Tell me about yourself

Use a present-past-future structure and keep it under two minutes.

Model answer.

What the interviewer wants. A short, relevant summary that shows you can communicate clearly and that your background fits the role. It is not a request for your life story or a recital of your resume.

Structure: present, past, future (about 60–90 seconds)

1. Present: who you are now. Degree, branch, college, and one line on your main interest.
2. Past: two or three highlights that support that interest: a project, an internship, a responsibility you held. Include one concrete detail or result for each.
3. Future: why this role is the logical next step.

Sample answer (replace the brackets with your own true details)
"I'm [Name], a final-year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student at [college]. I'm most interested in power systems and protection.

In my third year I interned at [organisation] for [duration], where I helped [specific task, e.g. compile load data for a substation and compare it with the transformer ratings]. For my final-year project, our team of [number] is building [project], and my part is [your specific part]. I also coordinated [club/event], which taught me to plan and work to deadlines with a team.

I'm applying for this graduate engineer role because I want to work on [area the company is known for], and I'd like to build my career in core power-sector work."

Tips

• Lead with what is most relevant to this job. For an IT role, you might lead with your coding project instead.
• Use numbers only if they are true and you can explain them.
• Do not repeat personal details that are already on the form (date of birth, parents' occupations) unless asked.
• Practise aloud, but do not memorise word for word, or it will sound recited.

Common mistakes. Starting with "I was born in...", listing every certificate, or speaking for five minutes. Another is making claims you cannot back up when the interviewer asks a follow-up.

Likely follow-up. The interviewer will pick one thing you mentioned and go deeper, often the project or internship. Only mention what you can discuss in detail.