Introduce yourself interview example

Self-introduction Sample For Job Interview Pdf Example 2022

Self Introduction Sample For Job Interview Example in 2022. Self Introduction Sample for Job Interview Pdf. Self-introduction for a Job interview. Self-introduction Example for Job Interview. Also, Interview Introduction Example.

Self-Introduction For Interview

Self-Introduction for an interview means describing yourself in the viva and job interview session when the interviewer asks you to introduce yourself. It is an important part of the interview session to attract the board member with an attractive introduction. A proverb says that “Smile is the best way to introduce yourself.” So, the applicants should smile while introducing themselves. Usually, they will ask you, “Tell me about yourself” or “Tell us about yourself.”

Self-Introduction For Job Interview

Self-Introduction for a job interview means introducing yourself precisely to let the job interviewer. The applicant greets and explains their full name, location, educational background, goal, hobby, passion or interest, strengths, experience, etcetera. Apart from that, the interviewee greets interviewers with thanks before starting the introduction speech. It would be best if the applicant took a deep breath before starting a self-introduction speech.

Self-introduction for a job interview differs from self-introduction for the viva, presentation, and essay paragraph. Usually, applicants apply various types of self-introduction formats for introducing themselves in different contexts.

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The most common five contexts of self-introduction speech are job interview, presentation, paragraph, social networking, and college and university class.

For example, applicants add their previous job experience in the self-introduction for job interviews. On the other hand, students mention only their previous educational experiences in the viva presentation.

Self Introduction Sample For Job Interview

(The Applicant Should Maintain the Following Verbal & Nonverbal Communication)

report this ad Smile: Applicant should smile before starting the conversation but should not laugh.

Greeting: Hello, Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Day.

Applicant Name: This is, or My name is (name). (Please mention your nickname or alternative name if you have. For example, most Chinese people have Chinese and English names).

Residence: I live in Kuala Lumpur with my family. I grew up in Kuala Lumpur with my nuclear family. You may explain your family background if relevant to your discussion and position. (Applicants should mention their nationality if they are not local people. For example, I am from Sweden, but now I stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).

Educational Background: I am studying, or I have completed my graduation or Master’s degree at University Putra Malaysia. The applicant should mention their major while explaining their educational background. For example, I have completed the Bachelor of communication degree majoring in Journalism at UPM.

Goal: I am looking for a full-time content writing job. However, students might mention internship positions if they are looking for internship positions. (Goal should be relevant to your Educational degree and strengths)

Hobby, Passion, or Interest:: I am a freelance writer, and I like to generate creative content when getting leisure. I am interested in working as a content writer at any renowned company/industry like your company.

Strengths: I have many skills to contribute to this position, including academic and creative content writing skills. I have published some feature content in newspapers, and I have some publications in journals.

Experiences

Experiences are significant tools to attract interviewers to be appointed for the position. So, the applicants must include working experience. Previously, I worked at employer name. The author advises applicants to use the STAR method to explain their previous experiences. S for the situation, T for the task, A for actions, and R for results of your actions. For example, I worked at (…) as chief editor since 2018, and I used to write creative content to promote products on social media. I managed to increase sales by publishing promotional content on Facebook and Instagram.

Finally, the applicants should thank the interviewer for allowing them to introduce themselves. The applicants need to follow social etiquette in job interviews thoroughly. Self-Introduction Example For Job Interview

Self Introduction Sample For Job Interview Example

The author has presented the self-introduction sample for job interview examples for our students and job seekers. These self-introduction samples have been generated to introduce people from different countries globally.

Self Introduction Sample For Job Interview-1

Smile and be confident while introducing yourself

Good morning and Thank you for allowing me to participate in the job interview. My name is Kirill Karbout, and I grew up in a nuclear family at Kalamazoo near Kalamazoo River in Michigan, United States. I have completed my bachelor’s degree in computer science, majoring in software design at Western Michigan University. My goal is to work as a full-time software designer at any renowned company. However, my hobby of participating in social welfare campaigns has been evident in my engagement in the Western Michigan University welfare academy.

Through my theoretical and practical experiences, I have learned to design software and application creatively. Always, I look for sophistication in my work. I have achieved distinguished marks for my final year project that I presented to my supervisor. Additionally, I obtained many certificates of appreciation for designing inventive software for commercial sectors.

Previously, I worked at (Company name) as a software engineer, and I used to develop their existing software for selling products. I added some new features to attract customers, and it was fruitful. I gained the best employee awards for outstanding achievement. Now I am looking for a position to show expertise and actualize my experiences. Finally, thank you again, sir, for letting me introduce myself.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-2

Good morning and Thank you, Sir, for allowing me to join this job interview. This is Alexandra Hill, and I am from a nuclear family in Toronto in Canada. I have completed my bachelor of information and master of information at the University of Toronto. Since my childhood, I have been extremely excited to become an information technology consultant. Recently, I have worked with multiple projects relevant to information and communication technology. So, I have both academic and practical knowledge in this discipline. The new technology changed our lifestyle, especially communication systems. Therefore, I have obtained knowledge on a social media-based communication system that controls corporate reputation. If you ask me to describe myself in three words; so, I would be a creative, hard worker, and tech-savvy person.

I believe my communication skills in social media and new technology surely benefit your company in developing a communication system. As per your job details, I know you are looking for a public relations officer who can regulate the communication process effectively. Eventually, thank you again, sir, for letting me introduce myself.

Self-introduction Example for Job Interview-3

Firstly, I would like to thank you, sir, for allowing me to participate in the job interview and describe myself in front of you. I am Julia Barretto, but you can address me by Julia. My father has died in my childhood; I am the only child of my parent. Therefore, I grew up in Manila, the Philippines, with my single mother. I have completed my secondary edition at Manila High School with distinguished results.

In addition, I have completed a bachelor’s degree in corporate communication at the University of the Philippines Manila. Recently, I have obtained a postgraduate degree at UP Manila.

Since my childhood, I have worked in a group and managed the group successfully. My hobby is communicating with people diplomatically. My strength is I am capable of making quick decisions. I can speak Tagalog, English, and Chinese. If you ask me to describe myself with three words, I would like to utter an effective communicator, ICT manager, and good presenter. Although I do not have long-time working experience, I have worked in All Youth Channels, Inc. (AYC) to complete my industrial training. Now, I try to join an organization to utilize my potentiality. Finally, thank you, again, sir, for listening to self-introduction words.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-4

Firstly, I would like to thank you, sir, for granting me to join this job interview. My name is Shakira Natasha, and I am 22 years old. I grew up with my awesome family members in Selangor in Malaysia. Recently, I have completed my Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at University Malaya. I had managed to secure my position in the dean’s list of students for three consecutive semesters. If I had to describe myself in three words; so, it would be creative, fast-learner, and versatile.

My passion is to involve myself in public relations. Already, I have been engaged in many volunteer programs, including sports programs, communication and multimedia events, and many more. Even though I am in my early twenties, I have few working experiences that helped me explore my passion. In 2018, I worked at an international organization as an internship trainee for three months. I have also worked as a part-time event coordinator and social media admin for few local and international events.

Through my practical experiences, I am prepared mentally and physically to work for any organization as public relations manager. I feel comfortable doing group tasks. Previously, I have completed few group tasks effectively where I was a group leader. Hopefully, I will be able to show my expertise when getting professional duties. Finally, again, sir, thank you for listening self-introduction with patience and giving me your valuable time.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-5

Firstly, I would like to thank you, sir, for permitting me to join the job crucial interview session and describe myself in front of you. My name is Daniel Wu. I grew up with my nuclear family at Pok Fu Lam in Hong Kong. In my family, we are two siblings and our parents. My father is a businessman, and my mother is a govt service holder. I have completed my secondary education at Caritas Wu Cheng-Chung Secondary School with satisfactory results.

I have completed graduation in Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, and still, I’m a student of post-graduation in Master of Science in Engineering (Building Services Engineering). From the first year of my graduation, I dream of presenting myself as a Civil engineer. For that reason, I am here now.

My strengths are a positive attitude, quick n self-learner, friendly, and confidence. On the other hand, my weakness is that I feel uncomfortable until finishing the work assigned to me. I am a fresher. I expect I can enhance my skill by foundation training and prove it in the service. Thank you for listening self-introduction with patience and giving me your valuable time.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-6

Hello Sir, good morning. This is M M Kobiruzzaman and I am from Bangladesh. I am 26 years old and live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I recently completed the Bachelor of Communication under the faculty of modern language and communication at University Putra Malaysia, also known as UPM. UPM is one of Malaysia’s leading public universities. I have completed my secondary and higher school certificate in Bangladesh with excellent results. My hobby is reading books and visiting new places. I am a hard worker, creative, and ambitious person. And, I can speak Bengali, English, Hindi, and moderately Malay and Chinese.

I have enough computer literacy skills, such as operating system, Microsoft Office, social media, and SPSS. As for my curriculum activity, I was mass media and communication director of the Bangladesh student association at U.P.M. Previously, I have worked as the editorial assistant of the Pacific Asian Communication Association. I used to check the citation and proofreading the papers. I am looking for a job working as a content writer. That is all from me. Finally, thank you for letting me join this job interview and listening to my self-introduction speech.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-7

Hello Sir, my name is Rupendra, and I am hailed from Chandigarh. I belong to a joint family at Chandigarh, where my parents, grandparents, and siblings live together. I recently completed my bachelor of business administration at Chandigarh University, also known as a leading private university in India. My vision is to become a Business Development Executive. However, My hobby is visiting new places to obtain more knowledge through improving my social and communication skills.

Earlier, I completed my internship at (Company name) as a Business Development Executive, and I used to work to expand business based on existing resources. I managed to increase sales revenue using social media platforms. I applied my academic knowledge of social media campaigns in promoting products. Finally, it yielded an outstanding revenue for the company. Now I am looking for a position to show expertise and actualize my previous experiences. Finally, I would like to thank you again for listening to my self-introduction speech.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-8

Firstly, thank you, Sir, for inviting me to the job interview. I am Fiona hailed from Changping District, Beijing, in China. My father is a lecturer in Biology at Beijing University of Agriculture.

I grew up in Changping with my family, and I am the only daughter of my parents. My mother’s name is a Radiologist specialist who is working at Boren Hospital. I have completed my secondary and higher secondary education in the science discipline. I have recently completed my graduation and post-graduation from Beijing University of Agriculture in the Department of Botany.

My goal is to become a lecturer in biology at your institute (University/ College). I have five years of experience in the teaching profession. Now I am looking for a teaching job. That’s all about myself, sir, and thank you again for listening to my self-introduction speech.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview-9

Firstly, I would like to thank you, sir, for joining this Job interview session. This is Sharmin Akter, and my nickname is Ela. I am hailed from Pabna, known as the north Bengal district in the Rajshahi division. Actually, I have completed my graduation and post-graduation from the institute of disaster management and vulnerability studies at the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Before that, I passed SSC in 2014 from (School name) under (Board Name) and Passed HSC in 2016 from (College Name) under the same board. My hobby is reading the book and listening songs.

However, I am interested in working in the emergency and disaster management team. I’m working heart and soul to make my dream true. I have participated in some campaigns relevant to crisis management during natural disasters in Bangladesh. According to the team leader’s opinion, my performance was outstanding, especially in communication. Again thank you, sir, for and thank you again for listening to my self-introduction speech. That’s all from me.

Self-introduction Sample for Job Interview For Medical Doctor-10

Firstly, I would like to thank you, sir, for granting me to join in the job interview and describe myself in front of you. This is Yohani Diloka De Silva, hailing from Colombo, also the largest city of Sri Lanka. I grew up in a wonderful family consist of my parents and only sister. My father is a retired army officer, and my mother is a flight attendant.

I have completed my secondary edition at Visakha Vidyalaya. Since my childhood, I cherish to do something to help people. Therefore, I got admission to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at Management & Science University in Malaysia. Finally, I have managed to complete my MBBS with excellent results. I want to a private medical college as a medical assistant. Therefore, I am here sitting in front of you. Thank you again, sir, for listening to my self-introduction speech.

Do’s and Don’ts During Self-Introduction

Do’s in Self-Introduction For Job Interview

Firstly, applicants should smile when introducing themselves but do not laugh. Additionally, they should mention the nickname or alternative name if they have one. Furthermore, applicants may introduce their parents and family members if they are relevant to the job position. For example, the applicant has been interviewed for the teaching profession, and their father was a teacher. In this regard, they might mention his father’s name and his designation. However, the hobby, passion, and strength should be relevant to the position in which they are interviewed. Moreover, applicants should communicate with both verbal and nonverbal cues. For example, they need to maintain body language, gestures, posture, eye contact, facial expression in communication. Finally, you have to be honest and authentic when disseminating information.

Don’ts in Self-Introduction For Job Interview

Firstly, applicants should not talk about unnecessary issues, for example, siblings’ relatives, political and religious interests. Additionally, they should avoid using jargon words and exaggerate their strengths and experiences. Additionally, applicants should not mention that ” I want this job or position.” Moreover, they should not talk negatively about their previous job and employer.

How to Answer «Tell Me About Yourself» [in 2022]

All interviews start with the same question:

Tell me about yourself

The question sounds easy on paper, sure. After all, we talk about ourselves all the time.

But when you think about it, it’s a really open-ended question.

Do you start with your background? Do you go through whatever’s on your resume? Or do you introduce yourself more as a person than a professional?

Worried and unsure of how to answer?

Relax, you’re not the only one!

Most people struggle with this question.

Here’s some good news, though: there’s a very easy way to answer the dreaded interview question.

Want to learn how?

Let’s take it one step at a time.

How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question

To better answer the question, you first need to understand why they ask it in the first place.

Hint: the interviewer isn’t looking for your life story, or what you had for dinner last night.

Rather, the question is a way for them to ease into the actual interview and get a general idea of what you’re all about.

It acts as an introduction and depending on how you answer, it’s going to help the interviewer decide what to ask next.

This is your opportunity to leave a lasting first impression.

Give a good answer, and the interviewer will enthusiastically bombard you with more questions.

Answer wrong, though, you’ll instantly be labeled as the “OK Candidate.”

So, what’s a “good answer?”

Well, it’s actually pretty straightforward. A good answer should be

Keeping these tips in mind, here’s what a good answer to “tell me about yourself” would look like:

“Sure, so, my name is Joe and I am 27 years old.

For the past 5 years, I’ve been working as a business analyst at Company X and Y.

I have some background in data analysis, with a degree from University XY. What really got me into the field, though, is the internship I did at Company Z.

Throughout my career, I’ve noticed that I’ve always been good with numbers and handling data.

Moving forward, I hope to expand my experience across different industries. Particularly fintech, which is why I’m interested in your company..”

Here’s what’s done right:

Sounds simple enough, right?

Now that we’ve covered the basics on how to answer “tell me about yourself,” we’re going to cover several essential tips that can help you stand out even more.

So, let’s get started.

4 Essential Tips on Answering “Tell Me About Yourself”

1) Keep It Professional and Brief

When answering, try to keep it under 1-2 minutes, at most.

No, the HR manager doesn’t want to know your entire life story.

They don’t care about which kindergarten you went to, how your first internship went, or what you studied in high school.

You want to stick to your main selling points that are relevant for the job.

Pro tip: If you can see that the interviewer is getting distracted, you should take that as a sign that it might be time to wrap up.

Here’s how you WOULDN’T answer this interview question.

Well, I’ve always been interested in tech.

But it all probably started when I was a kid, and at the age of 9 I first got my computer.

I always loved playing around with code and learning new things. But it wasn’t until that high school where I first had my first class about it that really made me fall in love with the subject.

Since then, I started learning more about it and decided to major in IT at University X where I learned how to.

2) Practice, But Don’t Memorize

You’re bound to hear “tell me about yourself” on just about every interview.

So, all you have to do is practice your answer a bit!

Grab a friend and do a quick mock interview.

Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t memorize your answer. Sure, it might seem like the safer option, but if you end up forgetting something on the interview, you might mess up your entire answer.

Instead, come up with a general idea of what you’re going to talk about, memorize the structure, and just wing the rest on the interview.

3) Know Your Audience

Or, know thy interviewer.

It’s important to keep in mind who you’re talking to.

Is it the HR? Business manager? The hiring manager? The CTO? CMO? CEO?

You might be wondering, why does this matter?

Well, the thing is, each of these people expect a different answer.

Let’s say you’re a software engineer, and you’re being interviewed by the HR manager. If you start going on and on about how much you love coding in Assembly, you’ve practically lost them.

See, the HR manager doesn’t know anything about coding or assembly.

They’re expecting a more generic answer about you, your career, and reasons for applying at the company.

On the other hand, if you’re being interviewed by the CTO or the hiring manager, you can geek out as much as you want.

4) Remember W.A.P. (Work, Academic, Personal)

Every good answer to “tell me about yourself” should consist of:

Keep in mind, though, that the W.A.P. rule isn’t set in stone.

If you’re a student, for example, your entire answer could be about your academic career and personal interests.

3 Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answers

Need some inspiration? Here are 3 sample answers for:

Ready? Let’s start with:

Sample Answer for Experienced Professionals

Sure, I’d be glad to. I’m an tech-focused project manager for up to 8 years now.

I graduated from University X, where I made the Dean’s List, with a major in business administration and a minor in computer science. After that, I first got into the industry working as an administrative assistant at Company X. There I provided clerical support with interdepartmental communication, helped in managing schedules, and maintained the digital filing system.

After that, I was working as a project manager for Company Y that provided cloud computing solutions for about 6 years. There, I personally managed 5+ teams of software projects, and made sure everything went smoothly in terms of business goals, deadlines, budget, and more.

In my downtime, I enjoy reading about AI, tech, and robotics. Since you guys do all 3, I thought I’d apply.

Sample Answer for Fresh Graduates and College Students

My name is Jane Doe, I’m 22 years old and I recently graduated from University X with a B.A. in international business. While there, I learned a lot of theory in subjects like corporate communication, international economics, corporate governance, and more. I was also part of the student government, and maintained a GPA of 3.6.

I’ve worked hard in my education and now I’m ready to apply my knowledge into practice.

While I don’t have any real-life work experience, I’ve had a lot of exposure to the business environment. A lot of my courses involved working with real companies to solve real problems.

Now, I’m looking to leverage everything I’ve learned in uni and get some hands-on work experience.

Sample Answer for University Admissions:

So, my name is John, and I’m a senior at School XYZ.

This year, I managed to maintain a 3.7 GPA, while working on a few different school projects. I started an ‘Ernest Hemingway Book Club’ which has up to 15 active members as of now. And I also launched a recycling program for the campus, through which we raised awareness and invited an outside guest lecturer to speak about the subject.

I tend to be teamwork-oriented and reliable, as I’ve never missed a deadline. I’m also proud of my ability to preserve and overcome any challenges as they come up. For example, last year, I was having some trouble with trigonometry. I realized I needed to dedicate more time to the subject, so, I met with a teacher outside the class and set aside two extra hours per day for the subject. Eventually, I ended up with an A in the subject.

At University X, I’m planning to either major in English or Journalism. I love reading and writing, so I think both programs are going to be interesting and relevant to my interests.

Key Takeaways

Now, to recap, here’s the most important tips on how to answer “tell me about yourself…”

Now, as this is only the start of the interview, expect them to follow up and ask a bunch of other questions.

So, if you want to make sure you’re definitely ready for the interview, check out our list of the most common interview questions and example answers:

And if you want more tips on how to ace your next interview, check out our dedicated guides:

Looking for more job-search advice? Check out our blog for more industry-leading career articles!

How to Introduce Yourself

Updated August 8, 2022

There are so many different iterations of what is and isn’t acceptable when introducing ourselves to others, with so many different words and phrases that could and should be used in different situations.

We all like to think that we know what we should say in certain scenarios but it’s a known fact that when it comes to recruitment, many candidates fall flat as they are simply unsure how to start an introduction professionally.

Why Do Introductions Matter?

It’s a known fact that first impressions can be made in less than seven seconds.

When it comes to interviews and hiring panels, you need to do everything that you can to ensure that you give a recruiter a great impression from the very first moment that you meet.

Your initial introduction will set the tone for the rest of your meeting, and probably beyond.

It’s important to understand that when you are introducing yourself, you need to consider more than just your formal greeting.

Think about the overall impression that you are presenting; from your body language to your attire, and even your ability to make good eye contact and give a strong handshake.

Your initial introduction is the first moment that you have to encourage the hiring panel to think favorably of you.

If you arrive on time, appropriately dressed, with your hair in a suitable hairstyle, you will likely feel more confident and in control.

This poise will help you to project a calm, confident and professional image. As a result, the hiring panel will be more inclined to think positively of you.

In contrast, if you arrive late, or you’re constantly checking your phone or you appear distracted and unprepared for the job interview, you will struggle to be taken seriously.

This is because you may be giving the impression that you don’t care, you can’t pay attention and that you’re not good at timekeeping.

What Is a Successful Self-Introduction?

When it comes to introducing yourself in a professional context, there’s much to think about.

With so much to consider, it’s easy to see how you can overthink things and create an unnatural introduction that doesn’t position you in the best possible way.

Here are a few considerations to help you make the most of your first introduction:

Consider the Context

In a professional landscape, there are many different contexts where you may be asked to make a self-introduction.

You could be interviewing for a new job position. Equally, you could be the interviewer. You may need to introduce yourself to senior management or colleagues from a different department. Or you may be asked to represent your company via networking events.

Whatever the scenario, many subtle nuances could impact how successful your self-introduction is.

You are likely to speak far more formally to a board of directors than you would if you are interviewing a new junior assistant to work in your team.

Likewise, if you are attending a job interview for a senior position, you may be expected to speak confidently about your achievements.

Keep Your Initial Introduction Brief

During your initial self-introduction, you need to make sure that you keep it brief.

Remember that you are starting a conversation, so you have time to talk about your achievements, your ambitions and your skills in a more natural way later down the line.

Use your initial self-introduction to focus on giving a warm greeting (complete with non-verbal nuances such as a nice smile and eye contact) and saying your name.

Depending on the context of the introduction, you may want to add in a little more information.

For example, if you are networking, you could say:

“Hello, my name is xxx, and I work for XXXX, specializing in xxx”.

In an interview scenario, you may wish to say:

“Hello, my name is xxx, thank you for allowing me to interview for this job role”.

Remember to Listen

This sounds obvious, but you may be surprised how many people don’t listen when focusing on their own introductions.

Make sure you pay attention to the person that you are talking to – in an interview situation, the last thing you want to do is call the interviewer by the wrong name.

The best way to build a professional rapport with someone (and therefore make a great first impression) is to show that you have listened to what they have said to you and react accordingly.

How to Introduce Yourself in Person vs on Paper

What is a paper-based introduction?

You may be writing a cover letter in response to a job advert or connecting with a recruiter on a site such as LinkedIn.

You must know how to tailor your approach to self-introduction whether you are talking to someone in person or contacting them directly in other ways.

Successful Self-Introductions in Person

As we’ve already said, your introduction when meeting someone for the first time should position you as professionally as possible.

Your initial introduction should give the impression that you are friendly and approachable, yet also hard-working, confident and motivated.

We mentioned earlier that a key element of your initial self-introduction when greeting someone in person is your body language. Make sure that you stand up tall (no slouching), maintain eye contact, offer a warm smile and do not fidget.

You should also think about the dress code – it’s always wise to err on the side of caution.

Even if you’re interviewing for a job role in an office where most workers wear jeans/sneakers, you should still turn up in professional work attire. It shows that you have tried to impress.

Here’s an example of how you can make a good self-introduction when attending a job interview:

“Hello, my name is XXX, and it’s really nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about this job role, I appreciate the opportunity.”

From this example, you can see that the person is polite and appreciative of the other person’s time. It also shows that they are excited to find out more about the job role.

What not to do:

“Hiya, I’m XXX. Sorry, I’m a bit late, I was busy finalizing a big contract and then struggled to find somewhere to park nearby so had to run. Before we start, can I just grab a coffee?”

As a self-introduction, you can see why this approach wouldn’t work.

Immediately, the interviewer has been met by someone late, someone who is unprepared, has bragged about their existing work and is already demanding that the interview is delayed even further.

There’s no appreciation of the interviewer’s time or the fact that they are there for an interview.

Successful Self-Introductions on Paper

Self-introductions on paper can be tricky. Without the ability to use your voice and your body language to convey an impression, you need to rely on your writing skills.

For some people, this can be advantageous. But for others, writing and selling yourself to an unknown quantity can be increasingly difficult.

We’ve previously published a wide range of articles that look at how to craft the perfect cover letter, whether that’s in response to a specific job advert or as a speculative letter.

We highly recommend that you read through some of these articles to help guide you, as they can be used practically to help you to make that perfect introduction.

To briefly recap, when you are introducing yourself to someone new, whether it’s by letter or email, there are a few pointers you should always follow.

Make sure you address your letter/email to a named contact. Think about how you should address that contact and what salutation to use. Most people choose to use ‘Dear’ followed by that person’s full name, or their title and surname. (e.g. Dear Mrs. Bloggs). If you are unsure of the named contact, you could use the phrase “To whom it may concern…”

Make it immediately clear what the purpose of your written contact is. This could be through a subheading or a subject line.

You may wish to name drop any mutual connections that you may have in common. This may gain their attention and encourage them to keep reading.

Be polite in your requests. Don’t make any demands and be appreciative of that person’s time.

Check for any spelling or grammatical errors. If your first introduction is full of mistakes, they’ll quickly hit the ‘delete’ button. Make sure you proofread everything before you hit ‘send’.

Here’s an example of how you can make a good self-introduction when writing a letter or email:

Dear Mrs. Bloggs

Application for the position of Bar Manager

I recently saw your job advert for a bar manager on LinkedIn. I am excited to submit my application for the position. You may be interested to know that I have two years’ experience working in a similar role, along with a further five years’ experience working as a bartender specializing in mixology. I bring a wealth of experience with me and I believe I have the right skills which match your needs.

This approach immediately makes it clear who the letter is addressed to, what they are writing about and gives a solid reason for the recipient to continue reading.

What not to do:

I’m looking for a new job. Please look through my attached resume and come back to me if you have any suitable openings. Thanks, I look forward to your response.

This is an awful self-introduction. It’s not directed to anyone and there’s no reason for the unsolicited request.

The letter focuses on what the employer can do for that person rather than what they can do for the employer. It’s also demanding of their time, “come back to me…”, and comes across as rude and entitled.

How Is a Casual Self-Introduction Different From a Formal Business Introduction?

By now, you should be aware that the way you talk to different people requires different types of phrasing and linguistics.

There are moments where you may want to be extremely formal in your greeting (such as when you are talking to C-suite executives) or there may be times when you can be more relaxed in your approach.

But knowing when and where to make those differences is key to making the most of your self-introduction.

What Is Your Choice of Greeting?

In some languages, there is little differentiation between formal greetings and more casual ones – in English, broadly speaking, you are unlikely to be frowned upon if you say “Hi”, rather than “Hello” to someone you don’t know.

But in other languages, this can be a distinct faux-pas.

When Do You Use Formal Titles?

In a formal situation, you should always use titles unless that person has permitted you to be more relaxed.

For example, you may want to refer to somebody as “Mrs. Bloggs” or “Sir/Ma’am”.

There are also certain professions, where you will always call a person by their professional titles such as school teachers or medical professionals.

Should You Use a Handshake?

Handshakes are a complex matter. In some instances, it is polite to start a meeting with a firm handshake. It’s a widely recognized practice that is often used in formal and casual scenarios.

However, you need to be aware of cultural differences and understand how your decision to offer a handshake (or not offer a handshake) could be viewed.

For example, Brazilians consider handshakes to be hugely important and it can influence how much small talk takes place before the meeting commences.

In contrast, those working in Asian countries may prefer to bow their heads as a formal greeting.

There are also religious implications with handshakes. Some religions may not allow handshakes between people of different genders.

The length and strength of a handshake are also important – in a formal situation, a handshake can be considered a ‘power move’. Senior business leaders may be looking for a strong handshake that represents confidence.

You want your handshake to be firm, not limp, but you also want to have a relaxed grip featuring the whole of the palm, not just the fingertips.

A good tip is to wait for someone more senior to hold out their hand to you and to follow their lead.

Is a Kiss or a Hug Professionally Acceptable?

In some scenarios, you may be greeted with a kiss on the cheek, an air kiss or even a quick hug. This is often for more casual introductions with someone that you know, rather than in a professional situation.

The Best Ways to Make the Most of Your Self-Introduction

Much of your self-introduction is made from your timing and your approach rather than your choice of words. This is particularly true if you are introducing yourself to someone new in a group situation (such as a networking event) rather than a pre-agreed appointment or meeting.

A top tip is to find a suitable moment to say:

“May I introduce myself? My name is xxx”.

This allows others to include you in a conversation and find out more about you. You shouldn’t interrupt somebody who is already talking.

We mentioned earlier the importance of listening. You need to try your best to remember the name of the person that you are speaking to.

An easy practical tip is to repeat their name once they’ve told it to you:

“Hello, my name is xxx”, “Hello xxx, it’s nice to meet you…”

This will help to reiterate that person’s name in your mind.

The final tip is to make sure you know when to move on, and how to leave gracefully. If a conversation has run its course, simply excuse yourself by thanking the person for their time and offer an opportunity to maintain contact in the future.

In a professional situation, this may be an opportune time to hand over a business card, allowing you to pass on your contact information.

There are many different reasons why you may need to think about how you can introduce yourself to someone. It may be a job interview situation. You may be attending a networking event or you could be making a presentation to a senior colleague.

Whatever the circumstances, it’s important to think about how you present yourself and what impression you may be giving.

This article should give you some practical hints and tips to make the most of your self-introduction, whether you are introducing yourself in person or through an email or written letter.

These tips should help you to facilitate a great first impression whatever the scenario.

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How to Introduce Yourself Professionally in 2022? [ w/ 5+ Examples]

Introducing yourself in a professional setting or casually will set the tone for how people perceive you in further encounters.

There’s a saying that: “First impressions are the last impressions.”

And, to nail the first impression, you need to know how to introduce yourself in a professional and casual setting in an effective way.

If you have to pause ten times while giving your introduction, people may perceive you as unreliable and unprofessional. Opposed to that, if you have a clear picture of who you are, and you can give a clear introduction about yourself, automatically you’ll become a more likable and reliable person in front of others.

You may be thinking that “I give my introduction to people all the time. I don’t need a guide for that.”

However, there are ways that you can follow to introduce yourself to others that will have a massive impact on how people will perceive you in professional settings.

This blog will show you different ways to introduce yourself in a professional setting.

In this blog, we will learn:

How to Introduce Yourself Professionally

An introduction acts as a surefire way to build relationships with people.

You may get away with improvisation in a casual setting, but in a professional setting, you cannot pause or become hesitant at the time of giving your introduction.

Follow the three-step process we have created for you and practice to make it as realistic as possible.

3-step Framework to Self-Introduction Professionally

When it comes to giving your introduction, you need to answer these three questions:

Once these three questions are answered, do not extend them further. Wrap it up and move on to other topics.

1. Who Are You?

The first step is to tell your name. This is the easy part. You can answer it in many ways.

2. What Do You Do?

This is probably the essential part of your professional introduction. Since you are introducing yourself in a professional setting, the introduction is most likely for some professional work. So, it’s mandatory to tell what you do, along with your name.

However, telling the job title is not enough. You need to explain what you do in plain English to the other person, and it should be short and crisp. The essential thing is people should understand what you do in an instance.

Here are some ways you can tackle this question:

3. What Do Others Need to Know About You?

The last bit of information you have to give is some fact that solidifies your experience or skills to the person. You can do it in numerous ways. You can showcase your contribution, highlight your years of expertise, your achievements, etc.

However, do not take a whole day to talk about yourself; it should be very brief. Here are some examples for you:

Tips on How to Introduce Yourself Professionally

Here are some more tips for introducing yourself in a professional setting:

Be original

It doesn’t matter if you are a highly skilled person; you won’t feel connected with your words if you are not yourself. And your introduction will become bland. Always connect your introduction with your own life and experience, and wear a smile always when introducing yourself. It goes a long way.

Ensure The Cultural Context

If you are introducing yourself on an international platform, make sure you are not saying anything that may offend anyone.

It’s okay to say something funny to introduce yourself. Just be careful of the international cultures.

Prepare Your Answer Beforehand

The key point here is to practice, practice, and practice. Script your answer and practice as much as possible to become authentic when answering the questions.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

A job interview is an essential part of a job search. And candidates get only one chance to get themselves noticed.

If you know how to introduce yourself in an interview and nail it properly, it will get you closer to your goal of getting a job.

Read the tips below and discover how to introduce yourself to impress the recruiter in an interview.

Research the Company:

Before the interview, always check out the company’s LinkedIn page, website, social media profiles, and other news to understand the company’s culture and what they are doing as a business.

Next, see who will be taking your interview, see their LinkedIn, Twitter profile, and figure out their personality type. Then you can fine-tune your tone when giving your introduction.

Give Brief Answers

Do not blabber about a lot of things in your introduction. The key here is to give a brief but clear answer covering all that the interviewer should know about you.

Read the job description carefully, and pick one aspect of your career background that the company is looking for. And highlight skills and achievements from it. This way, the interviewer gets what they are looking for, and you also get to showcase your skills and expertise.

Mention Your Contributions

Introducing yourself doesn’t mean just mentioning how many years of experience you have, where you worked in the past, etc., your resume can do that for you. Instead, talk deeply about why you are passionate about the field. How did you handle a project in the past! What are your significant milestones in workplaces, etc. This will help the recruiter understand your skillsets effectively.

Prepare an Elevator Pitch

Creating an elevator pitch is better to ensure that you don’t get lost in the words when introducing yourself to recruiters.

An elevator pitch is a short and crisp description of your past experience and achievements. Here’s a sample of the elevator pitch:

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview Freshers Example:

«I did my graduation in Computer Science from XYZ University in California. I maintained a 3.75 GPA throughout my course while working on internships.

I worked with Palm Inc. as a data science intern and AlpthaBeta as an associate data scientist in the past.
Data science has always been my passion, and your company’s data science works fascinated me from the start.

I believe it will be a great opportunity to work here.»

How to Introduce Yourself Professionally Sample:

“I have been working as a marketing manager with Glassdoor for five years.

I have expertise in Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and SEO.

I’m looking to build a great team with which I can bolster the marketing operations and create better business results for your company.”

Maintain a Positive Body Language

Communication is 20% what you say and 80% of your body language.

Don’t underestimate your body language during your interview introduction.

Here are a couple of things you can do in your interview to maintain positive body language:

Answer Slowly & Clearly

Many candidates get nervous during their introduction and tend to speak fast.
While it is understandable, it is the road to disaster.

The interviewer will not understand what you are saying if your speech becomes fast.

You can take a few breaths to calm yourself down before an interview. This will help you normalize your heart rate and give you some time to organize your thoughts.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Email Professionally

According to statistics by Radicati on an average, a business professional sends and receives 127 emails per day.

We can see how important email is for working professionals with these statistics.

And It is important to know how to immediately grab the email recipient’s attention.

Understanding how to introduce yourself in a professional email will help you give an excellent first impression to the recipient. It will help you in all aspects of your professional life, from getting a job to closing a sales deal with clients.

Self-Introduction Email Format

The ideal self-introduction email format looks like the following:

Self-Introduction Email Subject Line

The subject line is the only thing a recipient sees after getting your email.

And if the subject line isn’t compelling enough, it will surely be ignored.

So, make sure to craft a subject line that will tempt the recipient to open your email.

However, do not be informal in the subject lines. These are professional emails, and try to be as professional as possible when introducing yourselves.

Pro Tip: Try to keep the subject line under 30 characters to get maximum visibility on mobile. And avoid generic comments on the subject line to prevent spam.

Below are some examples of subject lines you can use in your introductory email:

Self-Introduction Email: Address to Recipient

Always address the recipient by their first or last name. And if the email is formal, you can use «Dear Mr. X» or «Dear Ms. Y.»

And if you’re sending an informal email, you can address the recipient with «Hi» or «Hello.» For example: «Hi Jass,» Hello Michel.»

Pro Tip: Do not use generic phrases like, To whom it may concern, Hello Dear

Self-Introduction Email: Phrases for Introduction

You get only one chance to make an excellent first impression. So it’s okay if you are researching and taking time to get it right.

One of the best ways to get the recipient’s attention is to refer to a mutual connection.

This also establishes the context and makes the email warmer. Mentioning a reference massively increases the chances of getting a reply.

Even if you don’t have a reference, below are some email introduction phrases you might try.

These are just a few examples. But the possibilities are endless. But the vital thing you need to remember is to research the recipient and be professional in your emails.

Self-Introduction Email: Acknowledge The Recipient

Always acknowledge the recipient before making your ask. Research about them and give them a genuine compliment about their work or achievements. This will ensure that the recipient will read your email and are more likely to help you.

Self-Introduction Email: State Your Purpose

In the next part of the email, clearly state why you’re writing this email.

Make sure your ask is specific and brief. The shorter the work for them, the more likely you’ll get a positive reply from them.

If your purpose is confusing or time-consuming, the recipient would simply ignore your email.

Here are some examples for this section:

Example 1:

«I’m looking into a career in web development and pretty confused between which tech stack I should focus on. I’d love to grab a coffee or lunch with you to know more about the web development career.»

Example 2:

«I’ve been following SiteGround’s work for a while now and have been amazed by the campaigns you’re running. I’d like to interview you to get more insight into your marketing approaches. Are you available later this week for a coffee?»

Example 3:

«I’ve come across a job post for «Digital Marketing Manager» at (Company) on LinkedIn.

I have 5+ years of experience in digital marketing and Facebook ads in your industry. And I believe I could be a great addition to your organization. I’ve attached my resume for your consideration.»

Self-Introduction Email: Closing Statement

In your closing statement, always thank the person you’re sending the email to and add a CTA to encourage them to reply or take action. The CTA could be anything. For example:

How to Introduce Yourself to a New Team?

If you recently joined a new company, it’s essential to introduce yourself to the new team and create a friendly bond with them.

Below are some tips to learn how to introduce yourslef to recruiters:

1. Understand Work Environment

First, you need to understand the work culture before introducing yourself to the team members.

If the work culture is casual, you can casually introduce yourself. But, if the work culture is formal, you need to respect all your colleagues and introduce yourself accordingly.

Apart from work, your teammates may want to know your hobbies interests so that they can connect with you deeply.

2. Take Opportunity of the Orientation Program

An orientation program is where the new employees are introduced to the company. Utilize this opportunity to get to know your coworkers better and use this knowledge to connect with them.

3. Ask For Help

You can use this technique to bond with your coworkers by asking for help and asking questions in the initial days. It will create a two-way conversation and improve the relationship.

4. Be Flexible

You need to be flexible if you want to mingle with your coworkers. Things will not be the same as your last organization. And you need to learn and adapt to the processes of a new company fast. Think that you are starting a new chapter in your life and learning from the ground up. It will make you more open-minded and help you bond with your new team members.

Example of Introduction to a New Team Casually:

‘Hey , I’m John doe, and I recently joined as a technical editor. I’ll be working with the developers and technical writers to edit technical documents and ensure high-quality documents for clients. Looking forward to working with you all and bringing’

Example of Formal Introduction to a New Team:

‘Hello Everyone, I am John Doe, and I am joining as a senior marketing manager from today. I’m grateful to meet all of you on my first day in the office. Hopeful we’ll have a good time working together and we can bring “Organization” to the top.’

Tips to Introduce Yourself Professionally in an Email

Below are four essential tips you should keep in mind when sending a self-introduction email to someone.

Proofread Your Email

Never send a professional email without proofreading it at least twice. Nobody entertains an email with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors in a business or professional setting. So, do not overlook it. And proofread your email carefully before sending it.

Use Legible Fonts

Add Signature

Do not forget to add your signature at the end of the email. Add your contact information in the signature, like phone number email address, and include your social media profile links.

Send a Test Message

The final thing you can do before sending the email to the respective person is to send a test email to yourself. See if all the parameters are correct. Once you confirm those, you can send the email to your targeted professionals.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to introduce yourself professionally in different settings. Here are some additional tips you need to remember to give an excellent first impression.

Dress Accordingly

Your attire is an excellent part of your introduction. Along with practicing your elevator pitch, make sure to dress according to the occasion, be it a professional meeting, an interview, or even a casual coffee chat.

Be on Time

Nobody likes to wait, be it an interviewer or a friend of yours. It’s always better to be early than to be late.

Also, if you are going for a meeting or an interview, going early will give you time to settle down in the ambiance and reduce your anxiety.

Carry Extra Resumes

Another interview tip is to carry an extra resume with you when you are going for interviews; make sure to carry important documents such as resumes and cover letters with you.

This will tell interviewers that you are a proactive person and leave a great impression on them.

Go to Hiration career platform with 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job and career-related queries.

HOW TO ANSWER: Tell Me About Yourself

Just updated for 2022.

“Tell me about yourself” is a job interview question that is guaranteed to come up in most (if not all) of your job interviews — regardless of your industry, experience level, and job type.

Since it’s often the first question to be asked in an interview, it’s your big chance to make a first impression.

In fact, we think this question is so important that we created an entire video lesson around it in our flagship product Big Interview. Watch it here:

This video is just one of dozens of lessons inside the full Big Interview training system. If you’ve got some big interviews coming up, click here to learn more about the system that will help you ace every one of them.

Many job searchers hate the “Tell me about yourself” question, and as a result, don’t know how to prepare and don’t know how to give a strong answer.

The frustration of the job seeker usually comes as a result of trying to decipher exactly what the interviewer is looking for. However, if you prepare properly, there’s no reason to dread this question.

In fact, this question is an opportunity — an opening for you to set the tone of the job interview and emphasize the points that you most want this potential employer to know about you.

Don’t waste the opportunity by simply diving into a long recitation of your resume. This also isn’t the time to mention that you love flamenco dancing and bingo (yes, I have seen candidates ramble on about hobbies and personal preferences many times and it’s a surefire way to make a weak first impression).

Instead, try a concise, enthusiastic response that summarizes your big-picture fit for the job. In this article, we’ll show you the Big Interview Formula for crafting your perfect response to “Tell me about yourself.”

Variations on “Tell Me About Yourself”

Since you’re trying to get straight to the heart of what your interviewer is asking you, it’s important to listen for all the variations you may hear on the “tell me about yourself” question.

If the interviewer doesn’t ask you to tell them about yourself straight out, they may ask one of these questions:

“Walk me through your resume”

This may sound like an invitation to simply repeat all of the information on your resume, but that is the absolute wrong approach to take.

Think of this question as merely a conversation starter. Even though they asked you to walk them through your resume specifically, you don’t want to merely recite your resume bullet points and give them no additional useful information.

“Tell me something that’s not on your resume”

Another very similar variation is:

“Tell me something unique about you.”

These questions are phrased in such a way that it may make starting the conversation easier. You probably can think of something that’s unique about you, but remember you don’t want to raise any red flags or go off on too many rabbit trails.

If you have a hobby, interest, or unique history that can be folded into a discussion about your job skills, so much the better!

Why Interviewers Use “Tell Me About Yourself”

This is one of the most common questions interviewers ask candidates during a job interview.

So when they ask you “Tell me about yourself”, what are they trying to achieve? Well, for them, it’s an easy and open-ended way to start the conversation.

Their ultimate goal for this interview is to find out enough about you to decide if you’re a good fit for the job opening that they are being paid to fill. In most cases, they want to like you. Their life will be easier if they can find a great candidate quickly. However, they are also on guard because a bad hire will reflect poorly on their judgment and possibly be a mark against them when it comes time to ask for a raise or promotion.

They are hoping that this question will get you talking. This question is almost always asked first, perhaps right after some chit-chat about traffic and the weather. Your answer to this question will dictate the interviewer’s first impression of you and will set the tone for the entire interview, letting you lead with your strongest selling points.

How Not to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

Before we jump into the Big Interview Formula for crafting the perfect answer, let’s cover some of the most common mistakes you might make when answering “Tell me about yourself”. (If anybody is giving you the following answers as advice — run the other way!)

1. The Resume Rehash

Many candidates respond by launching into a recitation of their resume from the very beginning. That can turn into a very long monologue that starts with one’s oldest — and probably least relevant and impressive — experience. By the time you get to the good stuff, your interviewer has zoned out and is thinking about lunch.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to prepare a brief summary of the high points of each of your past positions. It is likely that you will be asked about your accomplishments and day-to-day responsibilities in previous roles. Ideally, this should come out in an engaging conversation, though, not a long monologue at the beginning of the interview. You’ll only confuse your interviewer with information overload.

Even if the interviewer specifically asks you to “walk him through your resume,” don’t take the suggestion too literally. You can still lead with your elevator pitch and then segue into an overview of your most recent position, leaving plenty of opportunities for the interviewer to jump in and engage with you.

2. Mr./Ms. Modesty

Many of my interview coaching clients make the mistake of being too modest. They reply with a humble or vague introduction that fails to clearly communicate their strongest qualifications for the gig.

Some of these clients are just humble people who aren’t comfortable with “selling” themselves. Others have never really had to worry about a strong pitch — they were always courted for new opportunities when the job market was stronger.

Today, the competition for any good job is fierce. Don’t rely on the interviewer to see past your humble exterior and figure out how great you are.

If you take the time to prepare, you can find a way to present yourself to full advantage while staying true to your personality. For modest types, I recommend focusing on factual statements.

3. The First Date Approach

This is not a first date. Your interviewer does not want to hear that you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Many recent grads misconstrue the question and talk too much about their personal lives and hobbies (especially if the question is asked as “tell me something that’s not on your resume” or “tell me something unique about you”.)

This is probably because many only have admissions and other school-related interview experience (clubs, programs, etc.). For these types of interviews, there is much more interest in who you are as a person. In job interviews, focus on who you are as a professional unless asked about hobbies or outside pursuits.

4. The Clueless Ramble

I have watched a surprising number of smart candidates totally flub this question because of overthinking. Their answers sound something like this: “You mean about my job experience or about my schooling or what kind of information are you looking for?”

I know that these candidates are aiming to please and that “Tell me about yourself” can be interpreted in many different ways. However, asking for too much clarification only makes you look hesitant and confused. Dive right in with the approach that we outlined for you above. If they are looking for something else, they will ask you for it.

How to Nail “Tell Me About Yourself”

Think of it as your elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a short summary used to quickly and simply define a product, service, or business and its value proposition. It answers the question: “Why should I buy/invest?” It should be concise enough to be delivered during a short elevator ride (to the 5th floor, not to the 105th floor).

You need an elevator pitch for yourself as a job candidate — and it should be customized for different opportunities. Keep it focused and short, ideally less than a minute, and no more than 2 minutes.

You won’t be able to fit all of your great qualities and resume high points into 2 minutes, so you’ll have to spend some time thinking about how to present yourself in a way that starts the interview on the right note.

A great answer will address the following:

“Tell Me About Yourself”
(The Big Interview Formula)

I’ll share the “Tell Me About Yourself” formula that I teach to my interview coaching clients (and Big Interview members) that consistently wins jobs. There are three components:

1. Who You Are

Your first sentence should be an introduction to who you are professionally, an overview statement that shows off your strengths and gives a little sense of your personality too. This is not easy to do gracefully on the fly. It pays to prepare a bit in advance.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Good

“I’m an innovative HR manager with 8 years of experience managing all aspects of the HR function — from recruiting to training to benefits — for Fortune 500 companies.”

Concisely summarizes a diverse background.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Bad

Bad: “Well, I grew up in Cincinnati. As a child, I originally wanted to be a fireman, then later became interested in dinosaurs. I excelled in the sciences from early on, placing first in my fourth-grade science fair. Funny story about that…”

Way too much information.

2. Expertise Highlights

Don’t assume that the interviewer has closely read your resume and knows your qualifications. Use your elevator pitch to briefly highlight 2-4 points that you think make you stand out.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Good

“I have spent the last six years developing my skills as a customer service manager for Megacompany Inc., where I have won several performance awards and been promoted twice. I love managing teams and solving customer problems.”

The emphasis here is on experience, enthusiasm, and proof of performance.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Bad

“My first job was as an administrative assistant for Macy’s in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I learned a great deal in that role that served me well over the next 12 years. At the time, I wasn’t sure about my career path, so I next took a position selling real estate. It only lasted for six months, but I sure enjoyed it.”

Zzzzzzz. Nobody cares about your first job 12 years ago. You are starting with the least impressive part of your career and the interviewer is likely to tune out before you get to the good stuff.

3. Why You’re Here

End by telling them you want the position and why.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Good

“Although I love my current role, I feel I’m now ready for a more challenging assignment and this position really excites me.”

Concise and positive.

Tell Me About Yourself Example: Bad

“Because of the company’s financial problems and my boss’s issues, I’m worried about my job’s stability and decided to start looking for new opportunities.”

Don’t be too candid or you risk coming across as negative. This answer also makes it seem like you’re interested in a job, any job — not this job in particular.

Remember: You will have time later to walk through your resume in more detail and fill in any gaps. Don’t try to squeeze in too much information or your interviewer WILL start to tune out.

A good interview is a dialogue, not a monologue. Keep it concise and give your interviewer the chance to dive in and ask questions.

(We talk about how to build your answer in detail in the Craft Your Pitch section below.)

Example Answers for “Tell Me About Yourself”

“I’ve been working in marketing for the last two years since graduating from Cornell and I love it.

I’m currently working as a marketing coordinator at a fashion e-commerce startup.

I’m responsible for our social media marketing presence and also work closely with our marketing manager on running our marketing events, which is a lot of fun.

Previously, I spent a year as an assistant in the Global Marketing team at American Express.

That was a great experience.

I supported two VPs in the group, managed their calendars, handled expense reports, and made sure everything in the office ran smoothly.

I loved how every day was a bit different and I got to work with great people who had a lot to teach me about marketing.

I also volunteered to work on some creative projects outside of my role because I realized how much I loved the creative side of marketing and wanted to get some experience.

I helped coordinate a few big client marketing events and worked on copy for a few email newsletter campaigns.

Unfortunately, due to a reorganization of the team, my position was eliminated and that’s when I was recruited for my current position.

Although I like my job, at this stage of my career, I realized I need to find a company where I see a long-term career path and I think this position would be a great fit with my skills and goals.”

Why we like it: Notice that the first line sums up her experience and name drops “top Wall Street companies.” It’s always good to mention high-profile employers by name. Most hiring managers will perk up because they assume that if you made it through the hiring process at other well-respected companies, you must be pretty good.

She then describes an impressive recent project that we can assume is very relevant to the work required in the open position. Next, she spends time talking about why she’s interested in this company/role, using the terms fast-paced, creative, problem-solving, and innovative. This is great if those words are used in the job description and/or company values.

With this answer, the candidate is leading with some of her top-selling points — experience at top firms, recognized stellar performance (award), technical expertise, problem-solving skills, etc. This will help him grab the interviewer’s attention and make a strong first impression.

It bears repeating that a strong first impression is critical in a job interview situation. Start the interview strong and end it strong and you might even get away with flubbing a few questions in the middle.

Here’s a sample for a candidate going through a career change:

“I’m an attorney with more than ten years of experience at two international law firms, where my experience representing pro bono clients inspired me to make a career change into the non-profit world.

I’m confident that my skills and experience would make me a great fit for the Director of Legal Affairs role for your organization.

I have a track record of success as a Transactional Attorney and years of experience performing research and analysis and negotiating complicated cases. I also have extensive experience advising leaders of large organizations on legal matters of all kinds.

I have represented a number of non-profits in my pro-bono work and found that work to be rewarding as well as a great fit for my strengths and abilities.

I have a particular passion for literacy causes, which is why I was so drawn to this position.

Your mission is one that really resonates with me, as the daughter of school teachers and a long-time volunteer for literacy causes.”

Why we like it: The candidate starts by emphasizing she’s been in the business for more than ten years. The fact she’s been a part of two international firms tells us that she probably is a skilled and experienced professional.

She then provides her reasons for making a career change. Conveniently, she has already had some experience working with pro bono clients, which inspired her and which will definitely be useful in her new role.

Her set of skills will be a strong foundation for the new position, but they also connect the two roles together, which will give her an advantage over other candidates.

Finally, she explains that her life and work experience naturally led her to this position, as the company’s mission resonates with her values and she’s been a long-time advocate for the cause. This personal alignment is an enormous advantage to have, as it’s been proven that people are better at their job if they love what they do.

Here’s a sample for a candidate interviewing for a food service or hospitality position:

“I really enjoyed my last job in food service.

One of the things I love the most about the hospitality industry is being able to help people and see them happy with their service.

I found that I really thrive in an environment where I can do several tasks at once. It’s a challenge but it’s also usually a lot of fun. I like challenging myself and that way I’m never bored.

I feel my past jobs as a camp counselor helped prepare me to be a great server as well. I really learned to listen, communicate, and make sure everyone has a great time, while also overseeing my various tasks and responsibilities.”

Why we like it: The candidate starts by highlighting what she loves about the industry she’s working in. With this, she reveals the values that are important to her and what kind of person she is.

She continues by commenting that she enjoys challenging work which often involves multitasking. This shows that she’s a curious individual determined to constantly improve.

She finishes with a comment about the skills she acquired in her last position and shows that she loves a mix of interpersonal and hard skills, which make her a great candidate for this position in this industry.

Here’s another sample specifically for new grads (aka “freshers” in other parts of the world).

“I’m currently a senior at the University of Pennsylvania where I’m majoring in Marketing and have also had the chance to gain experience through a number of marketing internships.

I spent this past summer in London where I took courses at the London School of Economics and also interned in the Marketing department for an apparel company. It was a great experience overall and I learned a lot about international marketing.

The previous summer I interned at a marketing agency here in Philadelphia where I supported the team on marketing projects for a number of different clients in the fashion industry. I did a lot of work on social media marketing campaigns and helped to staff marketing events.

I also have past experience working as a server, a receptionist, and a camp counselor, which have all helped me develop my communication skills.

I’m really excited about this opportunity because it’s such an innovative company and I think that the job description is such a good match with my social media marketing experience and my passion for fashion.”

Why we like it: The candidate briefly and succinctly informs us of her academic experience so far.

She then continues by listing her academic and work experience which are directly related to her Marketing major. This is great, as it shows us she’s determined and sure of what she wants to pursue.

A list of internships shows that she’s hungry for experience and constantly develops her skills, which is a good indicator of her work ethic and shows she will probably be good at her job. She briefly mentions her experience with social media marketing campaigns, which is a plus.

In addition to hard skills, she went through a list of temporary jobs that helped her hone her communication skills.

She wraps up by showing she’s been following the company’s work for a while (this is always a plus in the interviewer’s eyes!) and states that the role is in line with her experience, aspirations, and interests.

Craft Your Pitch

Answering the “Tell me about yourself” question can still feel challenging, even if you know how to approach it.

You have to briefly summarize years of experience. Where do you start? How do you logically connect all the dots? What do you focus on? With so many things to remember, creating a great answer on the spot is really hard.

That’s why you need to practice.

Jot down key points

Grab a pen and paper or a tool like Big Interview’s Answer Builder.

Start by outlining the answer to your question. Think of the key trait you’d like to present and the ways to stir the conversation in that direction.

Create a list that will contain key points: who are you professionally? How many years of experience do you have and in what kind of companies? What’s your biggest strength? Why did you apply for this position and what can you bring to the table?

Of course, it’s always a good idea to personalize your answer and add a thing or two to show you know the company and its recent initiatives.

Having this list will help you figure out what to focus on and memorize the order of things you want to mention so the answer flows perfectly.

Here’s an example of what your outline would look like in the Big Interview Answer Builder.

As you can see, your main points will stay the same, but your answer will flow organically and be a little different each time, so you don’t sound stiff or rehearsed.

Practice, practice, practice

Time for practicing!

You don’t want to overdo it and sound robotic, but you also don’t want to be insecure and slow at coming up with things to say. Give it a try a few times until you’re confident enough to know exactly what you’re doing but also ready for some improvisation if needed. Remember what Picasso said: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

Then, ask a friend to listen to you or use our Practice option to record yourself while delivering the answer. Do it as many times as you want and make sure you’re coherent, you’re not speaking too quickly or too slowly, you’re not stuttering, using vocal fillers, and so on.

A friend or our AI tool can then give you feedback on what to improve, while also pointing out the things you did really well. A bit of encouragement will lift your mood and make you more confident so that you can rock that interview when the time comes.

Here’s an example of what our AI report looks like. Our AI monitors your videos and makes sure your camera and sound are ok. It also counts your filler and power words and pauses, the pace of your speech, vocabulary, and so much more. Basically, it helps you spot details you wouldn’t be able to catch on the fly — after all, we’re all a bit subjective, aren’t we?

And if you need help with how to answer other common job interview questions, we’re here for you.