Tell Me About Yourself

🎯 Quick Answer Strategy

Stop and think before you answer this question. Interviewers don't want your life story or the names of all your 10 cats. They're listening for how well you'll fit into the school, work with colleagues, and relate to students. Talk about 1-2 life experiences, but ALWAYS tie it back to how it will help you in teaching.

How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself"

Using the 5-step framework from Road to Teaching:

Step 1: Understand the Intent

They want to assess your personality, communication skills, and how you'll fit into their school culture and work with colleagues and students.

Step 2: Connect to Your Values

"I would describe myself as adventurous and curious about learning from others—qualities that drive my passion for education."

Step 3: Describe Your Approach

Share 1-2 personal experiences or characteristics that demonstrate your teaching-relevant qualities.

Step 4: Explain the Benefits

Connect your personal qualities directly to how they'll help you serve students and contribute to the school community.

Step 5: Provide Examples (Optional)

Give a specific example that illustrates how your personal qualities translate into effective teaching practices.

Get the complete framework with detailed examples in Road to Teaching.

Sample Response (From Road to Teaching)

"I would describe myself as adventurous and outgoing. Last year I traveled throughout Southeast Asia, traveling to four countries. I love learning about new cultures and meeting new people. This is one of the reasons I want to teach at [insert school name]. It has amazing diversity. I would take this curiosity and apply it to learning more about my students and their backgrounds."

What NOT to Include

Personal Life Details: Don't share information about your pets, relationship status, family drama, or personal problems that don't relate to teaching.

Your Entire Life Story: Keep it focused and concise—aim for 60-90 seconds, not a 10-minute autobiography.

Negative Information: Avoid mentioning why you left previous jobs, conflicts with former colleagues, or anything that paints you in a negative light.

Generic Responses: Don't just list adjectives without examples or connections to teaching. "I'm hardworking and dedicated" tells them nothing unique about you.

Pro Tips for Success

Make It Relevant: Every personal detail you share should connect back to why it makes you a better teacher or colleague.

Show Your Personality: Let your authentic self shine through while remaining professional. Schools want to hire real people, not robots.

Research the School: Tailor your response to highlight qualities that align with the school's mission, values, or student population.

Practice Your Delivery: This is often the first question asked, so practice until your response feels natural and confident.

Keep It Concise: Aim for 60-90 seconds. If you go longer, you risk losing their attention or appearing unfocused.