Tell Me About Yourself

Mastering the Perfect Professional Introduction.

Have you ever been asked, “Tell me about yourself”—and suddenly found yourself rambling through your entire career history or, worse, going blank?

This deceptively simple question can feel like a minefield, especially in high-stakes settings like interviews, networking events, or even when joining a new team. Get it wrong, and you risk losing your listener’s attention or leaving a forgettable impression.

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Scroll to bottom for self-coaching worksheet.

But get it right, and you set the tone for a confident, engaging conversation—one that highlights your strengths and leaves a lasting impression.

In this post, you’ll learn a simple, powerful framework to craft a professional introduction that’s authentic, concise, and memorable—so you can walk into any room and introduce yourself with clarity and impact.

The Introduction Dilemma

Most people make one of three common mistakes when introducing themselves:

• Too long or detailed: You share your entire career timeline and lose your listener halfway through.

• Too short or vague: You blend into the crowd and fail to highlight what makes you unique.

• Too rehearsed or robotic: You sound inauthentic or disconnected from your own story.

So how do you strike the right balance?

You need an introduction that’s structured enough to be clear, flexible enough to feel natural, and relevant enough to create interest.

A 3-Part Framework for a Powerful Introduction

The best professional introductions are built around three essential components:

1. I AM – Your authentic professional identity

2. I OFFER – The value you bring

3. I WANT – Your current goals or aspirations

Let’s break each one down.

1. I AM: Your Professional Identity

This part tells people who you are professionally, not just your job title. It should include:

• Your role or field

• Your level of experience

• Your area of focus or industry

Instead of saying:

“I’m a project manager at XYZ Company.”

Try something like:

“I’m a senior project manager with over 10 years of experience leading complex clinical trials across Asia for pharmaceutical companies.”

If relevant, you can also briefly mention education, credentials, or a professional trait that sets the tone (e.g., cross-cultural expertise, a passion for sustainability, etc.).

2. I OFFER: Your Unique Value

This is where you highlight what you bring to the table, such as:

• 2–3 key strengths

• 1–2 accomplishments that prove those strengths

• A short story or example (optional, but memorable)

Focus on outcomes, not duties—what problems you solve and what results you create.

For example:

“My strengths lie in developing innovative marketing strategies that connect with diverse audiences. I’ve increased engagement by 25–30% through culturally resonant campaigns, like the one I led during our Southeast Asia expansion.”

This part answers the question: “Why should I be interested in what you do?”

3. I WANT: Your Professional Goal

Finally, express why you’re here—tailored to the situation.

In an interview, it might be:

“I’m especially excited about this opportunity because it aligns with my goal of applying my clinical trial experience to oncology research.”

In a networking context:

“I’m currently exploring opportunities to apply my digital transformation experience in healthcare settings that aim to improve patient outcomes.”

This not only provides context, but it also helps others understand how they might help, collaborate with, or refer you.

Adapting Your Introduction to Different Settings

The beauty of this framework is that it works across professional contexts, with small tweaks:

• Interviews: Emphasize alignment with the company’s mission and challenges.

• Networking: Keep it brief and spark curiosity or connection.

• Team meetings: Highlight how your strengths will support the team’s success.

• LinkedIn or resumes: Focus on professional identity and value proposition; save the aspirations for interviews or cover letters.

No matter the context, aim to be clear, confident, and conversational.

Putting It All Together

Here’s a full example of this three-part introduction in action:

“I’m Robert Chen, a Senior Project Manager in Clinical Trials with over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. My strengths lie in managing complex, multi-site projects and facilitating cross-cultural communication in the Asia-Pacific region. I’ve led clinical trials across 20 sites in five countries and implemented a new global communication protocol that improved team collaboration and reduced delays by 20%. I’m passionate about advancing medical research through effective project leadership, especially in oncology trials where timing and coordination directly impact patient outcomes. I’m excited to contribute to your company’s continued success and learn from this dynamic team.”

In under 30 seconds, Robert communicates who he is, what he offers, and what he’s working toward—making him memorable and relevant.

Your Turn: Craft Your Own Introduction

This week, take 20 minutes to create your own professional self-introduction using the 3-part framework:

1. I AM – Who are you, professionally?

2. I OFFER – What value do you bring?

3. I WANT – What are your current goals?

Need help? Download the Professional Introduction Builder below for templates, prompts, and examples tailored to different situations.

For a deeper exploration with stories and examples, check out this book: “Future-Proof: Build a Career That’s You.”  It covers many other tools to help you design a sustainable, fulfilling career.

Worksheet

👉 Download the free Professional Introduction Builder below. You'll still have to customize it to make it fit your needs, but this should help you get going.

Click here for direct access. ✅ Google doc: click File, then Make a Copy

✅ Microsoft Word: click File, then Download, then choose Microsoft Word (.docx)

✅ PDF: click File, then Download, then choose PDF Document (.pdf)

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