"Tell me about yourself." If you get a call for an interview, you will most likely hear this request from a potential employer. As part of a job interview, introducing yourself seems easy to do. Unfortunately, many job applicants fail to get hired simply because they weren't really ready when they introduced themselves. By asking you to introduce yourself, the person(s) interviewing you actually wants to know a brief, detailed profile of yourself so they can get to know you personally and professionally. To prepare and successfully prepare for a job interview, read this article to learn how to prepare a few sentences that can describe yourself, practice, and introduce yourself well so that you can go through with the interview and get hired.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Some Sentences to Introduce Yourself
Step 1. Prepare the documents that you sent when you submitted your application
Re-read your cover letter and bio to remember what you said in writing. Mark important things that you want to say specifically or briefly when you have to introduce yourself.
Step 2. Review the job advertisement you are applying for
Make sure again what skills are needed by prospective employers and then write down these criteria as material for constructing sentences that can describe you. These criteria can also remind those interviewing you why they chose your bio. In this way, they will feel that you are the right person for the job.
Step 3. Think about what points they would like to hear about you
Be honest about who you are and be yourself, but there's nothing wrong with wanting to highlight aspects of your professional experience that they may find particularly interesting. By thinking about what they want to hear, you can also determine if there is any information that needs to be added or removed.
Step 4. Ask yourself some questions
In order to structure your introductory sentences and figure out what to include, try asking yourself the following questions. Who are you? Why do you want to work for this company? What skills and professional experience do you have that would qualify you to work here? What do you want to achieve in your career? Write down your answers and use the bullet points as a guide for preparing your introductory sentence.
- As an opening sentence, you could write "I just graduated from _ with a bachelor's degree in _". If you've ever received an award, include this in your opening sentence as well. If you are a seasoned professional, explain "I've worked as a _ for _ years." Also provide a little personal information such as "I am a musician who loves to play _ and really likes music".
- After constructing the opening sentence, describe your skills. Say, "I'm very good at _ and _." Continue by providing examples of any projects you have successfully completed to prove your skills in the areas you just mentioned.
- Finally, state your career plans and transition into the conversation by explaining your plans to achieve those goals by working for this company. Say, "My goal is to want to _ and I would love to discuss whether your company can offer me the opportunity to _".
Step 5. Find an attention-grabbing way as an opening sentence
Find creative ways to start introducing yourself so that potential employers remember you. Choose the things that suit you. If you enjoy reading, start by saying that you identify with a famous literary character and then explain why, mentioning your skills. Or if you're very tech savvy and want to highlight this as one of your skills, start by saying what it shows when you do an online search on Google and go into more detail about yourself and your skills.
Step 6. Outline your introductory sentence
To make it easier to remember all the important points you want to convey, break down what you wrote earlier into a paragraph of 3-5 sentences. Write these sentences the same way you wanted to say when you introduced yourself. Start by providing basic details about yourself (who are you?) and then work your way up to your professional skills and experience. Finally, close by briefly explaining your main goals in your career. This last section is very important because it is the best opportunity to explain that you are the right person for the job without saying it explicitly.
Step 7. Reread your introductory sentence whether there is still an explanation that needs to be shortened and/or clarified
Review the opening paragraph to see if there is any information that needs to be shortened or clarified. This introductory sentence should be short but complete. Remember that potential employers only want to get a glimpse of you and don't expect a ten-minute presentation of who you are.
Part 2 of 3: Practice Introducing Yourself
Step 1. Read your introductory sentence several times aloud
Reading introductory sentences aloud can help you prepare and check to see if there's anything inconsistent or missing.
Step 2. Memorize the key points you want to convey
You don't have to memorize sentences word for word, but you should at least be able to remember the important points and their order.
Step 3. Do the exercise over and over again until your sentences are pleasant to hear and pronounce
Practice will perfect! Practice introducing yourself a few times until it no longer sounds like you're practicing. Try asking a friend to listen to you practice and provide feedback on how you introduced yourself.
Step 4. Try making a video recording of your practice
While it may feel a little weird to watch yourself, it can help to hear what you sound like and see how you look as you introduce yourself.
Step 5. Prepare a cheat sheet to record the main points you will say later
Write down the important points on small pieces of paper and take them with you so you can easily recall them before the interview. Having this little note will also make you feel calmer because you only need to glance at it if you're feeling nervous.
Step 6. Relax
Take a deep breath and get ready for the interview. Once you are very well prepared to introduce yourself in a job interview, you should also be prepared to make a good first impression. But it's okay if you're a little nervous at the interview because it means you can show potential employers that you really want this job.
Part 3 of 3: Introducing Yourself in a Job Interview
Step 1. Enter the interview with confidence
Don't hesitate or just stand by when the person interviewing you invites you in. Enter the room and sit across from the interviewer unless he asks you to sit elsewhere. When sitting down, don't keep moving your arms or legs as it will be obvious that you are nervous.
Step 2. Shake hands
The handshake of the person interviewing you is firm (but not too strong) and brief. Before the interview, try to warm and dry your hands first so you don't surprise the other person by feeling very cold or sweaty.
Step 3. Smile and be friendly the next time you meet the person interviewing you
Maybe you will be invited to chat first before the interview. Try to be yourself and smile. Don't be in a hurry to explain your skills. Wait until the real interview begins.
Step 4. Make eye contact with the person interviewing you
Even if you're nervous, you'll appear more confident if you make eye contact. Look at the person you're talking to, but don't stare at them. It's pretty obvious that you're really nervous if you keep looking around the room or looking down.
Step 5. Immediately introduce yourself
Do not hesitate if you are asked to introduce yourself. It's a good idea to pause to think before answering if you're being asked to answer a difficult question or because you want to structure an answer, but it can be disastrous if you delay "tell me about yourself" in a job interview. Stopping talking in the early stages of a job interview will give the impression that you are unprepared or don't know your own abilities well.
Step 6. Focus on the subject
Don't talk in circles or add introductory sentences that you have prepared well beforehand. Maybe you'll just repeat the same points or even get nervous if you talk too long. Say the same words you have prepared and practiced, then stop talking. The person interviewing you will ask questions if he or she needs further explanation.
Step 7. Always think positive
Even if you didn't do as well as you did when you introduced yourself, remember that you were invited for an interview because you qualify for the job. Don't blame yourself for the little things you do or say, but focus on what you did well.
Tips
- Never go into an interview while chewing gum. If you want to freshen your breath before the interview, put some peppermint breath in your mouth. Make sure these candies are finished before you have to start talking.
- Bring a few pieces of your bio to share with those interviewing you, if necessary. The preparation that you have done will show that you are a reliable person.
- Try to get to the interview site 10-15 minutes in advance. Apart from showing that you are punctual, you will also have time to re-read the cheat sheet before the interview if you arrive early.
- Try to be a pleasant person and always respect others.
