Every time I go for a job interview and am asked to tell about myself or introduce myself I always find it hard to answer even this most basic question. Please tell me how can I better answer this question?

This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it’s crucial. Here's the deal: Don’t give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead, give a pitch – one that’s concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. We recommend using a present, past, future formula. Talk a little bit about your current role (including the scope and perhaps one big accomplishment), then give some background as to how you got there and experience you have that’s relevant. Finally, segue into why you want – and would be perfect for – this role.

What if during an interview an employer asks me to tell why am I leaving my current job?

This is a toughie, but one you can be sure you’ll be asked. Definitely keep things positive – you have nothing to gain by being negative about your current employer. Instead, frame things in a way that shows that you’re eager to take on new opportunities and that the role you’re interviewing for is a better fit for you. For example, “I’d really love to be part of product development from beginning to end, and I know I’d have that opportunity here.” And if you were let go from your most recent job? Keep it simple: “Unfortunately, I was let go,” is a totally acceptable answer.

I was fired from my most recent job, should I mention that? If yes, should I tell them the exact reason or should I give a sugarcoated answer?

Of course, you would be asked about your previous jobs and it’s better to be honest about it. But they may ask the follow-up question: Why were you let go? If you lost your job due to layoffs, you can simply say, “The company reorganised and unfortunately my position was eliminated.” But what if you were fired for performance reasons? Your best bet is to be honest (the job-seeking world is small, after all). But it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Frame it as a learning experience: Share how you’ve grown and how you approach your job and life now as a result. And if you can portray your growth as an advantage for this next job, even better.