Mastering “Tell Me About Yourself”

One of the first questions you will hear in an interview is “tell me about yourself.” This is not an invitation to recite your CV. It is your moment to set the tone for the entire conversation and show why you are the right leader for both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. The most effective way to do this is with a simple now, past, future structure.

Start with the now. Briefly describe where you are today, your current role, focus areas, and leadership strengths. Keep this tight and no longer than thirty seconds. Then move to the past by sharing one or two achievements that demonstrate the impact you have made. Tie each to a clear business outcome such as growth, cost savings, transformation, or cultural change so the interviewer understands the value behind the story.

Finish with the future. Connect your experience to what the organisation will need next, whether that is navigating disruption, scaling growth, leading digital change, or building culture. Include what you are looking for in your next role, the types of problems you want to solve and the environments where you do your best work. This turns your answer into a statement of alignment, not just a history lesson.

When done well, this introduction takes no more than two minutes and leaves the interviewer clear on who you are, the value you bring, and why you are the right choice for what lies ahead. It is not a monologue, but a hook that opens the door to deeper conversation.

Practical tip
Write a two minute “now, past, future” version of your story and practice it out loud. Aim for clarity and flow so it sounds natural rather than rehearsed.

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