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How to Introduce Yourself — and Get Hired… — TED shadowing | TryShadowing
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How to Introduce Yourself — and Get Hired | Rebecca Okamoto | TED
How to Introduce Yourself — and Get Hired | Rebecca Okamoto | TED
TED
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9:29 · Feb 8, 2026
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Tell
me
about
yourself.
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/133
0:04
Tell me about yourself.
0:06
Four simple words that can make anyone ramble or freeze.
0:11
Even people at the top of their game can go blank
0:14
when they hear those dreaded words.
0:17
So what does that mean?
0:19
Does your introduction really make that big of a difference?
0:23
I never thought it did.
0:25
I thought my introduction wasn't nearly as important as my qualifications.
0:30
For example, right after I started my business,
0:33
I had the perfect opportunity to shine.
0:36
I was interviewing as an instructor for Supply Chain Institute,
0:40
and I knew I was the ideal candidate.
0:43
I had over 20 years of expertise leading supply chains for one of the
0:47
world's largest consumer products companies.
0:50
As a prep for my interview,
0:52
I didn't want there to be any doubts about my qualifications.
0:56
I created an elevator pitch and included a complete list of my accomplishments.
1:02
When I heard "Tell me about yourself," I was ready,
1:06
and I proudly explained everything that I could do.
1:11
When I finished, the interviewer said, "Instead of talking about yourself,
1:19
it would have been more effective
1:20
if you had explained what you can do for me."
1:26
My interview lasted five minutes.
1:31
She rejected me on the spot based off of one answer.
1:36
That was my wake-up call.
1:39
I realized it doesn't matter how smart you are,
1:42
it doesn't matter how perfect a fit you are,
1:45
if you can't capture someone's attention.
1:49
After that, I became laser-focused on cracking the code on introducing myself.
1:54
I studied the science of first impressions.
1:57
I researched viral headlines and what made them so irresistible.
2:02
And then, I discovered the secret of introducing myself perfectly in 20 words
2:08
or less.
2:10
Fast-forward about six months.
2:13
I'm having coffee with the executive director of a business-development program.
2:17
She asks me, "What do you do?"
2:21
I answer her in one sentence:
2:25
"I'm a communications consultant
2:27
and I help people with something to say
2:29
but struggle to say it."
2:32
She leans in and says three magic words.
2:38
"Tell me more."
2:41
Fifteen minutes later, she hires me to give workshops for new entrepreneurs.
2:45
But here's the thing.
2:48
I was the same person who blew that interview just six months before.
2:54
But this time, I got the job,
2:57
even though I had way fewer qualifications
3:00
and the only thing different between success
3:03
and failure,
3:04
between that door of opportunity opening or slamming shut in my face,
3:10
was my introduction.
3:12
From that point on,
3:14
I started to see my introduction in a whole new light.
3:18
It wasn't just a way of grabbing someone's attention.
3:22
I thought about all those times
3:25
when I would hear "no,"
3:27
and my inner critic would tell me
3:29
that people didn't see me
3:31
or hear me because I wasn't good enough
3:34
or smart enough.
3:37
But that was wrong.
3:38
It wasn't me.
3:40
It was my introduction.
3:44
Alright, are you ready to introduce yourself in 20 words or less?
3:50
I'm going to start with two secrets of getting people to say "tell me
3:55
more."
3:56
Secret number one: Think sound bite, not data dump.
4:04
That’s because with today’s multitasking attention-deficit audiences,
4:09
it's been said you have a better chance of engaging with a goldfish than
4:14
the person that you’re talking to.
4:17
A 20-word introduction is designed to grab someone’s attention
4:20
and get them to say "tell me more."
4:25
Secret number two.
4:27
Do you remember what that interviewer told me?
4:32
"Don't talk about yourself."
4:35
Instead, explain what you can do for them.
4:39
I call it the difference between an “about-me” versus an “about-you” introduction.
4:46
An about-me introduction sounds like this: "I'm an award-winning, best-selling author."
4:53
Compare that to "I help new authors get published faster."
4:58
Can you hear the difference?
5:00
One describes me, the other describes what I can do for you.
5:08
Now that you know the secrets,
5:09
here are five ways to introduce yourself perfectly in 20 words or less.
5:15
I'm going to start with a straightforward about-you introduction.
5:20
The formula is "I help my target audience achieve a benefit they desire."
5:26
For example, "I help worried job hunters confidently explain why they're the ideal candidate
5:32
to hire."
5:34
Now, here's a tip about your "benefit."
5:38
A benefit answers your listeners' question "How will my life be different?"
5:45
For the second framework, let's go beyond offering a benefit.
5:50
Let's promise a breakthrough.
5:54
The formula is the same as the benefit one,
5:56
but you're going to add the word "without."
5:59
"I help my target audience achieve a benefit they desire without negative consequence."
6:08
"I help establish brands in competitive markets,
6:11
rapidly reach new audiences without increasing marketing spend."
6:18
The word "without" is
6:20
so powerful because that's how you explain what makes you unique.
6:27
For the last three frameworks,
6:29
here's what to say if you don't want to focus on your career.
6:33
For example, you're mission-driven, or you're on a career pivot.
6:38
Maybe you're a student and you don't have a lot of work experience.
6:43
In this case, you can use your passion, your mission or your strength.
6:50
I'll start with your passion.
6:53
"I'm passionate about something I value to achieve something my target audience values."
7:00
"I'm passionate about helping people in need and creating opportunities that change lives."
7:08
Next, instead of your passion, you can use your strength.
7:14
"I'm known for my strength to achieve something my target audience values."
7:20
"I'm known for my critical thinking and turning information into actionable insights."
7:27
Last, you can use your mission.
7:33
“I’m on a mission to -- to achieve something my target audience values.”
7:39
"I'm on a mission to bridge the healthcare divide
7:42
and make a lasting difference for vulnerable communities."
7:47
And that's how you use your passion, your mission or your strength.
7:53
Now that you've seen the five introductions, your next step -- try them out.
7:59
Don't be surprised if you find yourself using more than one.
8:02
That's because different audiences value different things,
8:07
so what works for one may not work for another.
8:11
But that's OK.
8:13
You'll see there are multiple ways of getting people to say "tell me more."
8:22
I'll close with this thought: Have doors been closed in your face?
8:30
Do you struggle to be seen and heard?
8:34
Does your inner critic tell you you're not good enough or smart enough,
8:39
or that you're an imposter and something is way above your pay grade?
8:45
Before you buy into your inner critic's narrative, let me challenge you.
8:51
What if?
8:53
What if that voice inside your head is wrong?
8:58
What if you are good enough and smart enough?
9:02
What if the best way to describe you is "impressive"?
9:06
Not "imposter."
9:09
And what if the only thing between you and being seen,
9:16
heard and recognized is your introduction in 20 words.
9:22
(Cheers and applause)
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