It’s the question that kicks off most interviews, yet it always seems to trip people up.
Do you give a full rundown of your career? Do you keep it short and sweet? The truth is, this isn’t just small talk — it’s your chance to make a solid first impression. Nail this part, and you set the tone for a great interview. Get it wrong, and you risk losing their interest before things even get going. Here’s how to answer this question in a way that’s engaging, memorable, and works in your favour. It’s a lot easier than you might assume!
1. Keep it structured so you don’t ramble.
Winging it might sound like a good idea, but without a plan, it’s easy to go off on a tangent. A simple structure — like past, present, and future — keeps your answer clear and to the point. This way, you’re giving the interviewer exactly what they need without going into unnecessary detail.
Think of it like a quick summary of your career journey. Start with where you’ve been, touch on what you’re doing now, and wrap up with where you’re headed. Keeping it structured means you won’t end up nervously rambling about your first-ever job stacking shelves when they really just want to know why you’re a great fit for this role.
2. Start with a strong opener.
First impressions matter, and the way you start your answer sets the tone. Instead of diving straight into your full job history, kick things off with a confident, engaging summary of what you do. Keep it punchy and relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Something like, “I’m a marketing specialist with five years of experience in digital campaigns and brand growth,” is a strong way to start. It immediately tells the interviewer who you are professionally, without them having to piece it together themselves. A solid opener makes them want to hear more, rather than waiting for you to get to the point.
3. Focus on the most relevant parts of your experience.
You don’t need to give them your entire career timeline, just the highlights that actually matter for this job. Tailor your answer to show how your background connects to what they’re looking for, rather than listing every role you’ve ever had.
Think about your biggest wins and the skills that make you a great match. If you’re applying for a leadership role, talk about a time when you managed a team successfully. If it’s a creative role, bring up a standout project. The key is making it clear why your experience makes you the right person for the job.
4. Drop in a solid achievement.
A quick success story can take your answer from generic to memorable. Instead of just saying you’re experienced in your field, back it up with a real example of when you made an impact. Hiring managers love hearing about actual results.
Maybe you increased sales by 30% in your last job, led a project that saved your company time and money, or landed a big client. Whatever it is, keep it short and focused, but make sure it shows what you bring to the table. A good achievement makes you stand out and gives the interviewer something to remember you by.
5. Keep it positive, even if you don’t love your current job.
Even if you’re desperate to leave your current role, your interview isn’t the place to vent. Employers want to hire someone who brings good energy, not someone who complains about their last boss. Keep things upbeat and focus on what you’ve learned from your experience.
Instead of saying, “I’m leaving because my manager is impossible to work with,” you could say, “I’m looking for a new challenge where I can take on more responsibility.” It keeps things professional and shows that you’re focused on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.
6. Make your reason for job hunting sound intentional.
Employers want to know why you’re looking for a new role, but they also want to hear that you’re making a move for the right reasons. If your answer sounds vague or directionless, it might raise red flags.
Avoid saying things like, “I just need a change” or “I’m open to anything.” Instead, tie your job search to career growth. Something like, “I’ve really enjoyed my time at [company], but I’m looking for a role where I can develop my leadership skills,” makes it clear that you’re ambitious and intentional about your next step.
7. Keep personal details to a minimum.
Unless it’s directly relevant to the job, there’s no need to go into personal details. Interviewers aren’t looking for a full life story — they want to know about your professional experience and what you can bring to their team.
Of course, adding a little personality is fine, but keep the focus on work. If you’re applying for a social media role, mentioning that you love creating content outside of work could be a nice touch. Just avoid oversharing about things that don’t relate to the job.
8. Show that you’re a good fit for the company.
Employers aren’t just hiring based on skills — they want someone who’ll fit into their culture. Doing a bit of research beforehand can help you tailor your answer to show that you align with their values.
If they emphasise collaboration, mention how much you enjoy working in a team. If they value innovation, highlight a time when you brought fresh ideas to a project. Making that connection helps you come across as a natural fit for the company.
9. Don’t just repeat your CV.
The interviewer has already seen your CV, so there’s no need to list everything again. Your answer should feel like an engaging story, not a dry recap of your work history.
Bring some personality into it! Talk about what excites you about your field, what you’ve learned from your past roles, and how your journey has led you to this opportunity. A good answer gives context to your experience rather than just stating facts.
10. Keep it natural and conversational.
Over-rehearsed answers can come across as robotic, and you don’t want to sound like you’re reading from a script. Practising is great, but make sure your delivery feels natural and relaxed.
The best answers sound confident but not forced. Imagine you’re telling a colleague about your career rather than giving a speech. Keeping it conversational helps the interviewer stay engaged and makes you come across as more likeable.
11. Practise enough to feel confident.
Even though you don’t want to memorise a script, practising your answer a few times helps you stay on track. The last thing you want is to freeze up or ramble because you’re unsure of what to say.
Run through your key points out loud until it feels natural. You don’t need to say it the same way every time — just get comfortable with the flow so you can adapt in the moment. A little prep goes a long way in making you feel confident.
12. Keep it under two minutes.
A good answer is short, sharp, and to the point. Anything longer than two minutes risks losing the interviewer’s attention. You want to give enough detail to make an impact without dragging it out. If they want more information, they’ll ask follow-up questions. Keeping it brief means you hold their attention and leave them wanting to know more rather than wishing you’d stop talking.
13. Tailor it for different interviews.
Using the same answer for every job might seem efficient, but it’s not always effective. Tweaking your response slightly based on the role makes it feel more relevant and personalised. Highlight different skills or achievements depending on the job description. A little adjustment can make your answer more impactful and show the interviewer that you’ve put thought into why you’re applying.
14. End on a strong note.
Wrapping up with enthusiasm leaves a great final impression. Ending with something like, “I’m really excited about this opportunity because…” reinforces your interest and helps transition smoothly into the rest of the interview. Confidence and positivity go a long way. A strong finish keeps the momentum going and sets you up nicely for the next question. Back yourself a bit — you’ll do just fine.
