How to introduce yourself in a job interview: expert tips and examples​

Do you know how to introduce yourself in an interview? A job interview introduction may seem almost trivial when you’re focused on preparing for the most common job interview questions. But the job interview introduction is actually quite crucial. 

First of all, the introduction helps you to make a good impression on the job interviewer. If you do it right, it gets the interviewer's attention and causes the interviewer to want to learn more about you. You might even have the interviewer immediately like you.  

Introducing yourself is your opportunity to highlight the skills and work experiences that make you a great fit for the job. This is a chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job, the company in particular, and the whole industry in general.  

The right introduction also sets the proper tone for the rest of the interview. You want the interviewer to take you seriously, and the introduction immediately makes you more memorable. 

​The good news is that learning how to introduce yourself in an interview is relatively easy. With this guide, you can learn the proper steps and discover job interview introduction examples to help you prepare properly. 

 Here’s what to expect in this guide:  

• Start by researching the company and the position 
• Preparing your introduction 
• The Components of a Good Introduction 
• Dos and don'ts for introducing yourself 
• 10 introduce yourself sample in an interview with example answers   
• Adapting Your Introduction to Different Interview Formats 
• Practical tips for managing difficult introduction challenges 
• Effective follow-up strategies to maximise interview success 
• Final thoughts 
• FAQs

Start by researching the company and the position  

This is a crucial first step that every applicant needs to take. Fortunately, it’s an easy discovery process these days to find out more about the company. All you need to do is to go online, and check out the company’s official website, social media page, and analyse company reviews that mention the company. 

1. Pinpoint the required skills 

Many of the questions you might face during the job interview will be based on the information you’ll find on the company. You can prepare for these questions better when you have this info. 

2. Stay safe from job scams 

Researching a company is not just about understanding the job. It's also about staying safe. In Malaysia, you can check if the company is legally registered to avoid falling victim to job scams. By visiting the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) website, you can see if the company you’re interested in is listed there. This simple step can help you ensure that the job opportunity is genuine and not a scam. Remember to prioritise your safety and security when looking for a job! 

3. Show the interviewer your interest 

Understanding the job and the company signals your interest. You’ve demonstrated the proper initiative yourself. Coming to the interview knowing little about the job or the company means a marked lack of interest. 

Preparing your introduction 

Now that you know more about the job and the company, the next step is to prepare a script, or even just a general outline, for your job introduction. 

 It starts with identifying the right tone. Usually, this means you'll want to appear confident about yourself, interested in the job, the company, and the industry, and generally professional.  

Companies may be more casual regarding company culture, values, and workplace attire, but it's best to appear more serious at first. You can then appear more casual and relaxed if that's the job interviewer's tone.  

You can prepare a short script for your introduction, then practise delivering your words so you can say them smoothly and confidently. 

The components of a good introduction

What exactly does a great introduction consist of? It starts with a memorable opening statement so that you immediately set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants. Speak clearly and confidently so the job interviewer remembers your name and background.  

Start with the name you use when you're on the job, including any titles that may apply (such as Doctor if you have a PhD.) Focus on the various skills you possess and experiences you've gone through that make you eminently qualified for the job. 

As you speak, be calm and confident. Yet show your enthusiasm for the job, or else the interviewer might think you're not genuinely interested in the position or industry. End the introduction with a polite “thank you”, showing that you appreciate their consideration and time.  

Dos and don'ts for introducing yourself

These are the common mistakes to avoid when introducing yourself in a job interview:  

Mistake #1: Rambling and speaking for too long 

It’s best that you don’t go longer than two minutes when you’re introducing yourself. Be concise and to the point. Go for longer than two minutes, and the job interviewer might tune you out.  

Mistake #2: Going in nervous 

Calm yourself down as best you can. Being nervous doesn't help – people might think that you’re not confident about being able to do the job.  
 

It does help if you prepare as best you can. Dress professionally, and arrive early to take a breather before you start the interview.  

Mistake #3: Using generic terms 

Don't just say you're a team player or a hard worker. Instead, be more specific about what you can do and explain how your particular talents will benefit the job you're applying for.  

Mistake #4: Focusing on your negatives 

Your main goal during the job interview is to promote yourself, which usually means spotlighting your assets, talents, and skills. Talk about your previous accomplishments to highlight your abilities and knowledge. 

Mistake #5: Bragging too much 

When you do talk about yourself, it's not really about how great you are. The ultimate goal is to highlight how your talents and knowledge will benefit the company if offered the job.  

How to introduce yourself properly:  

• The basic principle here that you need to keep in mind is that you have to be confident, courteous, and friendly. All these traits help portray you as the ideal coworker.  

• It starts with dressing appropriately and being on time. Dressing too casually and arriving late indicates your lack of respect and interest in the job.  

• Speak clearly and confidently. If you took the time and effort to prepare for the job interview, the confidence should be there. It helps if you rehearse what you're going to say ahead of time. 

• Of course, the problem of sounding overly rehearsed makes you seem insincere. This is why memorising the words you will use is usually a bad idea.  

• Instead, keep in mind the main points you want to emphasise. Highlight your talents and experiences, but be yourself and use your words.  

10 introduce yourself sample in an interview with example answers   

Here are some terrific introduce-yourself samples you can use for your job interview. It would be best if you tweaked these examples to fit your particular circumstances. But these work as templates you can customise easily, as they all contain the essential components you need. 

Sample 1: Self Introduction Sample for General Roles 

“Hello, I’m Ahmad Sulaiman. I have a solid background in administration and customer support, with over three years of experience managing office tasks. I’m excited to bring my strong communication and organisational skills to your team.” 

Key Components: 

• Hello. This is a friendly greeting that sets a warm, professional tone for the interview. 

• I’m Ahmad Sulaiman. Start by clearly stating your full name. Using your proper name rather than a nickname establishes a professional image. 

• I have a solid background in administration and customer support, with over three years of experience managing office tasks. This part shares your relevant work experience and areas of expertise. If you’re not currently employed, you might mention your most recent role to highlight your skills and experience. 

• I’m excited to bring my strong communication and organisational skills to your team. Conclude by expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity. This shows your passion for the job and the industry, and indicates that you’re eager to contribute to the specific role or company. 

Sample 2: For Entry-Level Candidates Introducing Themselves 

​​​“Hi, my name is Li Hua. I recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration and completed an internship in marketing. I’m eager to learn and contribute my fresh perspective to your company.”​​ 

Sample 3: Experienced Professional Introduction 

“Good morning, I’m Rajesh Kumar. With over 10 years of experience in project management, I have successfully led cross-functional teams and streamlined operations. I’m looking forward to leveraging my expertise to drive success in your organisation.” 

Sample 4: Transitioning Careers? Here's a Sample Introduction 

“Hello, I’m Siti Nur. After spending eight years in finance, I’m now transitioning into digital marketing to pursue my passion for creative strategy. My analytical skills and project experience will help me make a smooth shift into this new field.” 

Sample 5: Introduce Yourself Sample for Leadership-Focused Roles 

“Hi, I’m Chen Wei. I have a robust background in team leadership and operational management, having led teams to exceed performance targets consistently. I’m confident my leadership style will positively impact your company’s strategic goals.” 

Sample 6: A Creative Approach to Introducing Yourself 

“Hello, I’m Priya Singh. I combine creativity with strategic thinking, which has helped me develop innovative campaigns that boost engagement. I’m excited to bring this creative energy to your marketing team.” 

Sample 7: Technical Role Introduction Sample 

​​​“Good afternoon, I’m Wang Lei, a software developer passionate about solving complex problems. Over the past five years, I’ve designed and optimised applications to enhance system performance. I’m eager to apply my technical expertise in your innovative environment.”​​ 

Sample 8: For Customer-Facing Positions, Try This Introduction 

“Hi, I’m Nur Aisyah. With extensive experience in customer service and sales, I excel at building rapport and ensuring client satisfaction. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute my friendly and effective communication skills to your team.” 

Sample 9: Sales Professional Introduction Example 

“Hello, I’m Arun Raj. I have over seven years of experience in sales, consistently achieving targets and developing strong client relationships. I’m passionate about driving revenue growth and eager to bring my expertise to your dynamic sales team.” 

Sample 10: Analytical and Research Role Introduction 

​​​“Good morning, I’m Zhang Ming. With a background in data analysis and research, I’ve provided insights that have informed strategic business decisions. I’m enthusiastic about using my analytical skills to support data-driven initiatives in your organisation.”​​ 

Adapting your introduction to different interview formats

Today, it's no longer automatic that the job interview will be a one-on-one session in a company office. It might take place in a cafe. It might be a group interview when you're faced with several people asking you lots of questions. Online interviews are very popular these days, and phone interviews aren't all that rare.  

3 tips for phone and video interviews  

Here are some valuable tips that will help you shine during these digital interactions: 

1. Test the equipment 

Start by testing the equipment well before the interview, whether it's a phone or video interview. Check that the equipment works and that you know how to use it. This can be a problem with older applicants who aren't thoroughly familiar with how some phone or video apps work.  

2. Reserve a private and quiet place for your location 

It’s best if you have a home office that you can lock. That way, you can keep other people out while you engage with your interview. It doesn’t make you look professional when children and pets become involved during the interview.  

If you don't have a home office, pick a good spot where the background is neutral and professional-looking. Also, try to choose a quiet area so noises (such as road traffic, loud music, or video game sound effects) won't disturb the interview.  

3. Dress properly 

Wear a professional shirt and some good trousers and clean leather shoes. This might seem overkill for a simple phone interview, but at least you're ready for anything.  

Even if the job interviewer over the phone requests a switch to a video interview, it would be easy for you. In addition, even during the phone interview, the professional outfit helps to make you feel more confident. 

6 tips for job interviews with multiple interviewers

This can be challenging since there isn't a single person you can exclusively focus on. It's also more intimidating, as you may feel you're being ganged upon.  

1. Keep calm 

Multiple interviewers can feel overwhelming, but staying calm is key. Take deep breaths and focus on your preparation to maintain your composure. 

2. Familiarise yourself with each person 

Start by knowing the names of each person in the group and ask for their roles or job positions in the company. Usually, they will provide this info when they introduce themselves (or the main speaker introduces everyone in the group). But if the info isn't provided immediately, it's alright to ask.  

3. Take down notes 

With multiple interviewers, taking down notes might be a good idea. This makes it much easier for you to remember everyone's name and title.  

4. Make eye contact 

When someone asks you a question, face that person with a smile and a friendly demeanour while you answer. Remember to contact the other interviewers if you give a longer answer. You're facing several interviewers, and they all matter. 

5. Treat everyone with respect 

What about if you face a "good cop / bad cop" routine? This is when there's an interviewer who is friendly and gentle, while another interviewer is harsher, more antagonistic, and more critical.  

In this case, keep calm and treat both interviewers the same way. Don't favour one interviewer over another. Realise they're working as a team, so don't take it personally.  

6. Ask thoughtful questions 

Prepare a few questions for the panel and, if appropriate, direct one to each interviewer. This not only shows your interest in the role and company but also encourages an interactive discussion. 

Practical tips for managing difficult introduction challenges 

Wouldn't it be nice if everything went perfectly and smoothly? But unfortunately, that's not always the case. Most of the time, problems come up. Some of these problems, however, aren't all that serious, though they may be somewhat annoying: 

What should you do if you can't remember the interviewer's name?  

Yes, this can be embarrassing. But you don't have to panic. Just take a few deep breaths and calm down.  

It isn't the end of the world if you can't recall the interviewer's name. Just be honest about it. Apologise to the interviewer and ask for it again. Say something like this: "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've forgotten your name."   

Of course, it's a lot better if you remember the interviewer's name in the first place. Please take special note of the name when you first hear it and try to use it in the conversation as quickly as possible. Or take notes and write the name down, along with the interviewer's job title.  

How to handle language barriers 

English is widely considered the primary language used in business. However, it’s a good idea to know the native language of your business contacts and find out which language is used in the company workplace.  

Some interviews may be conducted in Chinese or Malay. For instance, you’re applying to positions like a bank clerk in an Islamic bank or a Chinese salesperson in a Chinese hotpot restaurant. 

If you're not Malaysian and wish to work in Malaysia, improving your English and mastery of the local language is a great idea.  

If you’re Malaysian, then it’s your responsibility to be able to use workplace English. You might want to take some English classes beforehand. Remember that about 50% to 60% of the population in Malaysia have some level of English skills.  

What should you do if the interviewer asks you to introduce yourself again?  

This isn’t a problem at all. Just smile, be friendly, and repeat your name current job title, and company. 

Effective follow-up strategies to maximise interview success 

Job interviews aren't all about introductions at all. You need to factor in what happens after the job interview, too. 

You need to follow up after the interview, and there are several reasons for this:  

• Following up after the interview tells the interviewer you're genuinely interested in the job and foster a better relationship.  
• It shows that you're polite and thankful for their time.  
• You can reiterate your talents and qualifications and express your interest in the job and industry. 
• Also, you can review what happened during the interview. The follow-up allows you to correct any wrong impressions and misunderstandings that may have occurred during the interview.  

This doesn’t have to be all that complicated. A simple follow-up email after a job interview or a thank-you email will do. It’s convenient for everyone. To do this right, here are some tips that can help you: 

• Send promptly: Send your follow-up note within 24 hours of the interview while the details remain fresh. 
• Express gratitude: Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. 
• Reaffirm interest: Restate your enthusiasm for the job and industry, and highlight your qualifications. 
• Add missing details: Include any additional information you didn’t mention during the interview. 
• Ask follow-up questions: Pose any unanswered questions that couldn’t be resolved through online research. 
• Maintain positivity: Keep your tone enthusiastic and positive. 
• Proofread: Carefully review your email for errors before sending. 
• Send a reminder: If you haven’t heard back after a week, consider asking about your application status. 

Final thoughts 

 Following up after an interview is essential to reinforce your professional image and genuine interest in the role. A well-timed thank-you note or email can keep you memorable and set you apart from other candidates.  

An effective introduce yourself sample during your interview can be the foundation for a strong follow-up message. Remember, demonstrating gratitude and enthusiasm for the position and company is key to maintaining a positive connection. 

With this guide, you should be able to prepare for any situation that might come up during the interview. The basic principle is simple: be calm and confident, and state your name and qualifications. And demonstrate your genuine interest in the job along the way.  

Practise the tips and examples you've learned here and boost your chances of acing that job interview!  

Download the Jobstreet app for iOS or Android. This will help you to search for jobs, send applications, and track updates on the fly. And don’t forget to check out the Career Advice page, which offers more tips on job searching, career advancement and overall self-improvement! 

FAQs

1. How long should my introduction be?
   ⁠Your introduction at the start of the interview should be between one to two minutes. That’s enough time to emphasise the most things about yourself, but it’s not too long that it might seem like you’re talking too much. Let the interviewer continue when they ask for more details. 
2. Should I mention my weaknesses in my introduction?
   ⁠Not at the start, no. The main focus is to highlight all your strengths and skills right away. It’s similar to how brands advertise by focusing on the great features of their products. They don’t focus on the negatives at the start (if at all).
3. What if I have no experience in the industry? How should I introduce myself? 
   ⁠You can then focus on how you developed your interest in this new industry and then explain how this interest encouraged you to build the appropriate skills necessary for the role you're applying for. You can also demonstrate how the skills you've previously developed are transferable to this new industry. 
4. Should I bring up my salary expectations in my introduction?
   ⁠No, as this might be construed as rude and arrogant. At this stage, you're trying to show that you're a worthy applicant for the job. Immediately bringing up your salary expectations doesn't make you stand out nicely. 
5. Is it okay to use humour in my introduction? 
   ⁠This depends on the industry and the values and culture of the company you're trying to join. Humour might be okay for some companies with relaxed rules and casual culture. But some fields (such as the finance and legal sectors) may expect more serious and professional conversations.
6. Can I introduce myself differently in the second round of interviews? 
   ⁠A second round of interviews generally means you've proven that you have the core requirements for the job during the first round. This time, you must prove that you're a better fit for the job than the other applicants. 
   ⁠Focus on that aspect when you introduce yourself this time. 
7. What if the interviewer cuts me off during my introduction? 
   ⁠If this happens, keep calm and don't take it personally. Let the interviewer finish speaking, thank them for their input, and then politely ask if you can continue your introduction. If they ask a question, answer it and then continue your introduction. 
8. Should I memorise my introduction word for word? 
   ⁠No, as this might make you sound robotic and insincere. You should memorise the key points and then talk naturally about them. Practise your introduction out loud constantly, so you can be as natural as possible during the interview.
9. What if I am nervous about introducing myself during the interview? 
   ⁠The most common coping method for nerves is breathing deeply a few times. But prevention is better than a cure for nerves. It's best if you've adequately prepared for the interview. Wear the appropriate attire and arrive early for the interview. 
10. Should I include personal information in my introduction, such as my hobbies or family background?
    ⁠In general, this isn't recommended. You must prioritise the skills and work experience that make you eminently qualified for the job you're applying for. But you might mention any hobbies that support your qualifications, such as creating computer programmes for fun when applying for a programming job. Who knows if your hidden talent may be what the interviewer wants? 
    ⁠Use your judgment. Assess whether sharing personal information adds value to your application. Remember to prioritise the professional aspects that make you stand out as a qualified candidate for the role.