Tips on How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

March 6, 2023
how to introduce yourself in an interview

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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. 

‘How to introduce yourself in 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 Introduce Yourself in an Interview

When you are going for an in-person job interview, be fully prepared to present yourself confidently in front of the interviewers. The most common first question asked in an interview is ‘tell me about yourself.’ And the way you answer this question leaves the first impression on the interview panel.

Here are some key points that you can mention in your 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.

Sample Answer- Introducing Yourself

“Hi, I am Aakash. I am from Delhi. I completed 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 extra-circular 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, traveling, and playing outdoor sports.”

how to introduce yourself in an interview

Tips for a great first impression in an interview

During 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.

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
  • Colorful clothes
  • Revealing clothes
  • Too much-printed cloth

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.

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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.

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 makes the first impression on the interview panel. According to a study, it only takes 7 seconds to make a good first impression. 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.

Recommended Read: What is Personality Development and its Importance?

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 indicates confidence and trust.

Maintain Eye Contact

It is very important to maintain proper eye contact in the interview. Be it an online interview or offline. Looking around during the interview will make you nervous and will leave a bad impression on you.

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.

After the interview

Ready to ask Follow-up Questions

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

Take a follow-up after your interview is over. 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.

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 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 interview.
  • Make your introduction not only personal but 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

What to say in tell me about yourself?

In an interview when the interviewer asks you about yourself you should start by introducing yourself. Like your name and where you are from and currently living, and your education. After that, you can add a short detail about your family and their profession. If you have any previous experience, you can add that too. You can tell the interview panel about your interests and hobbies.

How can I introduce myself within 1 minute of the interview?

Speak slowly and clearly when introducing yourself in the interview. Begin by giving your brief background details such as your name, where you live, and your education. You can also add your family details and their occupation. And then keep on sharing your work experience, if any, and your interests and hobbies.

How can I introduce myself as a fresher?

As a fresher, you can introduce yourself in the interview with your self-introduction. Tell the interviewer about your latest degree and the college from where you studied. You can then add where you belong and your hobbies and any relevant volunteering or internship experience you’ve had in the past. In the job interview introduction, you can also add any extracurricular activities you participated in at your college.

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