How to introduce yourself in a job interview (with examples)

The job interview is the last major hurdle before you land a job, and many interviews start with a request: "Tell us about yourself." There are no second chances at this, unfortunately. "You don't want to blow a chance to introduce yourself to a senior executive," said Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a recruiter for several Fortune 500 companies, in a Forbes article. That's why knowing how to introduce yourself in an interview is an essential job-seeking skill. So let's get you prepared to wow the next employer at your next job interview.

• The elements of a great introduction
• Three examples of how to introduce yourself in an interview
• Tips for introducing yourself in an interview
• Common mistakes to avoid when introducing yourself in an interview
• Summary
• FAQs 

The elements of a great introduction 

Below are the basic elements you should include when you deliver your introduction in a job interview. 

An opening statement 

Your opening statement can be as simple as your name and a short acknowledgment to the recruiter. For example: "I'm Angelo. Thank you for considering me for the software developer position."  

You can also take a potentially more memorable approach by using bolder language. For example, Angelo above might say, "Software development has always been my passion since I was young.  Now, with eight years and two professional certifications under my belt, I'm prepared to use my skills to help Ace Studios become a leader in its field." Being a little more descriptive can help you stand out. 

A bit about your background 

Your background is how you've developed the skills and experience needed for the job. What school did you graduate from? What degree do you hold? Have you completed any additional courses or programs? Also, what professional experiences have you had? Briefly mention these details to support your candidacy.  

Your key skills and strengths 

Your skills and strengths are what you can offer to the employer, so the ones you mention should be relevant to the job. Don't focus entirely on your hard skills, though. Soft skills are equally important, especially in terms of how you could fit into the company's culture. 

A conclusion 

Wrap things up with a sentence that points to your career goals. Try to show that the next logical step in your career involves working for the employer. Explain how your goals match theirs to make it more relevant. 

Excitement for the position and the company 

As you introduce yourself, make sure to show that you’re excited about the opportunity. This will give your interviewer the impression that you're enthusiastic about the position.  

Too much enthusiasm can also be a turnoff, however. In a 2022 study published in Human Resource Management, researchers found that interviewers prefer job seekers who are both "emotionally restrained and exuberant." So, be enthusiastic, but make sure won’t be perceived as inappropriate. 

Three examples of how to introduce yourself in an interview  

Here are three examples that include the elements we've mentioned above. Study them carefully to guide your introduction. 

1. Yolanda, a fresh graduate interviewing for a human resources specialist role 

"My name is Yolanda, and I'm honored to be here today. I graduated in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. I did my internship at a medium-sized company near the university. I'm a deeply detail-oriented person and a keen communicator with a love of learning new systems. I look forward to bringing these qualities to the role here." 

2. Alma, a business intelligence analyst with three years of experience 

"Hello. I'm Alma, and I'd like to say that I'm thrilled about this opportunity to interview with a company such as yours. After graduating from De La Salle University with my degree in business management, I began working as a business intelligence analyst at a finance firm in Manila. In my three years there, my attention to detail and problem-solving skills, along with my touch for data visualization, helped me earn the recognition of my supervisors. Now I'm looking to take my career to the next level." 

3. Anna, interviewing for a managerial position 

"Hello, everyone. My name is Anna, and I want to thank you for inviting me here today for this interview. I started in the hotel industry 10 years ago, after earning my degree in international tourism and hospitality management at Lyceum of the Philippines University. My career began with an assistant manager role in the food and beverage department of a small Manila establishment, but I soon advanced to a higher-level position at the Grand Hyatt.  

Being a flexible and emotionally intelligent person with strong budgeting skills, I earned the trust of my staff while keeping my department profitable. I intend to achieve the same outcomes here in a general management role, which I am confident is the next logical step on my career path." 

Tips for introducing yourself in an interview 

Make the most out of your introduction by following these tips: 

Research the job and the company 

The first step toward a great introduction is acquainting yourself with the job and the company. Search the company's website and familiarize yourself with their history, mission and vision, and recent accomplishments. It’s important to review the job description thoroughly as well. The idea is to know exactly what the employer wants so you can align your introduction with their expectations. 

Prepare a script 

A great interview introduction is like a stage performance: It requires a solid script as a guide. With that in mind, you may want to write out your introduction and refine it through several rounds of edits. Make sure you don't practice too much to avoid sounding rehearsed. 

Rehearse 

Practice your delivery so that it sounds natural and conversational, not robotic or flat. Focus on the tone as well. Listen to yourself and make sure you present yourself ideally. Don't be shy about asking trusted friends and family members for their input. 

Mention hobbies and interests if they're relevant to the job 

Mentioning that you practice related activities in your free time would demonstrate dedication to both your craft and your ongoing development. For example, if you're interviewing for a job as a React developer, you can mention sites or apps you built using React in your free time.  

Include key items from your resume 

It's good to stay consistent throughout the entire interview process. To that end, your introduction should include the most important items from your resume. Highlight anything you want the interviewer to know, like a strong educational background or experience at similar companies.  

Keep it brief 

⁠Ideally, your introduction should be a minute or less. You can stretch it to two minutes at most, especially if you make it conversational and the details you provide are valuable. An interviewer might start to lose interest if your introduction is too long.  

Feel free to use humor 

⁠If done right, humor can demonstrate your wit and interpersonal qualities. These are typically desirable traits, especially if you'll be working with a team. Keep your humor business-friendly to stay professional.  

Introduce yourself differently in subsequent rounds of interviews 

If the interview process extends to two or more rounds, don't deliver the same introduction each time. Look back at your previous performances and identify areas of improvement. Make changes accordingly to deliver a more engaging introduction in the next round. 

Common mistakes to avoid when introducing yourself in an interview 

Here are some common mistakes that can make your introduction weaker: 

• Fidgeting: Fidgeting can indicate nervousness. This may imply you don't believe in your introduction, giving the interviewer less reason to believe in you. Try to present yourself more confidently.
• Slouching: It might seem as though you don't want to be there. Good posture projects confidence and can show the interviewer that you care about how you present yourself.
• Not making eye contact: It causes you to appear evasive and unprepared.
• Mentioning your weaknesses: Your introduction is an opportunity to sell your positive attributes, not your negative ones. Besides, the interviewer may ask about your weaknesses later. You don't want to spend more time than necessary talking about things you need to improve about yourself.
• Reciting your script word for word: This is likely to make you sound robotic and uncommitted, not natural and confident.  

Secure a good first impression 

First impressions matter. The impression you make with your introduction may become the interviewer's barometer for gauging your suitability for the job. Prepare your introduction, practice your delivery, and put your best foot forward from the very beginning of the interview. 

FAQs 

1. How should I introduce myself if I have no experience in the industry? 
   ⁠Emphasize your strengths to demonstrate the value you can bring to the role. Highlight any relevant training and extracurricular activities, and focus on transferable skills. 
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2. Should I bring up salary expectations in my introduction? 
   ⁠No. The hiring manager usually brings up salary expectations toward the end of an interview. Wait for it to be put on the table. If they give you a number, assess if this is enough for you. But if they ask you to share your salary expectations, be upfront with what you think you deserve.  
   ⁠
3. What if the interviewer cuts me off during my introduction? 
   ⁠It's not always a bad sign if the interviewer cuts you off during your introduction. Often, it means they have already gotten their answers and want to move forward. Take it in stride and follow the interviewer's lead. 
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4. What if I am nervous about introducing myself? 
   ⁠⁠Nervousness is common during an interview. Try some anxiety and stress relief techniques before the interview itself. These include meditation, positive self-talk, breath control, and more.