First impressions are built in a second. You could be asked to introduce yourself more than once during the recruitment process, for example, at the reception area, to the recruiter, to the line manager, and then during the interviews.
Following are several tips you could use to help make it a less intimidating first step in a job interview, even though it can be an intimidating one.
It deals with how one should introduce themselves in a job interview, advises how to go about it, and addresses common questions on self-introduction.
Related: How To Make a Great Impression in a Job Interview
Introduction-How to make?
If your interview is in person, the person at reception you check in with might be the first face you see as you enter. State a brief introduction with your full name, the time of your interview, and the position title to which you are applying. For example-“Hello, my name is Sam Taylor. I am here for a job interview to apply for the post of Program Manager. It is scheduled for 12 p.m.”.
You can either be asked to sit down and wait for the recruiter or any other HR person to come out and meet you, or you can entertain yourself with your phone on the spot. It is politeness not to reach immediately for your phone, only to kill some time.
Use these steps to introduce yourself when someone arrives to greet you and welcome you into your interview:
Smile and extend your hand to give them a firm handshake. Note: not too strong in the grip.
Introduce yourself with your full name, in a confident voice.
You’re more likely to recall their name when you repeat it back to them upon hearing it the first time. You can say something like, “Nice to meet you,” after they introduce themselves.
Introduction-make a brief statement.
Your interviewer has probably read your résumé and knows what position you’re seeking. It’s still a good idea to make a brief statement to center them on who you are and the position you’re interviewing for. “It’s great to meet with you to discuss the associate role on your events team,” or something like.
If they do not already have a copy of your resume, you can give it to them in hard copy after you’ve introduced one another. Especially if they are having a busy day, you will likely begin the interview with a little small talk before jumping right into the questions. Take your cue from them if they initiate
Mistakes to avoid during self introduction
Besides what to do during an introduction to an interview, you should know what to avoid doing. Avoid the following while introducing yourself:
Getting off on a tangent during your introduction: You want to keep your introduction short, so pre-plan your points and what you want to say to begin the interview.
Repeating your introduction: speak clearly and at a volume that exudes confidence. Do not speak too softly during your introduction and have the interviewer or interviewers ask to repeat it.
Setting the context: Even as you seek to keep your introduction short and sweet, you also want to set the stage for the discussion and an opportunity for those meeting you to become familiar with you.
Hint: Ask a friend or family member to practice introducing yourself. It’s also a good idea to practice with the mirror.
