'Tell Me Something Interesting About Yourself' (With Sample Answers)

Updated 8 March 2023

An interview allows you to describe your experiences at work and during your education while highlighting your suitability for the job. Interviewers might want to learn about your interests and personality to determine your attitude and enthusiasm. Reviewing example answers can inspire your responses and help you prepare confidently for an interview. In this article, we provide 12 example answers to the question, 'Tell me something interesting about yourself', explain why employers ask this question and outline steps for preparing your response.

12 'Tell me something interesting about yourself' sample answers

Reviewing 'Tell me something interesting about yourself' sample answers for various roles can help you prepare a well-structured response. Preparing these answers can help you feel more confident responding to questions about your personality, work ethic and technical abilities. Here are 12 example answers to this question:

Example 1: Marketing executive

Consider relating your response to communication or network building during a marketing interview. Here's an example:

'While volunteering with a non-profit organisation, I wrote newsletters promoting voluntary projects to a large community of talented volunteers. A world-famous marketing and technology expert received the email and promoted my newsletter on their website, significantly boosting our reach and resulting in 52 new volunteers signing up for projects in one day. The marketing mogul contacted me, commending me for my effort and organised a one-time email marketing workshop with me, where we discussed web and email design to attract engagement.'

Example 2: IT manager

Relate a time when you managed a situation or interacted with an innovative piece of technology. Here's an example:

'Since university, I've created online videos showing step-by-step tutorials on using various cloud service providers. One of the biggest software owners saw my video and now displays it on their FAQ landing page, as I explain how clients can use the software.'

Example 3: Graphic designer

An interesting fact that emphasises your creativity can help employers understand your design approach and style. Here's an example:

'I won a local award for The Best Graphic Design Artist in Melbourne for my comic strip submission. I developed each character, designed all illustrations and wrote the text. The feedback I received described my comic strip as humorous, inclusive and eye-catching.'

Example 4: Electrician

As electricians use problem-solving daily, consider referring to a time when you used analysis, logic or patience. Review the following example as a guide:

'At university, I created a research project on the early signs of electricity, based on primary research. After graduating with one of the highest grades of my year, the university invited me back to demonstrate how ancient civilisations generated static electricity with a real-life experiment. I received excellent feedback for the display and had my research study published in the university's library.'

Example 5: Chef

Consider focusing your answer on food preparation, creativity in the kitchen and passion for cooking, as these are significant aspects of a chef's role. Use the example below for inspiration:

'My early love for cuisine allowed me to join the kids' television show Finding Junior Chefs, Tasmania. I won this televised competition for creating an authentic chicken parmigiana.'

Example 6: Lawyer

As a lawyer, you may discuss a time when you won a debate, used logic or memorised facts to show you have the required skills for the job. Here's an example:

'Within six months of joining the university debating team, the society selected me as president for articulating a thorough argument about extending the library café for public use, thus raising additional funds to upgrade the library's resources.'

Example 7: Bricklayer

Consider emphasising your natural inclination towards strengthening structures or portraying your knowledge of cement use, as the answer below shows:

'When I was 16, an architectural magazine featured me for replicating the Sydney Opera House using connective building blocks.'

Example 8: Makeup artist

Your answer could focus on a memorable experience or a specific look that attracted attention, as follows:

'I participated in a 12-week placement where I created looks for the top-selling show, Caught in the Crossfire, in the Sydney theatre district. You can find images of my looks in the printed programme, which sold 10,000 copies.'

Example 9: Tour guide

Reference a time you travelled somewhere interesting, memorised facts or gave a tour to a famous person, as in the response below:

'I spent one year working in Thailand where I led tours around a national park. One day, I led a guided tour for an award-winning music artist and their team. They loved the tour and posted a picture with me on their social media.'

Example 10: Barista

Consider unique aspects of beverage making, such as entering competitions, contributing to an award or focusing on something niche, such as coffee art. Here's an example:

'I created a social media account dedicated to creating coffee art using the foam of milk. Images replicated characters from film and television. The account now has over 50,000 followers.'

Example 11: Sommelier

As a sommelier's work involves flavours, smells and varieties of wine, consider a response relating to these areas, as the example below shows:

'I'm working towards accomplishing a lifelong goal of visiting 100 vineyards across the world, tasting home-grown wine. I have so far visited 26 national and international vineyards, with some of my favourites located in Adelaide, Bordeaux, Gardner's Bay, Geelong and Tuscany.'

Example 12: Delivery driver

Discussing jobs when you travelled by road or operated heavy vehicles may work well. Review the example below:

'During a gap year after university, I renovated a van with kitchen appliances and a comfortable sleeping area and travelled across southeast Asia by road. I visited Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. I believe that driving through various countries gave me an authentic experience of each one.'

Why employers ask 'Tell me something interesting about yourself'

Employers may ask you this question to discover unique information about you. Sometimes it's a conversation starter, which may lead to other questions, such as 'How did you achieve that?', 'What opportunities did that lead to? ' or 'How did that make you feel?' This discussion gives employers a sense of how you communicate stories, engage a listener and allows them to assess your enthusiasm about the story. For example, if you want a hairdressing job and tell a unique story about your time working in that profession with excitement, the interviewer can appreciate your passion for your work.

How to answer 'Tell me something interesting about yourself'

Consider the following steps when planning your answer to this question:

1. Reflect on memorable situations throughout your life

Brainstorm memorable incidents that you feel are unique to your personal development. Reflect on each experience and note how the skills you used then, the people you worked with, and your achievements have influenced your strengths and interests. You could write a timeline of achievements starting from secondary school, or earlier if you're an entry-level employee or feel you experienced a significant life event earlier than the age of 11.

Start your timeline by noting key milestones, such as starting school, entering university, getting an apprenticeship or your first job, relocating or winning a specific award. You can then identify accomplishments or interesting scenarios you experienced during those times.

2. Filter experiences to those that apply to your work

Once you've highlighted a selection of stories that are unique to you, start condensing them based on what skills you used in that situation. Consider comparing the job description's requirements with your stories to determine which scenario displayed skills and qualities that highlight proficiency or experience in a required area. For example, someone interviewing for a role as a carpenter may prioritise working in a famous person's home, resulting in them endorsing their technical skills.

The story may not match the role directly. For example, a copywriter may refer to a public speaking event where they read a piece in front of more than 100 people instead of concentrating solely on writing, as it acknowledges both their literacy and communication skills.

3. Prepare answers to follow-up questions

As this question could open further conversation, consider also noting how you feel about your story. When responding, try matching those emotions. For example, if you're describing an award or recognition you received that made you feel happy and accomplished, try emulating this in your answer through your tone of voice.

Consider noting any further opportunities your award led to or any significant connections you made. Opportunities could refer to publications of your work, invitations to travel or placements you joined. Connections could be university personnel, influential individuals or leading organisations relating to your sector.