How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" in an Interview in 2025

Tell me about yourself is one of the most common interview questions, and it's very likely to come up during the interview process. To ace your interview, you need to prepare a strong and thoughtful response to this question.

It may seem like an easy question at first, but it's actually a trick question. Many candidates either ramble or focus on the wrong details. So, how do you answer it effectively when an interviewer asks?

In this guide, you'll learn how to answer "Tell me about yourself" effectively, along with tips on what to avoid when responding.

Why do hiring managers ask the interview question "Tell me about yourself"?

Interviewers and hiring managers often ask 'Tell me about yourself' to get a summary of your career path, including your professional background, experience, and qualifications that relate to the job you're applying for.

Since it's an open-ended question, it also helps them see how you organize your thoughts, share important details, and communicate clearly. In short, it gives them a quick look at your communication and interview skills.

In some interviewers, this is also used as an icebreaker. It's a simple way to start the interview and help both you and the interviewer feel more comfortable before moving on to other questions.

How to answer "Tell me about yourself" in a job interview

Knowing how to answer "Tell me about yourself" can be a huge step in acing your job interview. Since this question is often asked early on, you can build an immediate connection and strong first impression.

Here's how to answer "Tell me about yourself" in a job interview the right way:

1. Use the "present, past, future" formula
   A common structured approach to answer "Tell me about yourself" is the "present, past, future" formula. While there are no strict rules, many candidates use this method to keep their answers clear and organized.
   
   This formula starts with what you're doing now, then briefly mentions your professional journey and past experience relevant to the job and ends with your future goals and why the role fits you.
   
   Here's a good example:
   
   "I currently work as a marketing associate where I manage social media campaigns and track engagement metrics. Before that, I interned at a digital agency where I helped launch content strategies for small businesses. I'm now looking for a full-time role where I can take on more responsibility and grow within a creative team like yours."
   
   However, other candidates prefer to use the "past, present, future" format, which focuses on building a timeline:
   
   "I started my career as a content writer at a startup, where I learned the basics of digital marketing. Now, I work as a content specialist leading blog and email strategies. I'm excited to bring my experience to a larger team where I can contribute to broader campaigns and continue learning."
2. Customize your answer to the job description
   It's expected that before the interview, you'll research the company and the job, especially the job description. Never skip this step, as this helps you prepare a strong answer to "Tell me about yourself."
   
   Your response should include keywords from the job description to show you understand the role, the company culture, and why you're a good fit. For example, if it mentions project management skills, mention a project you managed well.
   
   Remember, the interviewer wants to know why you're a good fit. So, your answer should show how your experience matches the job.
3. Go straight to the point and keep it short
   One common mistake interviewees make is getting carried away when answering. They often talk too long or mention things like personal interests or hobbies, family, or personal life, even if it's not related to the job.
   
   Interviewers want a clear, job-focused answer. Going off-topic can make you seem unprepared or unfocused. Keep your response between 1 to 2 minutes. Practice ahead of time and use a timer if needed to stay within the right length.
4. Practice, don't memorize
   As mentioned earlier, practice can make a big difference when answering this question. A clear and smooth answer shows that you've taken time to prepare, and that you're serious about the job.
   
   But instead of memorizing a script word for word, focus on key points you want to highlight. This keeps your answer flexible and natural, so you won't get stuck if you forget a line.
   
   Write down a few bullet points about your current role, relevant past experience, and future career goals. Then practice saying them out loud. With enough practice, your answer will sound confident, not robotic.

Variations of "Tell me about yourself"

Every interviewer is different. While most of them use this question, some may phrase it differently to get the same information. Here are some common variations:

• "Walk me through your resume."
• "How would you describe yourself?"
• "Tell me something that's not on your resume."
• "Why don't you start by telling me about your background?"
• "Give me a quick overview of your experience."

Tell us about yourself examples and best answers

Depending on your experience, your answer to "Tell me about yourself" will be different. So, it's important to adjust your response based on your background and the job you're applying for.

For freshers and no experience

Answer #1

"I earned my degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from XYZ University, where I discovered my interest in brand communication and project management. During my time there, I led our student marketing club's annual fundraiser and helped raise over $5,000 for a local nonprofit by coordinating a cross-campus campaign.

Right now, I'm volunteering part-time with a community business group, helping them improve their email newsletters and learn basic SEO strategies.

Moving forward, I'm eager to start my career in a full-time marketing support or communications role where I can contribute to a collaborative team, continue developing my skills, and eventually take on more strategic responsibilities."

Answer #2

"I just graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, and right now, I'm focused on building a solid foundation for a career in software development. I've been dedicating time to refining my Python and JavaScript skills through online coding platforms and working on a personal budgeting app.

Before that, I collaborated with a team during our senior capstone project to build a web-based inventory system for a local food pantry. I also joined HackTX, where we built a smart reminder tool in just 24 hours. That project helped strengthen my ability to work under pressure and problem-solve in real time.

In the future, I'm excited to work in a development environment where I can contribute to real-world projects across different industries, learn from experienced engineers, and grow into a full-stack role."

For experienced

Answer #1

"I started my marketing career over six years ago at a mid-sized agency, where I gained experience in campaign planning and content creation for retail clients. That role gave me hands-on experience with client communication and multi-channel strategy.

Today, I work as a digital marketing specialist at a tech company in San Jose, leading paid ad campaigns and managing email automation. One of my recent projects increased qualified leads by 40% in one quarter.

Moving forward, I'm looking for a position where I can take on more strategic responsibilities, lead cross-functional campaigns, and mentor junior marketers."

Answer #2

"I work as a software engineer at a fintech startup in New York. I handle backend systems using Python and Django. I lead API redesign projects, reduce response times, and improve system reliability to support growing user demand.

Before this role, I spent three years at a healthcare technology company. I built internal tools for patient scheduling and access, resolved technical issues, and collaborated with design and QA teams to improve product quality.

At this stage of my career, I aim to step into a senior engineering role. I want to take on greater ownership of system architecture, address high-impact technical challenges, and help improve team workflows through better code practices and communication."

What not to say in "Tell me about yourself" question

It's true that there's no single correct way to answer the "Tell me about yourself" question, but one thing is clear: some things are best left unsaid.

Here are some examples:

1. Too much personal information and irrelevant detail: The interviewer wants to know you as a professional, not your personal life. Sharing details about your family, hobbies, or struggles, especially if not asked, can seem unprofessional.
2. Negative remarks about previous employers or jobs: Complaining about former bosses or workplaces is a red flag. It suggests you might be difficult to work with. Focus instead on what you learned.
3. Repeating your resume word-for-word: Your resume already lists your job titles. Simply repeating it adds no value. Instead, highlight key achievements and relevant skills that connect to the role you're applying for.
4. Vague or generic responses: Generic traits like "hardworking" say little without proof. Share specific examples that show what you bring.
5. Overconfidence or arrogance: Confidence is good, but arrogance can be off-putting. Show your value through your work, not bold claims. Avoid saying: "Honestly, I think I'm the best candidate you'll meet today."

Everyone wants to have a successful interview. Who doesn't? That's why it is important to learn how to answer "Tell me about yourself" in a clear and focused way. This question often sets the tone for the entire conversation during the interview. Remember, a good answer highlights your experience, strengths, and why you're a good fit for the job. Preparing ahead of time also helps you make a strong first impression.