Tell Me About Yourself — For Students and New Graduates

Why interviewers ask this

This version matters for students and new grads applying to internships and entry-level roles. Without a long work history, you need to tell a compelling story from what you have.

How to answer — tips

• Lead with your degree, major, and one relevant academic or extracurricular focus
• Replace work history with internships, projects, leadership roles, or coursework
• Show your motivation: why this field, why this company
• End with what you’re excited to bring to the role

What NOT to say

Don’t just list your resume. Don’t spend more than a sentence on what you studied — get to the experience and motivation quickly. Don’t say ‘I don’t have a lot of experience but…’ — it frames you negatively from the start.

Answer structure to follow

I’m a [year/degree] student at [school] studying [major]. I’ve been especially focused on [specific area of interest]. Outside class, I [relevant experience — internship, project, club leadership]. Through that I’ve [skill or learning]. I’m interested in [this role/company] because [genuine reason]. I’d love to contribute [specific thing] here.

Frequently asked variations

What if I have no internship experience?

Coursework projects, research, freelance work, volunteer roles, and campus leadership all count. Be specific about what you built or did.

How long should the answer be?

60–90 seconds — slightly shorter for entry-level roles. Hiring managers know you’re new; they’re evaluating communication skills and enthusiasm, not a long work history.

Should I mention GPA?

Only if it’s strong (3.5+) and the employer values it. Otherwise lead with your experience and interests.

Practice on video: record your answers on Employment.Media, re-record as often as you like, and share one Video Group link with employers. Get started free.