- Hey, you I'm Madeline Mann. And I'm excited to share with you how to introduce yourself in an interview. (tape rewinding) Hey you, I'm Madeline Mann, I'm excited to share how to introduce yourself in an interview. Uh, one intro was, for sure,
better than the other, right? In this video, we are
going to break down how to have the best possible
introduction in an interview. And stay to the end, because I'll give you
the fail-proof framework of how to introduce yourself,
say a bit about yourself, no matter what type of
professional you are, or at any level of experience. To get more actionable job search tips from an award-winning career channel make sure you subscribe to this channel and hit the bell to get
new videos on Thursdays. I was coaching one of the
students in my job search program and he was getting
interviews and not offers. When we did a mock interview, I said, "You know, you feel a
bit rehearsed and stiff. You're coming off as inauthentic." And we walked through the tips
I am about to share with you. And he managed to really
take this to heart and start rocking his interviews and landing three freaking offers. So this is potent stuff. First, why is your
introduction so important? Okay, so this is gonna blow your mind. You're gonna be glad
you're watching this video. Researchers at Oregon State University did a study where they filmed
real job interviews and collected the evaluation
of trained interviewers. They then shortened the
videos to twenty-second clips. And it only showed the
candidate entering the room, greeting the interviewer,
and taking a seat. No Q and A, just the first impression. They had trained interviewers
rate the candidates on the same criteria, just
from those twenty-second clips. And get this, those who had only seen the twenty-second clips
gave them the same ratings as the interviewers who
had done the interview. This study both terrifies me, because it puts so much
pressure on that first moment, but it also excites me because it means that if we can rock this
moment, then look out world. We will be unstoppable. Second, let's practice how
we introduce ourselves. Simple is better. So say, "Hi, I'm Madeline,
nice to meet you." Though, if by chance,
your name is not Madeline, say your own name. I'll give you more of a script later of what to say about yourself. But here is what they don't tell you. How you say these first beginning words is as important as what you say. So here are some tips I
really want you to remember and then bring these puppies
into every job interview. Tip number one, you must smile. Even if you're on the phone, studies show that people can hear smiles. And not only can folks hear smiles, but they can hear if it's
a fake or real smile. So make it genuine. (crickets chirping) So before you go into an interview, get yourself hyped up,
smiling, read a funny meme, listen to a good song. And even reclassifying the feeling of nervousness as excitement
can literally psychologically, and physiologically trick
yourself to feel more positive, and excitable instead of anxious. Which brings us to tip number two, be confident and interested. Interviewers immediately don't like people who radiate anxiety, or
any scrap of boredom. They instead gravitate towards confidence, and you appearing interested, and engaged. I have a full video on how to be more
confident in the interview. I teach several techniques where even if you're not feeling your most confident, you're looking it honey. Try to use use your surroundings to give something to build rapport on. Just notice things. It sounds silly, but it
will really break the ice and it will make you feel more confident. And if it doesn't make
you feel more confident, it'll definitely help you
to appear more confident in this situation. I will link that video in the comments and in the description. Take for instance, these two examples. I spent three, three and a half years um, in the automotive industry uh, before joining aerospace industry. I spent over three years
in the automotive industry before joining the aerospace industry. Did you notice the differences there? So many people I coach in my program speak
like the first example. And that is closer to their
typical speaking register. But they come off as aloof, unsure, and lacking confidence, and
interest in the company. Which could not be farther from the truth. Also, did you notice my body
language in the first example? Which brings us to tip number three, dial in your body language. You should take up space, have your shoulders
back, make eye contact. What you'll notice in my first example is my body language was closed off, slouching, fidgeting hands. Which is the worst sign of nerves, and a lack of confidence,
do not have fidgeting hands. Keep your hands simply
folded in front of you, or gesturing reasonably. But don't be touching your hair, your clothes, your skin,
things on the table. It's just not a good look. All right. So you're making your first impression, introducing yourself,
and you'll be expected to answer the question,
"Tell me about yourself." Or something to that effect. I have linked a full worksheet for you to sketch out your
perfect answer to that question. Which I have gotten
hundreds of emails saying that this worksheet really was a huge help in crafting the perfect answer. This worksheet really
helped folks to crystallize their answer and make a
confident first impression. Because here is the thing. This is the most common
interview question. And the biggest mistake I see people make is they take too long to answer it. Yes, if you answer this question
in longer than 60 seconds, you need to rethink your approach. They ask you this question usually because they are context switching. They're coming from another
interview, or another meeting, and could use your help
to quickly get oriented to who they're talking to as they take a gander at your resume. It will lose you the
opportunity, sometimes, if you take a long time
to answer this question. Because they will not only see you as a rambling candidate who does not have a concise communication style, but also they likely won't
be able to have the amount of time to ask you the other questions that they actually really
want the answers to. Because you just used
up so much of the time because ya talked for so long, come on. This is a chance to tell them what kind of professional you are. Now, if you are a career changer, quickly explain that career shift. If you were a student,
explain what you studied, and what organizations you are a part of. Then take us into your highlight reel. Share with us some accomplishments, and what makes you qualified for the role, and then wrap it up by
talking about your next step. Okay, so use that worksheet
to build out your answer and remember to keep it snappy. None of these five minute
long answers, come on. You're better than that. This is just a simple
introduction, good Lord. Make sure to like this video
and subscribe to this channel. You've got this, wifi high five. (hands smacking)
