A strong 60 second self introduction script has five parts: hello and your name, your trade and years of experience, two or three skills with one real example, the work you want next, and a short thank you. At a calm pace that is about 140 spoken words. Below you will find a timing table, five complete example scripts for common trades, and a simple way to turn one of them into your own words before you press record.
Why one minute is the right length
New Zealand's Tahatū Career Navigator advises preparing a short kōrero (talk) about yourself for employers that takes no more than 60 seconds to say. It suggests trying it on whānau (family) first.
Tahatū says this short talk should introduce you, describe your skills and experience, and explain what you want to do and why. A video intro follows the same plan. It is not your life story; it is one good reason for an employer to look at the rest of your profile.
The five parts of a 60-second intro
The times are a guide; the order and balance matter most.
| Seconds (about) | Part | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Hello and your name | "Hello, my name is [your name]." Smile and look at the lens. |
| 10 | Your trade and years | Your job title, how long you have done it, and where you work now if it helps. |
| 30 | 2-3 skills and one real example | Skills the job ad asks for, then one short story from a real job that proves them. |
| 10 | The work you want | The kind of role you are looking for and the type of workplace. |
| 5 | Thank you | Thank the viewer and say you would be glad to talk. |
The skills block gets half your time because it is your proof. The UK's National Careers Service advises planning answers about your strengths around 2 or 3 examples that are relevant to the job. In a one-minute video, name two or three skills and tell one example well.
Pick them from the job ad: the Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to use examples that relate to the job.
How many words fit in one minute
SelfIntroVideo writes scripts of 90-160 words, which is about 30-60 seconds of speech in short, plain sentences. Its practice mode lets you set a speaking pace from 100 to 180 words per minute, and it starts at 140. So a script of about 140 words fills one minute at that starting pace.
If you speak slowly, aim for the shorter end of that range. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says nerves can make you talk faster than usual or miss important points.
Quick test: read your script aloud with a timer. If it runs over one minute, cut a sentence rather than speaking faster.
Five example scripts you can adapt
Each script is an example, not a real person. Each sits in the shorter half of the 90-160 word range, so you have time to breathe. Swap the words in brackets for your own details and remove anything that is not true for you.
Example for a light vehicle mechanic
Hello, my name is [your name]. I am a light vehicle mechanic with [years] years of experience. I work at [workshop name] in [city], where I service and repair cars, utes and small vans.
My main skills are fault diagnosis, brakes and suspension, and routine servicing. I explain problems to customers in simple words. One car came to us because it kept losing power on hills. I tested the fuel pressure, found a blocked filter and a weak pump, and fixed both that day.
I am looking for a full-time mechanic role in a busy workshop where I can keep learning new vehicle systems.
Thank you for watching. I would be happy to talk with you.
Example for an electrician
Hello, I am [your name]. I am an electrician with [years] years of experience in homes and small commercial buildings.
I am good at fault finding, installing switchboards and lighting, and working safely. A café lost power to its kitchen in the middle of lunch service. I isolated the circuit, found a damaged cable behind a fridge, made it safe and had the kitchen working again within the hour. I always test before I touch anything.
I am looking for an electrician role with a team that does residential and light commercial work.
Thank you for your time. I hope to speak with you soon.
Example for a welder and fabricator
Hello, my name is [your name]. I am a welder and fabricator, and I have worked in the trade for [years] years, mostly in structural steel.
I weld with MIG, TIG and stick, I read drawings, and I check my work against them. On one job our team was building steel frames for a warehouse, and the drawings changed halfway through. I went over the changes with my supervisor, re-cut the parts and still finished my frames on the planned day. I wear the right safety gear every time.
I would like a full-time welding or fabrication job, in a workshop or on site.
Thank you for watching my video.
Example for a chef or cook
Hi, my name is [your name]. I am a cook with [years] years of experience in busy restaurant kitchens. Right now I work on the grill and sauce sections at [restaurant name].
I stay fast and organised during service, I follow food safety rules closely, and I work well with the whole team. One Saturday night our head chef was sick. I helped run the pass, kept the orders moving and made sure every plate went out on time. Afterwards I was asked to help train new kitchen hands.
I am looking for a cook or chef de partie role in a kitchen that cooks with fresh produce.
Thank you for watching. I would love the chance to cook for your team.
Example for a carpenter
Hello, my name is [your name], and I am a carpenter. I have [years] years of experience in house framing, fit-outs and finishing work.
I am accurate with measurements, I can read plans, and I use hand and power tools safely. On my last job we framed a two-storey house. I set out the wall frames from the plans, checked that everything was square and level, and our team stood the frames with no rework.
I am looking for a carpentry role with a builder doing new homes or renovations.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
How to make the script yours
An example is only a starting point. Work through these steps for every job you apply for.
- Read the job ad again. Tahatū advises reading the job description again and reviewing your application before an interview. Mark the skills the employer asks for.
- Pick 2-3 skills from that list. Only choose skills you can prove with real work.
- Write one real example. Use a short version of STAR (situation, task, action, result), which the Australian Government's advice for job seekers recommends for questions about your past work. One sentence for each letter is enough.
- Fill in the brackets. Add your name, trade, years and workplace.
- Time it out loud. Cut until it fits inside one minute at your normal speed.
Keep every line true. In New Zealand, the Human Rights Commission says an employer can withdraw a job offer over false or misleading information, such as exaggerated experience.
Practise with a teleprompter before you record
The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to write your key points first and practise reading them aloud many times, so you do not sound like you are reading. A teleprompter helps: the words scroll close to the camera, so your eyes stay near the lens.
Practise in three rounds: slowly with the full script, then at normal speed, then with only the first word of each part. Tahatū also advises practising out loud, alone or with someone you trust.
If you want help, the SelfIntroVideo app writes a script from your Talent Tabloid profile, the profile where your finished video is shown, in a Confident, Friendly or Formal tone, and its teleprompter pauses briefly at commas and full stops. The Android app is not on Google Play yet and is coming soon; you can read what it does on the SelfIntroVideo features page. For filming, see our guide to recording a self-intro video on your phone.
Using your script when you apply
The same lines can open an interview answer or sit at the top of an application. For a longer spoken answer, see our guide to answering "tell me about yourself" in a trade job.
The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to write a new application for each job, using the same keywords as the job ad. Change your skills block the same way.
Looking for trade work in Australia or New Zealand? You can search listings that mention visa sponsorship on Employer Sponsored Jobs. A listing is a chance to apply, not a promise of a job or a visa. Never pay anyone for a job offer or sponsorship: The Fair Work Ombudsman says it is illegal for someone to ask for or receive a benefit in return for visa sponsorship or a job that needs sponsorship.
More tips are on our page for job seekers.
Rules and requirements can change. Check the official government website before you act.
Common mistakes in a 60-second intro
- Starting with your life story. Open with your name and trade.
- Listing every skill you have. Two or three skills backed by one story are easier to remember.
- Talking faster to fit more in. Cut words instead. Tahatū advises talking slowly and clearly.
- Reading with your eyes down. Practise until a quick look is enough, or use a teleprompter.
- Complaining about a past boss. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to avoid criticising past employers, because it can reflect poorly on you.
- Stopping without an ending. A short thank-you tells the viewer you have finished.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 60 second self introduction?
Plan for about 140 words at a calm pace. SelfIntroVideo scripts run 90-160 words, which is roughly 30-60 seconds, and the practice pace in the app starts at 140 words per minute. If you speak slowly, use fewer words instead of talking faster.
Can I use the same script for every job?
Keep the same five parts, but change the skills and the example for each job. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to write a new application for each job, and your intro should follow the same idea.
Is one minute long enough for an employer?
For a first introduction, yes. Tahatū Career Navigator suggests a spoken introduction for employers that takes no more than 60 seconds. A full video CV is usually 1 to 3 minutes long, but a short intro is a quick first look for a busy employer.
What if English is my second language?
Use short sentences and common words, and give yourself fewer words to say. Tahatū advises taking a deep breath and talking slowly and clearly. In New Zealand, the Human Rights Commission says an employer cannot refuse to hire you because of your accent if you can be clearly understood.
Key takeaways
- Use five parts: hello, trade and years, skills with one example, the work you want, thank you.
- About 140 words fills one minute at a calm pace; cut words rather than speed up.
- Start from an example script, then make every line true for you and the job.
- Practise out loud, ideally with a teleprompter, until it sounds like normal talk.
