How to answer "Tell me about yourself"

It often comes first, as a warm-up. Victoria's Youth Central says the interviewer wants to hear about your skills and experience. They want things that show you could do the job well.

Northern Ireland's government careers advice puts it plainly:

They may pick up on something you say and ask about it next. So lead with what you'd most like to talk about.

A simple shape works well:

1. Now: who you are today, in a sentence. For example, your job or your studies.
2. Before: two or three things you've done that match the job ad. Give one number if you can.
3. Next: why you want this job, and what you'd bring to it.

Careers services agree on the parts. New Zealand's Tahatū says to sum up your work experience and qualifications, then talk about your goals.

Northern Ireland's advice is to choose four or five key things that are relevant to the job. Keep it under two minutes.

In Australia's public service, the APSC tells applicants to think of their top three skills and why they applied. It says to use examples that relate to the job, and to be honest.

No paid work yet? That's fine. Youth Central says you can talk about sport, volunteering or a community group instead. Link it to the job.

A claim like "I'm organised" is easy to forget. One quick example makes it stick.

Use the STAR method, as England's National Careers Service sets it out. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result:

• Situation: where you were and what was going on, in a line or two.
• Task: what you had to do, or the problem to solve.
• Action: what you did, step by step. This is most of the answer, so say "I", not "we".
• Result: what changed, with a number if you can, and what you learned.

Aim for about 90 seconds out loud. Keep it short and to the point, and be ready for follow-up questions about it.

In this answer, keep the story to three or four lines. Save the full version for later questions.

• Starting with where you were born or went to school, unless it matters for the job.
• Reading out your resume line by line. They've already read it.
• Talking for five minutes. Stop at two.
• Sharing private details, such as health, family or religion. You don't have to.
• Learning it word for word. It can sound flat, so know your points and say them naturally.

Pick the two or three things the ad stresses most. Then choose the parts of your story that prove them.

• An ad that stresses customer service: lead with your work with people.
• An ad that stresses accuracy: lead with a time your care stopped a mistake.
• A graduate role: lead with your study, projects and part-time work.

Our guide to reading a job ad shows how to find what matters most.

Here is a made-up answer for a first office job. The STAR rows hold her pitch: who she is now, what she runs, what she did and where it led.

Aisha's answer takes about 90 seconds. Each point matches the ad: organisation, customer service and spreadsheets. She ends with why she wants this job.

Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on 1 November 2026. Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.

• Answering interview questions · Youth Central, Victorian Government (Australia)
• Common interview questions · nidirect, Northern Ireland Government
• Tips for interviews · Tahatū, Tertiary Education Commission (NZ)
• 7. The interview and other assessment: cracking the code · Australian Public Service Commission
• The STAR method · National Careers Service (England)
• How to answer common interview questions · National Careers Service (England)