Introducing yourself is like the first scene in a movie or the opening passages of play in a sports match – the audience makes a snap judgment about what is to come. How you introduce yourself dictates the opening exchanges of any conversation (and is particularly important when trying to get a job).
Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Blink” observes this psychology of quick thinking and snap judgements. Powerful introductions start productive conversations. It has been shown that the unconscious mind leaps into action the moment we meet someone new, and it is a while until the conscious (rational) mind has enough information to catch up. The more relevant information we can feed the rational minds of our audience in our introductions, the quicker both minds will agree on a valid first impression.
How to introduce yourself is a key consideration in any job search situation – whether you are networking (online or in person), introducing yourself over email or meeting someone new at an interview. Your job prospects depend on your introduction hitting the right notes. Here are a few things that we will explore about how to make a self-introduction:
- 6 things to think about when you introduce yourself
- How to introduce yourself in an interview
- Email self-introductions
- Introducing yourself to a recruiter
- How do you introduce yourself online?
Introductions will vary depending on the situation and the value that you bring to each conversation. What can you say about yourself that will make the listener think: “I wonder what is coming next”?
What constitutes a professional introduction? At the start of any conversation, it is useful for a listener to get a sense of who you are, what you do and why they should engage with you in conversation. A professional introduction zeroes in on the “work” reasons why they might want to chat with you. You need that lightbulb to go off in their heads.
6 things to bear in mind when you introduce yourself
You might only have a few short lines to introduce yourself, but when you have countless things to say, those lines are crucial in steering the first few minutes of conversation. It is always possible for people to change the subject, but ideally you want a smooth flow to those opening exchanges to allow those involved in the conversation to open up.
Don’t launch into an introduction that is too long. It is possible that you may be interrupted before you have got to the good bit. Show your conversation partner(s) that you are ready to listen as well as to talk. Here are a few other considerations in terms of how to introduce yourself effectively and start a productive chat:
1. Make your introduction relevant to the audience.
Not hitting the mark with your introduction will make the listeners wonder what they are doing there. Don’t make them doubt whether you are the person that they should be talking to. Plan the intro in advance and captivate them with a window into your world.
2. Say what you do, not what your title is
Do not say anything in your introduction that you have put in bold (or at the top) of your resume. They will know your title, so tell them what you can do for them and why you are there. Make it factual and make it stand out from all the other candidates.
How do you choose which experiences to mention in your introduction? Amidst all your experiences, there must be a few that will knock the socks off any potential employer. You need to find something that will make them want to find out more. A great introduction sets the scene for a fascinating conversation.
3. Share an interesting fact about why you are there
Just as your resume should be as unique as possible, you should seek to sparkle some magical fairy dust over anything you say in an introduction. Seek to be different in a way that makes them look forward to peeling back the layers of possibility.
4. Be original and memorable
Being memorable might not seem to be so important at the start of a conversation, but if you have one fact that you want to remain front of mind throughout the conversation, you should mention it in your opening salvo. This is me, and this is what I consider important.
5. Be sensitive and mindful
The content of your introduction is important, so be sensitive about the nature of your audience. If you are in an interview, try to assess the corporate culture and adjust your language and stories accordingly. Being offensive in the first few words won’t end well.
6. Lead into the next part of the conversation
Once you have said who you are and why you are there, the final part of any introduction should be a “well, this is what we are here to discuss” teaser. The listener can then take their cue from the introduction and the conversation will hopefully flow.
How do you start a self-introduction speech? One of the best ways to start an introduction is to lead with the “why” of the listener. Don’t make it about yourself at all. Think about what they want to get out of the chat and share the fact about you that would pique their interest the most. They will think: “Wow, this person really gets me.” Don't forget to include these powerful resume action verbs.
How to introduce yourself in an interview
Any interview is a stress-filled occasion where a thoughtful and informative introduction can serve to calm nerves as well as set the scene. The interviewer might choose to start with a question of their own, so you may need to squeeze the introductory sales pitch into your first few statements. Interviews often begin with an open-ended “tell me about yourself.”
Recruiter: “So, tell me about yourself” (p.s. they know your name!)
Candidate: “Good afternoon. I am a classic car-obsessed mechanic with a knack of prolonging the lives of the most battered of rare models. I have a particular interest in sports cars and am a founding member of the largest sports car mechanics society in the United States. I have fixed over 3,000 cares during my career – I have been under the hood of any sports car that you could name. My customer black book is the envy of the industry.”
How to introduce yourself in an email
Email introductions can be a little longer than your typical spoken introduction as the recipient will expect to be reading for longer than they would initially listen. Nevertheless, keep it to the point and include a strong call to action. If you want them to open up your resume and cover letter, give them a compelling reason to do so.
Dear Ms. Tiller,
I am the brand manager who helped to steal 25% of your market share from three of your leading product ranges last year. My previous employer is going in a different strategic direction, so I felt that it was time for a change.
My brand initiatives drove $8.4m in profit growth (22% YOY) and two of my product campaigns won countless industry awards. I understand that you are about to undertake a creative review of your business and feel that I am the person to drive change and help you reconnect with your customers.
How do you introduce yourself in a creative way? Don’t be too creative to start with. Resist the temptation to be clever. The listener’s sense will be being bombarded by impressions about how you look and your body language, so keep your intro simple and powerful. Creativity can come later once you have their undivided attention.
How to introduce yourself to a recruiter
Most recruiter introductions will happen over the phone. They will want to know a potted version of why you might be a fit for a certain role, so ask them a few details about it for context first. Then think on your feet and press all the right buttons. You need to convey enthusiasm for the role in your intro or they may not consider that you want it enough.
Good morning, my name is Steven Jameson. I am interested in the Store Manager role that was posted on your website. I have been a convenience store manager for the past seven years, running stores with between three and six thousand SKUs, mostly in central business district locations. I have worked on a number of new store opening projects for two retailers and I feel that the role with this new market entrant would be an ideal fit. I would be happy to send over my resume if this sounds of interest.
What to do if you feel nervous introducing yourself. Swallow those nerves before you meet any new person to introduce yourself. You never know if they are the nervous type, so be as calm and confident as you can be. Tell yourself that they are interested in what you have to say and be open to responding to what they say. Once a two-way conversation starts to flow, the nerves will melt away.
How do you introduce yourself online?
The beauty of the online introduction is that you can point a recruiter or potential employer to the career treasure trove of your LinkedIn profile. The introduction should therefore be powerful and to the point. If they feel that they have already heard enough, they may not click through. Getting them to view your LinkedIn profile is the ultimate goal of this intro.
Dear Mrs. Sourton,
I came across your LinkedIn update about the open position and wanted to indicate my interest in the role. I have been working as a teaching assistant in a special needs school for seven years and having recently gained my teaching qualifications I am looking for my first teaching position. I hope that my experience and recommendations on my LinkedIn profile might be of interest in the first instance – if that is the case then I would be delighted to find out more about the role and send over my resume.
What if you are not sure about how you should introduce yourself? Talking to family or friends always helps in this case. Talking through the situation when you need to introduce yourself will give them some context and then they can help you to position yourself in the best way possible. A different perspective is always helpful.
Key takeaways
- Introducing yourself professionally is only the start of a conversation.
- Introductions depend on the situation and the value that you bring.
- Tell the listener what you do. Be relevant and interesting.
- Share your “why” – let them know why it is worth talking to you.
- Swallow your nerves, keep it brief and pause to hear their answer.
- Make sure that the end of the introduction starts a conversation.
- Just as your resume, your introduction must be unique.
