Me, Myself and I: Self-Presentation Speech Made in Easy Steps

This kind of task seems intimidating because usually people feel they have little to say about themselves and feel that this info is not too significant to interest the audience. However, getting to know you is crucial for people who influence your future life, so do your best to approach this task with care. We will help you to do so without additional stress.

Purposes of Creating Speech about Myself

Why you may need to do self-presentation? The reasons are diverse:

• To apply for a position
• To apply for a grant
• To get selected for some prestigious program or competition
• To persuade people to join in or follow you
• And what’s not.

Thus by telling people important things about yourself and showing that you do have worth (and we all have it, remember) you can ensure yourself a good job, an invitation to cool research program, internship or at least getting attention of people who can help you in some way.

7 Steps To Creating A Good Self-Presentation Speech

While writing about self may seem easier that doing some research, actually this is the trap you can easily fall into. Researching some objective information helps you categorize it, assess it and see what fits into your topic and what does not. But while doing self-presentation you may deem everything important and so end up with a bloated piece of writing that is hard to follow and comprehend. To avoid this trouble and to write a good and concise speech about yourself follow our guide and be safe and sound in any circumstances.

• Know your audience. To write persuasively, you have to ‘see’ people and place you are writing for. Research place, its size, microphone or screen presence, length of event, number of participants, time allocated for every speech, and number and composition of your audience. Knowing all this you will already have a resemblance of your speech plan in your mind since you know how long it should be and what information is required and what can be left out.
• Plan your speech. Planning and outlining are key steps in creating any good written piece so never skip this step while writing.It keeps you focused, organized and makes your speech easy to follow and comprehend for your listeners.Now the most important part: template of a plan of ‘speak about yourself’ piece:
  1. Introduction – your background. Name, surname, exact position and place of work or faculty, university and major. You may mention your personal background like country you came from or other significant points if they are exceptional and present you in positive light (persevering, following your dream, wanting to make world a better place, etc.). Look up some ideas of self-presentation intro but remember that it is about you, so write what is relevant to your story.
  2. Main information – current education status or employment. What, where, how long, maybe why point. What you usually do in this position/status (key points that are relevant to your audience). Additional activities and events you take part in in relation to your status. Internships, or previous working experience. Public events or social activities that may be related to your status.
  3. Volunteering, running socially significant projects. Leadership.
  4. Sports, key hobbies that truly influence your life. Family status only if it really contributes to understanding of your education/career path and goals.
  5. Additional information – languages, computer skills (if they are not your major or career), soft skills, other significant points you want to mention.
  6. Continuing education – this is a trendy point so be sure to show that you are keeping up with the market demand and trends. Mention what additional courses you took, are taking or want to take.
  7. Closing ‘thank you’ and invitation to ask questions (if they are allowed and foreseen in event timing).
• Read through and change if necessary. Definitely, you may think that by following your plan you have done a great job but do not be in a hurry.Let it sit for an hour at least and then read again. You will be surprised to see that it is incoherent or dry, more resembling a list than a speech. Fix flaws that you notice, make it run more naturally, like you are talking to a person you know. Ask a friend or a relative to listen to you and consider the feedback. Other people may see differently things that you cherish or take for granted, so write for people, not for yourself.
• Non-verbal bits of work to do. It relates to your actual presentation in front of a panel or a crowd. Think ahead what you will wear, your clothing should be formal enough to fit the situation but comfortable not to distract you from speaking. Neat and smart casual is a to-go solution today. Your look impresses to the same degree, or even more, that your words.
• Before speaking, make a small pause. Look at your audience, smile, adjust a mike, put your papers in front of you – these small moves attract attention and let the people ready themselves for listening. Thus your first words will be heard well, not lost on the audience.
• Don’t be still, move a bit. Striking a formal pose seems natural in this situation, but remember how great presenters carry themselves on the stage. They move, make hand gestures, interact with audience, make dramatic pauses, ask questions – they are alive. You may not have such opportunity but use your hands a bit. Your hands should move gently towards your audience, like opening, inviting, underscoring your words, etc. Do not put them into pockets or cross on your chest – these are hostile and closed gestures and people usually react negatively to the words of such speaker even if they themselves do not realize the reason. So let your hands and head live and move, but gently and not too much.
• Practice makes the master. Every presenter or speaker is nervous. Some shed their nervousness when they put their foot on the stage, some push it back until the presentation ends. But to be able to do so, they rehearse and practice. Aloud, in front of a mirror, in front of family or friends.Read aloud and look at yourself – what gesture would be appropriate? Make it and look how it fits. If it is OK, use it in your presentation. Yes, gestures can be planned and rehearsed too. Surprised?
• Speak, don’t read. You may take a peek now and then in your papers, but reading all the way is not that good. So do your best and try to memorize your piece. Then ask you friend or a relative be your audience and speak. First time your voice will be creaky and hands will shake, but the fourth or fifth time speech rehearsal will make you assured and relaxed presenter that interacts with audience instead of grasping for words. Good luck.

Still too anxious if you can do it? Reach out for self-presentation speech help

If you doubt that you can tell things about yourself properly and interesting but still need to do it, reach out for help. We know how important it is to say just enough to be seen in good light, and so our writing team includes people who are experts in this kind of speeches. Provide us with your full CV, any additional info that you may want to include and technical info about length, way of presentation (speech, PPT) and get an excellent piece that will highlight your strongest points. Just read, rehearse, memorize and hit the stage!