To introduce yourself well in a video interview, start before the call: join early, test your sound and get a phone number in case the connection drops. When the call opens, smile, say hello and your name, and check that the interviewer can hear you. Then, when they ask you to talk about yourself, give a short answer of under a minute: your name and trade, the work you do, one example that proves it, and why you want this job. This guide gives you the words for each moment, with example lines you can change for your own trade.
Before the call: get ready early
Most nerves in a video interview come from the technology, not the questions. Fix that part first.
The Australian Human Rights Commission's advice on preparing for an interview says to check that you know the platform, that the invitation link works, that your device is charged or plugged in, and that you have a quiet place with a suitable background and enough light. It suggests allowing at least 30 minutes before the interview starts for those checks.
The Australian Government's Job Jumpstart video interview checklist adds a few more points:
- Be ready at your spot at least 10 minutes before the start time.
- Put the camera at eye level, with your head and shoulders in the centre of the picture.
- Make sure the light is not behind you.
- Ask the interviewer for a phone number you can call if you have technical problems.
Also use a professional username, such as your own name, and close other apps so no notifications pop up. If you are filming from a small room, our guide to recording yourself on your phone shows how to set up light and sound with what you already have.
What to say in each moment of the call
A video interview has a few small moments before the real questions start. Each one is a chance to sound calm and polite.
| Moment | What to do | An example line |
|---|---|---|
| You join the call | Wait with your camera on, sitting still and smiling | (Say nothing until the interviewer speaks.) |
| The interviewer says hello | Greet them by name and say your name | "Good morning, [interviewer's name]. I am [your name]. Thank you for the interview." |
| Sound check | Check once, simply | "Can you hear me clearly?" |
| A panel introduces itself | Thank them as a group | "Nice to meet you all. Thank you for your time today." |
| "Tell me about yourself" | Give your short answer (next section) | "I am a [trade] with [number] years of experience in..." |
| You did not hear a question | Ask them to repeat it | "Sorry, the sound broke up. Could you repeat the question, please?" |
| The call ends | Thank them and say goodbye | "Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you." |
The Government of Canada's job search advice says to introduce yourself and smile at the start of an interview, because a sincere smile helps put both you and the interviewer at ease. On video, the smile matters even more, because there is no handshake.
One tip for the sound check: video calls often have a small delay. The UK's National Careers Service, in its video interview advice, suggests pausing after each question for that reason. Wait until the interviewer has clearly finished before you start, so you do not talk over each other.
Your answer to "tell me about yourself"
This is usually the first real question. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says employers ask it to learn who you are, your work experience and skills, and how you will fit into the team. It also says to use examples that relate to the job you applied for.
New Zealand's Tahatū Career Navigator suggests summarising your work experience and qualifications and talking about your goals. It also advises keeping answers brief and to the point. For most tradespeople, under one minute is enough.
Use four short parts:
- Who you are: your name, your trade and how long you have done it.
- Your work: the kind of jobs you do every day and the tools or machines you use.
- One proof: a short example that shows you are good at it.
- Why this job: one honest line that links you to this employer.
An example for a cook: "My name is [your name]. I am a cook with [number] years in hotel kitchens. I work on the grill and sauce sections, and I prepare food for large functions. Last year I trained two new kitchen hands on our cleaning and food safety routine. I applied for this job because your kitchen cooks fresh food for big groups, and that is the work I enjoy most."
An example for an electrician: "My name is [your name]. I am an electrician with [number] years of experience in houses and small shops. I install wiring, lights and switchboards, and I find faults. I am careful with safety: I always isolate and test before I start work. I want this job because your team works on new homes, and I want to grow in residential work."
For more versions by trade, see our tell me about yourself sample answers for tradespeople and our 60-second introduction scripts.
Live interview or pre-recorded questions
The Australian Government's Job Jumpstart site explains that video interviews are usually one of two types. In a live interview, you talk with an employer or recruiter in real time. In a pre-recorded interview, you see questions on the screen and record your answers on camera.
Pre-recorded interviews often have a time limit for each answer, and you may get more than one chance to record. Because nobody is there, the National Careers Service suggests imagining a real person and practising in front of a mirror or a friend. Your introduction stays the same: hello, name, trade, then your short answer. Just say it to the camera lens as if a person were sitting behind it.
If the connection drops
Bad internet happens to everyone. What the employer remembers is how calmly you handle it.
The Public Service Commission of Canada suggests a dedicated, preferably wired internet connection for video interviews, and warns that public Wi-Fi may cause problems. If you can, sit near your router, ask the people at home not to stream video during your call, and keep your phone charged as a backup.
If the call freezes or drops:
- Try to rejoin with the same link straight away.
- If that fails, call the phone number you asked for before the interview.
- When you are back, say one calm line and continue: "Sorry about that, my connection dropped. I was talking about my work in hotel kitchens."
Do not apologise again and again. One sentence is enough, then go back to your answer.
How to practise your introduction, step by step
- Write your four parts in short sentences, using your real trade, years and example.
- Say it out loud and time it. Tahatū Career Navigator advises practising answers out loud, to yourself or to someone you trust.
- Record yourself. The National Careers Service suggests practice runs and recording yourself, speaking clearly and not too fast.
- Do a trial video call with a friend or family member, and ask about your eye contact and whether your voice was clear.
- Practise the small lines too: the greeting, the sound check, "could you repeat that" and the goodbye.
- Practise the full interview. On InterviewTraining.ai you can answer interview questions out loud and get feedback on each answer.
Our app can help with the first steps. SelfIntroVideo writes a script from your Talent Tabloid profile and lets you practise it with a teleprompter at a speaking pace from 100 to 180 words per minute before you record. You can see the steps on our how it works page. The Android app is coming soon to Google Play, and an iPhone version will come later. Your finished intro video can then sit on your Talent Tabloid profile for employers to watch.
Common mistakes when introducing yourself on video
- Joining at the last minute. You have no time to fix sound or light, and you start the interview stressed.
- Looking at the interviewer's face on the screen. Job Jumpstart says to look at the camera, so your eyes line up with theirs. Our list of self-introduction video mistakes covers more camera problems.
- Talking over the interviewer. With a small delay, wait a moment before you answer.
- Telling your whole life story. Keep "tell me about yourself" to your trade, your work, one proof and why this job.
- Reading a script word for word. Learn the four parts, not every word, so you sound natural. Our guide on speaking confidently on camera in a second language helps.
- Panicking when the call drops. Have the backup phone number ready and use one calm sentence when you return.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a video interview?
Join a few minutes early with your camera on. When the interviewer speaks, smile, greet them by name, say your name and thank them for the interview. Then check once that they can hear you clearly.
How long should my self-introduction be in an online interview?
For most trade jobs, keep it under one minute. Tahatū Career Navigator advises keeping answers brief and to the point, with examples from your experience that show your skills.
What should I say first when they ask me to introduce myself?
Start with your name, your trade and how long you have done it. Then describe your daily work, give one short example that proves your skill, and finish with one line about why you want this job.
What if I do not understand a question because of the sound?
Ask politely for it to be repeated. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says that if you do not understand a question, you can ask the interviewer to explain or repeat it.
What should I do if my internet drops during the interview?
Try the same link again first. If that does not work, call the phone number you asked for before the interview. When you are back, say one short sorry and continue from where you stopped.
Key takeaways
- Get ready early: test the link, sound and light, and ask for a backup phone number.
- Open with a smile, a greeting by name, your name and one simple sound check.
- Answer "tell me about yourself" in under a minute: who you are, your work, one proof, why this job.
- Look at the camera, pause before you answer, and ask for a repeat if the sound breaks.
- If the call drops, rejoin or call, say one calm sentence and carry on.
