7 sample responses to "Tell me about yourself" for students

1. But first, why do interviewers ask "Tell me about yourself"?
2. How to respond to "Tell me about yourself" (sample responses)
3. Top mistakes students make when answering "Tell me about yourself"

But first, why do interviewers ask "Tell me about yourself"?

What are interviewers trying to get from asking this question? Let's put ourselves in their shoes for a moment.

1. They're buying time to review your resume. As a former recruiter & HR head put it, "Everyone will ask you this question ... The reason is, they did not prepare for the interview ... and they're buying some time to review your resume as you're sitting there."
2. They want to know where you're coming from. Think of it as setting the scene. Just like in a story where you need to know the background of a character to understand their actions, in an interview, knowing your background helps the interviewer make sense of your responses to the other questions.
3. They want you to relax. It's no secret that students show up at interviews nervous not quite themeselves, which can make it tough for the interviewer to gauge whether you and the job are a good fit. So they ask this question to help you relax and express yourself genuinely.
4. They want to test your people skills. People skills are key to any job that involves teamwork — basically, any job you'd apply to! As recruiting agency Robert Half explains, "Interviewers also ask this question to evaluate ... how new hires might present themselves to customers, clients and colleagues if they get the job."
5. Lastly, they want to know why you fit the bill! At the end of the day, every part of the hiring process is about helping employers decide whether or not you're the right person for the role. So while it's common and acceptable to bring up personal interests, remember that they're looking for a "Sparknotes" version of who you are and why you're a good fit for the role in terms of culture and skills.

How to respond to "Tell me about yourself"

Bonus: "Anything in particular that you'd like to know?"

Answering "Tell me about yourself" can feel like a guessing game — What does the interviewer want to know?!"

Well, luckily for you, you can just ask the interviewer themselves! Here are a few ways to do this:

1. Anything in particular that you'd like to know?
2. Sure thing! Would you prefer hearing about me, personally, professionally, or perhaps a mix of both?
3. Absolutely. Anything you'd like me to focus on specifically?

This is an especially good move if you're applying to roles that involve interacting with clients and external stakeholders. You're showing that you understand the importance of understanding their needs before committing to anything.

#2 Who-What-Why

For students, we recommend using the "Who-What-Why" structure to craft an answer to "Tell me about yourself."

• WHO are you? Mention your field of study, your year, and any significant projects or roles you're involved in at school.
• WHAT do you bring to the table? Talk about experiences that are relevant to the role you're applying for. This could be skills or experiences like previous internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or significant academic projects. Highlight what you learned and how these experiences have prepared you for the job you're interviewing for. 
• WHY do you want this role? What are you looking to get out of this role? What makes you excited about it? What makes you a good fit?

I'm a junior at Riverbank University majoring in Environmental Science, with a special interest in sustainable development and its applications in different industries, especially construction.

This past year, I had the opportunity to work on a collaborative project with our Engineering department, assessing the environmental impacts of various construction materials. Last summer, I volunteered with the City Parks Department, where I helped in maintaining local green spaces and learned a lot about plant conservation. I've also been part of a team conducting a field study on local water quality, learning a lot about environmental testing and data analysis. These experiences have not only broadened my understanding of environmental challenges in construction but have also enhanced my research and analytical skills.

I'm really interested in this internship because it offers the perfect blend of my interest in environmental science and my curiosity about its practical applications in the construction industry. I admire your commitment to sustainable building practices and I see this internship as a valuable opportunity to apply my academic learning in a real-world setting and to gain hands-on experience in environmental management within the construction sector.

#3 Show that you're passionate

When responding to "Tell me about yourself" in an interview, especially as a college student, focusing on your passion for the work is a smart move. That's because you might not have a lot of skills or professional experience to back up your ability to do the job, so showing your enthusiasm for the field is the next best way to demonstrate your potential to an employer.

It also shows that you're not just looking for any job, but you're specifically interested in this role and this field!

Hi, I'm Jamie, a sophomore at Lakeside University studying Statistics and I'm a big fan of using data to make better decisions.

A story I always like to tell is how during high school, our town had a debate about extending library hours, but no one could agree on it, so I gathered data on library foot traffic, analyzed the data and presented my findings to the town council, clearly showing peak usage times. With this information, they then decided to extend hours on specific days!

In college, I've continued to use data to make a difference through the Data Science Club, where we tackle projects ranging from sports statistics to local economic trends. I love sharpening my analytical skills, identifying patterns, and all – and I'd love to get a taste for how data is used to inform business decisions, which is why I'm applying for this internship!

#4 Discuss how the role fits your career goals

Saying you're excited about a role is great, but explaining why it's the perfect next step for you is even better. It shows employers that you're not just looking for any internship; you're thinking about how this experience will help you grow and get ahead in your career. This tells them that you'll be super committed and really throw yourself into the role if you get it!

Currently, I'm a sophomore at XYZ University, majoring in Business with a focus on Marketing.

I've been actively involved in our campus Marketing Club, where I've led several successful social media campaigns that all got hundreds of people to turn out for campus events. This experience has allowed me to apply classroom theories to real-world situations and see the tangible impact of well-executed marketing strategies.

Looking ahead, I feel that an internship with your marketing agency is the perfect next step for me. It offers the opportunity to immerse myself in a more diverse and dynamic marketing environment and I have a lot to learn from your company's innovative approach to digital marketing. (Side note: I also love your company's TikTok channel!)

#5 Highlight skills interviewers may be doubtful of

When you have a technical degree like engineering and apply for a technical job, interviewers might be curious about your soft skills, like communication or teamwork.

And it works the other way too – if your background is more about soft skills, they may wonder about your technical abilities if they're necessary for the role you're applying for. (Hint: Check the job description to find out!)

The good news is, you can address these questions right away when you answer "Tell me about yourself."  For example, here's a response where a Computer Science student highlights their soft skills.

I'm currently in my third year at ABC University studying Computer Science. I'm really involved in our Coding Club too, where I get to run workshops and set up coding challenges for other students.

One of my main projects right now is leading the development of a mobile app that lets students rate their professors. This project hasn't just improved my coding skills; it's also teaching me how to present ideas effectively and work with different people – like convincing university administrators to support us, which can be quite a challenge.

I also have a part-time job at the campus IT help desk. This role has been great for improving my ability to solve tech problems quickly and explain complex tech concepts in a way that's easy to understand for everyone.

Why I'm interested in this internship? Well, I'm passionate about using my software development skills to help people and that's what this role is all about! 

#6 Tailor your story to the industry or role

Depending on the industry and the role, you'll want to show different sides of yourself. For example:

• If you want to work at a tech start-up, you might want to be seen as a forward-thinking innovator.
• If you're in healthcare, perhaps you want to be known for your empathy and dedication to patient care.
• If you're applying for a law firm, you probably want to focus on traits like your ability to work under pressure and in fast-paced environments.

I'm Alex, a third-year law student at City University. I'd say I'm someone who's not just comfortable in high-pressure environments, but also adept at handling confrontational situations and tough conversations.

For example, I've worked part-time at a local law firm as a legal assistant. This position frequently involved making difficult phone calls to clients or delivering news that wasn't always positive. These conversations taught me the importance of clear, compassionate communication, even when the message was tough.

I'm excited to apply these abilities to a law internship, where dealing with complex client interactions and high-pressure scenarios is part of the job.

#7 Highlight a hobby

For a memorable touch, consider mentioning a hobby. It adds a splash of color to your personality and lets them see what kind of fun teammate you'd be.

Just remember to tie the hobby back to things that employers care about (e.g. skills, personal qualities, etc). For example, if you're applying for a job that requires teamwork (almost all jobs!), you might talk about your love for a team sport.

I'm a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Apex University. My passion for engineering stems from a fascination with designing and understanding how things work, from the smallest gadgets to large machinery.

I'm particularly interested in the field of robotics and automation, exploring how mechanical systems can be optimized for efficiency and innovation, which is why I applied for this internship.

When I'm not in the lab or studying, I'm usually out on the soccer field. Playing soccer has always been a big part of my life. For me it's not just the physical game that's enjoyable; I also love being part of a team, strategizing together, and adapting our play to different opponents. 

Top mistakes students make when answering "Tell me about yourself"

1. Telling your whole life story: It's best to keep it about your school or work life, not your whole personal story. Don't start with where you grew up or what you did as a kid – unless these details help show why you'd be great for the job. Remember, you've got limited time, so focus on the things that will impress them and show you're right for the job.
2. Spending over two minutes answering this question: This question is meant to be a "taster", not the main course of the interview – so keep it short and sweet. According to a finance recruiter at Verizon, "Anything less than 60 seconds may be too short and over two minutes may lose your interviewer’s attention or take time away from other questions."
3. Summarizing your resume, line-by-line: Interviewers want a story! Not a bullet point list of everything you've done. So don't overload them with details. Highlight at most three skills and experiences that you want them to walk away with.
4. Memorizing your responses: Many students memorize their responses to this question. Try not to do this as you come off as robotic and unconfident. If you must memorize your response, at least rehearse it enough that to pull it off naturally – like you're telling the story to a friend.
5. Talking about religious or political affiliation: As much as your religious or political beliefs matter to you, it's best not to bring them up during an interview. You want to make sure you're judged only for your skills and what you can do at the job, not for your personal beliefs.

What next?

We hope you've gained some clarity about what this question is actually about so you can nail it at your next interview.

In the meantime, if you're still shopping for opportunities, remember to check out the thousands of internships on our jobs board!