In interview
first question is about self-introduction. You know yourself better but not
able to explain. In this blog we give tips to improve your self introduction.
Now you need to
break self-introduction for interview in part.
Who you are?
Greet your
interviewers and tell your name to start the formal introduction. It is always
a good idea to prepare for this most expected question beforehand. Do not
hesitate to include some informal, personal information, such as your hobbies,
or what you do on weekends.
Example:
I have moved to
this city six months ago. I love the street food here. On weekends, I explore
new eating joints. This way, I get to learn the routes of this city and prepare
myself professionally. Being a sales professional, my profile requires a lot of
traveling.
Do not get
carried away with personal details and glide into talking about professional
life smoothly.
Where do you come from?
Mention the place
you belong to, the location of your school, your college, and so on. Some
people do not consider it worth mentioning, but it, surely, gives a lot about
your background.
Example:
I have been born
and brought up in Jaipur. I came to Delhi 3 months ago to explore professional
opportunities. I have already rented a place in West Delhi and enjoying the
Delhi winters.
What have you studied?
Give a brief
account of your educational background such as your school, graduation,
post-graduation and so on. Mention extra-curricular activities you have been a
part of.
Do not list all
the courses and certifications you have done. Just include what is relevant to
the specific job profile.
Example:
I have done my
schooling from Jaipur. For my graduation, I chose Xyz program at Abc
University. It was a very enriching experience at the University as not only we
were actively involved in practical projects, but also got opportunities to
participate in a number of sports and other extra-curricular activities such as
plays and skits.
Who you are (as a professional)?
It is always a
good idea to identify some worth-mentioning professional traits before your
interview.
Start with your
current professional profile. You must present your previous work experience in
a structured way.
Example:
I have been
working as a Sales Professional for 5 years now. I joined as a Sales executive
and worked my way up to the position of Sales Manager within 3 years.
Highlight your personal and professional
strengths by mentioning some previous projects.
Example:
I have a thorough
understanding of Sales planning and business development. I have been mostly
involved in establishing effective client relationships.
I have also developed
a superior understanding of customer service and customer relationship with the
span of time.
To give you an
example, I would like to talk about a relatively difficult and unique project
that helped me increase the profitability and annual sales volume of the
company (briefly mention the project).
Note: Do not
mention those work experiences in detail that are not relevant to the current
profile.
To sum it up:
"I have been
working as a Sales Professional for 5 years now. I joined as a Sales executive
and worked my way up to the position of Sales Manager within 3 years.
I have a thorough
understanding of Sales planning and business development. I have been mostly
involved in establishing effective client relationships.
I have also
developed a superior understanding of customer service and customer
relationship with the span of time.
To give you an
example, I would like to talk about a relatively difficult and unique project
that helped me increase the profitability and annual sales volume of the company
(briefly mention the project)."
Another example:
"Being an IT
professional, I enjoy learning about the breakthrough in technology. I attended
a professional workshop about ‘new technologies’ last year, where I learned
about a new tool in the market (mention the tool), and I used it in my last
project (briefly mention the project).
I have excellent
interpersonal skills, which have helped me carry out the responsibility of
leading the meetings with clients in my previous projects (briefly mention the
project)."
Note: Just
provide an outline of such experiences. The hiring manager will ask you more if
he or she is interested. Excessive talking about your skills and talents might
go against you.
Always expect a
follow-up question about your skills or a tool you have used in the past. Some
interviewers might ask you about some specific skills. Even if you have no
experience in that area, turn the tables by talking about a similar experience.
Example:
I have not got an
opportunity to work with this tool yet. However, I have used a similar tool,
‘PQRS’ systems, in one of my projects.
Self-introduction tips for freshers
It is all the way
more dreadful for freshers to prepare their self-introduction. Most freshers
are of the view that they don’t have much to talk about. Let us keep this
straight: You know you are a fresher; your interviewer also knows you are a
fresher. 😎
In addition to the above-mentioned points,
following are some special tips for freshers:
Confidence is the
key. Maintain good body language and communicate your points well.
Take this opportunity
of self-introduction as your chance to exhibit your qualities in the right way.
Talk about your
educational background and achievements. Mention relevant certificates and
awards. For example, if you are giving an interview for the profile of ‘content
writer’, an awarded certificate for essay writing is worth mentioning.
Provide
information about your family members. However, do not talk in detail about
their professional achievements. Remember: It is your interview. 😃
As a fresher, you
have leverage that you can talk about your hobbies at length. Showcase your
qualities and personality while mentioning your hobbies. By doing so, you can
take charge of your interview. 😊
Example:
I love playing
basketball. I have played many tournaments and traveled a lot as well. It
taught me interpersonal skills. And, surely, I learned how to remain focused.
Do not get
carried away while talking about your life experiences. Keep them brief.
Self-introduction
example for freshers
"Hi, I am
Reshma. I am from Mumbai. I completed my B. Com (Honors) from XYZ College,
Mumbai in 2018.
My father is a
doctor, and my mother is a social worker. I have a younger brother who is
pursuing his B.Tech.
I love playing
basketball and have represented my school in many competitions. My active
participation in sports has taught me many skills. I am also an active member
of my school alumni club and take initiative in organizing alumni meets.
I have a
fascination for languages, so I am learning the Japanese language."
Self-introduction
example for experienced professionals
“Hi, I am Sunil
Kumar. I am from Delhi. I completed my Bachelor of Engineering degree in 2009
from NIT Patna.
I got hired by a
renowned IT company through the campus placement. I have been working with the
company for almost a decade now. I have learned the ins and outs of IT
operations in my journey from a fresher to a manager.
My qualifications
and work experience make me a suitable candidate for the profile. I am looking
to join your organization to explore new dimensions and for the further
development of my skills.”
Related: How to
answer "Tell me about yourself"
General tips for self-introduction
Let us discuss
some general tips on how to give a good self-introduction.
A smile goes a
long way
Wear a smile when
you go for an interview. A smile adds up to your confidence and balances your
body language. You also come across as a friendly person.
Greet everyone
A simple ‘hello’
can showcase your etiquettes.
Introduce when
you reach the venue
Inform the
concerned person or at the reception of your arrival. You should give a proper
introduction about yourself.
Example:
Hi, my name is
Priya. I am here for an interview for the post of ‘Community Banker’. It is
scheduled with Mr. Vikrant at 2:00 p.m.
Prepare
Always prepare
your self-introduction according to the job profile you are giving the
interview for. It gives you confidence and leaves a good impression on your
interviewers. This preparation also helps you to keep your introduction
concise, and you do not end up giving irrelevant information.
Maintain eye contact
It is important
that you avoid distractions and maintain eye contact while talking. The idea of
self-introduction is not just limited to get to know about the candidate.
Things to avoid during
self-introduction
Here are a few
don'ts to take care of when giving a self-introduction.
Do not simply
narrate the content of your resume and cover letter. Make it sound authentic by
providing examples.
Do not ask ‘what
do you want to know?’. It shows that you are not prepared.
Do not narrate
life stories. Just touch upon an experience if you want to highlight any
specific quality.
Do not consume a
lot of time giving your self-introduction.
The mantra is to
prepare well and represent the best version of you while giving your
introduction.😎
Talk about
yourself with pride, not fear.
All the best!
NJITM Computer Education
