When you go on a job interview for that Boston Job, it’s likely that right off the bat, your interviewer will ask you, “Tell me about yourself.” This question (which isn’t even framed as a question) is supposed to make you feel more at ease and open you up to speaking with your interviewer.

The question seems harmless, but how you answer can make or break you. The question leads you to share personal information—about your family, where you’re from, etc… But, personal information like this is irrelevant. Remember that you’re interviewing for a Boston Job and answer the question in relation to the position for which you are applying. In other words, keep your answer career focused.

If you’re a recent college graduate, you could say, “I just graduated from X university with a degree in X. The internships that I completed as an undergraduate exposed me to XYZ and sparked my interest in X, which is why I’ve decided I want to pursue a career in X and believe that the position I am interviewing for is a terrific match for my skills and career interests.”

If your interviewer seems disappointed that you did not reveal more about yourself, you could go on to say, “Outside of work, I enjoy reading, traveling, etc…”

No matter if you’re a recent college grad or in mid-career, you should follow the 3 steps outlined below to ensure your answer will make a positive impression on your interviewer.

1) Briefly introduce yourself and mention your qualities that relate to the position.

2) Summarize your work history: Mention the company for which you most recently worked and summarize what you did. Your summary is the “meat” of your response and should directly relate to the needs of the hiring company. Don’t expect your interviewer to connect any dots. Be very clear about how your skills are transferable to the available opportunity.

3) End your response with a good question that shows you have at least a basic understanding of what the company does and the role you would be playing if hired. Asking a question will engage the interviewer, turn the interview into a two-way conversation, and relieve you of some of the stress you may feel.