How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview: Tips for Job Seekers

Do you know you have only 7 seconds to make a good first impression on your interviewer?

And a self-introduction that follows these seven seconds can mar or make your career.

A good self-introduction in an interview makes a good impression on the interviewer. It is only after “Tell me about yourself” that follow-up questions related to your qualifications, experience, and skills are asked. 

‘How to introduce yourself in an interview’ is a valid question which is asked by every interviewee. Your self-introduction gives the interviewer a brief about you which further opens up follow-up questions related to it. That’s why your self-introduction should be impressive.

How To Do Self Introduction in Interview – Key Points

There are certain points which are crucial to include in your self-introduction, regardless of the mode of interview. These must-have key points are:

1. Your Introduction- Tell your name, and your family background, and tell your experiences co-relating them with your profession.
2. Your Academic Qualification- Talk about the degree you pursued, the courses you took, and the skills and experiences you gained from those.
3. Your Interests- You can talk about the things which interest you or hobbies that you do in your free time. This will give a more human touch to you.

Sample Answer: Hello! My name is Rahul. I am a Software Engineer with 3 years of working experience under my belt. I have completed my education at ABC College with meritorious grades. In my free time, I like to work on my side projects, reading books and photography.

Self Introduction in Interview- Sample Answers

Here are some of the sample answers to how to introduce yourself in an interview, that anyone can use.

Sample-1

“Hi, I am Aakash. I am from Delhi. I completed my B.A. in Economics from Delhi University this year. My father is a financial advisor, and my mother is a social worker. I have a younger sister who is studying in 12th.

Apart from my studies, I like to take part in dramatics. I am also a state-level badminton player. Active participation in extracurricular activities has taught me many essential skills like teamwork and empathy.

My long-term goal is to gain work experience in the field of economics. I want to work in a senior position contributing to the betterment of my workplace and society. I am a self-motivated and disciplined person and I push myself to learn new things whenever I get a chance. My strengths are my analytical approach, appreciable communication, and presentation skills.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, cooking, listening to music, travelling, and playing outdoor sports.”

Sample-2 For Freshers

Hi there! My name is Aman, and I am a fresher content writer with internship experience. I have recently completed my bachelor’s degree in [Field of Study] from [University]. During my time in college, I developed a passion for writing and decided to pursue it as a career.

I have completed an internship at [Name of the Company], where I was responsible for creating engaging content for their website and social media platforms. This experience helped me hone my writing skills and gave me a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional setting.

Apart from writing, I enjoy [Hobbies]. In my free time, you can find me reading books, exploring new places, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

I am excited to start my career as a content writer and I am looking forward to learning and growing in this field.

Sample-3 For Experienced

Hello, I am Shruti a software engineer with 3 years of work experience in the industry. I hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from a reputable university.

During my professional experience, I have worked on various software development projects that have honed my skills in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++. I am also well-versed in database technologies like SQL and have experience working with different operating systems, including Windows and Linux.

When I’m not working on software projects, I enjoy exploring new technologies and keeping up with the latest trends in the industry. In my free time, I like to read books on technology, play video games, and experiment with coding projects.

I am a motivated and dedicated individual who is always looking for ways to improve and expand my skill set. I am passionate about software development and enjoy working collaboratively with others to build innovative solutions that make a positive impact on society.

Tips for a great first impression in an interview

Before the Interview

Research the company and interviewers

Research the company you are applying for, and also know the background of the interview panel. It will help you to understand how to introduce yourself in an interview. Some questions to prepare before going to the interview are:

• What is your current position and qualifications?
• Are you the right person for the job?
• What is the company culture, and what should we expect from each other?
• How do you fit in with this organization?
• How can we assist you?

These interview questions can help you understand what they are looking for in a candidate. And you can prepare your interview introduction accordingly.

Prepare your Self-Introduction well

A good self-introduction in an interview makes a good impression on the interviewer. It is only after “Tell me about yourself” that follow-up questions related to your qualifications, experience, and skills are asked.

How to introduce yourself in the interview matters the most as it gives the interview panel a concise but clear image of you. That is why you must prepare a self-introduction in a good way. You can include these points in your self-introduction:

• Tell about who you are
• Personal background information like hometown, number of family members, etc.
• Mention your educational background.
• Talk about your professional qualifications, years of experience, etc.
• If you are a fresher, discuss your skills and college projects.
• Express your interest in working with the company.

Dress appropriately

Appearance plays an important role in the interview. The selection of suitable clothing for the interview will leave a good impression on the interview panel. Always wear clean and ironed clothes for the interview. If you want to learn how to introduce yourself in an interview perfectly, know a few things about interview clothing.

Here is the list of clothes which you shouldn’t wear in an Interview.

• Too casual clothes
• Ill-fitted clothes
• Uncomfortable clothes
• Colourful clothes
• Revealing clothes
• Too much-printed cloth

Come Prepared

It is always better to be prepared for the interview to leave a lasting impression on the interviewer, not just in terms of how to introduce yourself in an interview but in overall terms. Carry all your necessities with yourself which the interviewer has asked you to bring and the things which you might need. These are the must-have things that you should carry with you in an interview:

• Copy of Educational Documents
• Identity Card (AADHAR or PAN)
• Physical copy of your CV or Resume
• Your Passport-size picture
• Notepad and Pen
  

During the Interview

Greet Interviewer

When you enter the interview room, greet them confidently by wishing them good morning and shaking hands if required. If there is more than one interviewer greet them individually. Speak in a relaxed manner and always have a smile on your face. This shows great interpersonal skills and that you know how to introduce yourself in an interview well. Here’s how you can make a lasting impression on the interviewer through greetings

• Smile and say your salutations
• Say the name of the Interviewer
• Give a firm handshake

Sample Answer: “Good morning/afternoon/evening, [interviewer’s name]. It’s great to meet you.”

Always be Concise

If you are wondering how to introduce yourself in an interview in the best way, then you should always concisely give information. Because interviewers don’t have the whole day to interview only one candidate. Also giving longer details will give them more insight to ask more tricky questions. It’s best to stick to what you know.

For example:

• Mention your recent experience.
• Hobbies you enjoy.
• Recent degrees
• Skills that you’ve learned.

Be aware of body language

Be careful with your body language as it leaves the impression even before you can think about how to introduce yourself in an interview. So, take special care that you do not show up in a hurry. An anxious person is more likely to be nervous and startled than a relaxed and confident person. Have a smile on your face and maintain eye contact.

Body language communicates much more than the clothes you wear. It signals to other people that you are confident. Speaking, nodding, smiling and shaking hands are some of the best body language gestures. People respond positively to these as it indicate confidence and trust.

Some common body language mistakes that you should not make are:

• Shaking legs
• Hands folded over each other
• Interlacing fingers
• Looking around the room
• Lack of eye contact

Explore more about interview etiquette tips.

Always Act Professionally

No matter the job role you are applying for always be either technical or creative to act professionally in the interview.

Some of the unprofessional behaviours are:

• Arriving late in the interview
• Not paying attention to body language
• Dressing inappropriately
• Not greeting interviewers individually

Also Read: 7 Tips to Succeed in Online Interviews

Be positive and genuine

Be positive if you want to know how to introduce yourself in an interview. The emotion you feel inside will be very visible on your face and in your body language, so it’s important that you feel positive. Being positive as well as genuine will show the panel your authentic side. Don’t try to imitate someone else or say things you didn’t mean.

• Show enthusiasm while talking
• Listen attentively to the interviewer
• Smile wherever it’s appropriate

After the Interview

Ready to ask Follow-up Questions

During the interview process you just don’t have to prepare for how to introduce yourself in an interview, but also be ready to ask questions from the interviewer. Always be prepared to ask follow-up questions. Even if you don’t have a question, it’s always better to ask one that you’ve come prepared with.

Some good follow-up questions are:

• What programs or software am I working on in this role?
• What are the key skills to be successful in this role?
• Will I have a manager in this role? Or who will be my manager?
• What type of training will I receive for this job role?

Do Follow-Up

After you have solved the query of how to introduce yourself in an interview and are done with your interview, take a follow-up. After your interview is over, send the hiring manager a thank you email for their time the next day. Keep it short and clear. Don’t hesitate to show your interest in the organization and that you look forward to hearing from them. Asking follow-up questions

• Shows candidate’s dedication
• Professional etiquettes
• Importance of time

Here is the sample, that you can use to follow-up with the interviewer.

Dear [Interviewer],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me [interview date] about the [position]. I wanted to follow up and ask if there is any additional information or documentation I can provide to help with the decision-making process. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Things to Avoid During Self-Introduction

Here is a list of things that you should avoid while giving a self-introduction for an interview.

• Do not give details already mentioned in the resume. Try to give examples of all your skills and experience mentioned.
• Don’t tell any skills that you can’t support with an example.
• Don’t make your job interview introduction too long. Just keep it short and relevant.
• Do not give a long description of your family background.
• Do not highlight any skills or experience that are not relevant to the job profile.
• Also, do not shake your legs during a self-introduction in an interview, it will show that you are restless. Pay attention to your body language.
• Don’t come unprepared as self-introduction is a first impression that says a lot about you and the interviewer may already have made an impression about you.
• Do not speak in haste while giving a self-introduction for an interview.
• Make your introduction not only personal but also talk about more professional experience or skills that could benefit the company.

Ace your job interviews with tailored tips for a great first impression! Explore more Interview Tips with us.

Frequently Asked Questions