Making a self-introduction will be the first requirement in most interviews.When introducing yourself, do not focus too specifically on any one area. The interviewer will often use the information you give to choose what he or she would like to ask next. While it is important to give an overall impression of who you are, make sure to concentrate on work related experience. Work related experience should always be the central focus of any interview (work experience is more important than education in most English speaking countries). An excellent introduction will make a good initial impression on the interviewer,which will benefit you a lot, as the interviewer considers your application.
Following are some of the ways in which you may be asked to introduce yourself.
(1) Please tell me something about yourself.
(2) Can you sell yourself in two minutes? Go for it.
(3) Could you introduce yourself please?
A good self-introduction should be
Well-organized
Unique
Impressive
What to write
A self-introduction should contain four groups of information—family background, education, work experience and personality. However, you do not have to focus equally on every aspect. It is wise to highlight your uniqueness accordingly.
How to write it
There are four steps.
Step 1: assembling basic information
Step 2: adding extended information
Step 3: including further extended information
Step 4: fitting the introduction created from the first 3 steps into a short and organized one which can be read within 1.5 to 2 minutes
(1) The final introduction should not contain too much information about your family members, where you grew up or what food you like etc., unless it is really helpful in demonstrating your positive qualities.
(2) In the final introduction, there is no need to use any advanced vocabulary to impress the interviewer. Using everyday vocabulary will impress the interviewer more as you will appear more natural and confident.
(3) Do not lie to impress the interviewer. He might focus on the lies and ask for more details, leading to confusion and embarrassment, and the interviewer may discover that you are lying. Hotels want honest employees.
Examples
Following are some examples. It would be helpful to comment on each of them from a job interviewer's point of view. In which way do you think they are persuasive?
Samples
1.Short Sentences Bring Forceful Expression
Good morning Sir/Madam. It's really an honor to be here today. My Chinese name is***, and you can call me Bruce. I named myself after Bruce lee—the famous Chinese Kungfu star.“Never say die.” is Bruce lee's motto, and also mine. I'm always cheerful and ready for the challenges in life.
My major is hotel management. I'm the monitor in my class and a member of the Student Union. These experiences made me a responsible and enthusiastic person.
I'm a huge fan of basketball and a member of the basketball team of our department. I really enjoy the feeling that everyone in the team fight for one goal.
Working in a 4-star hotel gave me the same feeling, and the one-year working experience as a waiter trained me into a flexible and sensitive person.
The hotel industry is highly developed in Dubai, and your hotel is one of the best. It will be a big challenge working in your hotel, and also a wonderful opportunity to improve myself. I will try my best and offer every effort to be a qualified employee.
2.Emphasis on One Character Makes Deep Impression
Good morning Sir. My name is ***, and you could call me George, a freshman majored in hotel management. I'm not the only child in my family, I have a younger sister. When I was a little boy, my father always told me, “You're the brother, so you should take good care of your sister all the time. Remember, you are the man in the family.” My father's words always inspire me to take the responsibilities bravely. After I grew up, I tried to seek chances to support my family. I took part-time jobs as a waiter in a local restaurant in my spare time and vocations. It trained me efficient and sensitive to details. After one-year learning in my major, I know better about hotel industry and take it as my long-life career. If I get the opportunity working in your hotel, I'll definitely work hard and never let you down.
More Samples
Sample 1
My name is _____, a 2nd-year student here, majoring in hotel management. I am from Qingdao, Shandong Province. My father runs a small business. My mother is a housewife. I am an only child. I was a good student in high school and my grades were good enough to get accepted at SCTH (Shandong College of Tourism & Hospitality) two yeas ago. Not only have I been maintaining good academic standing throughout my time at the school, but I also have work experience, having worked as a waitress at a Holiday Inn in Beijing two years ago. Overall, I am a hard working student with a strong desire to learn, and I have confidence and the ability to face challenges.
Sample 2
My name is Wang DanDan. People called me Fanny. I am from a not-so-well-do family of 4. My father is a farmer, working 7 days a week and my mother helps my father with his work. As a child, I did well in all subjects in school. My parents made many sacrifices to send me to SCTH to learn so that I will become a professional worker in tourism industry one day. Now I am half way towards reaching my goal. I am very confident that when I graduate I will be able to contribute what I've learned from school to a good hotel. Even though I have no work experience, I am a hard worker and fast learner. I took part in all the major team sports in school. I am well liked by my fellow students and teachers.
Sample 3
My name is ________. I have no English name. I am from Jinan. I went to the best high school in Jinan. My grades are so-so. But through my school years I have been admired by friends and teachers for my ability to solve problems and to organize events in school. I worked hard and took my assignments seriously. My father is a lawyer and my mother is a part-time accountant. From my early childhood, my parents have taught me to be independent and responsible. That is why I earned most of my pocket money myself by doing different jobs while I was in high school and still do so in college.
Sample 4
People call me _______. I am from a small family in Hebei, and was raised by my grandparents. To this day, I still feel closer to them than to my parents. I am not as out-going as others are but I don't see that as a disadvantage because I am a conscientious worker and I get along well with others. I seldom relax until I get my work done well. I am a good organizer. I communicate well with all sorts of people, and I always keep a clear mind. I have a young brother who is in Grade 8. I am the only one whom he looks up to for advice in difficult times, and I am always available when he needs me, as my parents are usually busy with their work.
Sample 5
My name is _____. I am from a family of 5—my parents, my sister (who is married) and younger brother. In a traditional Chinese family the son usually gets the chance to get more education and the rest of the family support him. I had a difficult time in school when I was very young as the condition of my family changed constantly. It has been a long road and I've faced many challenges since my early school years. Right now, I am doing very well at SCTH, thanks to my parents and my teachers who have supported and encouraged me. Last year I was one of the lucky ones to get chosen to work in a world famous hotel in Shanghai. I was commended for good work and was invited to work there when I graduated from SCTH. However, I'd like to work abroad to face bigger challenges so that I can be improved a lot more.
Sample 6
I am honored to participate in this interview. My Chinese name is Wang Mei and my English name is May. Korean is my major, however I am also good at English. I suppose this would be one of my advantages since I can communicate in Korean as well as in English.
I worked for a long time as a waitress in a 3-star hotel. This experience is quite memorable. Although I'm still a student, I have learned the skills, sense of service and the positive attitude needed to fulfill my duties.
I love sports, too. I like playing basketball, swimming and hiking, from which I've benefited a lot. Not only am I healthy, but I've also learned how to cooperate with my teammates and how to work under pressure. I get a lot of pleasure from these endeavors, which are not only fun but fill me with a sense of achievement.
People regard me as optimistic and easy-going. I get along well with them and I have many friends. We help and take care of each other.
I believe that I would continue to make progress at your hotel and at the same time show that my abilities and personality would be valuable to you.
Useful Expressions:
(1) Talking about strong points.
I think my three strongest strengths are details-oriental, patient and communicative.
I think I'm a mature, self-motivated and honest person.
I'm a person of a stable personality, high sense of responsibility and strong interpersonal skills.
I'm a senior of my college with a pleasant mature attitude.
(2) Talking about weaknesses.
I am a perfectionist and I pay very much attention to details. Sometimes I am quite captious.
I have had trouble in the past with scheduling and prioritization. However, I'm now taking steps to correct this.
I think I have to develop my public-speaking skills.
I'm afraid I need to get better at giving presentations and talking in front of others.
(3) I have been doing quite well at college and one of the top students in the class.
(4) Talking about the achievements in college.
At college I won a scholarship and the first prize in a English speech contest.
I've received the honor of the most outstanding student in 2010.
I received the level-10 professional recognition on piano-playing by the National Pianists Association, with 10 being the highest level.
I received first-class scholarship for finishing the year in the top 5 percent of the class.
I achieved the target of …
I finished the project successfully and witnessed the revenue of …
(5) I have already learned a lot in the classroom and I hope to be able to make practical use of it in your company. I am sure I can apply what I have learned to the work in your hotel.
(6) I'm willing to work under pressure and have the ability to work well with others.
(7) With my qualifications and experience, I feel I am hardworking, responsible and diligent in any project I undertake.
(8) I'm aware that the position requires highly-motivated and reliable person with excellent health and pleasant personality…
(9) My working experience made me a highly organized and efficient person.
(10) (Talking about how long I'd like to stay in the company once hired) As long as my position here allows me to learn and to advance at a pace with my abilities.
(11) (Talking about the reason of being interested in the interviewer's hotel/company) I read an article in the newspaper and was very impressed by …
(12) I believe that I can fulfill the requirements in your company…
Questions:
(1) Describe your personalities with 3 words, and explain them one by one.
(2) Talk about your working experience in 3 sentences, trying to include the following points: time, hotel name, position, and what you have learned from this experience.
(3) Try to work your self-introduction out by following the four steps mentioned above.