Present-Past-Future Introduction
A 2–3 minute structure for answering "tell me about yourself" in interviews: present (who you are professionally now) → past (relevant experience) → future (why this role/opportunity).
Dino Martinez contrasts this with 20-word sound bites — longer form, still position-tied, still a performance of communication skill.
Rules
- Directly related to the position, job, or school you applied for
- About 2–3 minutes total — you don't have three months to get acquainted
- Don't be five minutes in and still in fifth grade; past should be relevant, not biographical exhaust
- Add color after the core spine (30-second version → 2.5-minute enriched version with personality)
Martinez Demo
Core (30 sec): "Hi, I'm Dino Martinez, Assistant Director at UAB Career Center; 35 years on seven campuses; I look forward to talking about interview storytelling tonight."
Enriched (~2.5 min): adds student populations advised, Cleveland origin, organic chemistry pivot, RA experience, career path through housing, leadership, Greek life, marketing — all tying to why he's credible on this topic.
Soft Skills Signal
"Tell me about yourself" tests presentation: confidence, cadence, nervous energy channeled into eagerness (prepared, positive nerves) rather than anxiety.
Connections
- twenty-word-introduction — short opener for networking; present/past/future for formal interviews
- about-you-introduction — Okamoto's listener benefit frame; Martinez's position-tied narrative frame
- interview-storytelling — the enriched version is storytelling applied to the opening question
- first-impressions — this answer is often the first substantive impression