“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”
THE TWO-MINUTE DRILL
Interviews often begin with this statement. Sometimes students do not know where to begin their response, how
much information to provide, or how to end it. Use the worksheet below to outline and develop a well-rehearsed
summary of your education and experience that includes how you became interested in the field and some of your
most significant accomplishments or strengths.
EDUCATION YOUR FUTURE
Begin with your education. Mention your year in End with why you are interested in working for the
school, your major(s) and minor, and how you became organization. State that you look forward to learning
interested in the field. You can include your GPA (if 3.0 more about how you might be able to contribute your
or higher), skills you have learned, or an example of an skills, talents, and experience in the future.
academic project. You can also mention memberships in
______________________________________________
campus organizations and any leadership roles.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
WORK EXPERIENCE
Discuss your current position, if you are currently
working. If you worked in the past, mention past job(s). EXAMPLE
Focus on transferable skills that would be valuable to
I am currently a junior at Princeton University, majoring in
employers in the field, professional accomplishments, or computer science. I became interested in computers at a
recognition you received. young age and took a few college-level programming courses
______________________________________________ while in high school, which helped me decide on my major.
I have excelled in all my coursework at Princeton, while
______________________________________________ working 20 hours a week at the Media Center in a technical
support role. I enjoy assisting users and problem solving
______________________________________________ because it is challenging and I learn something new every day.
______________________________________________ In addition, I had an opportunity to intern over the summer
with XYZ Company, where I contributed to software
______________________________________________ development projects, including database design. I am
particularly interested in this area to begin my career.
In reviewing the job description, I was drawn to the database
KEY STRENGTHS design aspects and believe I could make an immediate
Based on your research of the organization, mention contribution. I look forward to learning more about your MIS
two key strengths that match its requirements. department and the challenges of the position.
1. ___________________________________________
____________________________________________ PRACTICE
Using your notes, develop your response and then
2. ____________________________________________
schedule a mock interview with an adviser to
____________________________________________ practice your oral delivery. Your response should be
approximately two minutes in length.
© 2017 The Trustees of Princeton University · Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
