Online Interview

How to introduce Yourself

in an Online Interview
There are several ways to introduce yourself in
an online interview. Keep in mind that because
you are not doing the interview in person,
certain things like shaking hands, for example,
won’t be happening.
How to introduce Yourself
in an Online Interview
A handshake is a great way for an interviewer to sense
your confidence. But online, the hiring manager will be
looking instead at how you introduce yourself by the way
you speak, what you say and your facial expressions.
Therefore, when introducing yourself in an online
interview, it's important to speak professionally, but also
in a friendly manner.
Be ready on Time
The first step in properly introducing yourself in an online interview is to be
on time. To do this, be sure you are familiar with the software beforehand so
that you can arrive on the call before the interview starts and so you won't
encounter any technical issues. Even if the interviewer is there before you
are, it will give you some time to relax before turning on the camera and
making your introduction.
Read the Interviewer
You might want to wait until the interviewer speaks first. She may speak
right away and even address you by name. If the interviewer seems eager
to get right into the interview, then you might just say, “Hello, I’m ready
whenever you are.” Otherwise, don't be afraid to use a simple greeting
and let the interviewer initiate the next step. You want to be careful not to
plunge into a formal introduction if the interviewer is keen on introducing
themselves first.
Introduce Yourself
If after a brief hello and maybe even a wave, the interviewer smiles and seems as though he
wants to hear you talk first or he tells you to go ahead, then introduce yourself with these
easy phrases:

1. Initial greeting and name: Hello; Hi; Good morning; or Hi, my name is____.

2. Secondary greeting: “Nice to meet you.”
3. Thank you or anticipation: “Thanks for having me today" or “I’m excited to speak
with you today.”
4. A Courteous Question: “How are you today?” or “How are you this morning?”
UNIT 8

Note:
As you can see, it’s not always necessary to say your name, especially if the interviewer says
your name first. But, if they do not say your name first, then you may want to add it to your
initial greeting. For example: “Hi! I’m Jonathan. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you so much for
taking the time to interview me today.”
If you don't know the interviewer's name, you can conclude your introduction by asking them.
Though, be sure that the interviewer didn't tell you their name in an email beforehand.
Even these ideas may sound too rehearsed, so it’s important to act natural, be yourself and
try to mirror the interviewer’s pace.
UNIT 8

What to avoid when Introducing Yourself

There are many situations to prepare for when going into an interview, especially one that's being conducted
online. Yet, in addition to following the guidelines of what to do for a proper introduction, there are other things
to be mindful about or to try to avoid when introducing yourself in an online interview:

• Make sure you're ready on time.

• Wear a job-appropriate outfit.
• Check your internet connection before the interview.
• Put away potential distractions. For instance, make sure your phone is on silent.
• Be careful not to speak over or to interrupt the interviewer, even if it's a bit awkward in the beginning.
• Do not look away from the screen. Even though you're not in the same room, it's important to
maintain eye contact.