Hi, I’m David, a Business English and Behavioural Interview Coach, primarily working with Russian-speaking tech professionals. This is a summary of one of my articles on Medium. Send me a message to read the full-length version!
How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
This question causes panic — even in experienced professionals. But there’s no single ‘correct’ answer. It’s about human connection.
Start with the basics: say your name and where you’re based. It sounds obvious, but it sets a conversational tone. You’re a person, not just a title.
Speaking of titles, don’t lead with ‘I’m a super-passionate Senior Developer.’ You’re not a job title, and those adjectives sound robotic. If you’re in the interview, your passion is already implied. Let your personality show instead.
Use structure: PRESENT, PAST, FUTURE.
Present: what are you doing now? Mention your company and its main focus — briefly.
Past: where have you been, what did you learn? Keep it short and positive. Avoid saying ‘I left’ or ‘I quit.’ Instead, say ‘I moved on to develop myself.’
Future: why this role? What motivates you? What excites you about the company? This part is often forgotten. Don’t wait for the question — show vision and enthusiasm now. It makes you stand out.
Keep your answer short (1–2 mins). Pay attention to your interviewer’s body language. If their focus starts to drift, wrap up.
Most importantly — be relatable, be real. Interviewers remember candidates who feel human, not scripted.
Finally, soft skills are crucial. Many companies weigh technical skills and behavioural fit equally. You can be brilliant technically, but if you’re toxic, uncollaborative, or unclear — it won’t work.
Balance both sides of yourself. Speak like a human being. And good luck!
