How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview – With Examples and Tips

"Tell me about yourself" is the most popular conversation starter on a job interview. In this article, we outline how to effectively introduce yourself to the hiring manager, and how to quickly showcase your professional journey and relevant skills.

Why Your Interview Introduction Matters

60% of interviewers make hiring decisions within the first 15 minutes. Moreover, you only have 7 seconds to make an impression in such categories as trustworthiness and skill. At the very beginning of the interview process, a hiring manager already knows if they are ready to hire you or not.

The first impression is formed based on your appearance, body language, and voice - and, of course, the way you present yourself the moment you've entered the office. So, you want to think through the memorable introduction beforehand. Make your introduction concise - between 1 and 2 minutes - but be sure to cover essential career milestones and goals.

Here is the strategy to answer the "Tell me about yourself" or "Walk me through your resume" interview question, suggested by our career experts.

The Perfect Formula for Introducing Yourself Professionally

Remember that a good introduction should last up to 2 minutes. Don't go too much into personal details, but adjust your response to the target job description. Here's a professional structure you can follow:

1. Start with a Confident Greeting

Every professional introduction starts with a warm yet polite greeting. As you enter the interview room, shake the interviewer's hand, smile, and address them by name. It will show respect and help build rapport while setting a professional tone.

Example: Good morning, Mr. Lee. Thank you for taking the time to interview me today.

2. Share Your Name and Role

After the salutaion (and probably a small talk), it's time for a brief introduction. In 2-3 sentences, share your professional background and the role you're seeking with this particular company. Your goal is to give a few key points - you'll expand on them later.

As a graduate, you may name your recent degree and specialization. As an experienced professional, you can share your recent job title, specialization, and most notable projects.

Example 1: My name is Alice McKenneth, and I've recently graduated from MIT majoring in Computer Science. I specialized in information security and built my technical skills through a range of academic projects.

Example 2: I'm Eric Garcia, I am a Digital Marketer with 7+ of experience launching creative campaigns for personal care brands. I have a track record in setting up a marketing department from scratch and building brand recognition.

3. Mention Relevant Experience and Skills

Now you're moving to the nitty-gritty of your speech. Summarize your educational background and professional experience to show the interviewer what your biggest strengths are. Present your most notable achievements with numbers to prove that you can deliver and outperform.

Remember that your introduction sets the tone for the rest of the interview, so be selective about what to mention here. Think about projects or jobs where your skills and achievements shine, and focus on them.

Example: With 5+ years of sales in the tech industry, I consider building long-term collaborative partnerships my superpower. In my previous Tech Sales Manager role at ABC Company, I managed key accounts and gained a vast understanding of enterprise software.

I implemented a collaborative initiative with a large client, a top healthcare provider, to integrate our software. I worked closely across departments and analyzed client needs at every stage, which helped increase their software adoption rate by 25% and exceed sales targets by 15%. In my previous role as a Sales Associate, I was a top salesperson for two recurring years.

4. Show Enthusiasm for the Role

Now, it's time to show how your previous experience and strengths make you a great match for the role. Connect the dots for the recruiter. Explain why joining the company aligns with your career goals, or what excites you about this employer. Keep your tone enthusiastic and positive.

You may also mention personal interests here if they showcase your ability to learn and any other traits relevant to the job.

Example: My experience in building a sales department from scratch and training associates will be especially beneficial as your company is expanding to new markets.

5. Wrap It Up Smoothly

Show enthusiasm and excitement about joining the company. Being enthusiastic and upbeat contributes a lot to that positive impression!

Example: I am excited about joining you as a Social Media Manager. I believe that my knowledge of consumer psychology and marketing skills will help me promote your brands effectively.

Examples of How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

Polishing your introduction speech can be tricky! Here are a few interview introduction examples for different industries and career situations to ease your job search.

Self-Introduction Tips for Students and Recent Grads

Good morning, Ms Stevenson, and thank you for having me today! My name is Lisa Bradshaw, and I've recently graduated from Caltech with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I was particularly drawn to Machine Learning, and explored this subject through coursework and my capstone project on recommendation systems for e-commerce. I also developed a strong foundation in data analysis and algorithm development.

I'm confident that my academic skills and leadership experience gained through group projects have prepared me to contribute to your team. I know that you're one of the most promising AI startups in this state, and I would be eager to contribute my fresh ideas and vision.

Professional Introduction Example for Experienced Candidates

My name is Colin Brown. It's a pleasure to speak with you today. I have 6+ years of experience in digital marketing with a focus on content strategy and SEO. In my career, I've consistently driven engagement and sales through data-driven strategies. As a Digital Marketing Lead at ABC Company, I achieved a 29% increase in website traffic in eight months using a new SEO strategy and boosted conversion by 20% by optimizing the landing page.

I also led the last year's holiday marketing campaign which resulted in a 40% increase in online sales compared to the previous year. I'm particularly drawn to your company because I would like to switch to the tech industry, and I believe my strategic approach aligns well with your goals.

Making a Career Switch? Here's How to Present Yourself

Good afternoon, I'm Chris Lee. While my professional background has been primarily in retail sales, I've been actively transitioning towards a career in front-end development over the last year. I've immersed myself in Python and JavaScript, and completed a few small projects on GitHub. I also completed a 12-week front-end development bootcamp where I contributed to the development of the e-commerce platform with payment processing using React. I've earned a certification in Google's Python Automation with Google Cloud Specialization.

As a sales rep, I consistently exceeded sales quota thanks to active listening and identifying customer needs. I believe that my desire to understand consumer psychology and communication skills are highly transferable to development and will allow me to create user-focused solutions. I am excited about this opportunity to contribute a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic to your organization.

Remote Interview? How to Introduce Yourself Over Zoom

Hello, I'm Ashley Smith. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with you virtually. I'm a marketing copywriter with a background in crafting compelling content for tech and e-commerce. I've been working remotely for 3 years, so I'm comfortable collaborating online and using online tools for project management and communication.

In my most recent role as a Copywriter for XYZ Corp., I developed and executed the content strategy for an e-commerce client, and achieved a 28% conversion rate increase by revamping landing page and blog pages. I am proficient in Google Analytics, Grammarly, Ahrefs, and Asana. I am drawn to your company because I would like to promote large clients through engaging and compelling copy and enhance my skills further. I can quickly integrate into your team and grasp your brand voice.

What to Avoid During Your Interview Introduction

When planning your interview introduction, avoid these common pitfalls:

Being too vague

To make an impression, it's not enough to briefly mention a couple of jobs or projects. An answer like "Well, I worked as a sales rep, and before that, I was a sales associate, and I always helped clients out" won't make the cut. Give a few others details or achievements to make your response specific.

Talking too much

On the other hand, avoid covering your entire educational and professional history since high school (especially if you're 42). Omit the secondary facts and focus on details most relevant to the job role and your most recent career track.

Negativity

Badmouthing your previous employer or boss is a big no-no. Keep these stories for a casual conversation with friends. Always speak positively about previous companies and people you worked with - it shows your strong professional ethics.

Focusing on yourself

It's important to mention your achievements, projects where you built important skills, and so on. Yet, avoid sounding self-centered. When speaking about your professional strengths, connect them with the prospective employer and how your skills can help reach the company's goals.

Failing to prepare

Not preparing for a job interview is a popular mistake you don't want to make. Think through your introduction at home and plan its structure. Consider the job posting to decide what information you want to include to sound like the best suitable candidate for the role.

Pro Tips for a Memorable Self-Introduction

Here are a few extra tips from our career coach to polish your interview introduction and make it noteworthy:

1. Align your expertise with the company culture and job requirements. Talk about how your existing skills can benefit this particular company.
2. Mention valuable certifications or professional development. If you have an important certification that can be a game-changer, mention it in the introduction. Don't expect the recruiter to find it on a resume on their own!
3. Give them numbers. Mention how you exceeded sales, reduced turnaround, saved money for the previous tech company, and so on. It shows you as a result-oriented person.
4. If you're making a career shift, focus on soft skills and your adaptability. Say, if the new career requires people skills, show where and how you used these skills before.
5. Watch your body language. Make sure that your gestures and posture are consistent with what you are saying. Smile and make eye contact as you speak.
6. Omit non-essential details. Information about your personal life, family background, or health issues doesn't belong to the interview introduction.
7. Be thankful. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet, and after the end of the conversation - for their time and consideration.

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FAQs About Introducing Yourself in Interviews

What can you do if you feel nervous before the interview?

Recall your past experiences and practice sample answers at home to feel more confident during the actual interview. If you start feeling nervous, take a moment to collect your thoughts. Say "It's a great question. Let me think for a second" or take a few sips of water. Then, focus on the key points to structure your response.

How long should your interview introduction be?

Try to keep your response to 1-2 minutes. It is usually enough to cover the key details about your career and express genuine interest in the company and the position. If you're a C-level manager, your response can take a little longer.

How to introduce myself if I'm changing careers?

Firstly, acknowledge the transition and explain the reason behind it. Focus on transferable skills you've gained in your current job and how they can be beneficial for the new company. Also, highlight relevant training, certifications, or pet projects showing your commitment and interest in a new field.

What if I'm a recent graduate with limited experience?

As a student or graduate, focus on your academic achievements and coursework, if relevant. Make sure to cover any unpaid experience, such as internships, extracurriculars, or student projects. Focus on projects where you showed leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving skills. Limited experience is not a problem if you're proactive and eager to learn.

Ready to Impress? Here’s What to Do Next

This article is part of our comprehensive job interview guide. Below, you will find articles covering other aspects of job interview preparation - read them all to ace the most challenging interviews with ease!

1. Our guide on top questions to ask a hiring manager at the end of the job interview to show your enthusiasm and interest.
2. Tips on how to write a powerful resume summary with examples.
3. When and how to follow up after the job interview, plus follow-up questions and example letters.
4. The best interview hairstyles for women that will help you make a polished, professional impression.

Get your resume reviewed for free

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