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How to answer "Tell me about yourself" in English

It's almost always the first question in an interview, and it sets the mood for everything after it. In English, learners often recite their CV starting from school, or go blank because the question feels too open. A good answer is short, in a clear order and pointed at this specific role.

You talk to Daniel, hiring manager

Level
B2
Length
about 10 minutes

The situation

First-round interview for a product role. Introduce yourself in a way that's memorable, relevant and under two minutes.

Your goals

  1. Give a clear three-part intro
  2. Link one past win to this role
  3. Ask Daniel a thoughtful question

Words to use

Words you probably know but rarely say. In the app they tick off as you use them.

track record
proof of past success
spearhead
lead a project from the start
collaborate
work closely with others
drive
make something happen
pivot
change direction
thrive
do very well

Phrases that work here

  • Right now I'm a business analyst at a logistics company, where I...

    Starts with the present, which is what the interviewer actually wants to know first.

  • Before that, I spent three years in customer support, which is where I got interested in...

    Connects one past step to your current direction, instead of listing every job.

  • One thing I'm proud of is...

    Introduces a single achievement without sounding arrogant.

  • That's a big part of why this role caught my attention.

    Links your story to the job, so the interviewer doesn't have to make the connection.

  • So that's a bit about me.

    A clear signal that you've finished and it's their turn. Without it, many answers just fade out.

  • That's a good question. Let me think for a second.

    Buys you a few seconds calmly, instead of filling the silence with "umm".

  • What would success look like for this person in the first six months?

    A thoughtful question that shows you're already thinking about doing the job well.

How the conversation can go

Daniel opens the call. One way to answer:

  1. Daniel

    Thanks for coming in today. So, to start, tell me a little about yourself.

  2. You

    Sure. Right now I'm a business analyst at a logistics company, where I collaborate with the product and operations teams on our tracking app. Before that, I worked in customer support, which is where I got interested in how people actually use a product.

  3. Daniel

    Mm-hm. Can you tell me a bit more about that?

  4. You

    Last year I spearheaded a small project on failed deliveries. We talked to drivers, found that the address form was confusing, and redesigned it with the product team. Within two months, drivers were reporting far fewer wrong addresses.

  5. Daniel

    Interesting. And why are you looking at a product role now?

  6. You

    Because that project was the part of my job I enjoyed most: understanding the problem and shaping the solution. I think I'd thrive in a role where that's the whole job, not a side project. So that's a bit about me.

  7. Daniel

    Okay, that makes sense. Do you have any questions for me so far?

  8. You

    Yes, actually. What would success look like for this person in the first six months?

Mistakes to avoid

  • I was born in Bandung and I graduated from high school in 2015...

    I'm a business analyst with four years of experience in logistics.

    Start with the present. The interviewer wants the professional version of you, not your life story.

  • I am a hard worker, discipline and responsible.

    I'm reliable. In my last role, I never missed a weekly report in two years.

    A list of adjectives proves nothing, and "discipline" is a noun (the adjective is "disciplined"). One example says more.

  • I have experience for three years in marketing.

    I have three years of experience in marketing.

    The number goes before "experience". The wrong version comes from "punya pengalaman selama tiga tahun".

Before you start

  1. Use present, past, future: what you do now, one past step that explains it, and why this role is next. Aim for 60 to 90 seconds.
  2. Prepare one story with a result you can describe in a single sentence. "Tell me more about that" is where most people freeze.
  3. Practice saying it out loud, not reading it. A memorized script sounds flat the moment the interviewer interrupts.

Practise it out loud with Daniel

In Lorivo, Daniel answers you on a live voice call for about 10 minutes, then you get feedback on your own sentences.

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