3 Ways to Impressively Introduce Yourself to Hiring Managers Despite Having No Work Experience

Although seemingly simple and inconsequential, one of the trickiest questions to answer during a job interview is “Tell me more about yourself”, especially if we are just starting our career. Perhaps it is because we are complex beings, we find it hard to condense the different aspects of ourselves into a few simple sentences given the minute or so we must answer the question. Or perhaps, it is because we are not used to the concept of selling ourselves that it makes us a little uneasy.

However, self-introductions are not as complicated as we make them out to be. Here are 3 ways you can introduce yourself to impress hiring managers even if you do not have much work experience under your belt.

▪ Signposting Language: How To Use It To Your Advantage in Job Interviews

▪ Self-Introduction: How to Impress Interviewers in Under a Minute?

What Should You Talk About in Your Self-Introduction?

Highlight Your Education

Although the hiring manager may have already looked at your resume and know which university you attended and the program you were enrolled in, he or she will not know much else about your education. In your self-introduction, feel free to briefly talk about what initially sparked your interest in the program and the knowledge and skillset you picked up in the university that ultimately motivated you to choose the role you are interviewing for. Since most fresh graduates do not have work experience, hiring managers tend to focus on your interests and motivations to see if they align with the position you are after.

Talk About Relevant Experiences Outside of the University

Whether you completed an internship over summer break or sat a qualifying exam that is not part of the curriculum of your own accord, mention your experiences outside of the university in your self-introduction as long as they are relevant to the position you are applying for. Doing so would not only give you a competitive advantage over some of the other candidates, but it will show the hiring manager your enthusiasm and how dedicated you are to your career interests and goals.

Add a Hint of Personal Touch

As a general rule, you should refrain from talking about your personal life too much during an interview as it is not what hiring managers want you to talk about. However, briefly talking about relevant personal interests and how they contribute to your career choice and future line of work will do better than harm. If you are applying for the position of a lifestyle magazine writer, for example, talking about your love for trying out different cuisines since you were young or becoming somewhat of an expert on skincare routine since experiencing breakouts as a teenager will help solidify your self-introduction and may even compensate for your lack of work experience.

▪ How to answer the most common job interview questions?

▪ How to answer “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” during job interviews

Sample Answer

Now that we have discussed the elements that need to be part of your self-introduction, let us look at a sample answer that is sure to impress any hiring manager.

“I’ve always been passionate about numbers. It is what drew me to take up Finance as a major in university. I particularly enjoyed learning about financial reporting and investment strategies, which helped me better understand corporate and governmental financial decisions that greatly shape the society we live in.

I also recently completed an internship at a multinational investment bank, which gave me first-hand experience in the banking and investments industry while greatly sharpening my analytical and problem-solving skills.

I’m particularly attracted to your firm because of your ambitious and innovative work environment that gives employees the opportunity to thrive. I believe my thirst for knowledge coupled with my strong determination will allow me to be a great asset to your team.”

When you are scheduled for an interview, go in prepared with a solid mental map of what to say during your self-introduction. The confidence that you will exude will stand in your quest to stand out from the crowd. Good luck!

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