INTERVIEW PREPARATION

“Tell me about yourself.” Where do you start?

A simple structure for a clear introduction that sounds like you.

Start with the opportunity

An introduction helps the interviewer understand why your background is relevant. You do not need to tell your life story. Read the role description and pick two or three details that connect your experience with the work.

Use present, evidence, next step

Begin with what you are doing now. Add one concrete example from a project, course or job. Finish with what interests you about this opportunity. Aim for a short, natural answer rather than a fixed script.

Make it specific

Instead of saying “I am a team player”, describe something you did with a team. For example: “In our final-year project, I coordinated the weekly progress updates and explained our results at the department review.” Use only examples that are true for you.

An example to adapt

“I’m a final-year computer science student interested in building useful software. For our recent project, I worked on the interface of a library app and presented our design decisions to the faculty. I’m looking for a role where I can develop those skills, contribute to a team and learn from experienced engineers.” This is an illustrative example, not a script to copy.

Practise once, then improve one thing

Say your answer aloud and time it. Notice whether your main point is clear. Ask a friend what they remember. Improve one detail, then try again. You are practising a conversation, so leave room for questions.

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