Has it ever happened to you that someone asks you about yourself, and you go completely blank? You start wondering who you are, and it’s almost like you don’t even know yourself. That happens to the best of us but we cannot risk it at a job interview. An interviewer will ask you to introduce yourself, and this doesn’t mean you narrate what is already there in your resume.
In that situation, you cannot afford the luxury of going blank, thinking for a few minutes and describing yourself in a way that doesn’t highlight your skills and achievements in the best possible way. This is why you must prepare a self-introduction in advance. You must know how to introduce yourself in a job interview.
Preparing for the interview
When preparing for a job interview, make sure you do thorough research on the company and that you have a job description beforehand, this will help you introduce yourself in the interview better. Next, make a list of your strengths, achievements, skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Keep a self-introduction ready. Dress neatly and get ready, confidently.
Self-introduction question: Who are you?
When asked about yourself, always start by greeting your interviewer and telling them about yourself in a nutshell, before proceeding to expand your description. Talk about your skills, your years of experience (if you are not a fresher) and what you are looking for, in the next phase of your professional life. This question is for the employer to understand who you are as a person. This includes what drives you, what makes you happy and what are your goals. Feel free to include a line or two on informal, personal information like your hobbies, extra-curricular activities, philanthropic pursuits and things you do on the weekends. But keep the informal bit short. Remember, you are introducing yourself in a job interview and not writing your bio on a dating profile.
Self-introduction question: Where do you come from?
When introducing yourself during an interview, talking about your roots can help your employer connect with you better. Start by telling them about where you are from, that is, your home town. If you have moved to another city for work or studies, let them know about it, and what motivated you. Talk briefly about where you studied, and where you worked/interned.
Self-introduction question: What have you studied?
Most of this information is there on your resume. So what does your employer really want to know when you introduce yourself? Talk about what you learnt from your education. Talk about your degrees but also explain how all of them helps you in your professional life. Mention the extra-curricular activities you were a part of. Also, mention any certifications you must have received. Alter your answers to highlight the skills, and achievements that are relevant to the job you applied for.
Self-introduction sample for freshers
When you are going to introduce yourself in a job interview as a fresher, you do not have past professional experience to talk about. So what do you mention in your introduction? Here’s a sample:
“Hello, I am Achlesha and I graduated with Bachelors of Mass Media this year from Mithibai college. I was born and brought up in Mumbai. I am passionate about advertisements and would love to explore various roles in the industry. In college, I was the brand team head for our college festival, which further heightened my passion for this profession.”
Self-introduction samples for experienced professionals
When you are about to introduce yourself in a job interview as a working professional in a job interview, how do you exhibit your career highlights? Here’s a sample:
“Hi, I am Alisha and I have been working as an IT professional for the past five years. After completing my post-graduation in IT, I started my career in the field of data analysis and data science. I got hired by *insert company name* in campus placements which allowed me to learn various aspects of the field and explore several technology tools that make me apt for this job.”
Tips for self-introduction
· Greet the interviewer formally, with a good body posture.
· Remember, the questions may vary. Prepare a short introduction and select the areas you want to cover according to the question asked.
· Do not go on rambling, keep it short.
· Be confident.
· If you are questioned about something that makes you uncomfortable, for instance, an employment gap, do not let it get to you. Be unapologetic about who you are and your choices.
Conclusion
Self-introduction is very important in a job interview. This helps the interviewer understand you better and check if you fit in with the company culture, apart from understanding if you have the necessary skills for the job. You must ensure you thoroughly prepare a good introduction and be confident while at it.
FAQs
1) Can I give informal information in a self-introduction for a job?
Yes, you can talk about your hobbies but restrict it to just one line.
2) What should I mention if I have no work experience?
Talk about your education, your hobbies, your skills and more.
Also Read: Things To Keep In Mind When Starting A New Job