If you’ve ever struggled to answer the first question in a job interview – “Please introduce yourself” or “Tell me about you” – you’re not alone. (how-to video: here)
It’s one of the most deceptively difficult questions out there. I’ve coached hundreds of professionals, and I’ve seen even the most qualified candidates stumble here. Some start telling their life story, taking several minutes before mentioning anything job-related. Others recite their resume line by line – something the interviewer has likely already read. And some give short, forgettable responses that fail to make a strong impression.
Why Your Introduction Matters
Your answer to this question sets the tone for the entire interview. It’s your first chance to establish credibility, demonstrate confidence, and give the interviewer a clear, compelling sense of who you are professionally.
A well-crafted introduction positions you as polished, intentional, and ready for the role. A weak or unstructured one, on the other hand, can make even the best candidates seem unprepared.
A Simple Formula for a Strong Introduction
Here’s a starter structure I recommend when coaching clients to prepare for interviews:
- State your full name clearly and confidently.
For example: “My name is Dr. Gary Dumais.” This small step helps set a professional tone and clarifies pronunciation – especially useful if your name is unique or less familiar. - Provide your job title or professional role.
Something direct like: “I’m an Executive Coach.” This immediately frames who you are, what you do, and how you relate to the interviewer’s needs. - Briefly highlight your education, years of experience, or key roles.
For instance: “I have a doctorate in psychology and over 20 years of experience working for top-tier consulting firms.” This quickly establishes credibility and relevance. - Share your professional specialty or area of expertise.
For example: “I specialize in helping people get hired and succeed in their careers.” This emphasizes the value you provide. - Add a memorable personal touch.
End with a light, relatable detail: “And something interesting about me that you won’t find on my resume is that I grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Upstate New York.” Personal details like this make you more memorable and harder to dismiss.
This approach is professional yet personable, structured yet natural, and informative yet concise. When practiced, it helps you sound clear, confident, and authentic – qualities that leave a lasting impression.
Practice Makes Professional
Even the best script will fall flat if it sounds rehearsed or robotic. That’s why I encourage clients to practice their introduction aloud – several times – until it feels natural and flows easily. You want to sound like your best self, not a memorized version of you.
When done right, your introduction can be a confident launch into a successful interview.
Looking for More Help with Interview Skills?
If you’d like personalized coaching to strengthen how you interview or to accelerate your job search, I can help. An Executive Coach with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in helping professionals prepare for high-stakes moments like these – so you can make the kind of impression that gets you hired.
Schedule a free consultation to learn how I can help you refine your interview skills, enhance your job search effectiveness, and land your next job.
Dr. Gary Dumais, Psy.D.
Career & Executive Coach
ExecInterviewCoach.com
