Interviews
"Tell me about yourself" and other common HR questions, answered well
A simple structure for the first question in almost every interview, plus honest ways to handle strengths, gaps and salary.
Almost every interview in India starts the same way: "Tell me about yourself." It sounds easy, which is why so many people answer badly, either reciting their resume line by line or talking about their hometown and hobbies for three minutes. A good answer takes about a minute, and it sets the direction for the rest of the interview.
A structure that works: present, past, next
- Present: who you are now. Your current role or your qualification.
- Past: one or two things you have done that are relevant to this job, with a detail or a result.
- Next: why you are here. What you want to do in this role.
Keep it to 45–90 seconds. Leave out family details, date of birth and anything already obvious. The interviewer will ask follow-up questions about whatever you mention, so mention the things you want to talk about.
Sample answers
I have just completed my B.Tech in Electronics from a college in Coimbatore. In my final year I worked on a project that used sensors and a microcontroller to monitor water levels in overhead tanks, and I handled the circuit design and testing. I also did a one-month internship at a local electronics firm where I tested PCBs. I enjoy hands-on hardware work, which is why this embedded test engineer role interests me.
I am an ITI electrician, NCVT certified, and I have done a one-year apprenticeship at a textile mill. There I worked on motor maintenance, panel wiring and daily breakdown calls with the maintenance team. I always follow lockout procedure before working on a machine. I am looking for a permanent maintenance role, and I am comfortable with rotating shifts.
I have spent six years in inside sales for B2B software, the last two leading a team of five. My team handles inbound leads from mid-sized companies and moves them to demo stage. One thing I am proud of is rebuilding our follow-up process, which noticeably improved how many leads we converted. I am now looking for a role where I can manage a larger team and own a region.
Practise out loud, not just in your head. Record yourself on your phone. Your answer should sound natural, not memorised; know the points, not the exact words.
"What are your strengths?"
Pick one or two strengths that matter for this job and give a short example for each. "I am a quick learner" means little. "I learned Tally in two weeks during my internship because the firm needed someone to enter vouchers" is believable.
"What is your weakness?"
Choose a real weakness that is not central to the job, and say what you are doing about it. For example: "I used to hesitate to speak up in meetings. I have started preparing one point before every team meeting, and it has helped." Avoid fake weaknesses like "I work too hard"; interviewers have heard them too often.
"Why should we hire you?"
Connect two or three things from the job description to things you have done. End with something about attitude that you can back up, such as reliability or willingness to learn. Keep it under a minute.
"Why are you leaving your current job?"
Stay positive and forward-looking: more responsibility, a new skill, a better fit for your goals, relocation. Never criticise your current manager or company, even if the reasons are bad. If you were laid off, say so plainly; it happens to good people and interviewers know that.
"Can you explain this gap?"
Be brief and honest: preparing for competitive exams, family responsibilities, health, a course. Then move to what you did to stay ready and why you are ready now. A gap explained calmly is rarely a problem; a gap hidden and then discovered is.
"What are your salary expectations?"
- Research first: ask seniors and friends in similar roles, and look at salary ranges shared on job portals.
- Give a range rather than one number, and be clear whether you mean CTC or monthly in-hand pay.
- If you are a fresher in campus hiring, the salary is usually fixed. It is fine to say you are comfortable with the company's standard package.
- If you are experienced, mention your current CTC honestly if asked. Companies often verify it through payslips or previous employers.
"Are you willing to relocate or work in shifts?"
Answer honestly. Saying yes and refusing after the offer wastes everyone's time and can hurt your reputation with that company. If you have a limit, such as no night shifts, say so politely now.
"Do you have any questions for us?"
Always have one or two ready. Good ones: "What would a normal day look like in this role?", "How is training done for new joiners?", "How will my performance be measured in the first six months?" Avoid asking about leave and salary hikes as your first question.
On the day
- Arrive 15 minutes early, or join a video call five minutes early with your camera and microphone tested.
- Carry a printed copy of your resume and know every line on it.
- Listen to the full question before answering. It is fine to take a moment to think.
- Speak in the language you are most comfortable in if the interviewer allows it; clear Hindi or Tamil is better than broken English for many roles.
- Thank the interviewer at the end.
Interviews get easier with practice. Every one you attend, even the ones that do not work out, makes the next one calmer.