Career resource
Tell Me About Yourself: A Practical Structure for Career Changers
Build a concise, truthful interview introduction that connects your previous experience to the work you want to do next.
Last updated
2026-09-14
Make the transition easy to follow
A career-change introduction should not apologise for the past or pretend you have already held the target role. It should make the connection visible: what you understand, what you have practised, what evidence you can show, and what you want to learn next.
Keep it short enough to invite a question. The aim is not to tell your entire career history.
A fill-in structure
“I currently work in [context], where I spend time [relevant work]. That has built my strength in [transferable skill]. Recently I have been practising [new capability] by [specific task or portfolio piece]. I am now looking for work where I can apply those strengths to [target problem or role].”
Keep it honest
Use a learning project as evidence, but label it accurately. Explain what you built, what feedback changed, and what remains hypothetical. Credibility comes from precision, not from making the transition sound complete.
The present-past-proof-next structure
- 01Present: state the work you do and the problems you understand.
- 02Past: name the experience that built your relevant strengths.
- 03Proof: give one specific example or portfolio piece.
- 04Next: explain the direction you are moving toward and why.
Common questions
Should I mention that I am changing careers?
You can, but lead with the relevant work and direction rather than treating the change as a deficit. Connect your previous experience to the problems the new role solves.
Can I use a portfolio piece in my introduction?
Yes. A specific piece gives the interviewer something concrete to explore. State what it was, your role, and what it demonstrates without claiming production experience.
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