If you want to take your professional life to the next level, a great introduction is crucial
Introducing yourself in a professional setting can be scary. It could be a job interview, a networking event, or meeting a new client. Whatever the situation, you want to make a good first impression and stand out from the crowd. But how do you do that without coming across as arrogant or inauthentic?
Be Authentic
First of all, remember to always be yourself, be authentic. Don’t try to be someone you’re not in order to impress someone you meet. It’s easy to tell when someone is being insincere, and it’s not a good look. Instead, focus on highlighting your unique strengths and experiences.
A Short Self-Introduction
A good way to introduce yourself is to start with a “personal branding statement.” This is a short, concise sentence that sums up who you are, who you help and what you have to offer. For example, “I’m Charles, I’m an English teacher with a passion for helping professionals improve their communication skills.” This tells people who you are and can kick-start a conversation!
Open Ended Questions
After you’ve introduced yourself and learnt about the other person, ask open-ended questions. This shows that you’re interested in the other person and gives them an opportunity to talk about themselves and their work. This can also help identify common interests that you could collaborate on.
Open Ended Question Examples
What do you enjoy most about your job/industry? How did you first get interested in this field/industry?
Share A Relevant Story
Another approach is to share a relevant story or experience that highlights your skills and qualifications. For example, if you’re a trainer, you might talk about a particularly challenging client you worked with and how you helped them to reach their goals. This can demonstrate your experience and expertise and can make you more relatable and human.
Business Cards
Finally, don’t forget to bring your business cards with you. In today’s digital age, it’s easy to exchange contact information via email or LinkedIn. But there’s something to be said for the personal touch of a physical business card. It’s also a great way to ensure that the other person has your contact information on hand.
Be Prepared
Have your personal branding statement, questions, stories, business cards ready in advance. If you know the person you will meet, you can check their profile to see if there are any interests, talking points to bring up.
To Summarise
Always remember to show your personality. Don’t forget to smile and be friendly and to show your positive side. Finally, remember that you might be the next best friend or business partner of anyone you meet, it’s an opportunity for them and for you. You never know what could happen!