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How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in Job Interviews

By DeVry University

December 5, 2025

6 min read

You tailored your resume to the job, wrote a great cover letter that sparked interest, and now you have a job interview. Way to go! Often interviewers will start by asking the common question, “Tell me about yourself.” Though it may seem a little vague, this question is your chance to shine.  

 

Read on to learn why this question is asked, what interviewers are looking for, and how you can tailor your response to your experience and the prospective role in a polished and professional way.

Why interviewers ask “Tell me about yourself”

This open-ended question is an opportunity to set yourself apart from the other candidates applying for the same role. When you answer the question “Tell me about yourself,” it provides insight into your communication skills and work experience, and it gives the interviewer an idea of how you might fit in with the team and the company.

It’s also a natural icebreaker and a great way to segue into the rest of the interview. Most people are used to talking about themselves and sharing their background, especially when job hunting.

Have a framework for answering this interview question

Deciding how to tell your story is just as important as deciding what to say. Interviewers are interested in how you organize your thoughts and how you connect your experiences with the role they need to fill. Telling your story in the context of a framework helps you stay focused and reduces the chance of rambling.

Share an overview of your job experience

Consider using the common “past-present-future" framework to structure your answer to the “Tell me about yourself” question:

  • Past: Share your education, highlighting training that relates to the prospective role or company. Then, transition into your early career, sharing roles or accomplishments that prepared you for this new job.

  • Present: Talk about your current role. Highlight your skills and relevant training, especially if you returned to school. Do you have expertise with software mentioned in the job description? Did you lead a recent project? This is a good time to mention statistics regarding efficiencies or process improvements you helped with.

  • Future: Wrap up by sharing why you are excited about this job and how your career goals align with the mission of the company.

Highlight your experience and goals

Whether this is your first job, you want to step up to a new role, or you’re making a career switch after acquiring new skills, use your experience to your advantage.

  • First-time job seekers: Use your enthusiasm for the position as a stepping stone and share how your education has prepared you for this job. Talk about relevant classes or software you learned that speak to a specific job requirement. And cover experience you’ve gained from an internship or volunteer work.

  • Career advancers: If you’ve been working to advance your career, share the steps you took to pursue your next role. Talk about certificates you earned, projects you collaborated on, or new skills you’ve acquired and how you put them to use.

  • Career switchers: To plan your move into a new role or field, focus on why you’re making the switch and what interests you about the opportunity. Discuss your transferable skills, such as project management, communication, and problem-solving, that you can use right away to contribute to the team.

Tell me about yourself examples

Here are a few sample answers to give you an idea of how you might tailor your story when answering the “Tell me about yourself” question.

  • First-time job seeker:

    I graduated from college with a degree in communications. Last summer I did an internship at my local newspaper. I enjoyed reporting on news, events, and human-interest stories. This allowed me to hone my interview and storytelling skills.  I’m excited about this corporate communications role at Timcoe, where I can put my skills to work for a company whose mission states that success starts with empowering employees with information.

  • Career advancer:

    When I started in customer service, I learned to answer questions and take customer orders, and the intricacies of keeping track of inventory and handling order changes. In my current role at SmithPro, I learned invoicing and how to calculate freight and taxes. With these skills, I’m ready to take on a new challenge at a company like Pearsons, with a larger product portfolio and an emphasis on putting customers first.

  • Career switcher:

    I’ve worked in the office equipment industry for 12 years. I started in supplies marketing and progressed to inside sales, then credit and billing. I’ve learned the business from the inside out. In my current role as a business development rep for Aboline Equipment, I connect with customers to secure appointments for our sales reps. My job is to learn what equipment customers have and their future equipment needs based on business growth. I’ve learned a lot about the industry and the products, and I’m ready to step up to the role of sales rep for Martin Sales, where the company has a long history of producing high-quality products.

Interview tips and mistakes to avoid

You’re the expert at telling your story. This is your chance to share what makes you a great fit for the job and the team. Here are a few interview tips to keep in mind as you prepare for interviews:

  • Research the company: Visit their website to take a deep dive into their products, services, and customers. This information will help you shape how your job experience can contribute meaningfully to the role.

  • Start with thank you: Begin by thanking the person you’re meeting with for the opportunity to interview for the position. It shows gratitude and sets the tone for the rest of the discussion.

  • Tailor your answers to the specific role: Customize your answers to align with the job you’re interviewing for. Review the job description and jot down notes on how your skills and accomplishments align.

  • Stay relevant: Talk about any education and work experience that ties directly to the job description. You’ll have plenty of chances to share other accomplishments throughout the interview.

  • Start a conversation: You don’t have to memorize your answers, though you’ll want to outline the important details ahead of time. If the interview is by phone or video, have your notes nearby so you can glance at them if needed to stay on track.

  • Avoid sharing personal information: If something is not related to the role or company, think twice before sharing to keep the conversation on track. For example, if you just bought a home and you’re applying for a job as a mortgage loan officer, you might mention your home purchase if it’s relevant to the conversation.

Practice your interview answers

Taking the next step in your professional journey is a powerful move, and here at DeVry you can learn career-relevant skills that employers look for. Plus, you'll have access to unlimited career resources — including interview prep — to help you enter the next phase of your professional life with confidence.

FAQs:

How long should you take to answer “Tell me about yourself”?

Try to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question in under 2 minutes. This will help you stay focused on the most important aspects of your experience. A concise answer demonstrates that you’ve given thought to the question and the role. You can share more of your experiences throughout the interview.

How should you answer "Tell me about yourself” if you have no experience?

If you don’t have experience yet, answer the “Tell me about yourself” question by discussing your education. Give examples of how what you learned at school or during an internship applies to the role you are seeking. This is also an opportunity to convey your excitement for the role, share what you know about the company, and how your values align with theirs.

Should you use humor when an interviewer asks you to “Tell me about yourself”?

A conversational yet professional approach is the safest way to go during an interview. However, humor can be an icebreaker or might fit the workplace culture — if you decide to go this route, keep it brief, respectful, and professional.

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