The 1-Minute Introduction: First Impressions

APS Professional Skills Course:

Making Scientific Presentations: Critical First Skills

Why Bother Introducing Yourself?

• Meet others in your field or other fields– You never know where it will lead

• Find out what other people are doing (networking)

• Advance your own agenda– Get a job– Get information on research methods– Get a paper published

Why Does It Matter How You Introduce Yourself?

• Promote yourself, your work, your career

• Generate interest for further conversation

• Platform for possible future contact– Research collaboration– Job information– Colleague

• First impressions count

When Does It Occur?

• At meetings– Colleague (peer/senior) or speaker– Editor/associate editor of a journal– Possible employer/mentor– Program officer (NIH, NSF) to discuss research/funding

opportunities

• At seminars– Colleague (peer/senior) or speaker

• Social events– Colleagues at dinner – Lunchroom/cafeteria– Non-science professionals at social

event

Strategies for Introductions

• Keep it simple

• Keep it clear

• Keep it short

• Keep it genuine

The key is to have an opening introduction to get the conversation started

Consider it a Personal Commercial

• 30-60 second sound bite • Must be audible and understandable

– If English is not your first language or that of the person you are speaking to, SLOW DOWN

• Should be informative• Should be crisp and concise• Should highlight your education, skills and/or

accomplishments

Types of Introductions

• Informal introductions• Formal introductions• Email formal introductions

Informal Introductions

• Plane ride

• Meal or party

• Group of friends/acquaintances

• Children’s school event

• Gathering for any occasion

What to Include:Informal Introduction

• Name (first and last)

• Education– College/university you are attending– Stage of career– Research area (very general)– Future goals

Hello, I’m Julie Smith. I’m a graduate student in the Department of Physiology at the University of Bethesda. I’m studying how a new type of drug works on the movement of water in and out of cells of frog skin. When I get my degree, I’d like to work at a university as a research professor and discover the cure for skin cancer.

Other Things You Might Include

• Your background

• Anything unique about you

• Anything unique about what you do

I’m originally from Texas and it has been really fun to live in several different states, as I did my undergraduate work in Minnesota and now am getting to see the sites of Maryland and DC. It’s also been fun to travel to meetings all over the US presenting my research.

What About Personal Topics in Informal Introductions?

• Never– Religion– Politics

• Sometimes– Hobbies– Family/children– Sports

Be guided by the conversation

Formal Introductions

• Scientific meeting

• Networking with colleagues

• Job interview

• Reception or dinner for awardees/speaker

What to Include:Formal Introduction

• Name (first and last)• Education

– College/university you are attending or have attended– Major professor– Title/description of research project

• Career information– Stage of career– Future goals

Hello, I’m Julie Smith. I’m a third-year graduate student in the Department of Physiology at the University of Bethesda in Dr. Michael Smith’s lab. I’m studying loophole channels in frog skin and have discovered a new pathway of action for the channel blocking drug APSamide. I’ll be finishing up in 3 months and am starting to think about my future plans and would like to get your advice.

Also Include…

• Reason for introducing yourself• Your background and why you are interested in

the specific field (or lab or PI)• Be honest and enthusiastic, but don’t

exaggerate or inflate• Anything unique about you or what you do

I would like to talk to you about your research on gut-parasite interactions in armadillos. My research has focused on using molecular technologies, especially cloning. I was wondering whether you had considered using those techniques in your model system or whether you might be interested in trying that approach?

What to Include: Email Formal Introduction

• Subject line– “Request for ____” or “Information on ___”

• where the blank can be research probe, letter of consultation, etc.

– “Introduction and question”

• Introduce yourself– Can be similar to spoken introduction – Be sure to put your name first

(not just in signature line)

• Signature line– Your full name– Your department and institution– Contact information (phone and email)

What NOT to Include• Personal issues or topics

– Politics, religion

• Topics unrelated to science– Sports– Pets – Children– Previous non-professional jobs

• Too many details

Why Not?

• Potential for immediate disagreement between you and the person you want to impress

• The person may not want to know personal things about you

• If it’s a job interview, the person isn’t supposed to know personal things about you

Getting It Right

• Write it out• Say it out loud

– It should follow a logical sequence– No tongue twisters or words that are hard to say– No jokes

• Practice it over and over until you memorize it AND can say it clearly and slowly

• Record yourself and listen to how you sound

One-on-One Introductions

• Undivided attention

• No audience

• Harder to approach

• May be formal or informal

Group Introductions

• Stress of talking to a group

• Attention may be divided

• There may be nearby distractions

• Usually easier to approach people

The Approach

• If the person is alone– Approach confidently– Ask if you can introduce yourself

• If the person is in a group– Wait until the conversation reaches a lull– Make sure your timing is appropriate– Join the conversation and wait to introduce

yourself when the discussion is over

Introducing Yourself

• Be confident

• Give a firm handshake (in US)

• Establish eye contact

• Have a short opening line– “Hello, Dr. Smith, I’d like to introduce myself.”

• Give your introduction

• Say why you want to meet them

Cultural Issues in Greetings

• Consider the cultural background of the person

• Recognize there are a diversity of greetings

• Do not over interpret a refused hand shake (religious, gender, health)

Your Goal

• A polished introduction creates a positive first impression!

• And that leads to being asked …

“Tell me more about yourself.”

Resources• How to introduce yourself professionally

Roger Willcockshttp://www.willcocks.co.uk/Introductions.htm

• Hot Tips for Projecting Professionalism at Your Next Job InterviewSara Parent, Canada Jobs.com http://www.canadajobs.com/articles/viewarticle.cfm?ArticleID=1254

• Positioning Statements. Creating a Personal Positioning StatementsUniversity of Minnesota Carlson School of Managementhttp://www.csom.umn.edu/Page2343.aspx

• It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It Joan Detz, 2000, St. Martin’s Press

• How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less Milo O. Frank, 1996, Pocket Books

• Thinking on Your Feet: How to Communicate Under Pressure Marian K. Woodall (2nd ed.), 1996, Professional Business Communications

• How to be an Effective Speaker: The essential guide to making the most of your communication skills Cristina Stuart, 1989, The McGraw-Hill Co.