When it comes to landing a job, first impressions matter a lot. And you can create the perfect first impression by introducing yourself in the best possible way to your recruiter.
Hiring managers and potential employers might already have your resume in front of them. But when they interact with you for the first time, be it over the phone, email, or live interviews in person or online, there are several other factors that come into play besides your educational and professional qualifications alone.
This is why it is vital to make sure that you prepare your introduction well. That will make you stand out from the other applicants, and you will have an edge when it comes to the subsequent screenings and interviews.
The perfect introduction should be polite, professional, and confident at the same time. This is where you get to show who you are and what makes you a potentially great candidate for the company.
Here is how you can introduce yourself to prospective recruiters via phone, email, or live interviews.
Introducing Yourself to the Recruiter by Phone
Introducing yourself to a recruiter over the phone should not be a daunting experience. It helps you make a connection even before both of you have met. Here are some things you ought to keep in mind when introducing yourself to the recruiter over the phone.
1. Voice Quality
Is your voice coming across as too shrill or too soft?
Since you are going to speak to the recruiter over the phone, the only thing that the recruiter will notice is your voice. And you will have a matter of seconds to attract the recruiter’s attention.
Some people are naturally blessed with a great voice, and those with deep voices can sound respectful and formal without having to try too hard. However, that does not mean it cannot be cultivated. Practice getting the pitch right and recording yourself to see how you sound.
The perfect voice quality will have your recruiter’s attention at once.
2. Voice Modulation
Once you have figured out the right pitch, you should work on your voice modulation.
Modulating your voice to express what you are trying to say in earnest is essential. Raise or lower your voice as the situation demands. It should not come across as overexcited.
Even seasoned professionals get flustered when they have to speak to new recruiters looking for bigger and better positions. Introducing yourself to a recruiter can be a tense experience, especially if you are just starting. Your voice should not sound flat and expressionless because you are trying to keep things professional.
Bonus Read:14 Common Phone Interview Questions and Best Answers
3. Content of Introduction
While introducing yourself over the phone, pay special attention to the content of the introduction. There could be two possible scenarios here:
First, the recruiter might have your resume in front of them already. This could be because they have accessed your resume through a job portal or because you had sent a prior application with your resume. In that case, try to avoid the obvious information that is already present on the CV.
Use the opportunity to speak about aspects that are an extension of your qualifications and how you have put them to use over the years.
So, instead of simply saying, “My name is (your name), and I am an M.Tech with 5 years of experience”, you could say, “My name is (your name), and as an engineer, my focus has been on (your area of expertise) since the last five years.” This will open new doors of conversation and will take the introduction forward.
The other scenario could be where the recruiter might not have your resume with them. They could have heard about you through contact and reached out to you as a prospective candidate for a role they are trying to fill. Here, your introduction can include a brief overview of your educational and professional qualifications. You could offer to send your resume at the end of the introduction.
Lastly, you can gauge the mood of the recruiter from their voice over the phone. Since this is not a formal interview, you can keep your tone a little light-hearted, and it will be a plus to carry the conversation forward.
Introducing Yourself to the Recruiter by Email
One of the advantages of introducing yourself to your recruiter over email is that you have ample time to think and compose what you are going to say. It also gives you the opportunity to portray your language skills. How you express yourself plays a crucial role in landing a job.
Reaching out to a potential recruiter via email is often good because everything you want to say is written down. The recruiter can always go back to the email if they want to follow up. Here are some things to keep in mind while introducing yourself to the recruiter over email.
Bonus Read: Tips on How to Land a Job Interview Fast
1. Composing the Introduction
Email introductions are the new norm, and how to start your email plays a crucial role in capturing the reader’s attention. There can be two possible scenarios.
Firstly, you might be contacting the recruiter for the first time. They have never heard about you before, and you are reaching out to them for the first time after learning about them from a contact of yours or through your research.
Since the recruiter has never heard about you before, it is essential to mention who you are and how you came to know about the recruiter. The subject line should mention the purpose of writing the email.
Once the recruiter goes through the first few lines, they will have a clear idea of who you are and why you are writing to them, instead of simply deleting the email, thinking it is spam. Once you have clearly stated who you are, the rest of the email can articulate why you are contacting the recruiter and related job openings.
The other scenario could be that you might have spoken to the recruiter once over the phone or at an event, offering to write back to them formally. In that case, you must mention that you are writing to them as a follow-up to the earlier conversation so that they remember exactly who you are. You can then formally introduce yourself and talk about your educational and professional qualifications.
2. Proofreading the Email
It would be best if you were very particular that your email should not have any grammatical or spelling errors. Go through the email thrice before hitting “Send.” It is always a better idea to sleep on it for a night, then the next morning, go through the email again, and then send the email.
The tone should be professional, and you should be clear about who you are addressing. Be prepared to do this multiple times, as the recruiter might have a few questions after your introduction.
There could be a series of email conversations before you are invited for an interview.
Introducing Yourself to the Recruiter During Live Interviews
If you are meeting your recruiter for the first time, then how you introduce yourself to the recruiter can help you stand out in the sea of other candidates.
Live interviews and introductions are the most daunting, but things get easier. On the other hand, live interviews can be conducted in person or online.
Here are some things to keep in mind while introducing yourself during live interviews.
1. Body Language
The moment you walk into a room, the recruiter will form an impression about you even before you have spoken a word. Your body language determines who you are and how you are feeling. Be confident as you walk in but not over-confident.
Dress formally, even when you appear for a live interview online. When you are spoken to, maintain eye contact with your recruiter with a polite smile on your face and not appear terse.
2. Speaking About Yourself
One of the preliminary questions you are bound to face from your recruiters during a live interview is “Tell us something about yourself.” And it would be best if you correctly prepared the answer to this question. While introducing yourself, start with your name and briefly describe your work and educational background.
However, always end the preliminary introduction with something that gives your recruiter a bit more insight into who you are. So you could add that you are an avid trekker who visits the mountains twice a year. Or you are into scuba diving and ocean photography. Or maybe, you make it a point to tend to your garden every weekend. It could be interesting to mention that you have a dog or a cat and why they mean the world to you. The idea is to reveal a specific aspect about yourself that is not mentioned on your resume and that portrays you as a person who has hobbies or interests outside the monotony of work as well. That will earn you more brownie points.
3. Taking Your Time
While attending live interviews in person or online, once you feel the recruiter’s eyes on you, it is possible to feel flustered. However, that does not mean you have to rush through your introduction, and your recruiter must not feel that you are trying to get it done.
Hence, speak slowly and honestly mean what you are saying. While discussing your interests while introducing yourself, make sure you express your passion through voice modulation and expression. In the course of your introduction, if the recruiter asks you any questions, take a moment to understand the question before responding. That will help you come up with better and more organized answers even when you are attending live interviews online, primary eye contact by looking at the camera.
Conclusion
Introducing yourself is only the beginning of your interview process. A lot depends on what comes later. But it cannot be denied that your introduction sets the course for the rest of the interview.
If you have your recruiter’s attention at this point, then it becomes easier to handle the rest of the interview. Your recruiter will feel like you are a person who is worth getting to know and will be interested in your visions for your career. The perfect first impression will go a long way in improving rapport. It might also translate to good workplace relations.
