Have you got an interview coming up and want to know how to answer this tough question: Tell me about yourself?
Perhaps you are eyeing a role in Finance and Accounting or Customer Services and want help summarising all your great experience?
Then read on to learn how to answer like a pro and find out how you can get expert sample answers for any role or level from Accounting right through to Technology.
In this article we teach you how to answer the tell me about yourself interview question like a pro. We give you a magic formula plus 15 sample answers for a range of jobs from accountant, finance analyst, NHS nurse, customer service representative and more.
In This Guide:
- Tell Me About Yourself – How a Great Answer Wins Jobs
- Tell Me About Yourself – Most Common Mistake
- Why They Ask The Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
- Tell Me About Yourself Variations
- How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself – General Rules
- How Long Should The Tell Me About Yourself Answer Be?
- Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Question With This Magic Formula
- 15 Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answers For Different Jobs
- Why These Sample Answers Work – What is Good About Them
- 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Answering Tell Me About Yourself
- Get Your Target Job Faster With InterviewGold
Tell Me About Yourself – How a Great Answer Wins Jobs
This interview question is so commonly asked because it is a great question. Asking this at the start allows the candidate to talk about something familiar i.e., themselves, so they start to feel at ease. It also gives the interviewer lots of information in a very short space of time.
It is also used to see how well a candidate can communicate.
It is a test to see if you can summarise, structure and self-analyse so that you impart the most important information in a short space of time.
For you as the candidate even though it might seem difficult this too is a great question. Get it right and it could get you the job irrespective of the sector or level, be it in finance, accounting, customer services or teaching.
It’s a real selling opportunity and we suggest you spend time getting your answer perfect.
Tell me About Yourself – Most Common Mistake
So, you arrive at the interview and find yourself in the hot seat. All eyes are upon you and the first question the interviewer asks is:
‘Tell me about yourself’
Ok, you think, nice open question, easy one, so you launch into a great rambling ten-minute speech giving all the details about your life from the day you were born including your hobbies and the name of your cat.
You feel very pleased with yourself, but chances are with that one answer, you may have lost the job. The interviewer would possibly see you as incompetent, unable to summarise and lacking focus and direction.
This is the number 1 mistake made by candidates and it is one which is easily avoided with the right preparation.
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Why Employers Ask The Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
Your interviewers have to start somewhere and this is a great big question which is a perfect way to start the interview. It is an open question, so you cannot answer with a simple yes or no, you must start talking.
It is also possible they have not had time to review your CV, portfolio or application form in detail and this question invites you to give them a summary.
Here are the key reasons why they ask this interview question.
1. Nice interview opener
They must start somewhere, and this is a great open question which is a perfect way to start the interview. You cannot answer with a simple yes or no, you must start talking.
2. Gets you relaxed
The tell me about yourself interview question is a great ice breaker because it helps you to relax and start the conversation. It is a question you should have practiced well and you should be able to deliver it smoothly and successfully.
A good start can help calm those interview nerves.
3. They haven’t read your CV or Portfolio
It is possible they have not had time to review your CV, portfolio or application form in detail and this question invites you to give them a summary. As you will see below even if they ask for a CV walk through, don’t do it. This is a real selling opportunity and this lesson will help you get your answer perfect and nail that job offer.
4. They want to know you better
Crucially they want an early indication if you are right for the role or not. Your answer will give them lots of information at a high level; say the right things and they will want to hear more – they will be invested and energised.
5. It is a test of your communication skills
It is also used to see how well you can communicate and for many roles, communication is a very much a key skill. They will want to hear a concise, powerful answer which is relevant to the role and which clearly demonstrates who you are and what you bring to the role.
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Tell Me About Yourself Variations
Do not be surprised if the tell me about yourself question is phrased differently. Employers know you will have practiced and they may try to throw you with a variation.
For example, variations can include:
- Please talk us through your CV / Resume.
- Tell us more about you.
- Walk us through your portfolio.
- Tell us something about yourself that’s not on your application form.
- How would you describe yourself?
Irrespective, the answer you give will be the same. Prepare it and practice it and you can deliver it smoothly no matter how they phrase the question.
How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself – General Rules
1. Avoid an answer that is personal: Many candidates make the mistake of assuming the interviewer wants to hear about their personal lives and talk about relationships, children, interests and hobbies. These are of no interest to the employer in an interview and are most likely to lead to failure. They want to hear about your work, your professional life and what you can do.
2. Don’t just give a boring CV walkthrough: Put simply this is likely to become a boring monologue and shows a lack of communication skills and ingenuity. Even if asked ‘Talk us through your CV’ you should use one of our formulas to structure your answer. In this way, you will take control of the flow, you will direct the focus and you will come across as much more powerful and professional. The interviewer can then ask for further detail on any aspect.
3. Prepare and practice: It is worth spending time creating a powerful answer and then practicing until you can deliver it smoothly and confidently. It is vitally important as a good answer can set a positive tone for the rest of the interview while a poor one can be very difficult to recover from.
4. Proper structure: Most importantly your answer must have proper structure and a smooth flow that the interviewer can easily follow. They need to hear your key messages and you should deliver them succinctly and ideally within 2-5 minutes. The content needs to be strong, relevant and to the point.
Want to learn more about answering interview questions?
How Long Should The Tell Me About Yourself Answer Be?
The general rule is to aim for an answer of about 2 minutes. However, we find that some sectors such as Government, Banking, Finance and especially at senior levels will expect more, sometimes even allowing up to 5 minutes.
What is key is to avoid a monologue.
Build a longer version lasting circa 5 minutes. Then create a shorter alternative by editing it down to circa 2 minutes. You now have two options for your interview. Start with the shorter and if prompted to give more detail or to expand, you will have the material to do so confidently.
Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Question With This Magic Formula
In the InterviewGold training system we include a range of great formulas to use when answering any interview question.
Here is just one we find works great for this question.
It is ideal for any sector, not just in accounting, finance or banking or technology, media or administration for example.
What is required here is a short commercial about yourself, which you should prepare in advance and to help structure your answer use the:
ICAAN+ formula: Introduction, Career, Achievements, Attributes and Skills, Next, + Personal.
INTRODUCTION: Include your name, profession, qualifications, current job title or specialism, number of years’ experience, organisations you worked for.
CAREER: Expand on your career to date including Current Role, Previous Roles, Responsibilities and Experience.
ACHIEVEMENTS: Having outlined your career path, now is the point to highlight your key achievements. Mention a maximum of three and ensure these are most RELEVANT to the role you are seeking.
ATTRIBUTES: Mention the core skills and strengths you are bringing. Review the job description and the list of competencies required and your answer should include some of these making sure you use the same terminology as used in the Job Description and Person Specification.
NEXT: This is a single sentence summarising why you have applied and how you see this role as the ideal next stage in your career.
+ PERSONAL: If time allows and depending on the role and level, feel free to add a single sentence imparting some piece of personal information, perhaps mentioning interests or hobbies. It is a softer and more personable way to close the answer and especially useful if it is relevant to the role.
15 Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answers For Different Jobs
Here are sample answers covering 15 different jobs. Even if yours is not shown you can use these as inspiration.
Please note these are just short introductions to give you a head start with your preparation. Your answer whether on an application or in the interview should follow one of our professional formulas – see how we use it in the first two sample answers below. In addition, you will need to include much more detail, more achievements and evidence proving your skills.
Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answer for: Finance and Accounting Role
Here is a section of a sample answer for a candidate being interviewed for a Finance and Accounting role at Manager level. This template will work great for any role including accounting, banking etc:
Introduction: Good morning, my name is James Smith*. I am a qualified accountant with six years post qualified experience gained within the pharmaceutical industry. (Expand)
Career: I have spent the past 4 years working with Pfizer* where my most recent role is Project Accountant.
In my current role, I successfully manage the day-to-day function of the project finance function including managing 8 staff both qualified and part time…(Expand)
Previously I worked with Glaxo Smith Klein* as an assistant accountant and (Expand)
Achievements: Three key achievements I would like to mention are firstly I recently implemented a new financial management system saving the company over £500,000 in year one…(Expand and talk through a minimum of 3 key achievements)
Attributes: I bring a range of key strengths for example, I have a reputation for my attention to detail and delivering major projects within strict deadlines and I enjoy working with complex financial data…(Expand and one again we recommend 3 core strengths relevant to the role with evidence.)
Next: Going forward I will be working in a challenging finance role within this industry and your organisation is one I have targeted specifically. I met your team at your conference recently and I very much admired the work ethic and how your values fit perfectly with mine. In addition, it is a perfect career move for me because… (expand)
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Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answer for: Customer Services
Here is a section of a sample answer for a candidate being interviewed for a customer services role. Once again this can be adapted for roles in any client facing post such as in banking, government or civil service etc. (Get full personalised answers)
Introduction: My name is Fatima Boateng, I am a dedicated and customer-focused individual with a passion for providing exceptional service.
Career: I bring 6 years working within customer services with my latest role as supervisor with Amazon UK over the past two years. Prior to this I enjoyed a successful post with Barclays bank working in a client facing environment in their branch.
Achievements: My key achievements include managing a team of 4 customer service agents, recruiting and developing training and career plans. I have delivered against targets consistently and in the past 12 months I have achieved a 15% uplift in sales. Finally, I have been awarded a start performer prize for my exceptional manner when dealing with both my team and management.
Attributes: Throughout my career, I have honed my communication and problem-solving skills to effectively assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy building positive relationships with clients. My previous experience in customer services has taught me the importance of active listening and empathy, which allows me to understand customers’ needs and deliver tailored solutions.
Next: I am ready to move into this manager position. I am excited about this opportunity to contribute my expertise to your team and ensure a seamless and satisfying experience for all customers.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Software Developer
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
I am a dedicated software developer with a passion for problem-solving. Over the past five years, I’ve honed my skills in Java and Python, contributing to the development of innovative solutions in various industries.
My focus is very much on creating efficient, scalable, and user-friendly applications and has been a constant throughout my career. I thrive in collaborative environments, working seamlessly with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software products.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: NHS Nurse UK
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
With a strong foundation in nursing, I bring seven years of experience in emergency and surgical settings within the NHS and most recently working in St Georges Hospital in Tooting.
My commitment to providing compassionate patient care is complemented by my ability to think critically in high-pressure situations.
I excel in fostering effective communication with patients and collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure the delivery of top-notch medical care.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Marketing Manager
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
I am a results-oriented marketing professional with a proven track record in digital marketing.
Over the past decade, I’ve successfully developed and executed strategic marketing campaigns that significantly increased brand awareness and customer engagement.
My expertise spans across content creation, social media management, and data analytics, allowing me to deliver targeted and impactful marketing solutions.
As a marketing manager, I leverage my leadership skills to inspire and guide teams toward achieving common goals, consistently exceeding performance targets.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Teacher
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
I am passionate about education, I am a seasoned educator with a strong commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
With a background in teaching English literature to high school students, I have refined my ability to tailor lessons to diverse learning styles.
My approach focuses on promoting critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication skills. As an educator, I aim to inspire a love for learning while empowering students to reach their full academic potential.
My dedication to continuous professional development ensures that I stay abreast of innovative teaching methodologies and incorporate them into my classroom practices.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Graphic Designer
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
With a keen eye for aesthetics and a passion for creative expression, I am a graphic designer who thrives on transforming ideas into visually compelling designs.
Over the last 5 years, I’ve honed my skills in Adobe Creative Suite, specializing in branding, web design, and print collateral.
My portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects that reflect my ability to capture the essence of brands and deliver visually impactful designs.
Collaborating closely with clients, I ensure that each project not only meets but exceeds their expectations, resulting in meaningful and aesthetically pleasing outcomes.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Human Resources
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
I am an experienced human resources professional with expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development.
Throughout my career, I’ve successfully recruited top-tier talent, implemented effective onboarding processes, and fostered positive workplace cultures.
My ability to navigate complex HR issues and provide strategic guidance to leadership has consistently contributed to organisational success.
As an HR specialist, I prioritise creating an inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring that employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best to the organisation.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Data Analyst
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
My name is James Shah and I am highly skilled with analysing and interpreting complex datasets.
As a data analyst, I’ve developed a robust skill set in data visualisation, statistical analysis, and database management.
Over the past six years, I’ve contributed to data-driven decision-making processes, providing actionable insights that have led to improved business strategies.
I am proficient in SQL and data visualisation tools, I excel at translating raw data into meaningful narratives that guide organizational growth.
My analytical mindset, coupled with a keen attention to detail, positions me as a valuable asset in harnessing the power of data for informed decision-making.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Project Manager
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
My name is Patrick Cleverly and I am a dynamic and results-oriented project manager.
I bring a wealth of experience in overseeing and delivering complex projects on time and within budget with my most recent experience gained within PWC based in London.
With a focus on effective communication, strategic planning, and team collaboration, I’ve successfully led cross-functional teams through all project phases.
My ability to adapt to changing project requirements, mitigate risks, and maintain a strong emphasis on quality has consistently contributed to project success.
From project initiation to completion, I am dedicated to ensuring that deliverables align with organisational goals and exceed stakeholder expectations.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Customer Service Representative
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
As a customer service representative, I’ve built a reputation for delivering exceptional service and resolving issues promptly.
Over the past seven years, I’ve honed my communication and problem-solving skills, creating positive interactions that foster customer loyalty.
Whether addressing inquiries, providing product knowledge, or resolving concerns, I prioritise understanding and exceeding customer expectations.
My commitment to going above and beyond has not only enhanced customer satisfaction but has also contributed to increased customer retention and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Mechanical Engineer
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
I am a highly skilled mechanical engineer with a passion for designing and optimising mechanical systems.
Over the last eight years, my work has spanned various industries, including automotive and aerospace.
I am expert in CAD software, I’ve played a key role in developing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Whether troubleshooting mechanical issues, leading design projects, or collaborating with cross-functional teams, I bring a comprehensive understanding of engineering principles to deliver reliable and cutting-edge mechanical solutions.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Financial Analyst
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
A detail-oriented financial analyst, I specialise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.
Over the past 12 years, I’ve successfully analysed financial data, identified trends, and provided insights that have informed strategic decision-making.
My ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations has contributed to the financial success of organizations.
Whether conducting variance analysis, developing financial reports, or supporting budgeting processes, I bring a meticulous approach to financial analysis that ensures accuracy and reliability.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Sales Representative
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
I am a dynamic and results-driven sales representative with a proven track record of exceeding sales targets.
I have gained valuable experience over the last seven years and I have cultivated strong client relationships and implemented effective sales strategies across diverse markets.
My ability to understand customer needs, tailor solutions, and negotiate favorable terms has consistently contributed to the success of sales campaigns.
Whether managing key accounts, identifying new business opportunities, or collaborating with cross-functional teams, I bring a proactive and customer-centric approach that drives revenue growth and enhances overall sales performance.
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Tell Me About Yourself Answer For: Electrical Engineer
NOTE: This is just a very small introductory sample with some short statements to inspire you and get you started. (Get full personalised answers)
With a solid foundation in electrical engineering, I bring extensive experience in designing and implementing electrical systems. Over the past eight years, my work has ranged from power distribution projects to control systems design.
I am skilled with the use of simulation tools and I have played a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of electrical solutions.
I have detailed achievements with troubleshooting complex electrical issues, leading engineering teams, or ensuring compliance with industry standards.
I am committed to delivering high-quality and innovative electrical engineering solutions that meet the needs of diverse projects.
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Why These Sample Answers Work – What is Good About Them
As you will see in these answers, we have addressed the capability, commitment and compatibility criteria and highlighted above are the key phrases that help make this a good answer.
Please note these are shortened version of ideal answers. They highlight the key elements to include in your answer – you can access full versions and get your own personalised answers in our InterviewGold online platform.
You will need to expand your answers accordingly to really sell yourself and your skills.
When you have delivered your answer, ask ‘Are there any specific areas you would like me to talk about further?’ or ‘Would you like me to expand on any of my achievements?’
Even without this prompt we would expect the interviewer to probe further. Be ready with your answers and to structure use the STAR formula which you can learn about here.
3 Mistakes to Avoid When Answering Tell Me About Yourself
With our coaching clients we typically see 3 mistakes:
1. Lack of focus: The key error, too much talking. Senior candidates especially find it difficult to summarise a great career to date. They tend to start at the beginning and work through and this is a no-no. Focus, keep it recent and ensure the key points you talk about are relevant to the role in question.
2. Underselling yourself: Avoid the temptation to shy away from blowing your own trumpet. If you have done something great, you must tell them about it. While it’s on your CV they may not see it and may not ask you about it. A little pushiness is good, sell yourself, show them what you have done, what you have achieved in past roles or tasks inside and outside of work.
3. Too much personal detail: This is all about what you can bring to the job so avoid including details of your personal life, hobbies and interests. Unless something is relevant to the job don’t use valuable time including it.
Get Your Target Job Faster With InterviewGold
Answering the tell me about yourself interview question perfectly is a skill, but one you can learn. It is like an elevator pitch and you should have it clear, polished and smooth.
With our easy online interview platform you will get expert answers to any interview or application question in minutes. Personalised to you, you will know what to say to get your target job. Plus you get accurate questions most likely to arise and expert advice from our interview coaches.
Best of all, it is tailored to your job, log in enter your target job and employer, select your sector and get accurate questions and answers plus tons of top advice. Over 20 sectors are covered including Accounting, Finance, Customer Services, Banking, Marketing, Sales etc.
