How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview - 3 Examples that Will Impress

Self Made Millennial
12 Nov 202008:00
EducationalLearning
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TLDRMadeline Mann shares valuable tips on how to make a strong first impression during a job interview. She emphasizes the importance of a confident and genuine introduction, backed by a study from Oregon State University highlighting the impact of initial moments. Mann offers advice on body language, speaking confidently, and keeping the 'tell me about yourself' response concise and impactful, providing a framework and resources to help job seekers excel in their interviews.

Takeaways
  • 🎯 The introduction in an interview is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the interaction.
  • 🔍 A study from Oregon State University showed that first impressions from a 20-second clip were rated similarly to full interviews.
  • 💡 Simplicity is key when introducing yourself; start with a friendly greeting using your name.
  • 😊 Smiling is essential, even over the phone, as it conveys authenticity and positivity.
  • 💪 Confidence and interest are vital; interviewers are put off by anxiety and boredom.
  • 🗣️ Practice and refine your introduction to sound natural and not rehearsed.
  • 👀 Pay attention to body language; it should be open and confident, avoiding fidgeting.
  • 📈 When answering 'Tell me about yourself,' keep it concise and under 60 seconds.
  • 🏆 Highlight your professional background, achievements, and qualifications briefly and effectively.
  • 🔄 Use the provided worksheet to craft your perfect answer for the 'Tell me about yourself' question.
  • 📌 Keep your introduction short and impactful to make a strong first impression and leave time for other questions.
Q & A

  • Why is the introduction in an interview so crucial?

    -The introduction is crucial because it sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Research shows that first impressions are often formed within seconds and can significantly influence the interviewer's evaluation of the candidate.

  • What did the study by Oregon State University reveal about first impressions in job interviews?

    -The study revealed that trained interviewers who only saw twenty-second clips of candidates entering, greeting, and taking a seat rated them similarly to those who conducted full interviews. This indicates the importance of making a strong first impression.

  • How can one appear more confident and interested during an interview?

    -To appear more confident and interested, one should maintain eye contact, use open body language, engage in the conversation, and show genuine enthusiasm about the position and the company.

  • What are some tips to improve the quality of your smile during an interview?

    -To improve your smile, try to make it genuine by thinking of something that makes you happy or amusing. Also, consider reclassifying nervousness as excitement to create a more positive and confident demeanor.

  • What is the fail-proof framework for introducing yourself in an interview?

    -The fail-proof framework includes a simple greeting, a brief mention of your background, highlighting key accomplishments, and discussing your career goals or the value you can bring to the position.

  • How long should your answer to 'Tell me about yourself' be in an interview?

    -Your answer to 'Tell me about yourself' should be concise, ideally no longer than 60 seconds, to avoid appearing rambling and to leave time for other questions.

  • What should a candidate include when discussing their background in the introduction?

    -A candidate should mention their educational background, previous work experience, and any relevant skills or achievements that align with the position they are applying for.

  • Why is it important to keep your answer to 'Tell me about yourself' brief?

    -Keeping the answer brief is important to show that you have a concise communication style and to ensure that the interviewer has enough time to ask other questions that they consider more important.

  • What is the recommended way to handle the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

    -The recommended way is to quickly provide context about your professional background, highlight a few key accomplishments, and explain why you are interested in the position and how you are a good fit.

  • How can you make your first impression more positive and memorable?

    -To make a positive and memorable first impression, ensure you are smiling genuinely, confident in your body language, articulate in your speech, and engaged with the interviewer.

  • What is the purpose of the 'Tell me about yourself' question in an interview?

    -The purpose of this question is to help the interviewer quickly orient themselves with who you are, understand your professional journey, and assess your fit for the role based on your past experiences and achievements.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 Introducing Yourself in an Interview

Madeline Mann discusses the importance of making a strong first impression during job interviews. She emphasizes the impact of the initial moments on interviewers' evaluations, citing a study from Oregon State University. Madeline shares tips for introducing oneself, such as being genuine, confident, and interested. She also highlights the significance of body language and tone in conveying confidence and enthusiasm. Madeline's advice is based on her experience coaching a student who successfully landed three job offers after applying these tips.

05:01
📝 Crafting the Perfect 'Tell Me About Yourself' Answer

This paragraph focuses on how to effectively answer the common interview question, 'Tell me about yourself.' Madeline advises keeping the response concise, ideally under 60 seconds, to avoid appearing rambling and to allow time for other questions. She suggests structuring the answer by mentioning professional background, education, involvement in organizations, key accomplishments, qualifications for the role, and career aspirations. Madeline also provides a worksheet to help viewers craft their answers and encourages them to maintain brevity and clarity in their responses.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Introduction
Introduction in the context of the video refers to the initial part of a job interview where a candidate presents themselves to the interviewers. It sets the tone for the rest of the interaction and is crucial in making a positive first impression. The video emphasizes the importance of a concise and confident introduction that effectively communicates the candidate's professional background and suitability for the role.
💡First Impressions
First impressions are the initial judgments made by interviewers based on the candidate's appearance, behavior, and communication upon entering the room. The video highlights research showing that these impressions can significantly influence the outcome of an interview, as interviewers often form opinions within the first few seconds, akin to the twenty-second clips study from Oregon State University.
💡Authenticity
Authenticity refers to the candidate's ability to present themselves as genuine, sincere, and true to their personality and values during an interview. The video stresses the importance of being authentic to avoid coming off as rehearsed or inauthentic, which can negatively impact the interviewers' perception.
💡Confidence
Confidence in the interview context means exuding self-assurance and belief in one's abilities. The video emphasizes that interviewers are drawn to candidates who display confidence, as it indicates capability and interest in the position. It suggests techniques for projecting confidence, even when one feels nervous.
💡Body Language
Body language involves the physical manifestations of a person's emotions or attitudes, such as posture, eye contact, and gestures. In the video, it is highlighted as a critical aspect of the first impression, with proper body language signaling confidence and engagement, while poor body language can indicate nervousness or lack of interest.
💡Career Changer
A career changer is an individual who transitions from one professional field to another. The video advises that if a candidate is a career changer, they should quickly explain the shift in their professional journey, which helps interviewers understand their background and motivations.
💡Highlight Reel
A highlight reel refers to a concise summary of a candidate's most significant accomplishments and qualifications relevant to the job they are applying for. The video instructs candidates to share their highlight reel when answering the common 'Tell me about yourself' interview question, focusing on achievements and qualifications that make them a strong fit for the role.
💡Concise Communication
Concise communication is the ability to convey information effectively and efficiently, using few words without losing clarity or essential details. The video emphasizes that interviewers value candidates who can communicate concisely, as it demonstrates clarity of thought and respect for the interviewers' time.
💡Mock Interview
A mock interview is a simulated job interview conducted to help candidates practice their interview skills and receive feedback. The video mentions a mock interview as a context where the speaker provided coaching, helping a student improve from appearing inauthentic to performing well in actual interviews.
💡Worksheet
A worksheet is a document designed to guide individuals through a structured process, often for learning or problem-solving purposes. In the video, a worksheet is recommended as a tool for candidates to outline and refine their 'Tell me about yourself' answer, ensuring it is focused and impactful.
Highlights

Madeline Mann shares tips on how to introduce yourself in an interview.

A fail-proof framework for self-introduction in interviews is provided.

A student's transformation from not getting offers to landing three offers after applying these tips.

A study by Oregon State University shows that first impressions in job interviews are crucial.

Interviewers' ratings matched whether they watched full interviews or just 20-second clips of candidates' entrances.

The importance of smiling during an introduction, even over the phone.

Confidence and genuine interest are favored over anxiety and boredom in interviews.

Using surroundings to build rapport and appear more confident.

The difference in confidence portrayed by slight changes in speech, such as eliminating filler words.

The impact of body language on conveying confidence and interest.

Advice on taking up space, maintaining eye contact, and proper hand gestures.

The common interview question 'Tell me about yourself' should be answered concisely to avoid losing the interviewer's interest.

A worksheet is available to help craft the perfect answer to 'Tell me about yourself'.

The mistake of taking too long to answer common interview questions and the recommended time limit.

The structure of an effective answer to 'Tell me about yourself', including professional background and qualifications.

The encouragement to like the video and subscribe to the channel for more job search tips.

Transcripts

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InterviewTipsFirstImpressionsCareerAdviceProfessionalDevelopmentJobSearchConfidenceBuildingCommunicationSkillsBodyLanguageResumeHighlightCareerTransition