Job Interview English: Tell Me About Yourself (B2)
🎙 From the classroom: I’ve been interviewed in English in Australia, and interviewed over fifty people for front-of-house positions in Sydney restaurants. The candidates who stood out didn’t have the best CVs. They had the clearest narrative: who they are, what they’ve done, and what they want next. Three sentences that connect.
💡 The Idea
The most common interview question — ‘Tell me about yourself’ — has a formula: Present → Past → Future. Present: your current role/situation. Past: 1-2 key achievements or experiences. Future: why this role/company. Keep it under 2 minutes. It’s not a life story — it’s a professional pitch.
🗣 Example
✅ Present: ‘I currently work as an English teacher at a language school in Réunion.’
✅ Past: ‘Before that, I managed hospitality teams in Sydney for fifteen years, where I developed a strong background in multilingual communication.’
✅ Future: ‘I’m now looking to combine my language and management skills in a training and development role — which is exactly what drew me to this position.’
🎯 Try It Now!
Write your own ‘Tell me about yourself’ answer using Present → Past → Future:
- Present: ‘I currently…’ (1-2 sentences)
- Past: ‘Before that…’ or ‘I have…’ (1-2 key achievements)
- Future: ‘I’m looking to…’ (why this role)
Then practise saying it aloud — aim for 60-90 seconds.
✅ Check Your Answers
✅ Checklist: Is it under 2 minutes? Does it answer ‘who are you professionally’? Is the link to the future role clear? Avoid: starting with ‘I was born in…’ or ‘My name is…’ (interviewer already knows). Start with Present or a strong statement.
Independent project — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.