Let’s cut right to the chase with the Do and Don’t List

DO:

• Keep it under 2 minutes
• Highlight strengths and achievements
• Show enthusiasm for the role
• Practice, but keep it natural

DON’T:

• Start with “I was born in…”
• Rehash your entire resume
• Use vague or generic phrases
• Undersell yourself

If you watch my TCTips YouTube channel you know I am a proponent of the 1 Minute Elevator Speech.  I think it is the perfect way to close out your interview by sharing why you feel you are the best person for the job.  Introducing yourself is different.

When introducing yourself you want to briefly summarize your career and interest in the role. Create a connection between your journey and their needs.

🟢 Example – “Tell Me About Yourself” (Start of Interview)

“Sure — I started my career in customer service, where I learned how to communicate with people and solve problems quickly. From there, I moved into an administrative role and began taking on more responsibilities like scheduling, supporting different teams, and helping organize small projects.

Over the past few years I’ve focused more on project coordination and cross-team support, which helped me develop stronger organizational and communication skills. I really enjoyed being the go-to person who keeps things running and makes sure everyone has what they need to do their job.

I’m excited about this opportunity because it would allow me to use those skills in a larger organization and grow into a role where I can provide even more operational support and help teams work more efficiently.”

✅ Notice how it walks the interviewer through the story, connects the dots, and ends by aligning with their mission.

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🔵 Example – One-Minute Elevator Speech (End of Interview)

“Thanks again for your time today. Before we wrap up, I’d like to quickly summarize why I believe I’d be a great fit for this position.

Throughout my career I’ve always been someone who’s dependable, detail-oriented, and easy to work with. I’ve managed multiple tasks at once, supported teams so they could stay focused on their goals, and made sure things got done on time.

I’m confident I can bring that same level of reliability and support to this role and help your team stay organized and successful.”

✅ Here the tone shifts → it’s assertive, value-focused, and designed to reaffirm your fit and leave a lasting impression.

This feels like a two for one.  Not only are you ready for a great introduction, you are ready to close out with a fantastic final sales pitch reaffirming “You are the best choice.”

Check out my 1 Minute Elevator Speech video!