions and stand out among other candidates. By understanding what interviewers are looking for, you can formulate a response that’s sure to impress.

What interviewers are looking for when they say, "tell me about yourself"

You’ve probably sat down with a recruiter or hiring manager who’s said, “Tell me a little something about yourself.” It’s one of the most common interview questions next to the “tell me about a time…” questions. Interviewers use questions to vet job seekers and gauge their personalities. During initial interview questions, the potential employer will assess your professional experience to see if you’d be a good choice for the role. 

There are a few objectives at play when a hiring manager hits you with the “tell me about yourself” interview question:

• Determining how well-rounded you are as a candidate: This is an opportunity to show off your diverse work experience and articulate why you’re the best fit for the role. Interviewers also evaluate your personality to determine whether you’re a good cultural fit for their company.

• Getting the story behind the CV and cover letter: Interviewers want you to walk them through your work history. They want to know what you learned from each job, why you left your job or are thinking of leaving, and where your new role fits into this trajectory. 

• Easing into the conversation: The interview process is stressful enough. Interviewers don’t want you to feel like it’s an interrogation. “Tell us about yourself” is an icebreaker. It's a segue to the Q&A about qualifications, experience, and hypothetical scenarios. 
• Orienting themselves for the interview: The hiring team should have a plan for your interview. But your response to “tell us about yourself” will remind them of the items on your CV and why they’re interested in you. It also opens the door to creative follow-up questions.

Tell us about yourself examples: what do the best answers have in common?

The best answers to the “tell me about yourself” prompt have a few things in common. By recognizing these common themes among excellent answers, you can tailor your answer to fit the standard. No matter what industry you’re in, you can apply these pointers in future interviews. 

The greatest “tell us about yourself” examples do the following things right:

• The interviewees use good storytelling techniques. By learning how to be a good storyteller, you can keep listeners engaged.
• The answers illustrate the personal growth the person has achieved
• The interviewees don’t go into too much detail because they know they have the rest of the interview to discuss specifics
• The interviewees' answers highlight how they would be good candidates for the roles in question
• The interviewees show their passion for what they do. They speak with excitement and enthusiasm.
• The answers are specific and take inspiration from the STAR interview method

How to answer "tell us about yourself" questions

Without proper preparation for an interview, it’s easy to ramble or get off track. Planning ahead and focusing on key points you want to cover can help you stay focused. You can even practice with a friend or family member. While you shouldn’t script your answer, you can formulate a rough outline of what you want to say. 

Divide your story into past, present, and future

Interviewers don’t need your whole life story. They just need an overview of where you’ve come from and where you’re headed. Introduce your greatest accomplishment and the challenges you’ve overcome. Discuss previous experience and how it shaped your career path. 

Your discussion of the present should revolve around where you’re focusing your time and energy. Explain the phase of your career that you’re in. For instance, maybe you started in graphic design but are shifting more toward software development. Let the interviewer know what brings you fulfillment. 

When it comes to the future, describe your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. Your career aspirations will let interviewers know you’re optimistic about the future and what you can achieve. If you have a 3-year plan or a 10-year plan that this role ladders into, share it during the interview. You may even receive helpful career advice. 

Highlight past work experiences that show your strengths

Your past experiences have each taught you something valuable. Maybe you’ve improved your communication skills or gained knowledge in project management. Crafting your soft skills through experience shows potential employers you’re good at learning new things.   

Share with the interviewer the relevant experience that contributed to your professional development. You can include anything that has fueled your growth in the conversation, including internships. 

Mention what you're looking for in your next job

You can use this time in the interview to demonstrate how the role fits what you’re looking for. Explain why you want this job in particular. Maybe company culture is important to your career fulfillment, or you have a specific way you like to be managed. Relate everything back to how this will help you serve the employer. 

It’s important to have a clear objective behind your job search. This objective could be having a position that makes a difference in the world. Perhaps you want more freedom for creativity or want to participate in more collaboration on projects.

The interview is an opportunity to explore your needs as well. It’s important to find out if you’re compatible with the company. Aligning with a company’s core values, for instance, can determine happiness and satisfaction in the workplace. In the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, a 2022 article on core values at work explored the role of company values in self-actualization and belonging. It found that connections based on shared values help create a strong sense of belonging.

Touch on what differentiates you from other candidates

You don’t have to directly compare yourself to other candidates to show you’re the best choice. Showcasing your unique attributes is enough to distinguish you as the ideal employee. Think about what makes you different in your field of expertise so interviewers can see the value you bring to the table.

The following are great examples of how this might look:

• “A lot of people may fulfill customer requests, but I like to go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction”
• “I care a lot about the user experience, and I think that’s what makes my work as a software developer unique”
• “While a lot of sales associates are all about numbers, I like to focus on building rapport with clients and strengthening trust while hitting my goals”

Relate it all back to the role

When discussing these aspects of yourself and your personal achievements, tie everything back to the job description. The interviewer will be looking for ways you could be a good fit. You’re essentially telling them why they should hire you before they can ask.

The following example answer prompts illustrate how to bring your conversation back to the role:

• “I would be a perfect fit for this role because I am deeply aligned with and inspired by your company culture” 
• “This position would be the perfect opportunity to engage in my passion”
• “Writing for health care companies taught me so much about the industry and prepared me for a role like this”
• “My professional background in computer science has taught me the problem-solving skills necessary for this position”
• “Having that much responsibility as a leader conditioned me for management roles such as this one”

3 sample answers for "tell us about yourself

Seeing some sample answers for the “tell us about yourself” question can inspire your own. Pay attention to how each response follows the present-past-future formula. Notice also how they’re more than a bullet point list of accomplishments. 

"Tell us about yourself" sample answer for a recent graduate

“I have two months left to complete my graduate school program in marine biology. I chose this field because I grew up by the sea. I love the ocean and everything in it. I care very deeply about how climate change affects it. 

Last year, through an internship, I worked with oceanographers in the Arctic. We made many fascinating discoveries, and I was grateful to contribute. Now, I hope to continue doing fieldwork and one day lead a study of my own.”

"Tell us about yourself" sample answer for a switch to a similar role

“I joined my current job as a content writer because I love the craft. Throughout college, as I completed my degree in English Literature, writing was always top of mind. For example, I accepted an internship at my small-town newspaper because it allowed me to tell interesting stories. 

When I moved back to the city, new jobs were scarce, so I worked at a local content agency because it allowed me to keep writing. My current role is primarily focused on social media and gaining subscribers. 

I’m grateful for all I’ve learned, but my goal is to expand into long-form writing. When I saw this job posting on LinkedIn, I was very interested.”

"Tell us about yourself" sample answer for a career transition

“My current position is in project management at a tech startup. I love helping talented people build amazing things, which is why I enjoy the role so much. 

But I also have a history of working in the public sector. I’ve organized community events and previously worked with not-for-profits in my city. I was also elected to student government during my graduate degree. 

I miss public service work. I hope to use my management skills in this new role at your organization to return to my passion.”

Interview prep tips: how to show up as your best self

An interview is a chance to make a good first impression. Perhaps there’s a chance for second interview questions, but you need to stand out during the first round.

These interview tips can help you appear professional and make it to the next interview:

• Dress well: Knowing what to wear for a job interview increases your chances of success. A 2021 article in the Journal of Business Research described how leaders can use clothing to influence how others perceive them. Dress in nice, respectable clothing that gives you an air of professionalism.
• Ask follow-up questions: Asking questions at the end of the interview shows you have a genuine interest in the role. Think of a few questions to ask beforehand. 
• Practice power poses: Engaging in power poses before an interview can build confidence. A School Psychology International study in 2020 found that power posing increases positive feelings in children.
• Do your research: Commit the job description to memory so you can discuss the role and responsibilities. Browse the company website and learn its history. 
• Learn to market yourself: Knowing how to self-promote can be the key to securing a job offer. Focus on your strengths and be confident. 

Is discussing your personal life a good idea?

You may wonder if you should sprinkle in tidbits of your personal life during job interview questions. To put it plainly, it depends on the company. Some interviewers will appreciate connecting with you on a personal level.

For example, mentioning your love for your pets might be a good idea during an interview for a position at a vet clinic. Or maybe you browsed the company website and saw a section dedicated to office pets. Showing that you share personal values or interests with the company can certainly boost your likability.

Some topics are best left untouched, like financial stress and political or religious beliefs. Leave those subjects at the door.

There are plenty of ways to connect on a personal level. You could discuss a book that sparked your interest in your profession or a quote from a favorite show that motivates you. When you discuss anything personal, it should be relevant to the specific job or company. 

How your "tell us about yourself" answer can fuel career growth

Those four words hold so much power, revealing what’s most important to you. You can choose to spend the time talking about your past, your hopes, or your passions. Maybe you’ll focus on how you’ve embraced your authentic self through your work or found fulfillment.  

Mastering how to answer “tell us about yourself” means you’ve come to know yourself well. You can recognize what’s important to you and what you have to offer. Connect with a BetterUp Coach to identify your strengths, discover your true self, and flourish in your next interview.