What's the Best Way to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Question in Consulting Interviews?

In consulting interviews, “Tell me about yourself” should feel like a tight, 2‑minute story about why you are a strong fit for the role, not a full biography. Your idea is close, but I’d sharpen the structure and be more selective.

A simple structure that works very well is:

1. Positioning (1–2 lines)
   Briefly state who you are in a consulting‑relevant way: degree / current role and the main “theme” of your experiences (e.g., analytical problem solving, client work, international exposure). This replaces the long “name / where I’m from” intro.
2. Selective proof (3–4 sentences)
   Pick 2–3 high‑impact experiences (university, internship, work) that demonstrate consulting skills: analysis, ownership, teamwork, leadership, results. Quantify if you can. Go chronological or “most recent first”, but keep only what strengthens your case for consulting.
3. Why consulting and why this firm (3–4 sentences)
   Explain briefly how those experiences led you to consulting, then connect specifically to this firm/region/practice: what you like about their work and culture and how you want to contribute.

Hobbies: yes, but very selectively. One short line about 1–2 hobbies that show something relevant (e.g., competitive sport, music, volunteering) is great, as long as it does not dominate the answer. Think of it as color, not the core

I think your proposed structure is a good starting point, but I would change the way you tell the story.

As a Senior Manager in consulting, I have been interviewing candidates for around six years. One important thing to keep in mind: we already have your CV. Usually, we have looked at it before the interview – even if only briefly😉.  So I would not use those two minutes to walk me through it chronologically.

Instead, think of “Tell me about yourself” as your 2-minute elevator pitch. I want to understand your story and get a first feeling: Would I like to work with this person? Could I give this person responsibility from day one?

I would focus on:

• Connect the dots: Why did you choose your studies? Why those internships/experiences? What led you to consulting?
• Show what makes you interesting: Pick 1–2 experiences or achievements that tell me something about how you think, work or take ownership.
• Build towards the “why”: Your story should naturally explain Why consulting? Why this firm? Why now?
• Be selective: Don’t repeat everything on your CV. Tell me the few things that help me understand who you are and what drives you.

Your proposed structure therefore works – but make sure there is a clear logic connecting the individual steps, rather than “first I studied X, then I interned at Y, then I did Z.”

Regarding hobbies: I would mention them only briefly and if they show some relevant experience. The priority is your professional story.

I'd change one thing.

The first thing you say is usually the one that sticks with the interviewer. So I wouldn't start with your name or where you're from—they already know that.

Instead, ask yourself: what is the one quality that should make them hire you?

Just one.

Maybe you're particularly analytical, maybe you've shown leadership, maybe you have a very entrepreneurial mindset. Start from that, then use your education, internships and experiences to support it.

After that, explain why consulting and why that firm. That creates a much more coherent story than simply walking through your CV chronologically.

I wouldn't mention hobbies unless they're genuinely interesting or they come up naturally in the conversation or are supporting the qualities you mention.

The goal of "Tell me about yourself" isn't to tell your life story. It's to leave the interviewer with one clear message about who you are and why you're a strong fit for the role.

Hi there,

Your structure broadly works. Few thoughts:

• Target a tight, structured 60-90 seconds. This is your first live test of whether you can be concise and organized, so don't recite your CV line by line.
• Aim for a clear story, not a list. Open with a quick line on your name and where you're from, then walk through your path as a sequence of deliberate choices: where you started, what you picked and why.
• Be ruthless about what goes in. You can't cover everything in 90 seconds, so pick the two or three things that actually earn their place (a relevant experience, a result you're proud of) and let the rest sit on the CV.
• Close with something personal. One line on a hobby or interest, but only if it's genuinely distinctive or reveals something (leadership, discipline, an unusual pursuit). "I like reading and football" adds nothing; a real conversation starter is much better, and it helps build a personal connection with the interviewer.

One more thing: I'd personally leave the "why consulting, why this firm" part out of your intro. It tends to come up properly later in the interview, and forcing it into your intro makes the answer unnecessarily longer.

Hope it helps and good luck with the prep!

Federico

I'd keep it simple and structured around Present → Past, especially if you're an experienced candidate. Starting with your current role immediately gives the interviewer context before explaining the experiences that led you there.

Then briefly walk through the 2 to 3 experiences that best define your profile, highlighting what you did and, more importantly, the skills you developed.

I  wouldn't mention where you were born or raised, unless it's directly relevant, and I wouldn't include hobbies unless they're particularly distinctive or the interviewer asks about them.

The goal is not to summarize your resume, but to give the interviewer a clear overview of the experiences that make you a strong candidate. Aim for 2-3 minutes.

Best,
Franco

I like the way you think of things, the structure you're thinking of is a good "by the book" version of answer.

I typically recommend to answer this questions in 2 minutes, in 4 parts.

1. Your name, degree, where you were born and where you live.
2. Why is consulting the logical next step to your academic and professional journey? Approaching the question like this allows you to inject a bit more story telling and make the answer more original
3. Why the firm? Pick 3 reasons, illustrate them briefly, and be prepared to develop these arguments in the reste of the interview.
4. Besides work and studies, what do you like to do? Drop some of your passions and hobbies to finish, it makes you more human, and may trigger a connexion with the interviewee.

Think of the tell me about yourself answer as a teaser for the rest of the interview.

Hope it helps :)

Hi,

For consulting interviews, I would not treat "Tell me about yourself" as a normal introduction. It is your chance to give the interviewer a clear story about who you are, what you have done, and why consulting makes sense as the next step.

I would avoid spending too much time on details like where you were born or general background unless they are directly relevant. Interviewers already have your CV, so the goal is not to repeat it but to create a narrative.

A structure that usually works well:

1. Present (20–30 seconds)
Start with who you are today: your current role/studies and your main area of interest.

2. Past (1–2 minutes)
Pick 2–3 experiences that show relevant consulting skills:

• problem solving,
• leadership,
• teamwork,
• analytical ability,
• impact.

Do not list every internship or activity. Choose the ones that support your story.

3. Future / Why consulting (30–45 seconds)
End with why you are interested in consulting and why this firm specifically. Make the connection clear: your previous experiences made you interested in solving complex business problems, working with different industries, and creating impact.

For example:

"I am currently studying X at Y University. Through my experiences in A and B, I became particularly interested in solving complex problems and working with teams to create measurable impact. These experiences led me to explore consulting, where I can combine analytical thinking, collaboration, and exposure to different business challenges. That is why I am excited about the opportunity to join your firm."

Regarding hobbies: I would only mention them briefly if they add something memorable about you or help build rapport. For example, mentioning that you have competed in sports or led a community initiative can be useful. But do not spend valuable time on hobbies unless the interviewer asks.

The biggest mistake I see is candidates turning this into a biography. A strong answer should feel like a career story with a clear reason why consulting is the logical next step.

Best,

Soheil

hey there!

from my experience, it should be a max 3‑minute story that shows why you are here today and why your CV makes sense for consulting. You don’t need your name or where you’re from; they already know that. Go straight into the parts of your background that prove you can do the job: your degree, one or two experiences that show problem‑solving, ownership, teamwork, and impact. Then close with why you want consulting and why this firm. Hobbies only if they add colour and take ten seconds. The key is that your CV narrative should clearly lead to consulting, not feel like a list. Happy to practise this together in a personal fit session!

Best, ALessa

Your structure is what most candidates do, and it puts interviewers to sleep. Telling them your name and repeating your resume is a wasted opportunity.

What most people get wrong is treating this like a biography. Your resume is a sales document, and this answer is your elevator pitch. The interviewer already knows your history.

What actually matters is showing your trajectory. Start with a strong anchor of who you are today. Highlight two high-impact achievements where you drove results, then connect them directly to why you want MBB. Skip the hometown, and only mention a hobby if it is truly unique.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, contrary to what other coaches have said, there really is no time limit, as long as you add value.
• Moreover, please do not include the "Why ...?" question in your answer - it wasn't asked, and there's really no need to. If they want to know, they'll ask you.
• Lastly, I would strongly advise you to stay away from a somewhat random walkthrough of your resume - it wasn't asked either. What the interviewer wants to hear is a story.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly

Best,

Hagen

When I used to ask this question, it was a way for me to try and get to know who this candidate really is, and of course a way to test their structured communication.

But at the end of the day the question I would ask myself is: Am I impressed by this candidate? Do I remember their story?

So the structure is one thing, and there are many ways to approach this. But is your story compelling? I think that's the more important bit that cant really be worked out or thought about just from a 'framework' or 'structure'. 

You need to tease it out, think deeply on it, and get feedback on it to sharpen it.

All the best!

Hi there,

That's perfectly fine. 

It's rather more important to keep it short and natural and try as much as possible to read the interviewer and connect with them. 

Specifically, what I'd do differently is that after you tell them your name and the personal part (e.g., where you were born, etc.) start the experience content with what you are doing now, rather than starting from the university time. Start from the present and if anything, work backwards from there. 

But even that is not set in stone. If you need any help with this, reach out. 

Best,
Cristian