How to introduce yourself in a job interview (plus examples!)

Introduction

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.

• Researching the company and the position
• Preparing your introduction
• The components of a good introduction
• Dos and don'ts for introducing yourself
• Adapting your introduction to different interview formats
• How to handle difficult introduction scenarios
• Follow-up strategies
• Conclusion
• FAQs

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 all online articles and news that mention the company.

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.

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!

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 makes 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

5 common mistakes during job interviews

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 

1. 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. 
2. It starts with dressing properly and being on time. Dressing too casually and arriving late indicates your lack of respect and interest in the job. 
3. Speak clearly and confidently. If you actually 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.
4. 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. 
5. Instead, keep in mind the main points you want to emphasise. Highlight your talents and experiences, but be yourself and use your own words. 

Adapting your introduction to different interview formats

In today's world, 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. 

It may not even be a face-to-face interview, which makes sense in this post-COVID-19 reality. Virtual interviews are very popular these days, and phone interviews aren't all that rare. 

3 tips for phone and video interviews 

Here are some useful tips that will help: 

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 fully 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 complete with 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's fine for you. In addition, even during the phone interview, the professional outfit helps to make you feel more confident.

5 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

Take a few deep breaths, and tell yourself you can do this.

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 front 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. 

3 excellent examples of effective introductions 

Here are some terrific examples of introductions you can use for your job interview. Obviously, 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.

Example #1

Hello, my name is Muhammad Ali, and I'm a sales agent with Alpha Enterprise. I'm excited to be here today and look forward to learning more about the Sales Team Leader position at Bravo Sdn Bhd. 

The key components here include: 

• Hello. This is a friendly greeting to start it all, and to establish a cordial interview. 
• My name is. You start with your name, which you want to use for a professional workplace setting. You don’t want to use a cute nickname right at the start, as that doesn’t seem all that professional. 
• Sales agent at Alpha Enterprise. This is an example of the current job you’re holding now.  If you’re currently not working, mention the last job you had to establish your set of talents and work experience. 
• I’m excited to be here today. This shows your passion for the job and the industry. 
• I'm looking forward to learning more about the Sales Team Leader position at Bravo Sdn Bhd. At the very least, you know the job title and the company you’re applying to. 

Example #2

Good afternoon, [Interviewer's Name]. I'm [Your Name], and I'm a [Your Title] with [Your Company]. I'm enthusiastic about [The Industry] and excited to use my talents and work experience to help [Company Name] achieve its goals.

This is a great response when the job interviewer speaks first and introduces themselves. You then repeat the interviewer’s name in your introduction, even as you include all the other key components. 

Example #3

It's great to meet you, [Interviewer's Name]. I'm [Your Name], and I'm a [Your Title] with [Your Company]. I've been working in the [Your Industry] industry for [Number] years, and I have a proven track record of success in [Your Accomplishments]. I'm confident I have the skills and experience you're looking for in a [Job Title], and I'm excited to learn more about the opportunity at [Company Name].

This time, you mention more details right at the start of your introduction. This is a terrific advantage if you already have an extensive work history in the industry you’re applying for. 

How to handle difficult introduction scenarios

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 

Officially, English is the official language of business in Malaysia. 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. Keep in mind that about 50% to 60% of the population in Malaysia have some level of English skills. 

What to 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 and current job title and company. 

Follow-up strategies

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

Why should you follow up? 

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

1. Following up after the interview tells the interviewer you're genuinely interested in the job. 
2. It shows that you're polite and thankful for their time. 
3. You can reiterate your talents and qualifications and express your interest in the job and industry. 
4. 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. 
5. Following up bolsters the relationship you've established during the interview. 

How to follow up 

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

• Send the follow-up note within 24 hours of the interview. That way, you don't forget, and the interviewer won't think you failed to follow up. Sending within 24 hours is also more effective since the interviewer is more likely to remember you still. 
• Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
• In the follow-up note, restate your interest in the job and industry, and try to reiterate your qualifications. 
• If you have any additional information about yourself that you didn't mention during the interview, now might be the time to say it. 
• This is also an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you should have asked during the interview. Make sure that these are questions you can't answer with some online research. 
• Be enthusiastic and positive. 
• Carefully proofread the email before you send it. 
• You can also send another email a week after the interview. This is to inquire about the status of your application. 

Conclusion 

So, let us recap the crucial points of this guide: 

• Preparation is crucial for a proper job interview introduction. And it would help if you practised what to say and how to act. Winging the opening is not a good idea. 
• The critical components of the introduction include a friendly greeting, your name and current position, and the job title in the company you're applying to. 
• Interviews can be set in several ways. It may involve more than one interviewer or be conducted over the phone or via video. 
• You're not done when the interview is "over". You still need to follow up properly. 

With this guide, you should be able to prepare for just about 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! 

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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.