Tell Me About Yourself: How to Answer in a UK Job Interview (With Examples)

"Tell me about yourself" is usually the first question you are asked, and it catches a lot of people out because it is so open. The interviewer is not asking for your life story. They want a short, confident summary of who you are professionally and why you are sitting in front of them.

What interviewers really want to know

This question is a warm-up with a purpose. The interviewer wants to hear whether you can communicate clearly, whether your experience is relevant and whether you understand the job. A good answer takes 60 to 90 seconds.

A simple structure: present, past, future

• Present: what you do now, or what you have just finished.

• Past: one or two things from your experience that are relevant to this job.

• Future: why this role is the logical next step.

Example answer for an experienced candidate

"I am currently a customer service advisor at a utilities company, where I handle about 60 calls a day and my quality scores have been in the top quarter of the team for the last year. Before that I worked in retail, which taught me how to stay calm with upset customers. I am now looking for a role where I can take on more responsibility, and the team leader position here is exactly that."

Example answer if you have little or no experience

"I have just finished my A-levels and I have spent the last year volunteering in a charity shop on Saturdays, where I learned to use the till, help customers and work as part of a team. I am reliable, I enjoy talking to people and I want to start my career somewhere with training. That is why this apprenticeship appeals to me."

Example answer for a career changer

"For eight years I worked in hospitality management, where I led teams of up to 20 and managed budgets. I discovered that the part of the job I enjoyed most was analysing sales data to improve rotas, so I have completed a data analytics course and I am now looking to move into an analyst role."

Mistakes to avoid

• Reciting your CV from school onwards.

• Talking about hobbies and family unless they are relevant.

• Being too short. "I am a hard worker" is not enough.

• Being negative about a past employer.

How to practise

Write your answer down, cut it to about 150 words, then say it aloud until it sounds natural. Do not memorise it word for word. Change the final sentence so it fits the specific job.

Quick answers

How long should my answer be? Around a minute to a minute and a half.

Should I mention personal details? Only briefly, and only if relevant.

Want to practise with questions written for your exact job? Our question bank covers hundreds of UK roles with model answers, and every role has five questions free.

Practise for specific roles

Pick your role: Customer Service Advisor, Administrator.