The question that opens most interviews
"Tell us about yourself" opens most interviews in Kenya. A good answer sets a confident tone. A poor one wastes your first two minutes.
Many candidates improvise. They begin with secondary school, list every job and run out of time before explaining why they are there. A prepared story avoids that.
What your story should cover
Keep it to about two minutes spoken. Build it around four parts:
- Who you are professionally. One clear sentence about your field and experience.
- The thread. What connects your roles? A skill you keep deepening, or a type of problem you keep solving.
- Proof. One achievement you are proud of, ideally with a number.
- Why this role, why now. What draws you to this job and what you want next. Change this part for every application.
What to leave out
Skip your childhood, your family background and personal details that do not relate to the job. Every unrelated sentence takes time from one that builds your case.
Getting the tone right
Speak in the first person with plain words. Sound confident, not boastful. Avoid apologies such as "I know I don't have much experience, but".
If your path has a gap or a change of direction, name it briefly. Explain what led to the change, then move on.
Where else you will use it
The same story, shortened, works in other places:
- the opening of a cover letter
- your LinkedIn About section
- introductions at networking events and career fairs
Writing it once saves effort everywhere.
Practise out loud
Write your story, then record yourself saying it on your phone. Listen back. Notice where you rush or trail off; those spots often hide uncertainty. Cut and tighten until it fits comfortably in two minutes.
A quick check
Ask a friend to listen once. Then ask them to repeat back what you do and why you fit the role. If they can, your story works. If they cannot, simplify it.
In the full lesson
- Worked example sentences for each of the four parts
- How to explain a career change or gap in one or two lines
- A word-count target for the written version
- How to test your story with practice interview questions