Interview skills · lesson 11 of 24 · free

Common questions: tell me about yourself — Interview skills for students

Every common interview question checks something. “Tell me about yourself” checks your background — answer in 1–2 minutes with what you study, a strength with proof and why you are here, not your family tree. “Why this internship?” checks motivation; “Where do you see yourself in five years?” checks plans; “Tell me about a time something went wrong” checks problem-solving; “Why should we choose you?” checks what you would add.

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Tip

Find the real question — “ask what they want to know, then answer that — briefly, with an example”

  1. Background: “Tell me about yourself”, “Walk me through your résumé”. Motivation: “Why this course / internship?”. Future plans: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”.
  2. Handling problems: “Tell me about a time something went wrong.” What you would add: “Why should we choose you?” — link your skills to the role.
  3. “Tell me about yourself” in 1–2 minutes: what you study → one or two strengths with proof → why this place fits your goal. If you don’t know an answer, say so honestly.

Use it for: Every interview — admission, scholarship, internship and first job — and college group interviews.

Worked example: 🎤 What does this interview question mainly check? “Why do you want this internship?” → your motivation

  1. “Why do you want…” asks for your reasons for applying.
  2. So the question mainly checks your motivation.

Check: Try it: say your “Tell me about yourself” answer aloud with a timer — study, strength with proof, goal — in under 2 minutes ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 11 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Interview Skills Worksheet: Tell Me About Yourself

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