MODUL PERKULIAHAN English for Design 1 Introduction Fakultas Program Studi Tatap Muka Fakultas Desain dan Seni Kreatif Desain Communication Visual 01 Kode MK Disusun oleh 2A5235EL Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS Abstract Kompetensi Pembahasan mengenai teknik memperkenalkan diri dalam situasi formal dan informal Mahasiswa dapat memberikan impresi yang baik dalam memperkenalkan diri dan membuka percakapan dengan bahasa Inggris Introduction Introduction is the very first step in presenting someone’s self, both in social and professional situation. When people introduce themselves, they not only present themselves, they also make first impression. The importance of this step lies in the fact that people generally make assumption or even judgement on someone else based on the first impression, and sometimes it also influences their further action, either they accept or even completely reject someone to their social or professional circle. Therefore, it is necessary to make a good impression by using good and polite language or expression, showing open and honest personality, and giving positive sign that reinforce others to know more. Reading 1 SIX SIMPLE STEPS TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF Sometimes, meeting new people in new situation and giving personal introduction could be quite difficult, especially when it has direct impact on someone’s future. Robin Bortner in www.fluentu.com, an English learning site, propose six simple steps to make more positive impression on an introductory conversation. Break the Ice The hardest part in a conversation is to begin it, particularly when it involves new people or foreign circumstance, although the difficulty level could be varied. In socializing events, for example in a party, gathering, or conference, where people are expected to find new people and make acquaintances, starting a conversation could be quite easy. But in other situation where people naturally have higher defense toward strangers, in a street or a park for instance, begin a conversation could be challenging. People may get nervous, or find the situation awkward, thus withheld the flow of the conversation. Therefore, a good “ice breaking” strategy is necessary to avoid those situations. “Break the ice” is a common English expression, which means “do or say something to relieve tension or get comfortable with someone.” When meet new people, a simple but good ice-breaking expression can be used to break the barrier and start a conversation, but not overly friendly that overstep someone else’s boundary. 2018 2 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id The easiest way to break the ice is simply say “Hi”, followed by extending your hand to offer a handshake if possible. Although this practice is quite common in Western and Western-influenced world, the habit in another custom may be different. Another way to break the ice is by using common greetings, for example “good morning”, “good afternoon, “good day”, and “good evening”. It is also common to ask a basic information as an opener or reason to start a conversation. For instance, in a public setting, people can ask about time or place. An opening statement or question about current issues or a simple compliment is also acceptable, but a careful assess of the situation is needed to ensure that the statements, questions, or compliments do not regarded as offensive, sensitive, or overly-friendly. Exemplifications for opening topics or compliments are: Excuse me, do you know what time it is? Sorry to bother you, but do you know where the meeting take place? Excuse me, are you going to the café? I love your dress. You have a very beautiful daughter. Ask Follow-up Questions To continue a conversation after an opening sentence or question is delivered, it is customary to ask follow-up questions. Questions are considered better than comments, because it makes the other person feel engaged and respected by given a chance to do an active part in a conversation. It also gives the initiator some time to think about next topic. Questions that lead to brief explanations is considered better than single-word answer questions. Listen and Ask More Questions Not everyone have a natural skill in active communication, even though they have enough confidence in their language proficiency. Even though not all people have lively and attractive personality, it is not a reason why a conversation could turn to be sour and flat. Listening actively to other person’s speaking, and react accordingly, can also keep the conversation run smoothly. We can also pay attention to the answers from our first questions and ask for more details. By listen and ask questions, we can encourage the other people to talk more, and also learn more about them. 2018 3 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id The difficult part in this stage of conversation is to choose a suitable topic. Common topic such as weather is considered as a neutral topic, especially when we meet new people and we do not have any idea what their interest are. In a business travel, asking their jobs or their travelling experiences are also considered as safe bets. One thing to remember is to keep the conversation positive, by avoiding any negative comment about politics, controversial issues, and judgment about their works or appearances. Of course, this rule is not applied in certain circumstances where those particular topics are discussed openly, for example in a conference or symposium about certain issues. Prepare Basic Answers In a conversation, sometimes we do not always ask questions, we also have to provide answers. Therefore, it is very important to prepare the answers to basic questions, especially considering basic information about ourselves such as our origins, jobs, former experiences, family, etc. Keep the answers short and simple, and prepare to make a polite warning or avoidance when the questions touch the subjects we do not want to talk about. Have an Exit Plan Even a very good conversation needs to come to an end. Even though we try to make the conversation as lively as possible, sometimes we find difficulties to connect to the other person. If you find you have nothing more to say or you’re not connecting with the person you’re talking with, you need a way to leave politely. Otherwise, there could be a lot of awkward silences. Here are a few key lines for leaving politely: Excuse me, I need to (find my friend/go to a meeting) Well, it’s been lovely talking to you. Best of luck. Nice to meet you, Brian. I hate to run off, but I need to go. Let me give you my card before I go. Enjoy your time here! As you say these phrases, hold out your hand for a handshake, making it clear that you’re ending the conversation. 2018 4 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id Smile and Be Confident The key to every successful introductory conversation is our attitude and personality. Your smile and confidence are considered more likely to make a good impression on people, even if you make some grammar mistakes, especially if people know that you are not a native speaker. Speaking politely, showing your enthusiasm, and sometimes trying to mimic the other person’s gestures are also can make them feel more connected to you. Reading 2 HOW TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN AN INTERVIEW While tips mentioned above seem to be appropriate in non-formal setting, basically it can be useful in general setting with proper modification. In formal situation, especially in an interview or business meeting, we need more suitable introduction. As in informal setting, first impression in formal situation is also important. The main thing to be consider is, during formal situation, first impression can determine your future relationship with the other party. Either you want to be hired or get a client, it depends on how you present yourself. During the interview process, there may be several times when you have to introduce yourself: at the front desk or reception area, to a recruiter, to the hiring manager and potentially additional interviewers. There are a few guidelines you can follow on how to introduce yourself in any interview setting. To help you navigate the process, in Indeed Career Guide (www.indeed.com) you will find some tips that can be useful, started by identifying best practices when introducing yourself, followed by examples and tips. Introducing Yourself in an Interview Guide 1. Start by researching the company and your interviewers. 2. Dress appropriately for the interview. 3. Avoid distractions and keep eye contact. 4. Be confident and comfortable. 5. Be aware of body language. 6. Prepare what to say. 2018 5 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id 7. Rehearse your introduction with a friend. 8. Follow our examples below. The best ways to introduce yourself in an interview Before the interview When you first enter the building where your job interview will take place, you may need to check in with reception. Step forward and introduce yourself with your full name, interview time and job title of the role you’re interviewing for. This can be quick and simple, such as, “Hi, my name is Max Taylor. I’m here for a 12 pm job interview for the Program Manager role.” Once you’ve checked in, you may be asked to wait while the recruiter or another HR representative comes to meet you. It’s good etiquette to avoid taking out your phone to pass the time while you wait. If you’re seated, place your arms on the armrests or in your lap. Your feet can rest on the floor or cross at the ankles. When someone arrives to greet you, stand to meet them and follow these steps when introducing yourself: During the interview Typically you’ll be seated in a room to wait until your interviewer comes to meet you. You may want to use this time to get out your pen and paper for notes, take a drink of water and a couple of deep breaths to relax your body. When your interviewer enters the room, greet them confidently by standing up, extending your hand to shake theirs, stating your name and smiling. It’s likely that your interviewer knows the role you are applying for and has seen your resume. Still, you should prepare a short statement to make sure you’re they know who you are and what role you’re applying for. Something like, “It’s great to meet with you to talk about the associate role on your events team.” 2018 6 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id Once introductions have been made, you can give them a hard copy of your resume, if they don’t already have one. You will likely exchange a few pleasantries and get into the interview questions—especially if they’ve got a busy day. If they begin the conversation, let them take the lead. If there’s a bit of silence, don’t be afraid to lead with a description that quickly summarizes your professional background and interest in the job. Here’s an example that someone applying for a Graphic Design position might use: “I’m a graphic designer with over five years of experience specializing in creating beautiful, unique website experiences that make users’ time with a brand more enjoyable. I’m looking forward to growing my management skills to hopefully develop and inspire a team of my own.” One common interview question you may be asked early on is, “Tell me about yourself.” Having an internal outline (or written, if helpful—but avoid reading it directly to keep things conversational) can help guide your answer. Keep it concise and focused on why your background makes you the best fit for this job opportunity. Being prepared ahead of time can help calm your nerves, so do some research on the company and, if possible, your interviewers. This will help guide the rest of the conversation, set you up to answer questions intelligently and ask solid, informed questions of your own. Presenting yourself as knowledgeable and confident shows your potential employers that you’re the right choice for the opportunity. It’s appropriate to write down notes as the conversation progresses. You can refer to these notes to ask any questions at the end of the interview and can reference them when you follow-up after the interview to show them you were attentive and valued your time with them. The interviewer wants to hire someone who is qualified for the role, but also someone who they genuinely want to work with and will be a good culture fit at the company. As you’re answering their questions and preparing to ask your own, remember to be yourself and let your personality show. Remember to breathe and take the conversation one step at a time. It’s appropriate to pause to collect your thoughts and say, “Let me take a moment to think about that” 2018 7 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id before beginning to answer—in fact, this can send a positive signal to your interviewer that you are invested in giving them the best possible response. After the interview No introduction is complete without a goodbye. After your interview has ended, follow the lead of your interviewer: stand when they stand, shake their hand again and thank them for their time with a smile. You can prepare to say a few phrases that will end the conversation on a positive note, like, “It was a pleasure meeting you, I appreciate your time today.” “Thanks for a great conversation, hope you enjoy the rest of your day.” “It was great to hear more about your role here, I hope to be in touch in the future.” If you have multiple rounds of interviews, be prepared to stand and greet your next interviewer, repeating the steps above. After you’ve had some time to process and review your interview notes, remember to send timely follow-up notes to your interviewers, whether that be via email or handwritten. Sometimes recruiters don’t give out interviewer emails, so be sure to ask for their business card or ask the recruiter if they can pass a thank you message to the interviewer. If you’re sending handwritten notes, an easy way to get them to your interviewers is to send to the office address under their name. Interview introduction tips Here are a few additional items consider including your appearance and mindset that can set you up for a successful introduction beforehand. 1. Dress appropriately Appearance plays an important role when meeting someone new. Choosing what to wear on an interview will represent, in part, who you are to those you’ll be meeting. Different offices have different dress codes, so you’ll want to do some research on the company culture before you go to your job interview. For example, a financial consultant interview will likely require more formal dress than 2018 8 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id that of a tech startup. If you’re unsure, reach out to your recruiter or office contact beforehand and ask. This shows that you’re paying attention to the details and care about making the right impression. Erring on the side of professional is safe. Here are a few tips: Be yourself. What you wear is a part of who you are, so use it to communicate your personality where appropriate. Keep the focus on you. Try and avoid distracting visuals like extravagant jewelry or busy prints to ensure your interviewers pay attention to your conversation. Be comfortable. Being professional doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable—make sure you’re feeling good in your clothes when you leave the house. 2. Prepare what to say After you’ve got the visuals down, plan on the first few speaking moments of your introduction. Confidence is equally important as you begin to verbally introduce yourself, so apply the same principles as you begin talking with the person at hand. To establish a solid foundation, boldly state your name. Don’t be afraid to speak up, you’ll want to avoid making people struggle to hear your name or ask for it again. A solid volume shows you’re confident, excited about the opportunity, and want to be respectful of their time. It seems obvious, but be sure to learn and remember the name of the interviewer— nerves can make it easy for that detail escape you. Listen and repeat their name in your introduction to help you remember as you carry out the conversation. For example: Interviewer: “Hi, my name is Max.” You: “Max, pleasure to meet you, my name is Sam.” 3. Be aware of body language Nonverbal communication is important to keep in mind. When you’re meeting people during the interview process, remember the attributes you want your body language 2018 9 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id to display. For example, if you want to communicate confidence, keep your shoulders back, chin raised and chest high. Keeping eye contact as you introduce yourself is another good practice, showing interviewers you’re engaged in the conversation and capable of communicating well with your potential future colleagues. Pro-tip: Unsure about how you may be presenting yourself during introductions? Try recruiting a friend or family member for a practice introducing yourself, including your dress, body language, even your handshake. The mirror is a great practice tool, too. You’ve likely met hundreds of people in your life, and a job interview involves much of the same etiquette you would use when meeting any new person. Your interviewers want to hire a great teammate just as much as you want to be on the team—which means they want you to succeed. When introducing yourself at your next interview, confidence, preparing ahead of time and a smile will go a long way. Daftar Pustaka 2018 10 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id Bortner, Robin. (2018). 6 Simple Steps for Confidently Introducing Yourself in English. Retrieved from https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/how-to-introduce-yourself-in- english/ Indeed Career Guide. (2019). How to Introduce Yourself in An Interview. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-introduce-yourself-in-aninterview 2018 11 English for Design 1 Ketut Nina Lestari Mastra, SE.,BS.,MS PusatBahan Ajar dan eLearning http://www.mercubuana.ac.id
