The handshake may be sidelined for now but delivering a confident and concise professional introduction will always be in demand.  In business there are two types of introductions you will need: an Elevator Speech and a Tell Me About Yourself response. The foundation for both is built on three common elements – who you are, what you do, and what’s professionally memorable about you. And, by adding a prove it example to these three elements you now have your Tell Me About Yourself answer. Mastering these two introductory responses is essential for making a strong first impression.  

Before we get to each response, it’s important to address the HOW TOs of delivering a confident, authentic, and memorable introduction.  Beyond being confident, you should always speak clearly, make eye contact, smile, and extend (when appropriate again) your right hand for a firm – web-to-web – handshake. Whether your new contact is a man or a woman, a handshake in a professional setting is appropriate. You may find that your new contact is not eager to shake hands, that’s fine for now, but when everything returns to normal don’t wait for them to extend a hand in greeting.  By extending your hand first, you are broadcasting that you are ready, eager, and interested in making this new professional contact. 

First let’s address the introductory response – an Elevator Speech.  Keep it brief– around 30 seconds or less and make a good first impression. Because of its brevity, this introduction is called the ‘Elevator Speech’ – you know, a quick introduction that you can deliver in the time it takes to travel a few floors in an elevator.  So, the next time you are sharing an elevator ride with a Decision Maker, take the opportunity to make a positive and lasting first impression.

The purpose of the Elevator Speech is to provide ‘touch points’ or opportunities to engage in conversation and begin to build a relationship with the individual you are networking with. 

Let’s break down the three elements of an excellent professional introduction or Elevator Speech. 

Who YOU Are – Your Name. 

What YOU Do – A brief statement about your work experience – your status and major if you are attending a college or university – a volunteer position or experience you want to showcase or a sport or other activity you enjoy.  By adding an interesting, relevant fact about YOU, you are encouraging a conversation that is not just a ‘business-only’. It’s an opportunity to connect – react and respond – and even share a common experience from their life as well. 

What’s professionally memorable about YOU – What’s professionally memorable is YOUR opportunity to showcase one of your professional values. Think about who you are talking to and why you are connecting with them.  With this in mind, pick a single professional value that is the most critical for them to remember about you. Is it your focus? Your ability to drive projects to completion? Or your amazing talent for creating innovative solution? Settle on ONE and include it in your Elevator Speech. 

Now that you have well-constructed Elevator Speech as your foundation, you can build your Tell Me About Yourself response by adding a brief explanation to prove you own the single professional value you chose to share. We call this explanation YOUR PROVE IT story, and like everything else, should be a brief, engaging and convincing recounting of your firsthand experience punctuated with result.   

Since most interviews begin with this opening inquiry – ‘So, tell me a little bit about yourself’ – it’s important that you’re ready with a concise, and impactful answer.  Delivering a compelling answer will build your self-confidence AND offer the interviewer with values and other relevant facts to begin an engaging and memorable interview conversation with you. 

Relevant stories make you memorable. Succinct, relevant stories make YOU stand out from the crowd.

Whether it’s an Elevator Speech or Tell Me About Yourself response, they all require you to be brief, confident, and memorable.  With a little practice, you can make a strong first impression that is sure to be the start of a longer conversation.  

Learn more about how to stand out from the crowd with personalized coaching and training from Your Standout Brand at http://www.yourstandoutbrand.com

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