'Tell me about yourself'... Are you really prepared for your introduction?

Pic courtesy - Cathryn Lavery

I believe introductions are all about letting the other person know what your story is, and who would know your story better than you! But how do you re-tell it? How do you engage your listener? Imagine a stage, and you in the audience - would you enjoy a dry, factual and disconnected talk just read out of a piece of paper, or would you rather pay attention to beautifully and vividly described thoughts woven into a unique story.

Introductions are similar. If you are a natural talker, you’d find yourself at ease in these situations, but if you are part of the majority who are nervous with first interactions, a little practice and preparation can go a long way.

· Note it! Take a notepad and write down what you did in your past all the way till your present. A bit like your resume, but this includes more of your life and reasoning- the why, where you see yourself in the future and what gets you excited and passionate (be it professional or personal hobbies). The notes can be in the form of drawn sketches, color coded, flowcharts, bullets points or even paragraphs; it doesn't matter. Just jot them down on a physical piece of paper.

· Connect it! Form a strong introduction sequence and literally script your intro. I will address this in depth, with examples in my next blog post. But for now, remember - the flow is vital. Every stage of your life should be naturally bound by connectors on both ends.

· Relate it! Now connect the above with the role you are applying for, make it relatable to your interviewer. If you dream of owning a consulting business and are applying for a tax advisor's position at PWC, connect the dots and understand why that role would be perfect for your experience and ambitions, where it all fits together.

· Practice it! Practice out loud, in front of a mirror, or in front of your friends/ professors and ask for, and be open to, genuine feedback. When you get the feedback, substantiate and constructively reason - Ask why and how to understand what can be bettered, and improvise. It is an iterative process. This will not just help you improve your dialogue and flow, it will get you comfortable and familiar with the introduction as a whole. Make this sincere effort , and your career will Thank You.

· Communicate it! Keep a watch out for your gestures. Even if you have a great intro, being stiff or avoiding eye contact can come across as nervous or staged, losing you valuable points. Sit straight, look them in the eye, be confident, and most importantly, be yourself.

Always remember "Being prepared is half the victory". Remember these few pointers and get weaving with your story!

P.S. Have you had a personal experience with a unique/quirky/wacky introduction? Do comment and share. We would love to know.

Next, stay tuned for our upcoming blog, where we discuss the ways in which your introduction sequence can make or break your interview.

Writer – Manish Gaba
Editor – Vaishnavi Ravi

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