How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

Dress the part

They say to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. That usually means professional attire, neatly ironed or dry cleaned suits, or coordinated trousers or skirts and jackets. What you are wearing on your interview gives the recruiter their very first personal impression of you. Wearing a smart, crisp outfit will brand you as a professional individual who cares about their personal appearance, what others think of them, and that you’re skilled enough to know how to introduce yourself in an interview. There is also no issue with inquiring about the company’s official dress code policy prior to the interview.

Recommended Interview Attire for Women

• A conservative suit of solid, neutral color (no bright colors or busy patterns)

• A coordinated, plain blouse, buttoned up conservatively (no cleavage)

• Sensible shoes, not too high

• Minimal jewelry, keep it simple

• Hair should be pulled back if possible and neatly coiffed

• Neutral colored hosiery

• Natural makeup, and very little (if any) perfume

• Manicured, short nails

• Briefcase or portfolio

Recommended Interview Attire for Men

• A solid, neutral colored conservative suit

• White buttoned down long sleeve shirt

• Modest tie of solid color, or with discreet pattern

• Professional shoes in tip top condition

• Dark socks

• Extremely limited jewelry (cuff links are not necessary)

• Hair should be neat and professional, facial hair clean and neat

• Very light aftershave or cologne

• Trimmed nails

• Portfolio or briefcase

Be poised, make eye contact

Eye contact expresses confidence and self-assuredness. When your interview is speaking to you, make sure to look into their eyes as much as possible without staring.

Include necessary information

Your introductory statement is unlikely to be a formal speech, rather a lead into the conversation you’re about to embark on with your interviewer. Tell them about yourself in a few sentences, without going into too much detail, keeping in mind that the interviewer has read your CV. Be prepared for this introductory statement, and consider the speaking points listed below to design it.

• Introduce yourself by where you are from

• State your educational qualifications

• Talk about your previous work experience (newbies can discuss experience with projects or internships, and overall industry understanding)

• Mention notable professional achievements such as awards, certifications, or appreciation

• Point out your membership to any professional organizations or networks, especially if you hold an administrative position within any of them

• Discuss your personal accomplishments with modesty (athletic achievements, cultural activities, community involvement, etc.)

• You may discuss your family here as well, touching on how they have influenced your values and ideals, making you a more goal-oriented individual

Prepare your introduction and practice

You should know what you’re going to say in an introduction before going on an interview. Write down some key points that you’d like to highlight about yourself, and memorize them. Practice with yourself in the mirror, mastering the fluency of your statement while maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. You might feel a bit silly talking to yourself in the mirror, but all that practice will help you learn how to introduce yourself in an interview. If you have someone you can practice with, you should rehearse your introduction in front of them, and they’ll be able to critique your statement and style until it’s perfect.

Do not over indulge

It’s important to be discreet with information that is not directly related to your professional experience and qualifications. If the interviewer asks about your hobbies, you can briefly touch on them, without going overboard. For example, telling them you’re passionate about running is good information, but giving them your last three marathon times is too much, unless of course they ask. It is generally not recommended to get too personal with the information you disclose in an interview.

Start from the beginning

“I grew up in this city. My parents ran a family-style restaurant downtown. I studied advertising and marketing in college, and spent the last 7 years directing the online marketing campaigns for a few very distinguished companies. I’m passionate about ecommerce and online merchandising.”

State your past experience, skills, and achievements

“Working on Wall Street was a brilliant experience. I started as an entry-level analyst and designed a software program for major banks to streamline their accounting and books. I’d love to tell you more about it.”

Tell short anecdotes

“I learned about customer service as a teenager, when I worked at a bagel shop on the weekends. The Sunday morning line would be out the door for hours, and it was challenging to keep the customers happy by moving as quickly as possible while producing quality breakfasts.”

For other good answers and examples: