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How to answer "Tell me about yourself"

A simple present–past–future formula for the most common opening interview question, with examples for school leavers, graduates and experienced candidates.

By JobTrackerAI Editorial Team · Updated 8 November 2026 · 3 min read

"Tell me about yourself" sounds like an invitation to chat, but it is really a request for a short, relevant summary of why you are a good candidate. Because it usually comes first, a confident answer settles your nerves and sets a positive tone for the rest of the interview.

The present–past–future formula

  1. Present: what you do now. Your current role, studies or situation.
  2. Past: the experience and achievements that led you here and are relevant to this job.
  3. Future: why you want this particular post and what you would bring to it.

Aim for about ninety seconds to two minutes.

Example: an experienced candidate

"I'm currently a senior administration clerk at a district hospital, where I manage patient records and support the admissions office. Over the past five years I've worked in both records and finance administration, and last year I helped move our filing to a new electronic system, which cut the time to retrieve a file significantly. I'm applying for this supervisor post because I'm ready to lead a small team, and the records management experience in your requirements matches what I've done day to day."

Example: a graduate

"I recently completed a BCom in Accounting at the University of Limpopo. During my final year I worked part-time in the university's finance office, processing student payments and reconciling accounts. I also volunteered as a tutor for first-year accounting students. I'm applying for your graduate internship because I want to build practical experience in public sector finance, and I'm particularly interested in the work your department does on municipal budgets."

Example: a school leaver

"I completed matric last year with good results in maths and business studies. While at school, I worked weekends as a cashier at a local supermarket, where I learned to handle cash accurately and deal with busy queues. I was also a class representative, which taught me to listen to people and solve problems. I'm applying for this learnership because I want to start a career in retail management, and I like that it combines a qualification with real work experience."

What to leave out

  • Your life story from birth.
  • Personal information that is not relevant to the job — family details, religion, health.
  • Reading your CV aloud. Pick highlights instead.
  • Negative comments about a current or previous employer.

Practise until it sounds natural

Write your answer down, read it aloud, then reduce it to three or four key points you can remember. Practising until you can tell it naturally, rather than reciting it, is what makes it sound confident.

For the questions that usually follow, see common interview questions.

Keep reading

  • Competency-based interviews and the STAR method — How panel interviews in the South African public service and many companies work, what "competencies" are, and how to answer with the STAR method — with worked examples.
  • Common interview questions and how to answer them — The questions South African job seekers are asked most often — strengths, weaknesses, salary expectations, why you want the job — and what a strong answer looks like for each.
  • What to do after an interview — How to follow up after a job interview in South Africa: thank-you emails, when to call, how to handle rejection and how to use feedback for the next application.