How to answer "Tell me about yourself"
Short answerTake about a minute and give three things in order: what you do now, one example that proves you can do this job, and why you want this role. Don't walk through your CV.
The three parts
- Now. Your current role and the one thing you're known for.
- Proof. One specific example with a result the interviewer can picture.
- Next. Why this job, at this company, is the logical step.
A minute of speech is roughly 130 to 160 words at a normal pace. That's a rule of thumb, not a rule. If you're well past a minute, cut the history.
A worked example
This is an example for a support-team lead applying to a bigger team. Swap in your own details.
ExampleI run a six-person customer support team at a logistics software company. I'm best known for cutting repeat tickets: I rewrote our most-asked help articles, and the team stopped answering the same questions every week. I'm applying here because you're growing your support operation, and I want to build the systems behind the queue, not only manage it.
What goes wrong
- Starting at school and walking forward. The interviewer stops listening by year three.
- Listing duties instead of showing one result.
- Ending with "yeah, that's me". Finish on why you want the role.
- Rushing the first sentence. Nerves speed up the opening, which is where you set the tone.
Common questions
Should I mention personal details?
One short line is fine if it's relevant or helps them remember you. The answer is about your work.
What if I'm changing careers?
Make the proof part the bridge. Pick an example from your old work that uses a skill the new job needs, and say that out loud.
Practice it out loud
Reading this won't change how it sounds under pressure. Say your answer to a timer, count the fillers, then answer a follow-up you didn't plan for. In Luwy, the hiring manager asks one.
Written by the Luwy team. Last updated 1 October 2026.