Speaking guide
How to answer “Tell me about yourself” in English
“Tell me about yourself” is not your life story. It is a one-minute answer in three parts: what you do now, what brought you here, and why you want this. Rehearse it until it fits in about sixty seconds.
A sample to rehearse
I'm a nurse, and for the last three years I've worked on a busy children's ward in Izmir. Before that I trained in Ankara, where I first became interested in paediatric care.
I'm good at staying calm when things move fast, and parents often tell me I explain things clearly. Now I'm looking for a role in the UK where I can keep working with children and keep learning, and that's why I applied here.
Change the details to your own, then practise your version out loud.
How to practise it
- Write it firstPut what you want to say into short sentences. Use three parts: present (what you do now), past (one or two things that led here), future (why this role).
- Say it out loud and record itSay it out loud, or to the camera. Notice where you stop in the first take; it should sound like talking, not reading.
- Listen back, then try againListen to your take and try the same script once more. A third take is usually much smoother than the first.
Common mistakes
Instead of I was born in 1995 in Bursa…
say I'm a … and for the last … years I've …
Start with what you do now; the interviewer asks about work, not childhood.
Instead of I have 5 years experience.
say I have five years of experience.
Experience takes “of”, and in speech say the number in full.
Instead of …and that's it.
say …and that's why I applied for this role.
End by linking back to the job, so the next question follows naturally.
Useful phrases
- I currently work as …
- Before that, I …
- What I enjoy most is …
- I'm now looking for …
- That's why I applied for this role.