"Tell me about yourself" — as a non-native English speaker
Answer in about 60 to 90 seconds, in three parts: what you do now, the experience behind it, and why this role. The most common mistake is not bad English — it is answering the question the words appear to ask. In many countries "tell me about yourself" really does invite the personal answer. In an English-speaking interview it does not: it means "give me a professional summary aimed at this job".
The three parts, in order
Present: what you do and the one thing you are strongest at. Past: the experience that got you there, chosen for its relevance to THIS advert rather than for being your favourite. Future: why this role, specifically, in a sentence that could not be said about any other company. About 60 to 90 seconds total. Longer and the interviewer stops listening before the part that mattered.
Why it decides more than it should
It is the first thing asked, so it is where the interviewer forms the frame they hear everything else through. It is also the most rehearsable question in any interview, which means arriving without a version of it is a choice.
What to leave out
Your hometown, your family, your hobbies, and your whole career in order. None of it is wrong to have — it is the wrong question. And do not open by apologising for your English: the interviewer had not raised it, and now they are thinking about it.
Common questions
How long should my answer to "tell me about yourself" be?
About 60 to 90 seconds when you say it out loud; shorter is fine on a phone screen. That is enough for what you do now, the experience behind it, and why this role.
Should I talk about my family or hometown?
No. In an English-speaking interview the question asks for a short professional summary aimed at this job. Personal details can come later if the interviewer asks.
Should I say sorry for my English at the start?
No. The interviewer has not raised it. Start with what you do now and let your example speak for you.
Build your version — Generates three variations from your own background and country, then you practise them out loud.
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