"(Past) I have worked as a patient care coordinator for over five years, consulting with patients and determining their needs. I have always enjoyed delivering patient care with compassion and empathy. (Present) Currently, I work for a private functional medicine clinic developing care plans and coordinating patient-care services. This role helped me expand my program development knowledge while meeting unique patient needs. (Future) Now, I am looking to broaden my experience to include actively educating patients and working with an established care team to evaluate interventions. Your organization's focus on care plans is one reason why I was thrilled to apply for this career opportunity."

"(Past) I have worked as an administrative assistant for four years, primarily working in the automotive industry. I have always enjoyed greeting new customers, being helpful on the phone, and helping the sales team to keep their paperwork organized. (Present) Currently, I work for the BMW dealership in the south of the city, where I manage the front desk in the showroom. This role has helped me learn more about the auto industry, how to approach high-end buyers, and how to keep myself organized in a bustling and open environment. (Future) I plan to grow my career and learn more about sales. Your sales assistant position seems like the next best fit in my career, and it would be an honor to grow my knowledge with your dealership."

"(Past) My background is in the hospitality industry. I spent many years as a customer service manager, where I hired and trained service staff and resolved customer complaints. (Present) Most recently, I left my job as the service desk manager at Hotel ABC, where I was responsible for a team of fifteen, including front desk agents and room service attendants. After two years with Hotel ABC, I realized that my skills and interests are best suited for the fast pace of the restaurant sector. (Future) After realizing my true passion is within restaurant environments, I set up job alerts for roles such as your restaurant service manager position. I've dined with your restaurant group many times before and jumped at the chance to apply."

"(Past) I have worked in the consumer product industry for over fifteen years, focused on key accounts and business development within commerce and e-commerce environments. (Present) Right now, I work as the VP of Business Development for a large toy manufacturer. My primary responsibilities include initiating and setting up meetings to sell multi-million-dollar contracts to large-size retailers and big-box stores. (Future) Over the past few months, I've discovered my excitement for the SaaS and Fintech industries, which is where I see a significant amount of opportunity. I wish to expand my business development experiences across sectors, which is why I am interested in growing my career with your company."

"(Past) I recently completed high school, where I was valedictorian thanks to my high grades and dedication to the Students' Association. (Present) Currently, I am seeking out an opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills and learn more about the business and retail industry before selecting my post-secondary educational path. (Future) I am eager to start my career on the right foot, and I believe that this part-time seasonal retail sales opportunity will help to guide and shape me for the future."

"(Past) Initially, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, where I became fascinated with children's mental health, specifically the rise of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Upon graduation, I interned at a school for children with behavioral concerns. The internship sparked my interest in education, so I returned to obtain my education degree. (Present) I have gained considerable confidence in my knowledge of children's mental health, emotions, and behaviors. Now, I am also highly equipped to begin my teaching career. (Future) I plan to grow my career, specifically in outreach-based schools. I understand that your school focuses on launching outreach programs for families in this community. Your mission aligns perfectly with my core passions, and it would be an honor to grow my teaching career with this esteemed organization."

"(Past) I am thrilled to have had the privilege to raise my children for the past ten years. Although being a stay-at-home parent took me out of the traditional workforce, I kept myself busy and relevant in many ways. (Present) Currently, I volunteer for the Parent-Teacher Association, where I facilitate healthy relationships between parents, teachers, and schools. This work includes building online engagement for the school and putting together fundraising campaigns. As my kids get older and more independent, I find myself seeking more. (Future) I have developed exceptional skills in social media management, creating compelling campaigns, and learning the art of persuasion. These skills align very well with the qualities your agency seeks for this marketing assistant opportunity. I am ready to step into the next phase of my career and would be happy to apply these skills with your agency."

Avoid providing too much personal information, or focusing on factors unrelated to your career. Adding a splash of personal information is fine, but your primary focus should be on your professional profile. So, keep your answer as work-related as possible.

Give your interviewer a glimpse into your character and who you are as it relates to your career journey and the job opportunity. Know your audience. Your interviewer is a representative of their company, and it is incumbent on them to continue to build upon and foster the culture of their teams. So go into your interview with a clear picture of why you are a strong fit, and what you would contribute to their culture, proving you could be trusted to represent their company. Also, learn what you can about your interviewer if you are able. Visit their LinkedIn page, and see if their career journey is in any way similar to your own. The better a fit you seem, the stronger a candidate you'll be.

Many interviews begin with the question, "Tell me about yourself." This question can turn any well-prepared candidate inside out because it's open-ended. You might wonder where to begin and where to end! The Past, Present, Future framework is beneficial for forming an answer to this common interview question.

1) Past: Provide a brief overview of your career journey.
2) Present: Discuss your current career situation as it relates to the job opportunity.
3) Future: Talk about your career aspirations and how this future opportunity fits.

When you frame your response using the Past, Present, Future method, it helps you keep your thoughts on track, allowing you to deliver a well-organized answer with impact. If it feels more natural, you can also frame your answer as Present, Past, Future.

"I've always been that person that after a few minutes of talking to someone, they start opening up to me, oversharing, and telling me their life story and all their personal struggles. I suppose it is because I am validating, extremely empathetic, always show a genuine interest in them, and am a strong listener. So, when I was deciding on a degree to pursue in college, my mother pointed out that I was already taking several sociology and psychology courses and that I should pursue psychology as a degree. So I did. I am certified as a family therapy counselor and am currently pursuing my master's in psychology. After reading everything about your clinic, the clinic's values, and the requirements of the job, this seemed like the fit and opportunity I've been looking for. Thank you so much for meeting with me."