Walk me through your resume.

What the interviewer listens for. Tells your story in order: You go through your experience in a clear order. Gives a result for each role: You give one result or achievement for each role you mention. Links it to this job: You say why your experience leads to this job. How to answer. 1. Most relevant role first. 2. One result in each. 3. Why it leads to this job.

Why should we hire you?

What the interviewer listens for. Knows what the job needs: You name two things the job needs. Gives proof for each: You give a short example that proves each one. Shows a good attitude: You end with one line about your attitude to work. How to answer. 1. Two things they need. 2. Your proof for each. 3. One line on attitude.

Why do you want this job?

What the interviewer listens for. Knows what the job involves: You show you understand what the job involves day to day. Shows real interest: You say why the job suits you and what you want to learn. How to answer. 1. What the job involves. 2. Why that suits you. 3. What you want to learn.

What are your strengths?

What the interviewer listens for. Names a strength that fits the job: You choose one or two strengths that this job needs. Gives proof with an example: You give a short, real example that shows the strength. Says how it helps in this role: You say how the strength will help you do this job well. How to answer. 1. Name one or two strengths. 2. A short example. 3. How it helps in this role.

What is your greatest weakness?

What the interviewer listens for. Names a real weakness honestly: You name a real weakness that is not central to the job. Shows self-awareness: You show you understand how the weakness affects your work. Shows effort to improve: You say what you are doing about it and give a sign of progress. How to answer. 1. A real weakness that is not central to the job. 2. What you are doing about it. 3. A sign of progress.

Why did you choose to study in Australia?

What the interviewer listens for. Explains your motivation: You say what you study and why you chose to study here. Links your plans to the job: You say what you have learned and how this job fits your plans. How to answer. 1. Your course and why here. 2. What you have learned. 3. How this job fits. Keep it about study and work.

How would your friends or classmates describe you?

What the interviewer listens for. Knows yourself: You choose two words that really describe you. Shows you fit a team: You give a short example for each word that shows how you work with others. How to answer. 1. Two words. 2. A short example for each.

How to answer “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview

8 questions about you that employers ask, what they want to hear, and a free way to practise each one out loud.

Practise these questions

By Thanh Tran, co-founder and PTE instructor
Updated October 2026

The 8 questions, and how to answer

Each one shows what the interviewer listens for and the outline of a strong answer.

Tell me about yourself.
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Keeps it about work. You talk about your study, work and goals that fit the job.
- Has a clear structure. You move from present to past to future in a clear order.
- Starts with confidence. Your first sentence is clear and says who you are now.
How to answer
1. Present
2. Past
3. Future
Aim for 45 to 60 seconds, all of it about work.
Practise this question out loud
Walk me through your resume.
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Tells your story in order. You go through your experience in a clear order.
- Gives a result for each role. You give one result or achievement for each role you mention.
- Links it to this job. You say why your experience leads to this job.
How to answer
1. Most relevant role first
2. One result in each
3. Why it leads to this job
Practise this question out loud
Why should we hire you?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Knows what the job needs. You name two things the job needs.
- Gives proof for each. You give a short example that proves each one.
- Shows a good attitude. You end with one line about your attitude to work.
How to answer
1. Two things they need
2. Your proof for each
3. One line on attitude
Practise this question out loud
Why do you want this job?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Knows what the job involves. You show you understand what the job involves day to day.
- Shows real interest. You say why the job suits you and what you want to learn.
How to answer
1. What the job involves
2. Why that suits you
3. What you want to learn
Practise this question out loud
What are your strengths?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Names a strength that fits the job. You choose one or two strengths that this job needs.
- Gives proof with an example. You give a short, real example that shows the strength.
- Says how it helps in this role. You say how the strength will help you do this job well.
How to answer
1. Name one or two strengths
2. A short example
3. How it helps in this role
Practise this question out loud
What is your greatest weakness?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Names a real weakness honestly. You name a real weakness that is not central to the job.
- Shows self-awareness. You show you understand how the weakness affects your work.
- Shows effort to improve. You say what you are doing about it and give a sign of progress.
How to answer
1. A real weakness that is not central to the job
2. What you are doing about it
3. A sign of progress
Practise this question out loud
Why did you choose to study in Australia?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Explains your motivation. You say what you study and why you chose to study here.
- Links your plans to the job. You say what you have learned and how this job fits your plans.
How to answer
1. Your course and why here
2. What you have learned
3. How this job fits
Keep it about study and work.
Practise this question out loud
How would your friends or classmates describe you?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Knows yourself. You choose two words that really describe you.
- Shows you fit a team. You give a short example for each word that shows how you work with others.
How to answer
1. Two words
2. A short example for each
Practise this question out loud

Questions for other jobs

Many questions repeat from job to job. Practise the common ones too.

More for your job search

常见问题

How long should “Tell me about yourself” be?

45 to 60 seconds. It is the first answer the interviewer hears, so keep it short, clear and about the job.

What should I not say when asked to tell about myself?

Your age, religion, family plans or your whole life story. Keep to what helps you do this job: what you study or do now, one relevant experience, and why you want the role.

Should I memorise my answer?

Learn the three parts, not every word. A memorised answer sounds flat. Practise it out loud a few times so it sounds like you.

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