You have a really important interview for that job you've been interested in. And it's extremely nerve-wracking to prepare for as you have no idea what to expect. It can be difficult to understand good interview practices and know how you can make yourself stand out against other potential candidates. And introducing yourself is the first step to set the right tone when you step into an interview.
Now, it may seem redundant to provide a guide to introductions. After all, all of us have been introducing ourselves to someone new, one way or another, all our lives. But, keep in mind that a job interview is a very different atmosphere, and requires a completely different approach to self-introductions. This is where you will try to give the best possible first impression, and impress your recruiters from the get-go.
Remember, self-introduction isn't simply stating your name. It should always communicate something personal about you, including who you are, your experiences, skills and expectations from the future. So, before you go for an interview, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind -
1. Research the Company
This is one of the most important pre-interview processes you need to undertake. Find out if the company has a website and/or a LinkedIn account. Scour through these to understand intrinsically what the company stands for and how you can place yourself within the company culture. Many companies will list their clients, completed projects and goals on their website. Familiarise yourself with their work and examine how you can bring something valuable to the table.
2. Understand The Job Profile
In order to make an impression on your interviewer, know what you're interviewing for. Read the job description carefully, and understand what it is that the company is looking for. Figure out how your skills can aid you in certain processes, and what it is that you need to highlight in terms of your experiences and achievements to fit the job profile.
3. Organise Your Thoughts
It is normal to be nervous. However, being frantic before an interview will hinder your prospects as you may come across as lacking confidence and perhaps incompetent. Take deep breaths, and organise what you're going to say before the interview. This is not to say that you should not be prepared for improvisation and sudden thought-provoking questions. This is simply being prepared by knowing the basic framework of what you intend to say. Read and comprehensively analyse your CV to figure out if there's anything you'd want to elaborate on. Think about how you will introduce yourself. And categorise your skills and achievements in order of relevance to the job profile.
Once you're in the right head-space for the interview, and sufficiently prepared for this daunting prospect, it's time to figure out how to approach an interview once you're there. While no two interviews are the same, the way you approach your interviewees can be relatively similar. This also helps you in creating a framework within which you can place your responses, and be ready for whatever the interviewer throws at you. A great way to approach it is to divide your introduction into three parts - Present, Past and Future.
I. PRESENT
Think of 'Present' as explaining your current state of being to the interviewers. This means you have to sell yourself and explain what you can bring to the company, a unique aspect that sets you apart from the crowd. Here's where you focus on your qualifications and skillsets that are relevant to the position. Give examples that pertain to your job description and identify you as competent in those particular skills.
This is also a good opportunity to present your CV. Now, the recruiter will most likely already have your CV in hand (unless it's a walk-in-interview). So what you need to avoid is a simple repetition of what's on your CV and present yourself in a manner that transcends that simple sheet of paper.
A great tip for this is to use a Resume Presentation. A Resume presentation can be a unique way to showcase your skills, experience and qualifications in a memorable way and sets you apart from the crowd. And it is made simple by the availability of Resume Presentation Templates, provided by SlideUpLift. SlideUpLift uses vision science and storytelling to create engaging presentations that can communicate effectively and showcase your unique identity to your recruiter. And it is a great tool to use if you're looking to stand apart from the crowd when it comes to the hiring process.
II. PAST
Most job descriptions specify that they require some amount of prior experience, especially if it's a mid to senior-level position. So it is incredibly important to highlight your prior experience and how that's made you a suitable fit for this current position. Explain to your recruiter where you come from and how past experiences have allowed you to grow and learn new skills, perfect for this new job profile. Emphasize how your previous work will help you in your current role, and why you will fit perfectly into the new job profile.
A memorable way to ensure you explain in detail to your recruiter where you come from, and your past experiences, is to use an About Me presentation. These presentations are meant to define who you are as a person and what your life has been like so far. It allows recruiters to take a glimpse into you, and understand how you can fit in the company's workforce. You can find a vast collection of About Me templates on SlideUpLift's website. The templates are easy to use and fully customizable, allowing you to give a unique insight to your recruiter into your life.
III. FUTURE
A good way to conclude your self-introduction is to state clearly what your expectations for the future are. Explicitly stating where you intend to move forward gives a clear idea to the recruiter about your career goals, and whether they align with the company's goals and your job's profile. So, figure out how you want your career trajectory to progress and include that within your introduction itself. You don't need to be highly specific, but a general idea will give your recruiter a look into where you're headed and how this position can help you in that endeavor.
Once you have finalised your basic idea for your self-introduction, the next step is to focus on your body language. A confident personality and suitable body language can do wonders to make a good first impression. Smile, give a firm handshake and have good posture. These are subtle clues to the recruiter that you're confident and can be trusted to hold yourself up well.
So, take this advice and nail your next interview with the help of PowerPoint templates to create a stellar profile. And make the best first impression that you can with a well-thought-out and comprehensive self-introduction, using the best of Resume and About Me presentations!
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