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How to introduce yourself in an interview?

How do I tell something about myself and How would I describe it? What makes me unique compared to other interviewee, my strengths and weakness. And others?

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Diane’s Answer

Hi Ashley, first impressions are so important so this is a great question. Make sure you have done your homework regarding the company with whom you are interviewing. In doing so this will provide you with a level of confidence and preparedness going into the interview and it will ease the nerves. Having the confidence and preparedness will make answering the "tell me about yourself" question a little easier. Provide a little history to your job experience(s). Know/understand your skill strengths and what they will bring to the position you are applying for and provide examples. Share a weakness or weaknesses and the steps you took to overcome. Keep your introduction concise and remain focused and don't get off track. This first impression introduction will set the tone for the rest of the interview. Best of luck!
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Jake’s Answer

Start by being yourself, at the end of the day you want the position to be a good fit for both you and the employer.

As far as standing out or being unique, think about what the job you are applying for is asking of the candidate, and highlight those strengths that are relevant to showcase when introducing yourself. If possible, ahead of time reach out to someone already working in a similar position to get better insight and use this info to relate to the position you are applying for.

Be positive and express energy in your voice, let them know you want to be there and that you care about the position you are applying for.

Remember it may take multiple interviews to find the right position or job, always get feedback of how the interview went after the fact, this will help you do even better the next time!

Good Luck!
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Eric W.’s Answer

One thing I would add to this thread is to be sincere. It is great to do your research, think about the things you want to highlight from your life that are applicable to the job, and practice beforehand. But remember that job interviews should be both ways. You should be assessing whether or not this is a company you want to work at. There's obviously some filtering on what you share in a professional environment, but you should be able to be yourself and want to work at this company. Being sincere in sharing about yourself will come through and help you understand if the company is a good fit for you.
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Crystal’s Answer

Your introduction is your first chance to make an impression on a potential employer. Keep it succinct and relevant. It is important to know relevant information about the company and the role. Discuss what you have achieved rather than generalized aspects of your role. Smiling when you talk really makes a difference, even if you are just over the phone. Be punctual (even early) and be confident. Never talk negatively about previous companies or team members.
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Jennifer’s Answer

A few other tips :
1. Research the company, ask a question about something you read.
2. Be willing to explain and descrive your eagerness for the job even if you dont have a lot of experience.
3. Ask questions about their expectations of you if you hired
4. Be punctual for the interview :)
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Frank’s Answer

First, remember that you are unique, because no one else has the same school or work experience, the same family background, the same hobbies and interests, and the same goals as you. In an interview, you can you any of the above to answer questions or talk about yourself. If you don't have much work experience, use other examples. You could demonstrate responsibility through taking care of younger siblings, older relatives, or pets; leadership through sports, local clubs/organizations; generosity through volunteer activities or religious institution involvement; self-motivation through achievement in certain hobbies. These types of things can help showcase your strengths, even if you don't have directly related experience for the job.
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Ellen’s Answer

Starting your interview on a strong note is always my top advice. Remember, your interviewers are not only assessing your skills and experience but also your personality. Building a good relationship with them is crucial. When introducing yourself, it's beneficial to emphasize your three main qualities. Don't rush into discussing your career history and experiences listed on your resume. Instead, focus on describing your strengths that aren't explicitly mentioned in your resume.
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Tricia’s Answer

Thank them for taking the time to meet with you and emphasize your excitement for the role. This is an opportunity to also highlight yourself, your relevant history as it relates to the job requirements and your experience in the area.
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rachel’s Answer

Hi Ashley,

Here are a few tips for your interview journey:
- Feel comfortable to clarify the question with the interviewer, "What would you like to know about me?"
- Focus on your soft skills.
- Make sure when you are introducing yourself, you include something about the current role you're applying for.
- Use concrete examples when you bring up your skills
- Only you can answer what makes you unique, don't be afraid to be yourself, let yourself and your skills shine. Interviewers are looking for authenticity!
- It's helpful to review the job description and relate your talents and skills to those specific tasks.
- Come prepared to the interview with thoughtful and insightful questions that foster your curiosity in the role.
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Lisa’s Answer

Hi -- The opening "tell me about" is critical to seeing how a candidate can communicate in a concise and meaningful way. Lots of good advice already mentioned here, but they key is being succinct. My additional points would be:
- Keep it high level and don't explain what you did in roles unless they ask for details
- Add a little bit about you as a person, where you are from and any key interests or passions you have outside of work. This helps to differentiate you as a person.
- Consider the role you are applying for and see if you can tie a few connections to that role into your intro. I feel like this is optional, "icing on the cake" in an intro because you will also have an opportunity to do this throughout the interview
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Aya’s Answer

You've got this! Just take a moment to embrace your individuality and think about all those wonderful things that make you special. Remember, they are just as excited to meet you for the first time as you are. Share your hobbies, fun stories or entertaining experiences, showcasing your unique personality. Keep it short, sweet, and positive. And of course, let your genuine smile shine through – it will definitely win them over!
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David’s Answer

It's good to see you thinking strategically about how you will prepare for your interview and you have some good advice here already. What I would add is to think about what the interviewer wants or needs to hear, not necessarily what you want to tell them and it's OK to keep it concise, allowing them to follow up. Usually the interview will start with a question to you. It may be as general as "tell me about yourself," in which case it is again important to keep it brief. Key points that I would suggest in a sentence or two are your educational background, any applicable experience you have, how you believe the position is a good fit for you. If you cover these quickly and concisely, the interviewer will be impressed and they will figure out where they want to go. Remember also they usually have your resume in front of them so you don't have to go into detail repeating it. As someone who has interviewed hundreds if not over a thousand people in my career, a big turn off is when someone rambles on in detail repeating their resume. Even experienced people often do this resulting in an awkward moment when they have to be stopped and redirected. Because you are thinking strategically about this, I know that you are well positioned for success and should be confident going into any interviews you have.

David recommends the following next steps:

Collect your thoughts on your key education, experience, and reason for interest in the role.
Practice -- but not memorize or rehearse -- your response to yourself, perhaps recording it and watching it back (this is done in executive development courses).
Do a practice/mock interview with a mentor, teacher, friend or family member; tell them to ask hard questions.
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