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- Mastering the interview: how to introduce yourself professionally and confidently
Mastering the interview: how to introduce yourself professionally and confidently
Artwork by: Katya Simacheva
- How to introduce yourself in an interview
- 5 Steps to introducing yourself in an interview
- Preparing your opening line
- Versions of "Why don't you introduce yourself?"
- “How are you doing today?”
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- How to introduce yourself in an online interview
- How to introduce yourself when you don’t have a lot of experience
- 4 Tips for giving a great introduction
- Key takeaways
Learning how to introduce yourself in an interview is key to starting off on the right foot. Learn to introduce yourself professionally and with confidence to increase your chances of landing the job you want.
You’ve landed an interview, and you’re really excited about it. You should be! Not everyone gets that opportunity, so use it as a chance to shine. They already know you have the right qualifications; so learning how to introduce yourself in an interview is key for showing them a little bit about who you are and how you’ll fit into the company culture. But remember, that interview starts the moment you walk into the building, so make every moment count, starting with a professional and memorable introduction, and you’re sure to get that job offer in no time.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
How do you introduce yourself in an interview?
What is the best answer to "Why don't you introduce yourself?"
How do you introduce yourself in two minutes in an interview?
How to introduce yourself if you don’t have a lot of work experience
4 Tips for having a great introduction
How to introduce yourself in an interview
There’s a good chance your interviewer will extend his or her hand as they greet you for the first time. Make sure you make as much eye contact as you are comfortable with when you shake hands. A warm smile is a nice touch, but don’t “show too many teeth,” as it might seem a bit desperate. Extend your hand and limit your grasp to one or two “pumps of the hand. This is a professional courtesy that demonstrates respect for the other person.
5 Steps to introducing yourself in an interview
Introducing yourself in an interview is not an opening to ramble on and on; you should keep your introduction to two minutes or fewer, and make sure to have something prepared ahead of time since it’s almost guaranteed you’ll be asked to do this. Break down your introduction into five steps:
A greeting. This can be accomplished with a simple, “Hi, I’m John Smith. I really appreciate the opportunity to discuss a position with such a great company.”
Your education, if it’s relevant to the position. Give a brief overview of your educational background, including any projects you completed or any applicable certifications you’ve obtained. If it’s been a while since you finished school, you can skip this part.
Talk about your current position, and any recent accomplishments, incorporating quantifiable data when possible.
Mention any interesting hobbies or interests, but keep it brief. If the interviewer wants to know more, they’ll ask.
Wrap it up. Let them know why you applied for this job, and how it aligns with your skills, interests, and goals.
Preparing your opening line
A good way to introduce yourself in an interview is to start with a simple, “Hello, I’m <your name>" during or right before the handshake. Once you've had a seat, you can offer a one or two-sentence statement of gratitude, to show that you appreciate the interview opportunity.
For example:
“I’m really excited about this position, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to talk more about it.”
“I’m really impressed with this company’s values and overall culture, so thank you for taking the time to speak to me today.”
Versions of "Why don't you introduce yourself?"
The interviewer will most likely have an agenda set and have some questions ready to go. After they provide their name and position, they might start out with a personal question or two. (Don't worry, it won't be anything too personal!) Remember, hiring managers aren’t just looking for someone who can do the job; they’re looking for someone who will fit in with their team. They’re also using this opportunity to gauge your communication skills. This question may have other phrasings, such as:
“How are you doing today?”
More than just a run-of-the-mill pleasantry, this is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Forgo the usual, “I’m fine, thank you,” and try something different:
“I had a wonderful hike this morning, and now I have this interview, so I’m having a great day!”
“Tell me about yourself.”
Use this as an opportunity to share your professional journey, and paint a picture that best represents who you are as a professional and a person.
"I have experience in project management but my previous job also taught me to handle unexpected situations. I think that most roles benefit from flexible thinking and really caring about the success of your team. For example, in my previous job, one day our store systems crashed and we lost everything. Our tech specialist was out of town, so I was put in charge of rebooting our systems. I got us back up and running, learning everything as I went. This is when I realized I really enjoy learning about IT security and that I have an affinity for programming languages.”
Expert Tip
If you need a little help polishing your interviewing skills, check out Career.io's Interview Prep tool, which provides mock interviews to help you build fluency, adjust your body language, and give you the feedback (and the confidence) you need to ace your interview and land the job you want.
How to introduce yourself in an online interview
While the basics of an interview are the same no matter the format, there are a few things you can do in a virtual interview to make a great first impression. Since you can control the setting, it should be as professional (and well-lit) as possible. Also, if you live with others, make sure they're aware that the interview is happening so they don’t interrupt and keep the noise to a minimum. Then begin exactly as you would in an in-person interview—minus the handshake, of course.
- Keep your introduction relevant and interview-appropriate.
- Practice your introduction ahead of time.
- Be aware of your body language. You may be glad to be there, but crossed arms, fidgeting, or a lack of eye contact may send another message.
- Express your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
- Memorize your introduction. You want to be prepared, but reciting from memory may seem insincere.
- Ramble. Keep your introduction relevant to the position and don't exceed two minutes.
- Boast. Confidence is good, but overconfidence can be off-putting.
- Speed through your introduction. It’s important!
How to introduce yourself when you don’t have a lot of experience
If you're new to the workforce, you can still introduce yourself professionally and effectively. In this case, emphasize your educational background and any "soft skills" you’ve acquired. Here’s a template you can use to frame your introduction:
“Hi, <name of interviewer>, I’m Susan Smith. It’s nice to meet you, and thank you for seeing me today. I’ve recently graduated from <name of school> with a degree in <major>, which I’d like to utilize by <provide your short-term career goals>. While in school, I <provide a measurable accomplishment> and I'd like to use these skills for <mention requirements for the job>. I am impressed with XYZ Company’s <core value> and I would love to have the opportunity to <mention what you hope to accomplish in the role>.”
How might this look in practice?
“Hi, Mr. Jones, I’m Susan Smith. It’s nice to meet you, and thank you for seeing me today. I’ve recently graduated from The University of Illinois with a degree in graphic arts, which I'd like to utilize by working on a team that specializes in company branding across multiple platforms. While in school, I created a new logo for the local newspaper, which they tell me resulted in a 12% increase in subscriptions and garnered quite a few compliments. I'd like to use these skills to enhance branding and collaborate with a team on projects such as websites, presentations, logos, and marketing materials. I’ve long been impressed with XYZ Company’s commitment to community outreach and I’d love to have the opportunity to use my skills to help non-profit organizations help people in need.
4 Tips for giving a great introduction
When introducing yourself in an interview, what you don't say is just as important as what you do say. To introduce yourself effectively, keep the following tips in mind:
If your interview is online, make sure your technology is in working order. Nothing says, "I'm disorganized" faster than a camera that won't turn on or a microphone that isn’t working.
While we should never be judged solely on our appearance, what you wear will say a lot before you open your mouth. Make sure your interview attire is professional, neat, and appropriate for the company environment.
If you’re prone to sweaty palms, discreetly wipe them on a handkerchief or tissue before you shake hands. You don’t want your first words to be, “Oops, sorry.”
Remember that you’re great just as you are. You know you have the skills to do the job and don’t feel the need to be someone you’re not. Be confident in your introduction, and show them what a great candidate you are.
Expert Tip
No matter how prepared you are, you’re bound to be a little nervous when introducing yourself in an interview. It’s totally understandable—it can be challenging to have all the focus on yourself! But don’t let it get the best of you. To calm your nerves before the interview begins:
Take care of yourself. That means getting enough sleep the night before and eating lightly.
Do some positive visualizations. This will help you see yourself succeeding in the interview and getting your desired outcome.
Don’t spiral and let your emotions get the best of you. You’re most likely not being treated any differently than other interviewees. Remember, if you weren’t qualified, you wouldn’t be there.
Take your time. The interviewer wants to hear what you have to say, so try not to speed through your answer. Remember to breathe!
Once you’re done with the interview, don’t replay it in your head, especially if you made a mistake during your introduction. It’s possible the interviewer didn’t notice, but even if he or she did, it’s likely not as big a deal as you think it is. Let it go, and start preparing for your next interview.
Key takeaways
A good way to introduce yourself in an interview is to start with a simple, “Hello, I’m <your name>” during or right before the handshake, then offer one or two sentences that express gratitude.
A question such as “What brought you here today?” is used to gauge your communication skills and see if you'll fit in with their team.
To introduce yourself professionally and succinctly, give a greeting, mention your educational background, talk about any professional accomplishments or goals, say a little bit about any hobbies or interests, and then wrap it up with a brief explanation of why you applied for the job and how your skills and experience align with the position.
