How to answer “Tell me about yourself”
Imagine you’re interviewing for a weekend shop assistant role. The interviewer opens with a big question. Give them a small, useful picture of you: what you do, one time you did it and how it fits the job.
Hear the question and a model answer
Interviewer: “Tell me about yourself.”
Jordan, the applicant:
“I’m Jordan Lee. I enjoy helping people, and I’ve helped at community events. At one event, a visitor couldn’t find the registration desk, so I showed them where to go. I’d like to use that same skill to help customers find what they need in your shop.”
Build your answer in three moves
- 1. Start with something relevant
- “I’ve helped at community events” gives the listener a starting point. You can use paid work, study, volunteering or a project.
- 2. Show what you did
- “I showed them where to go” says more than “I’m helpful.” Choose one moment and use an action verb.
- 3. Connect it to this job
- Jordan moves from helping a visitor to helping a customer. Ask yourself: where would I use my skill in this role?
Check your interview answer
Three questions. Choose an answer in each to see the explanation. You can read the model again at any time.
1. Which opening gives the interviewer a useful detail to ask about?
“You can read all of that on my application.”
Try again. This sends the interviewer elsewhere. Give them one detail you can talk about now.
“I’ve helped at community events, where I often give visitors directions.”
Correct. This introduces relevant experience and invites a natural follow-up: “Can you give me an example?”
“I’d like to tell you everything, starting from when I was five.”
Try again. A life story is too broad for this question. Start with something that connects to the role.
2. Jordan says, “I enjoy helping people.” Which detail shows it?
“I’d like a weekend job.”
Try again. This explains a preference about working hours. It doesn’t show how Jordan helped someone.
“I’m a very helpful person.”
Try again. This repeats the claim. Describe an action so the listener can picture what you did.
“I showed a visitor where to find the registration desk.”
Correct. This is a specific action. We know who needed help and what Jordan did.
3. You helped new students find their classrooms. How could you connect that experience to the shop role?
“I could use that experience to guide customers around the shop.”
Correct. You connect a real skill to something you would do in the new job.
“That means I already know every item in your shop.”
Try again. Helping students shows you can guide people. It doesn’t establish knowledge of this shop’s products.
“That’s all I have to say about school.”
Try again. This ends the story without showing why the experience matters for the job.
Try it aloud (optional)
Think of one thing you’ve actually done. Finish these three lines in your own words: “I’ve …” · “For example, I …” · “In this role, I’d like to …”
If this is your first job, a school or community example is fine. There’s no recording to submit.