As an integral part of an employment process in South Korea, a 1-minute self-introduction is a speech that applicants need to prepare in advance. When you go to job interviews in Korean companies, be ready that the first question will be “Can you introduce yourself during 1 minute?”. This 1 minute is short, but very important. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare in advance for this, so that you are able to say only what is important. Note that before the interview, applicants send their resumes as well as self-introduction letters to the company, which is the first stage of the employment process. Based on the resume and self-introduction letter content, they decide whether to invite or not to the interview, which is the second stage of the employment process. This article is going to explain in detail how you should prepare you 1-minute self-introduction speech which you are going to present during the interview.
So, what does the interviewer aim to gain from the 1-minute self-introduction? Is it “the interviewer’s time to read the self-introduction letter” or is it “giving the applicant time to introduce himself”? Both are a reasonable explanation. However, it is impossible to know what every single interviewer want to get during applicants’ one-minute self-introduction. Some argue that the 1-minute self-introduction is very important, while others say it is a formality that is not important at all. Neither statement is wrong, but neither is correct either. However, one thing we can clearly know is that all interviewers do listen to your self-introduction.
The 1-minute self-introduction is the first time the interviewer meets you. What is the interviewer trying to figure out in that time? Those with a lot of interview experience usually raise their head and look the applicant in the eyes. This is to assess the truthfulness, credibility, and sincerity of what the applicant is saying. So, how should you structure the content of your 1-minute self-introduction?
The Purpose of a 1-Minute Self-Introduction.
A 1-minute self-introduction is a time to highlight the key points that best describe the applicant within a minute. In other words, it's an opportunity to showcase your strengths concisely.
What are the advantages of showcasing your strengths during the 1-minute self-introduction? The crucial aspect that interviewers want to verify, the core reason why they should choose you, is your "strengths." However, if the applicant suggests his strengths first, it's even better from the interviewer's perspective. Moreover, as the interviewer is more likely to ask questions within your mentioned strengths, you can respond more comfortably compared to situations where you don't know what questions might be asked.
It is recommended to summarize two experiences related to the applied position as strengths. Metaphorical expressions and lengthy explanations are strictly advised to avoid. Concisely present the core of your strengths within one minute.
Structuring a 1-Minute Self-Introduction.
Here are two examples of a 1-minute self-introduction:
"Hello, I am Sara Benson, applying for the ** position at ** Company. Through experiences like (Key Strength 1), I've achieved significant results, learning crucial aspects related to this position. Another noteworthy experience (Key Strength 2) involved achieving success in **, and I believe this experience will contribute to excelling in this role. Drawing on these experiences, I am ready to take on the challenges of (specific tasks in the job). Thank you."
"Hi, I'm Tim Rodriguez, and I'm thrilled to be a candidate for the ** position at ** Company. Through (Key Strength 1), I've achieved remarkable results, gaining valuable insights essential to excelling in this role. Additionally, my experience in (Key Strength 2) allowed me to navigate challenges successfully, and I'm eager to leverage these skills to contribute to the success of your team. With a proven track record in these areas, I am ready to take on the responsibilities associated with (specific tasks in the job). Thank you for considering my application."
This are examples of a 1-minute self-introduction presenting the core strengths. Prepare your self-introduction similarly, keeping in mind the strict one-minute time limit, ideally aiming for 40-50 seconds. Structure it with a brief greeting (5-10 seconds, 1 line), highlight two key strength experiences (30-40 seconds, 5 lines), and conclude with enthusiasm for the role (5-10 seconds, 2 lines). If the company limits the self-introduction to 30 seconds, focus on just one key strength experience.
Can the Content of the Self-Introduction Sppech and the Self-Introduction Letter Be Similar?
Few interviewers read the self-introduction letter in advance. Repeating the content from your letter during the 1-minute self-introduction can have a beneficial briefing effect for the interviewer. In other words, the 1-minute self-introduction is akin to summarizing the content of the self-introduction letter briefly. Consider the 1-minute self-introduction as the "outline/summary" of the interview, presenting only the key points cleanly and briefly. Avoid going into the background of experiences or providing detailed process explanations.
Core Objective.
The core objective of a 1-minute self-introduction is to seize control of the interview. There is no need to passively navigate through the entire interview by merely answering questions. Instead, adopt an assertive attitude, proactively uncovering the interviewer's curiosity as if you are saying, "I have this experience! Aren't you curious?"
Highlight only the key aspects of your strengths or the reason why the company should choose you within the 1-minute self-introduction. Being questioned within the context of your key strength is definitely advantageous for you. If the interviewer asks this kind of questions after your 1-minute self-introduction, it is a sign of success.
Although the content of your self-introduction is crucial, it is not the only thing that matters. What is important as well is how you present your speech. There are 4 important points:
1) Eye contact.
When talking, it is important that you look in the eye of the interviewer. Those applicants who look around and avoid straight eye contact fail to make a good impression. Eye contact has a power of showing truthfulness of your answers. If you look directly into the eye of the interviewer, he will feel that you are honestly answering the question.
2) Smile.
Smile is important because it gives positive energy to the interviewer. Smiling will make the atmosphere warmer and take away the tension.
3) Talk confidently.
Even if you do not feel confident, do not show it. You have to talk in a way like you are undoubtedly the best candidate, the one that company needs. Practice your speech to make it sound confident and do not mumble.
4) Use facial expressions.
Most people memorize their speech and then they talk it like robots, which makes the other side feel like this person memorized it. The best way to avoid making such impression is using some facial expressions when talking. It will look more natural. However, do not overtry, try to talk naturally.
1-minute self-introduction is not difficult to do if you just follow the structure and the tips given in this article. Remember, albeit not difficult, it is absolutely important as it gives the interviewer the first impression about you which will guide his decisions later on. Therefore, dedicate your time and efforts, and carefully prepare your 1-minute self-introduction.
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