Tell me about yourself!

Open-ended questions don't work for people who experience social anxiety. We don't have instant recall of our own personal history.  So- when someone says, "Tell me something about yourself,,,,", a blank slate appears. "Well, I was born, I grew up and here I am..", doesn't help your conversation advance. Also we're inclined to view anything we might say as dull and boring. 

Practice starting with an overview, for example "Well, before COVID I worked at such and such a place, I moved here from ......., and right now I'm learning how to play..... ".  Saying something specific gives them a chance to comment on that specific that you wouldn't mind talking about. It triggers their memory. It's kind of like fishing-you throw out some bait- maybe they'll bite, maybe they won't." But how can they know if you don't throw it out there for a potential bite. And you've deposited it where you wouldn't mind if they said, "Gee, I like raising worms, too!"  You never know!