How to blow an interview in 10 minutes or less?

“Tell me about yourself.”

The hiring attorney scheduled a 30 minute first-round interview over Teams. She was busy and wanted to cut right to the candidate’s qualifications and experience. But the candidate opened with long personal stories about home life and weekend routines, and the interview quickly lost direction. Unfortunately, that candidate wasn’t invited back for the second round.

Candidates hear advice to connect and build rapport. But in legal interviews, especially the first round, that advice can hurt more than help. This stage is rarely a get-to-know-you chat. It’s about qualifications: Can you do the work? Can you communicate clearly? Does your experience align with what the company really needs?

When the interviewer says “Tell me about yourself” they are really asking “Why are you qualified for this role?” And “Why do you want to work here?”

A simple way to stay focused is to use this framework:

• Present: Briefly describe your current role, its scope, and a recent accomplishment.
• Past: Explain briefly how you got to your current position, highlighting relevant skills from prior roles. Focus on skills that are relevant to the job and company you’re applying for.
• Future: Share what you’re looking to do next, and why this role and company fit with your goal.

Aim for about two minutes. Keep it professional, concise, and intentional.