Answering the question ‘Tell me about yourself’ during an interview is an opportunity for you to highlight your experiences, strengths, personal characteristics, and make a great impression.
Getting this question right can set the tone for the rest of the interview, demonstrating that you have a clear understanding of your strengths and ambitions, and that you are a good fit for the company’s culture. Interviewers often ask this question at the beginning as a way to break the ice and learn more about you. Interviewers can phrase the question “Tell me about yourself” in multiple ways, such as:
- “So, tell me about yourself.”
- “Can you walk me through your background?”
- “I have your resume in front of me, but tell me more about yourself.”
- “How would you describe yourself?”
- “I’d love to hear more about your journey.”
- “Walk me through your resume.”
When formulating your response, remember that it should be concise, focused, and relevant to the job at hand. It’s important to focus on experiences and accomplishments that directly relate to the role you’re applying for. This way, you demonstrate not only your awareness of what the job entails, but also your capacity to excel in the position.
- Begin with a brief introduction of your professional background.
- Highlight relevant skills and accomplishments, with examples where possible.
- You can mention any personal interests or qualities that demonstrate you’re a good fit for the company.
- Wrap up by expressing your enthusiasm for the role, and addressing any future goals or ambitions in relation to the position.
The ‘Present-Past-Future’ Formula with Examples
Using the Present-Past-Future formula can help you structure your response in a clear and engaging way. This method allows you to walk the interviewer through a brief overview of your professional journey, starting with your current or most recent position, touching on your past experiences, and finally discussing your future goals.
1) Begin by providing context about your current role or situation. Highlight your main responsibilities, what you enjoy most about your job, and any notable accomplishments. For example:
- Present: “I’m currently a marketing manager at XYZ Company, where I lead a team of six people and am responsible for overseeing all marketing campaigns, social media efforts, and content creation. One of my proudest achievements has been increasing our social media engagement by 40% over the past year.”
2) Next, transition to your past experiences, focusing on relevant achievements and skills you have developed that led you to your current position. You may also mention any major journeys, education or career transitions that had a significant impact on your professional growth.
- Past: “Before stepping into this role, I worked as a marketing coordinator for a smaller start-up, helping them establish their brand presence online. I have always enjoyed the challenge of growing a brand, which is what prompted me to seek out opportunities to advance my career.”
3) Conclude your response with your future goals and aspirations, explaining how the current opportunity aligns with these plans. Be genuine and sincere about what you are hoping to achieve moving forward, but keep it brief.
- Future: “Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue developing my leadership skills and playing an integral role in driving company growth. I believe this opportunity at your company aligns perfectly with my long-term goals and would allow me to make a significant impact on your marketing department.”
By using the Present-Past-Future formula, you can create a persuasive and cohesive response when asked to tell an interviewer about yourself. This approach allows you to guide the conversation while also demonstrating that you have a clear understanding of your professional journey and future aspirations.
Sample Answers Using The ‘Present-Past-Future’ Formula
Example 1:
Present: “Currently, I am a software developer with five years of experience in the industry. I specialize in developing mobile applications and have worked with several programming languages such as Javascript and Swift.”
Past: “Prior to my current role, I worked as a software engineer at a startup where I gained valuable experience in building web applications using Ruby on Rails.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am eager to continue developing my skills in mobile app development and exploring new technologies that can help me create innovative solutions for clients. I am also interested in taking on leadership roles in the future and mentoring junior developers to help them grow in their careers.”
Example 2:
Present: “I am a marketing manager with over seven years of experience working in the field. My primary focus is on developing and implementing strategic marketing campaigns that help drive business growth and increase brand awareness.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a marketing specialist at a large corporation where I gained experience in market research, product development, and brand management. I also had the opportunity to work on several successful product launches that generated significant revenue for the company.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am excited to continue building my skills in digital marketing and exploring new ways to leverage technology to reach and engage with customers. I am also interested in pursuing leadership opportunities and mentoring junior marketing professionals to help them achieve their career goals.”
Example 3:
Present: “I am a financial analyst with five years of experience in the industry. My primary focus is on analyzing financial data and providing insights to help drive business decisions.”
Past: “Prior to my current role, I worked as a financial consultant at a large accounting firm where I gained experience in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. I also had the opportunity to work with clients from a variety of industries, which helped me develop a broad understanding of different business models and financial strategies.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am eager to continue building my expertise in financial analysis and exploring new ways to use data to inform business decisions. I am also interested in pursuing opportunities to work with startups and emerging businesses, where I can use my skills to help them grow and succeed.”
Example 4:
Present: “I am a human resources manager with over eight years of experience in the industry. My primary focus is on developing and implementing HR policies and procedures that create a positive work environment and support employee growth and development.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as an HR specialist at a small consulting firm where I gained experience in recruitment, employee relations, and performance management. I also had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of employees, which helped me develop strong communication and interpersonal skills.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in pursuing opportunities to work with organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I am also interested in continuing to develop my leadership skills and mentoring junior HR professionals to help them grow in their careers.”
Example 5:
Present: “I am a project manager with over six years of experience in the field. My primary focus is on leading cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a business analyst at a large corporation where I gained experience in process improvement, data analysis, and project management. I also had the opportunity to work on several large-scale projects that required strong collaboration and communication skills.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in pursuing opportunities to work on innovative projects that leverage emerging technologies. I am also interested in continuing to develop my leadership skills and exploring new ways to motivate and inspire teams to achieve their goals.”
Example 6:
Present: “I am a sales representative with over five years of experience in the industry. My primary focus is on building strong relationships with clients and identifying new opportunities for business growth. (Provide specific examples and numbers.)”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a marketing coordinator at a small startup where I gained experience in digital marketing, content creation, and event planning. I also had the opportunity to work closely with the sales team, which helped me develop a deep understanding of the sales process.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in pursuing opportunities to work with clients in new industries and exploring new sales channels. I am also interested in continuing to develop my communication and negotiation skills and taking on leadership roles in the future.”
Example 7:
Present: “I am a graphic designer with over six years of experience in the field. My primary focus is on creating compelling visual designs that help businesses communicate their brand message effectively.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a junior designer at a small design agency where I gained experience in branding, print design, and user experience design. I also had the opportunity to work on several high-profile projects that helped me develop a strong portfolio of work.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in continuing to develop my skills in user experience design and exploring new ways to use design to solve business problems. I am also interested in pursuing opportunities to work with clients in new industries and expanding my network of contacts in the design community.”
Example 8:
Present: “I am a customer service representative with over five years of experience in the field. My primary focus is on providing excellent customer service and resolving customer issues in a timely and efficient manner.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a receptionist at a busy medical office where I gained experience in scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling customer inquiries. I also had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of patients, which helped me develop strong communication and problem-solving skills.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in pursuing opportunities to work with customers in new industries and expanding my knowledge and experience in customer service. I am also interested in taking on leadership roles in the future and mentoring junior customer service representatives to help them achieve their career goals.”
Example 9:
Present: “I am a content writer with over four years of experience in the field. My primary focus is on creating engaging and informative content that helps businesses connect with their target audience.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a freelance writer where I gained experience in writing for a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, and finance. I also had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of clients, which helped me develop strong communication and project management skills.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in pursuing opportunities to work on content marketing campaigns. I am also interested in continuing to develop my writing skills and exploring new ways to use storytelling to connect with audiences.”
Example 10:
Present: “I am a data analyst with over three years of experience in the field. My primary focus is on analyzing large datasets and providing insights to help businesses make data-driven decisions.”
Past: “Before my current role, I worked as a research assistant at a university where I gained experience in data collection, statistical analysis, and research design. I also had the opportunity to work on several research projects that required me to collaborate with cross-functional teams.”
Future: “Looking ahead, I am interested in pursuing opportunities to work with big data and exploring new ways to use machine learning and data visualization to analyze and present data. I am also interested in continuing to develop my leadership skills and taking on project management roles in the future.”
Sample Answers (Various Contexts)
Recent College Graduate
As a recent college graduate, you may want to focus on your academic achievements and any relevant internships or extracurricular activities.
“During my time at University X, I studied [degree] and gained valuable knowledge in [subject area]. I also interned at [company] where I was able to apply my skills in [specific tasks]. Additionally, I served as [leadership role] in [club or organization], allowing me to develop strong teamwork and organizational skills.”
Career Changer
For career changers, emphasize transferable skills and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this new role:
“I have spent the last few years working in the [previous industry], where I gained valuable experience in [relevant skills]. I’m excited to leverage these skills in a new setting as a [target position], applying my expertise to benefit your organization.”
Return to Workforce
When returning to the workforce, highlight any skills you maintained or developed during your time away and how they relate to the desired job:
“During my time away from the workforce, I kept my skills sharp through [activities, volunteering or learning]. I’m eager to re-enter the professional world as a [target position] and apply my [relevant skills] to contribute to your team’s success.”
Marketing Professional
Marketing professionals can emphasize their success in driving outreach initiatives and increasing engagement:
“As a marketing professional, I’ve managed impactful campaigns for [number and type of projects], achieving [specific results]. I’m skilled in digital and traditional marketing strategies and have experience with tools like [list of relevant tools or software]. I’d love to bring my expertise to your team and help expand your reach.”
Software Developer
Software developers can highlight their technical skills and achievements in prior projects:
“I’m a software developer with a strong background in [programming languages]. I’ve developed [number] applications for clients in various industries, consistently delivering high-quality solutions that meet their needs. I’m excited to use my technical expertise to contribute to your organization’s success.”
Designer
A designer’s answer can showcase their creative abilities and project successes:
“I’m a designer with a flair for [design style or area of expertise]. In my previous role at [company], I worked on [number] design projects, receiving positive feedback for my creativity and attention to detail. I’m looking forward to using my design skills to create engaging and visually appealing content for your organization.”
Entrepreneur
“As a successful entrepreneur, I’ve launched [number] businesses in the [industry] sector, achieving [results]. I bring a unique perspective as well as skills in innovation and financial management, which I’m eager to apply in my new role.”
Data Analyst
“I’m a data analyst with extensive experience in [specific tools or programming languages]. I’ve used data to solve complex problems and drive improvements, such as [example of past project]. I’m excited to contribute my analytical skills to your organization.”
Freelancer
Freelancers can discuss their diverse range of experiences and how they have honed their skills across industries:
“As a freelancer with experience in [specific field], I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from multiple industries, honing my skills in [relevant skills]. I’m excited to apply my expertise and work with your team to achieve outstanding results.”
Teacher
Teachers can focus on their commitment to student success and examples of making education engaging:
“With [number] years of teaching experience, I’m dedicated to helping students achieve their potential. I’ve developed engaging lesson plans and built strong relationships with students and parents, ensuring a positive learning environment. I’m looking forward to bringing my passion for education to your school.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Keep these mistakes in mind to avoid some common pitfalls that may diminish your chances of making a great impression:
- Providing a lengthy or overly detailed response: Be concise, focusing on the most relevant and impressive aspects of your background, experience, and personality.
- Being too modest or self-deprecating: While humility is admirable, this is your chance to shine and demonstrate your value to the employer. Highlight your achievements without sounding arrogant.
- Sharing unrelated personal information: Keep the conversation professional and focus on your career. Avoid discussing your family, hobbies, or political views unless they are directly relevant to the position you’re applying for.
- Memorizing a script: While preparation is crucial, sounding rehearsed or robotic can come across as inauthentic. Practice your response, but remember to be genuine and let your personality show.
- Being negative towards previous employers or colleagues: It can leave a bad impression and make you seem unprofessional.
Tips for Tailoring Your Answer
1. Research the company and its values, culture, and goals. This information can guide you in selecting which of your skills and experiences to emphasize, depending on what aligns with the company’s values.
2. Identify the job requirements mentioned in the job posting, and reflect on how your skills, experiences, and qualifications match those requirements. Then, incorporate this information into your response to create a strong connection between your background and the job expectations.
3. Practice sharing your tailored response with a friend or family member who can provide constructive feedback. This will help you fine-tune your answer and ensure that you come across as engaging and confident during the interview.
- Focus on the qualities most relevant to the position;
- If applicable, provide examples of when you’ve demonstrated those qualities;
- Be confident and personable.