Answering "Tell Me About Yourself"

"Tell me about yourself" is often the first question in an interview. A strong answer sets a positive tone and gives you control of the narrative.

The Purpose of This Question

Interviewers use this question to:

• Ease into the conversation
• Assess your communication skills
• Understand how you view your career trajectory
• Identify areas to explore further

The Present-Past-Future Formula

Structure your answer in three parts:

Present (30 seconds)

• Your current role and what you do
• A notable recent accomplishment
• Why you're excited about what you do

Past (60 seconds)

• Relevant background that led you here
• Key experiences that shaped your skills
• Pattern of growth and achievement

Future (30 seconds)

• Why you're interested in this role/company
• How this fits your career trajectory
• What you're excited to contribute

Example Answer

"Currently, I'm a senior product manager at XYZ Corp, where I lead a team of 5 PMs focused on our B2B platform. Last quarter, we launched a feature that increased enterprise retention by 15%.

I got into product management after starting as a software engineer at a startup. That technical foundation helps me collaborate effectively with engineering teams. Over the past 6 years, I've progressively taken on larger products and teams, moving from individual contributor to people management.

I'm excited about this role at [Company] because you're tackling [specific problem] in an innovative way. Given my experience with enterprise products and scaling teams, I believe I can make a meaningful impact on your roadmap."

Common Mistakes

• Going too far back (high school, irrelevant jobs)
• Being too long (over 2-3 minutes)
• Reciting your resume line by line
• Being too personal (avoid oversharing)
• Forgetting to connect to the role