Introducing Yourself to others large

Introducing Yourself to Others

September 12, 2019

"Tell me about yourself."

If you have had a job interview before, you may have been asked this question. It is one of the most common questions asked during a job interview. However, you may have been asked this question in other settings such as job fairs, networking events, volunteering, or when meeting someone new. If you aren't prepared, this can be a difficult question to answer. It helps to have answers already thought out. You never know where you might run into potential employers.

Elevator Speech

A great way to help you answer this question is using an elevator speech. An elevator speech is a quick, 30-second introduction that covers basic information about you, like your education, skills, and work history. You can use this speech to introduce yourself to employers, networking contacts, or even new acquaintances. You can learn more about elevator speeches in Write Your Elevator Speech

Good Impressions

One of the most important parts of telling someone about yourself is that you make a good first impression. It can take a long time to change someone's first impression of you, so it is important that your first encounter is a good one. Here are a couple of tips to help leave a good impression:

  • Smile, make eye contact, and give the other person a strong handshake. Smiling is a sign of welcoming. It lets people know that you are approachable. By making eye contact, you convey that you are interested and open to them. Finally, having a strong, firm handshake sets a good tone. You don't want to squeeze their hand extremely hard and hurt them, but you also don't want to have a weak grip either.
  • Stay away from electronic devices. It is important to give a person your full attention when you are meeting them. Be sure to keep your phone away to let them know that you are interested in what they have to say.
  • Have a positive attitude. People can sense your attitude in a short amount of time. If it's bad, they will likely notice. Before you go to a job fair, meeting, or an interview, get into a positive mindset and approach with a smile. 
  • Find common interests. If you have more than a few minutes to talk to the person, you have the chance to find things you have in common. Maybe you know the same person or like the same sports team. This can create a stronger connection and help them see you in a positive light.

Business Cards

You can meet a potential employer anywhere! To be as prepared as possible, it is a good idea to carry a few business cards with you. Business cards are small cards that have brief information about you along with your contact information. They usually feature your:

  • Name.
  • Company or current employer, if you have one.
  • Position in the company, if you have one.
  • Company or personal logo, if you have one.
  • Email address.
  • Phone number.
  • Mailing address.
  • Social media sites you want to share.

There are many options when it comes to getting business cards. You can order them through an online service, through a local business, or even use a program to create and print them yourself. If you create them yourself, make sure to use a sturdy cardstock and an appropriate font. You don't want your information printed on flimsy paper that is easily destroyed, and you may not be taken seriously if you use an unprofessional font.

Also, don't fall into the trap of handing out business cards indiscriminately. Some people do not like being given a card they did not ask for or expect. Also, you generally want your card to be with people whose connections are important to you. Handing them to everyone you come across diminishes their uniqueness and value.

Get Ready to Shine

Telling people about yourself can be tricky, but if you take the time to prepare and know what you are going to say, you won't be so nervous to do it. Preparing an elevator speech, making a good impression, and using business cards to share your information are all great ways to tell people about who you are and what you do. 

Additional Resources

  • Learn more about Preparing Your Resume and Illinois workNet's resume builder tools.
  • Read the Marketing Your Skills section for information about resume types, portfolios, and how to share your resume online.

Read the Employment & Hiring Planning section for information on preparing for job interviews and what to do during an interview as well as more on job searching.


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Introducing Yourself to Others by Illinois workNet is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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