 Alex Gilbeaux Show
Mingling at a work event inevitably means being asked the question “What do you do?” over and over again. After years of repetition and conditioning, most of us respond with “I’m job title X at company Y.” And while this is the answer people expect, it’s also likely to linger in your new acquaintance’s mind only until it’s replaced by what the next person says to them. “Answering with your title and company is the cultural norm. But when you do, you’re missing out on an opportunity for the other person to know who you actually are. You are not just your job,” says Joanna Bloor, CEO of Amplify Labs. She specializes in helping people discover and articulate what makes them distinctive so that they can form deeper connections with others. And it all starts with how you introduce yourself. Bloor’s own answer demonstrates the power of an original response. If she answers “I’m CEO of Amplify Labs,” her questioner will probably go on to ask about what it’s like to be a CEO or what is Amplify Labs. But those lines of conversation don’t really allow a person to really know Bloor. So, when she’s asked “What do you do?”, she replies: “Do you like your own answer to the question ‘What do you do?’?” People invariably admit they don’t. She then says, “I know — everyone struggles with it, yet the answer can have massive impact. I work with people on crafting an answer that is bold, compelling, authentic and unique. I help you tell people why you’re awesome.” Introducing yourself this way isn’t just about standing out in a crowded room or cutting through extraneous jargon and chitchat. By naming your special sauce upfront, says Bloor, you’re increasing the chances that the other person will bring up an opportunity, relationship, business or idea that could help you. As Bloor puts it, “When you get your introduction right, the opportunity is not only to genuinely connect with people, but you’ll also be allowed to do the work you really want to do.” Be warned: crafting your intro takes a bit of time and effort. But as the world of work continues to change in ways we can’t anticipate, knowing what sets you apart from the pack is crucial. Here, Bloor tell us how you can come up with your new response to “What do you do?” 1. Go beyond your title.The first thing you need to do is figure out who you actually are. Bloor asks her clients, “What is it you would like to be known for?” It’s an uncomfortable question, but she finds it jolts people out of their comfort zones. Rather than relying on previous accomplishments, you’re forced to consider what you’d like your impact to be. Bloor used this tactic on me. My typical response to “What do you do?” is “I’m a journalist and playwright.” But after she asked me what I loved about these professions and what I hoped to accomplish through them, she helped me craft a much deeper and more compelling response: “The world can be an overwhelming place, so I help people connect to each other by telling stories as a journalist as a playwright.” 2. Think about the problems that only you can solve.Bloor believes that everyone, no matter their job or industry, is essentially a problem solver. So when she interviews people to help them discover their unique story, she’s also trying to find out the problems they’re particularly good at solving. Use this tactic on yourself. What problems do you solve at work? And what makes you especially effective at doing so? Framing yourself as a problem-solver may trigger an instant reaction when you meet someone new. “I have that problem, too!” they could say. Figure out how to deliver your capabilities in a single sentence. For example, instead of saying “I’m a lawyer who specializes in X type of law,” you could say, “I think the biggest problem about the justice system is A. As an attorney who focuses on B, I’m helping find solutions through doing C.” 3. Ask your friends and colleagues for input.It’s often hard for people to see their own skills. “The thing you are fantastic at can be as natural to you as breathing, so you don’t value it,” says Bloor. If you’re having a difficult time identifying your talents, she suggests you turn to the people who know you well and ask them “What is it you see that I do well and that I’m unaware is really special?” You’ll generally find common themes or language in their responses, says Bloor, even if they’re people from different parts of your life. 4. Flash back to your childhood.Still stumped? Step into a time machine, and think back to your eight-year-old self. What were you great at during that age? According to Bloor, that special skill can often apply to your present and future selves and help you see how you’re different from everyone else. For example, when Bloor was eight, she had a great sense of direction and easily memorized routes while hiking with her father. That skill translated into her previous career of building software for companies — she could visualize 3D maps of software architecture. 5. Show a little vulnerability.Finding people that we connect with can be elusive, especially at work-related events. “I think a lot of the angst in the workplace and angst with each other is because we don’t talk about who we really are as people,” says Bloor. So, take a chance, open up in your opening remarks, and reveal something honest about yourself. Use phrases, such as “I’m really passionate about X” or “What excites me most about what I do is Y,” which can communicate your emotion and enthusiasm and prime others to respond in kind. 6. Gather some feedback on your introduction.After you’ve crafted your opener, practice it on five people you know well. Then, a few days later, ask them ‘What do you remember most about my intro?” Their few-days-later response will tell you what is most memorable about your opener, what you could alter, and what you might try to lean into when meeting new people. 7. Blame it on someone else.When you first start trying out a new way of introducing yourself, you’ll probably feel nervous. Bloor suggests prefacing it with, “I’ve just learned a new way of introducing myself and I’m experimenting with it. Can I try it out on you?” People love to be asked for their advice or input. 8. Resist going back to the same-old intro.The truth is, it will always be easier to say the stilted “I’m job X at company Y,” stumble through small talk, and then move on to the next person and glass of wine. In addition, when you give a nontraditional introduction, you will inevitably run into some staid folks who don’t get it. But Bloor urges people to persist. She recently coached a woman named Rumi, whose standard intro was “I’m a copywriter.” After the two women worked together, Rumi realized what her secret strength is: her ability to be the other person in her writing. What’s more, the process of crafting a new opener made Rumi realize that “the part of me that I am ashamed of — being the perpetual outsider — is the very place from which my bulletproof power springs forth.” Like Rumi, you may find that coming up with an authentic, personal introduction leads to deeper revelations in your life. “We all want to learn and figure out why we matter on this planet and in this life,” says Bloor. “And it can start with being able to answer the question ‘What do you do?’ better.” Watch Joanna Bloor’s TED talk here:
First impressions count and you want your introduction to be remembered for the right things. If you’re nervous or if you don’t feel confident speaking to people you don’t know, it’s easy to make a mistake. Whether you’re starting a new job, introducing yourself at a networking event or pitching for new work, here are some things to consider when preparing and giving a professional introduction, along with examples that you can use in different scenarios. Why a strong professional introduction is importantYour introduction is what you’re most likely to be remembered for. A poorly delivered introduction will result in a less than favourable impression; people may think you lack professionalism or have poor communication skills. Where, an introduction that’s short, concise and that’s delivered with ease will show you as being approachable, confident and interesting. Different scenarios where you’ll have to introduce yourselfWhen you think about it there are a lot of different times where you may have to professionally introduce yourself, like meeting your new boss for the first time or speaking at a conference, for example. What you say in one situation won’t necessarily work for another as you’re speaking to a different audience. So that your introduction hits the spot each time, here’s a list of different scenarios where you may have to introduce yourself, along with sample introductions that you can either use or modify to suit you: In-person at a networking eventNetworking events, in-person and virtual are great for increasing your professional network, finding a new job or winning new work. Some events may give you one minute or less to introduce yourself. This is known as the ‘elevator pitch’. This is a short statement that says who you are, what you do and why you’re better than your competitors. “The company I work for develops processes that manage communication flow for project managers. This allows managers to spend more time on other important tasks. Our processes are bespoke, so they’re designed specifically to work with your team set-up and IT systems. This means that managers can start using our processes within hours, not weeks. 8 Networking Strategies You Haven't Thought Of Yet Nerves can easily get hold of you at an interview, so before you enter the building or sit down in front of your screen for a virtual interview, take a deep breath. If it’s an in-person interview, tell the receptionist your name and what you’re there for e.g. “Hi, I’m Peter Smith. I have an interview at 2pm for the Management Accountant role.” If you’re seated in the room and the interviewer(s) walk in, it’s polite to stand up and greet them e.g. “I’m Peter Smith, it’s good to meet you.” The interview may start off with a question like ‘So, tell us about yourself?’ This is your chance to really impress the interviewer with your skills and personal qualities and persuade them that you’re the candidate they need. Our top advice for giving a job-winning professional introduction is to read through the job description and relate your skills back to what they’re seeking. “I’m a qualified Management Accountant with over ten years of experience managing the accounts of medium to large corporations. I’m proficient in using different accounting software and I take a hands-on approach to managing the relationship with business owners and directors.” 5 Tips To Help You Make A Good Impression At Interview Fantastic! You’ve got the job and you’re eager to start settling in, but first, you’ve got to meet your new colleagues. What do you say? Well, this can depend on your job. For a managerial or senior-level job, your new team will want to know about your past experience and what you’re aiming to achieve with the company. “Hi, I’m Vanessa Stowe and I’m your new Sales Manager. I have over 15 years of experience in sales, and my last job was leading the UK sales team at Microsoft. I’m good at motivating people and creating sales promotions that clients can’t miss out on. We’ve got big goals to achieve this year. I know that by working together we can easily reach these. I look forward to working with you all. “ If you’re filling a temporary or freelance position or if it’s a non-managerial job, a relaxed introduction is fine. “It’s great to meet you. I’m Claire, the new sales assistant.” 8 Things To Do On Your First Day At A New Job If you’re an introvert, email may be your preferred option of communicating. Getting the receiver to open your email is your first hurdle to get over. Then, you’re faced with the problem of getting across your personality in text or hoping that that the tone of the message isn’t misjudged. Our advice when introducing yourself professionally via email is to keep it simple and concise. Use a subject line that reflects the content of the message and know the name and the correct spelling of the person you’re sending the email to - there’s nothing worse than receiving an email and your name is spelled incorrectly. In the first paragraph say who you are, let them know what has led you to get in touch, explain what you want and finish off with a short ‘thanks’. Subject line: Loved your article in Business Insider I’m Chantelle, a senior editor for People News. I was very impressed by the article you wrote for Business Insider that looked at the topic of furlough and the impact it has on employee’s mental health. We’d love to interview you for our newly launched podcast that will be covering topics relating to finding and getting a job. If you’d like to take part or if you have any questions please respond to this email and we can arrange a time to chat. How To End An Email: Best Sign Offs and Examples If you can’t meet people in person then a video call is the next best thing. To help you overcome the barrier of the screen and to build a connection with your audience, keep your introduction brief, remain on point and speak clearly - some people on the call may have a good internet connection and will be able to hear you clearly but others may not. If the video call is to discuss a project you're working on, don’t forget that you may be speaking to people who haven’t met you before so give a full explanation about who you are and what you do. Also, if you’re the person who is leading the project it’s standard practice for you to briefly mention your colleagues who are also on the call. “Hello, I’m Mark, Marketing Director at X. I’m lead on the website redesign project and I’m joined on the call by my colleagues; Francesca who is our graphic designer and Ben our IT manager. The purpose of this video chat is to set out the schedule for the build of the new website. John, would you like to introduce yourself and your team?” Key points to remember when introducing yourself professionallyIn some situations you may be given a time-limit to introduce yourself - this could be as short as one minute, or even 30 seconds. This is not a lot of time to say who you are, why you’re there, what you do and what you want to achieve. The key to delivering a smooth and problem-free professional introduction is to:
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