How To Answer "Tell Me About Yourself"

Read on my website / Read time: 4 minutes

This one question can make or break your interview.

And most people blow it in the first 30 seconds.

"Tell me about yourself." It's vague. It's open-ended. And it's usually the first thing they ask.

Here's how to answer it with confidence, clarity, and a story that actually sticks.

Why This Question Trips Everyone Up

The moment you hear it, you shift into autopilot:

"I've been in marketing for 10 years..." "I currently work at..." "I think I'd be a good fit because..."

None of that is wrong. But none of it is memorable.

Unfortunately, most people stumble through this question because they're thinking about it backwards—trying to fit themselves into what they think the company wants to hear.

The biggest problem? You don't know what YOU want.

Here's what most people do wrong:

They focus on fitting into the company's needs – Starting with "I think I'd be a great fit because..." puts you in the same bucket as everyone else.

They list accomplishments without context – "I raised $20 million" sounds impressive, but without the why behind it, it's just another number.

They forget their authentic story – Your real motivation for being in your field is what makes you unique, but most people bury it under corporate speak.

They wing it every time – Without a consistent narrative, you sound different (and scattered) in every interview.

The good news? You can fix all of this with a simple framework that transforms your answer from forgettable to unforgettable.

The Past → Future → Bridge Framework

This is what I taught Sammi, a healthcare fundraiser interviewing at a global healthcare provider.

The entire framework has 3 parts:

• PAST: Where you've been and why
• FUTURE: Where you're going and what you want
• BRIDGE: How this company helps you get there

Here's exactly how to use it:

PART 1: PAST (Your Origin Story + Proof)

Step 1: Hook them with intrigue "I've spent 25 years in healthcare fundraising—but what's kept me here isn't the work itself. It's something that started when I was a kid."

It's not just enough to share how many years of experience you have.

It's more important to leave them wondering what's brought you to this point... which leads to the second part.

Step 2: Share your origin story (3 sentences max) Include three elements:

• A concrete detail: "I grew up in Southside Chicago, where 1 clinic served 25,000 people."
• The emotion: "Standing in line for hours for basic care didn't feel right."
• Your spark: "That's when I decided to dedicate my career to fixing this."

Three sentences. That's it. Real, personal, and memorable.

The key here is to RELIVE, DON'T REPORT. When you can replay specific scenes for your hiring manager, you naturally bring the emotionality and dynamism that all great speakers bring to the table.

Step 3: Connect it to your career. "That experience shaped my entire path in healthcare philanthropy." Make sure that the purpose of the story is clear at the end. It's the best way to segue to your career accomplishments (step 4).

Step 4: Prove it with 3 wins. "Since then, I've raised over $20M for patient care, built strategic partnerships with major donors, and currently advise high-net-worth individuals on transformational giving."

Now your accomplishments aren't just numbers—they're proof you've lived your mission.

Don't spend too much time here. One to two sentences is enough. You can go deeper on any of these later in the interview.

Remember, the main thing you're getting across is what makes you special for the role.

PART 2: FUTURE (Where You're Headed)

Step 5: State your next chapter

This is where most people fail. They haven't thought deeply about what THEY want—regardless of the company. But this is exactly what makes you strategic and memorable.

"I'm at a point where I want to expand my impact globally, work directly with research teams, and lead transformational giving at a larger scale."

Notice: This has nothing to do with the company. It's about YOUR growth trajectory.

The key here is that you need to get clear on what you want and why you want it.

PART 3: BRIDGE (Why This Company)

Step 6: Connect their company to your goals "The company's global reach and research focus align perfectly with where I want to take my career—it's where I can multiply my impact while continuing to grow."

This is the FIRST time you mention them. And it's about alignment, not flattery.

Step 7: Confident handoff "I'd be happy to dive deeper into any part of that—what would you like to explore?"

Your Action Plan

Here's exactly how to build your answer:

1. Know what you want first Before you even think about the company, get crystal clear on YOUR next chapter. I use a simple exercise called the "5 Whats and Whys" - write down 5 things you want in your next role and why you want each one. This becomes your North Star for every interview. Get the template HERE.

2. Write it out in bullets Create a bullet outline following Past → Future → Bridge. You'll adapt the Bridge section for each company, but your Past and Future stay consistent.

3. Practice aloud (2-3 minutes max) Practice until it feels natural, not memorized. Record yourself. Most people talk too long when they're nervous. When you re-listen to the recording, how conversational does it feel? How scripted does it feel?

Your next interview is your chance to show them not just what you've done, but who you really are and where you're headed. It's up to BOTH of you (not just the interviewer) to determine whether this opportunity is the right next step in your story.

I'm rooting for you.

Preston

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