Job Interview Tips: Best Ways to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

One of the most common—and deceptively simple—questions you’ll hear in any job interview is “Tell me about yourself.”

It often comes right at the beginning, setting the tone for the rest of the conversation. Yet many jobseekers struggle to answer it clearly and confidently.

At Pasona Singapore, we’ve helped countless candidates prepare compelling self-introductions. In this article, we’ll break down how to answer “Tell me about yourself” with practical tips, real examples, and key do’s and don’ts tailored to the Singapore job market.

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

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Why Interviewers Ask “Tell Me About Yourself”

Interviewers want to:

• Understand your background and how it relates to the job
• See how well you can communicate and structure your thoughts
• Gauge your confidence, attitude, and professionalism

In Singapore, where multicultural teams and structured communication are valued, your response should strike a balance between personal warmth and professional clarity.

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

✅ How to Structure Your Answer

Use the Present–Past–Future formula to keep your answer clear and concise (2–3 minutes max):

1. Present

Briefly describe your current role or situation.

“I’m currently working as a Logistics Coordinator at a Japanese trading company, where I manage regional shipments and coordinate with suppliers across Southeast Asia.”

2. Past

Share a summary of your relevant experience, education, or accomplishments.

“Before this, I earned my diploma in Supply Chain Management from XXX Institute, and started my career with a local SME where I supported warehouse operations and implemented an inventory tracking system that reduced delivery delays by 20%.”

3. Future

End with why you’re excited about the role or the company.

“I’m now looking for a position where I can deepen my regional logistics experience and take on more cross-functional responsibilities—especially with a company that values process improvement and operational excellence.”

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

✅What to Include in Your Answer

• Cultural or language skills (especially valuable in Singapore)

• Job title and industry

• Years of experience

• Key strengths or career highlights

• Relevance to the role you’re applying for

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

❌ What to Avoid

• Being vague or unprepared
  Practice until it sounds natural but not scripted.

• Too much personal detail
  (e.g. “I have two cats and love baking” — save this for casual small talk)

• Rehashing your entire resume
  Stick to highlights.

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

📋 Sample Answer

“I’m currently an Accounts Executive with over five years of experience handling full sets of accounts and month-end closing for an SME in the logistics sector. Earlier in my career, I worked at a mid-sized Japanese firm where I gained exposure to budgeting and audit preparation. I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers and solving problems, and I’m excited about this opportunity because it offers the chance to grow into a more strategic finance role within a dynamic, regional environment.

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

🔍 Do I Need to Tailor My Answer?

Yes. Tailor your response based on:

• The company size (MNC vs SME vs startup)
• The culture (Japanese vs local vs Western firms)
• The job scope (hands-on execution vs strategy)

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

💬 Bonus Tips for Answering “Tell Me About Yourself”

• Practice with a friend or recruiter
  At Pasona Singapore, our consultants often do mock interviews to help candidates refine their introductions.

• Rehearse, don’t memorise
  Sound confident but conversational.

• Use keywords from the job description
  Especially skills and values the company emphasizes.

• Match your tone to the company culture
  Formal for financial institutions, friendly and adaptive for startups.

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

📌 What’s Next?

Mastering your self-introduction is just the beginning—interviews in Singapore often include a mix of behavioural, situational, and technical questions.

Want to prepare for what comes next in the conversation?

👉 Read: Top 10 Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

From “Why should we hire you?” to “What’s your biggest weakness?”, we break down how to respond with confidence and clarity.

Job Interview tips. Tell me about yourself

Why This Matters in Singapore

In Singapore’s job market—especially within Japanese companies, government-linked organizations, and large MNCs—professionalism, clarity, and self-awareness are highly valued. Your self-introduction sets the tone for the entire interview. Make it count.

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