Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Introduce yourself during a job interview
• Method 2 of 3: Introduce yourself at a network meeting
• Method 3 of 3: Introduce yourself on a social media or dating site
• Tips
• Warnings

It can be daunting to introduce yourself if you are in a social or professional situation. But with a little preparation, reflection and honesty you can still find the words that do justice to who you are and how your personality works. Here are some tips on how to properly introduce yourself both orally and in writing.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Introduce yourself during a job interview

1. Conduct research on the company. Every company has a unique corporate culture. When you bring out the qualities in yourself that match the values ​​of the company, you show that you are interested in the company and have thought about it.
   • For example, if you are applying for a job at a company that is going to work with a new system, try to talk about your interest in and experience with innovative technology, the company's products and your desire to work in a creative environment where people can develop is busy.
2. Prepare to be asked to talk about yourself during a job application. If you think about the answers to the questions that may be asked well in advance, you will give yourself time to think things through.
   • Preparing a list of traits and achievements will help you decide which traits are important and which ones to get rid of. Then you can give an introduction about yourself that is meaningful.
3. Think carefully about the position you want to hold. Study the job description carefully so that you know the details about the content of the job and the qualifications required. Your introduction should show that you are interested in performing the duties of the job as well as your ability to do it well.
   • When applying for a management position, it may be advisable to describe yourself in terms of leadership qualities and strategies that you have implemented at another similar company. For example, "I am primarily responsible and sales manager at the company where I currently work. I recently implemented new software in the company to track our sales success. "
   • If you apply for an assistant position, you can, for example, highlight your talent in multitasking or your highly developed organizational qualities in your introduction: "I am currently assisting four partners. They are very satisfied with my organizational skills and my communication skills. They recently empowered me to independently book orders for the company. "
   • When you apply for a starter position, you can describe your flexibility and willingness to learn to occupy a new position. For example, "I recently graduated and have some internship experience with offset printing. I am looking for more experience and opportunities to expand my knowledge. "
   • If you want to follow a special graduation program, make it clear in your introduction why you fit so well into the graduation program. Review your study results, interests and hobbies, travel plans, and other things that paint a good picture of yourself: "I've been interested in making handmade paper for some time and experimented with it for a while. I would like to integrate this experience into your bookbinding courses at your art academy.
4. Describe yourself using concrete examples of things you have done instead of empty phrases. If you are a great organizer and you write that you are very well organized it means next to nothing. However, talking about the time when you hosted a major conference for 100 top corporate executives instead has shown yourself and your capabilities much more clearly.
5. Practice the job interview with a friend. He or she may be able to provide valuable feedback. He or she can also help you determine which topics you should mention and which ones you can leave out.
6. Know the difference between trust and arrogance. If you mention your achievements because they are true and relevant to the conversation, that is quite acceptable. But talking about your achievements and positive qualities without any evidence or regard for the conversation being conducted can work to your disadvantage.
7. Stay positive. Highlight and amplify your positive qualities and avoid criticizing yourself.
8. Talk briefly and decide about yourself. An interview is not a good time to tell an extensive life story. Describe yourself and your achievements as succinctly as possible.
   • Highlight 2-3 points when you are asked to tell about yourself. Then follow with an example illustrating how your attributes turned out to be beneficial in a given situation.
9. Be professional. Choose words that describe you as a competent professional. Avoid words like bold, fun, sexy, cool, or pretty.

Method 2 of 3: Introduce yourself at a network meeting

1. Have a goal in mind. A network meeting is an opportunity to get in touch with people from the sector where you are currently working or in which you want to work. If you are looking to connect with others in similar roles in your industry, your introduction and interaction will be different than if you are looking for a job and talking to a recruiter.
2. Develop your core information or "elevator pitch". These are brief summaries in which you explain who you are and what you do. These summaries highlight the most important and special things about you. Here are some questions to ask while developing your elevator pitch:
   • Who am I? "I am a writer." "I am a recruiter." "I am a secretary."
   • Which organization do I work for? "I work for an online art magazine." "I work for a fledgling software company." "I work for a small non-profit organization."
   • How do I help my organization? "I review local exhibitions for an online international art magazine." "I recruit and select new talent to develop specialized software." "I help companies optimize their new product launch strategies."
3. Find your passion and improve your pitch. Answering the above questions can help you determine what you value and what you are passionate about. Use this knowledge to compile your answers in short, clear summaries:
   • “I am a writer for an online art magazine with an international audience. It's a great opportunity because it allows me to attend and review local vernissages. "
   • “I am a recruiter in a small start-up software company. I recruit and select new talent. "
   • “I am a secretary at a small non-profit company. I support start-ups who want to improve their new product launch strategies. "
4. Listen to others. Rather ask questions than start the conversation by pitching yourself right away. Giving others the opportunity to talk about themselves is really a way to get to know them better and find out what their needs are.
   • Active listening is an opportunity for you to allow a meaningful exchange to take place. You can then listen to the core message of another person as well as determine whether you want to offer new information or respond to the needs of the other.
   • Listening and responding with thoughtful feedback (and not just running your elevator pitch) will go a long way towards establishing good business relationships. People who share their information honestly and free of charge often build real relationships on network meetings and maintain the relationships long after the meeting ends.

Method 3 of 3: Introduce yourself on a social media or dating site

1. Be honest. To avoid future complications, it is best to keep speaking the truth. Don't try to sell yourself too much by trying to look like a celebrity or model.
   • While age may be a sensitive topic for you, lying about it doesn't really help you. If you are 45 try to describe yourself as "mid-forties". Then follow with other interesting information about yourself, for example, "I'm in my mid-40s, look like my mid-30s, love salsa, rock climbing, and trying new whiskeys."
   • If you have kids, this may be the right time to mention it. Try it: "I am a 35-year-old mother with a hilarious 5-year-old child."
2. Be specific. By giving vague descriptions like "I like to have fun" or "happy" you do not profile yourself as a unique description, it is too general. Try to keep your introduction concrete or give examples.
   • If you enjoy traveling, describe where you last went and why you would want to go there again.
   • If you love to eat, you can indicate your favorite restaurants or what delicious dish you cooked last weekend.
   • If you like art, talk about the kind of art you love or the retrospective of the artist you recently went to.
3. Avoid negativity. When describing yourself, focus on things you love, both in yourself and in the world.
   • Offer solid, positive descriptions of your appearance such as "feminine brown-eyed brunette with fantastic shoulders and an even more beautiful smile."
   • By using a little humor you stand out from the crowd. Humor says a lot about your personality. Humor also makes you appear more no-nonsense and accessible. For example, "I am 34 years old, blond, myopic and very happy."
4. Talk about your norms and values. While you shouldn't overwhelm people you've just met with strong opinions about politics or religion, talking about your values ​​helps them get to know you. If your education or family are very important to you, talking or writing about it can give people a better idea of ​​who you are.

Tips

• Do not exaggerate. Giving a description of yourself - whether in a social or professional setting - shouldn't be too long-winded. It's an opportunity to start a conversation and to give the other person a chance to get to know you gradually.
• To learn how to introduce yourself adequately, try taking an online quiz. While you may not learn anything new about yourself, you may find the right words to describe yourself.

Warnings

• Always be careful about discussing personal information, both online and in a real conversation. Always assume that everything you put on the internet can be read by someone.