In networking and interviews, it’s incredibly important to have a strong personal introduction that is concise, coherent, and clear. This is your first impression and you need it to be a good one! Why? Because it’s widely known that interviewers develop their impression of candidates within the first 30 seconds and then use the rest of the interview to confirm that initial impression.
Sample Personal Introductions
We often think about having three versions (5-30-60 second versions) that you leverage, depending on your audience. Regardless of which version you choose, you always communicate your value, provide a menu of topics for later conversation, and tell a story about where you’ve been, where you are now, and why you’re here. If you feel comfortable, you can also include your pronouns to your introduction, as an indicator of inclusive language.
“My name is _____________ and my pronouns are ____________. I’m a ______ at Wash U, majoring in __________. I’ve always been at my best when I’m ____________. Thus, on campus, I ________________.
I’ve also always appreciated ________ work environments where I’m ________ so, over the summer, I interned at _______ and gained valuable experience in _____________.
My first exposure to __________ was when ______________. I was hooked by the __________. However, I recognized there are many careers I could pursue so I started exploring by ____________________. This confirmed that ________ is the best next step for me.
Thus, I’ve intentionally prepared for a career in __________, knowing it is an unparalleled opportunity. And now, I look forward to continuing to grow in ___________ at _________.”
“Hello, I’m Claire. I’m a first-year at WashU studying business, focusing on accounting and economics.”
“Hi, I’m Chris, I’m a sophomore at WashU studying finance, with an interest in IB. I have been researching more into investment banking and M&A spaces, and I noticed that your firm had done a few deals surrounding [x]. I was wondering if you could tell me more about your journey in IB, as I saw you did [x]…”
“Hi, I’m Emma. I’m a junior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in marketing. Over the past few years, I’ve gained hands-on experience through internships at both startups and larger corporations, where I helped with market research, social media campaigns, and product analysis. I’m currently focused on building my skills in product management and data analytics, and I’m actively looking for full-time opportunities in product management for after graduation. I would love to learn more about how your team uses product management to actively market your products through its lifecycle, and learn more about your processes.”
Creating Your Personal Introduction
Where to Start
Typically, you want to set up your personal introduction starting with your name (and pronouns, if you would prefer), what you’re doing (school, extracurriculars, relevant experience), and why you’re reaching out (your ask). If you’re introducing yourself virtually, you also want to keep in mind a timeline!
This does not need much explanation – lead with who you are! Keep in mind that you can use your legal or preferred name in this context.
While you are a college student, you typically will introduce yourself with something like “I am a [BLANK]-year student at Washington University in St. Louis, studying [BLANK],”; if you have relevant internship experience, you can potentially leverage this depending on how relevant it is to your audience, and as long as you are concise. However, you can also utilize any experience (paid, unpaid, volunteer, extracurricular) to showcase your transferrable skills.
Your why is also your “ask”. Think of this as what you want to learn while you are talking to someone; however, keep in mind that if you are going for more intentional asks, you should do your research beforehand (e.g., don’t have your “why” at the career expo with finance firms be “what jobs do you have for me?”, or “how does your company use finance?”).
Typically used for networking virtually, adding a timeline will necessitate a future touch-base. This allows for scheduling a more intentional conversation when requesting the opportunity to speak with someone, and allows for the recipient to find a time that works best for them.
Tailoring Your Personal Introduction
Your introduction will vary depending on who you are talking to, as your purpose may differ. If you are talking to someone from two different companies in the same industry, while you may have similar phrasings, you will want to make distinctions for the role(s) you are applying for. Conversely, even in the same event, talking to people from different industries may necessitate completely rephrasing your why, and potentially adding in more details.
Where you are networking can also add different layers:
When networking with anyone, you should have your “why” ready to go. It is important to understand your “ask” of the person you’re networking with well in advance – do research on them, the company, the industry, so you can have a more authentic, intentional conversation.
How you introduce yourself to a panel of interviewers can be crucial – not only because it is making first impressions, but it is an example of how you communicate, and how you work under pressure. You should always introduce yourself to a panel, even if everyone has copies of your materials, as this is proper etiquette.
When introducing yourself, include any relevant credentials and experience (briefly). You should also be prepared to summarize your work in the area you are presenting in.
If you are meeting with a client, it is crucial to have a concise, professional personal introduction ready – you will not only be representing yourself, but the company as a whole. Ensure that you are introducing yourself by name and title, and briefly summarize your excitement for working towards the shared goal.