Introducing yourself in a professional setting can be a bit awkward at times. Leaving you unsure of what to say or what details to include. However, they can actually be an opportunity to tell the story of your personal brand and communicate what you want to be known for.
Using the simple framework:
- Who I am
- Where I come from
- Where I’m headed
- What I expect
This will help you structure self-introductions in a way that will make them clearer and more memorable to the listener.
Who am I
This sets the stage for the rest of your introduction, you can include your name and job title, as well as any current projects or areas of focus. For example: “Hi, my name is Jane and I’m a marketing manager at Disney. In my current role, I’m responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts and developing marketing campaigns.”
What have I done
The next part is where you can provide relevant details about your background. You can highlight areas such as your education, past work experience, and accomplishments. For example: “I have worked at several startups in the past”.
Where am I going
This is when you can talk about your goals or interests. This could include a desire to extend your knowledge in a certain area, and develop new skills. For example: “In the future, I’m hoping to continue learning and growing in the field of data storytelling.
What I expect
The last part is a good opportunity to express your expectations for the meeting or your goals for the discussion. This can be helpful for the meeting organizers to understand what topics are of interest to the attendees. For example: “I’m looking forward to learning more about the company’s strategy and how my team can support it.
The Wrap Up
Not only will this framework help you introduce yourself effectively, but it will also take the pressure off you from having to come up with something off the top of your head.
So the next time you find yourself, think about who am I, what have I done, and where I’m I going. Take a deep breath, smile and you’ll be able to effectively tell your story about who you are and what you’re all about.
