How do you answer 'Tell me about yourself' in an English interview?

Keep it to about 60 to 90 seconds and follow a present-past-future structure: start with your current role and main strength, briefly mention relevant past experience, then say why this job is the natural next step. It is a professional summary, not your life story. For example: 'I'm a project manager with six years' experience in construction. Recently I led a team that delivered a major project ahead of schedule, and now I'm looking to bring those skills to a larger international company like yours.'

What is the STAR method for interview answers?

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is a way to answer 'Tell me about a time when...' questions clearly: describe the Situation, the Task you were responsible for, the Action you took, and the Result you achieved. Always finish with a concrete, positive result, ideally with a number.

What questions should I ask the interviewer at the end?

Always ask one or two questions. Good options include: 'What does success look like in this role in the first six months?', 'What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?', or 'What do you enjoy most about working here?' Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and confidence.

← All articles

June 2026 · 8 min read · Interview English

Common English Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Q: How do you answer 'What is your greatest weakness?'

Choose a real but non-fatal weakness, then show what you are actively doing about it. Avoid clichés like 'I'm a perfectionist'. For example: 'I used to find it hard to delegate because I wanted to control quality. I've worked on this by setting clearer briefs and trusting my team, and our results have improved as a result.' This shows self-awareness and growth.

By Dean Poulton, native British English coach (Oxford). I coach professionals through interviews at international companies.

Most interviews use the same handful of questions. If you prepare clear, structured answers to these in advance, you walk in calm and confident, even if English is not your first language. Here are the questions that come up again and again, and exactly how to answer each one.

1. "Tell me about yourself"

This is almost always first, and it sets the tone. Do not tell your life story. Give a 60 to 90 second professional summary using a simple present, past, future structure: who you are now, what you have done, and why this job is the natural next step.

Example: "I'm a project manager with six years' experience in construction. Recently I led a team that delivered a major project ahead of schedule, and now I'm looking to bring those skills to a larger, international company like yours."

2. "Why do you want this job?" / "Why should we hire you?"

Connect what you offer to what they need. Mention something specific about the company so it does not sound generic, then match your strengths to the role.

Example: "I've followed your move into international markets, and that's exactly the area I want to grow in. With my experience managing cross-border teams, I think I could add value quickly."

3. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

For strengths, pick two that match the job and back each with a quick example. For weaknesses, choose a real but non-fatal one, then show what you are doing about it. Avoid the cliché "I'm a perfectionist".

Weakness example: "I used to find it hard to delegate because I wanted to control quality. I've worked on this by writing clearer briefs and trusting my team, and our results have actually improved."

4. "Tell me about a time when..." (use the STAR method)

These behavioural questions are where many candidates ramble. The fix is the STAR method:

Situation — set the scene in one sentence.
Task — what you were responsible for.
Action — what you actually did.
Result — the outcome, ideally with a number.

Always finish on the result. "...and as a result we cut delivery time by 20%" is far stronger than letting the answer trail off.

5. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Show ambition that fits the company. You do not need a rigid plan, just a direction that suggests you will grow with them rather than leave quickly.

Example: "I'd like to take on more responsibility and eventually lead a team. This role is a strong step in that direction, which is part of why it appeals to me."

6. "Why are you leaving your current job?"

Stay positive. Never criticise a current or past employer, even if it was difficult. Frame it as moving towards something, not running away.

Example: "I've learned a lot in my current role, but I'm ready for a bigger challenge and more international work, which is what attracted me to this position."

7. "Do you have any questions for us?"

Always say yes. Asking nothing can look like a lack of interest. Have two or three ready:

"What does success look like in this role in the first six months?"
"What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?"
"What do you enjoy most about working here?"

Useful phrases when English is not your first language

You do not need perfect English to interview well. You need to be clear and to buy yourself thinking time gracefully. A few phrases help:

To buy time: "That's a good question, let me think for a moment."
To structure: "There are two main reasons. First... and second..."
If you do not understand: "Could you rephrase that, please?" (this is completely normal and fine to say).
To give examples: "For instance, in my last role..."

Interviewers rarely expect a non-native speaker to be flawless. They are looking for clear thinking, relevant experience, and confidence under pressure, which is exactly what you can practise.

"The coaching helped me learn how to answer every question and stay confident under pressure. I performed very well in the real interview and got the position I wanted."Kaya, hired as an airline pilot

The real secret: practise out loud

Reading these answers is easy. Saying them clearly, in English, while nervous, in front of a stranger, is the hard part, and it is the part that decides interviews. The single most effective preparation is a realistic mock interview where someone asks the real questions, you answer out loud, and you get honest feedback on both your content and your English. That is what turns a prepared candidate into a confident one.

Want to practise these for real before your interview? Book a free 20-minute consultation and we'll plan focused interview coaching with a native British coach, including realistic mock interviews and honest feedback.

Book a free consultation