How to introduce yourself—and get hired | Rebecca Okamoto | TEDxNorthwesternU

Summary

In this insightful video, the speaker shares the crucial importance of crafting a powerful, attention-grabbing introduction. Drawing from personal experience, including a failed interview, the speaker highlights how an introduction can make or break an opportunity. Through the exploration of various frameworks for creating concise introductions, the speaker provides practical tips on how to effectively engage others in 20 words or less. The video emphasizes the impact of presenting yourself in a way that focuses on what you can offer others, rather than simply listing your qualifications or achievements.

Takeaways

• 😀 A strong self-introduction is crucial; it can significantly impact how you're perceived in professional situations.
• 😀 Your introduction should focus on what you can offer, not just who you are. Tailor it to the needs of the listener.
• 😀 A simple, well-crafted introduction can be the difference between success and failure in opportunities.
• 😀 A 20-word introduction is optimal for grabbing attention and leading to further conversation, so keep it concise and impactful.
• 😀 A good introduction should be about the listener (what you can do for them), not about yourself.
• 😀 Use the 'sound bite' principle: Make your introduction engaging and easy to remember.
• 😀 Avoid talking about your qualifications or past achievements in your introduction. Instead, focus on how you can benefit the listener.
• 😀 Phrasing matters: for example, 'I help [audience] achieve [benefit]' is more effective than 'I am an expert in [field]'.
• 😀 The word 'without' can add a powerful layer to your introduction, highlighting what makes you unique and how you avoid negative outcomes.
• 😀 Experiment with different types of introductions (focusing on passion, strength, or mission) to match different audiences and contexts.

Q & A

Why can 'Tell me about yourself' cause people to freeze or ramble?

Because the question is broad and open-ended, many people are unsure what the listener wants to hear, causing anxiety or over-explaining.

What mistake did the speaker make in her early introduction during the job interview?

She focused on listing her qualifications and accomplishments instead of explaining what value she could provide to the interviewer.

What realization did the speaker come to after being rejected in the interview?

She realized that having strong qualifications is not enough if your introduction fails to capture attention and show relevance to the listener.

What is the purpose of a 20-word introduction?

Its purpose is to quickly capture attention and prompt the listener to say, “Tell me more.”

What is the difference between an 'about me' and an 'about you' introduction?

An 'about me' introduction focuses on personal achievements, while an 'about you' introduction explains how you can help or provide value to others.

What are the two key secrets to getting someone to say 'Tell me more'?

The first is to think in short, memorable sound bites. The second is to avoid talking only about yourself and instead highlight what you can offer.

What is the formula for a straightforward 'about you' introduction?

The formula is: 'I help [target audience] achieve [benefit they desire].'

How does adding the word 'without' change a benefit-based introduction?

It emphasizes a unique value by showing you can help achieve a result without a common negative trade-off.

What can someone use if they do not want to speak from their career experience?

They can use their passion, their strength, or their mission to frame their introduction.

Why does the speaker encourage people to question their inner critic?

Because rejection or missed opportunities may not reflect one's ability—it may simply be the result of an ineffective introduction, not lack of worth or skill.

What is the central message of the speaker’s talk?

Your introduction can influence whether doors open or close, and learning to introduce yourself effectively can help you be seen, heard, and recognized.