How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview
We have all attended interviews of some sort in our lives, haven’t we?
When it is a job interview, the significance can make it seem frightening for freshers. Forget freshers, the chance of one can unnerve even seasoned professionals at times. But it doesn’t need to be so.
A job interview, if approached in the right manner, can be very straightforward. While the job role and your knowledge are important factors in an interview, nothing makes more of an impression than your self-introduction. It is a critical part of the interview. But it is also a part you can ace if you prepare well.
We’ve put together some tips for you that will make introductions in interviews a fairly simple affair.
1 Dress appropriately
When meeting someone new, especially for a job interview, appearance is crucial. Before you introduce yourself, the interviewer forms the first impression after observing your attire. Before you go for the interview, do some research on the firm and try to understand how formal (or informal) their dress code is. Here are a few pointers:
- Be true to yourself: What you wear is a part of what you are. Use your dress to express your personality.
- Avoid distracting outfits: To guarantee that the interviewers pay attention to what you say, eliminate distracting stuff such as expensive jewellery or glaring colours and prints.
- Be comfortable: Though you are supposed to dress professionally, make sure you feel comfortable in your clothes.
2 Prepare what to say
Prepare what you are going to say in your introduction in advance. While introducing yourself, make a strong first impression by confidently stating your name. You do not have to shout your name but be clear when you say it. The tone of your response demonstrates that you are confident and eager about the job prospect.
Don’t worry if you feel nervous or are unsure about how confidently you can say your name. Practise with some friends or family before you attend the interview.
3 Begin by greeting the interviewer
Greeting the interviewer(s) is an essential element of the interview process. Always start the self-introduction by greeting the interviewers. It allows them to measure your level of confidence. Remember to smile. After greeting the interviewer appropriately, say your full name. Then give a brief description of your family. While doing so, don’t be nervous and look away while speaking. Always maintain eye contact with the interviewers.
4 Include your educational qualifications
Once you’ve given a basic introduction, including your name and family information, tell the interviewers about your educational background. Even though your resume would have it, you should provide details on the courses you undertook and the institutions where you studied. Be honest when discussing your academic achievements. Try to be factual and avoid seeming overconfident.
5 Elaborate on professional experience (if any)
In the case of experienced candidates, it is essential to discuss all the specifics of your previous work experience. Begin with the name of the company where you’ve been working.
Mention your designation as well as the time frame. Always try to highlight if you had been promoted while at the same company.
Try to mention the projects you worked on and your role in them. Make sure to prepare some points on the difficulties you’ve encountered and how you overcame them since it could be a very common follow-up question from the interviewers.
6 Mention your hobbies and interests
Your self-introduction does not have to be entirely formal. Don’t be afraid to switch to a more casual tone and talk about your hobbies and interests, both professionally and personally. Be careful not to go too casual. Always maintain the substance of the interview.
7 Be prepared for follow-up questions
Hiring managers ask follow-up questions to assess your honesty and integrity. A sequence of questions based on what you said in the introduction can reveal whether you were being truthful. Thus, when introducing yourself at the interview, try to be as sincere as possible. Practice answering follow-up questions beforehand.
Self-introduction in Interview: Sample for Freshers
Good morning everyone. Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity. My name is Ankush Mathur and I am from Mumbai. My father is a retired government official and my mother is a homemaker. I graduated from IIT Delhi with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in May 2021 with a distinction. I believe I can contribute to the firm in this role. My greatest assets are my communication skills, positive outlook and the ability to work in a team. I am also an avid cricket fan and have played for my college team. That was all about me. Thank you.
Self-introduction in Interview: Sample for Experienced Candidates
Hello and good evening. My name is Akhil Yadav. I am from Ajmer, Rajasthan. However, I was born and brought up in Delhi, where I live with my family. I graduated with a B. Ed degree from Punjab University to pursue my passion for teaching. During the final year of my B. Ed program, I volunteered as an Assistant Teacher at a Government School in Anand Nagar. After graduation, I began working as an Elementary Teacher at Nora Public High school in September 2019. I have more than three years of experience teaching primary students, and I have also completed a diploma in Child Pedagogy. I believe I’d be a good fit for this role. When it comes to personal interests, I love dancing. That pretty much sums me up. Thank you.
Tips to keep in mind during an interview
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Always be concise with your answers.
- Maintain good body language. Do not fidget or move around much. Try to sit upright.
Tips to keep in mind after an interview
- Leave only after the interviewer asks you to.
- Shake their hands and thank them before you leave.
- Send a follow-up email to the interviewer, thanking them for the opportunity.
Things to avoid during self-introduction
Here are a few things to avoid when giving a self-introduction.
- Don’t just restate the contents of your resume and cover letter. Use examples and make your introduction sound genuine.
- Do not ask ‘What do you want to know?’ It demonstrates that you are unprepared.
- Do not tell your life story and drag the introduction. If you wish to highlight a specific characteristic, simply mention an event.
