Should I shake hands at a UK interview in 2025?

Follow the interviewer's lead. Many UK employers have returned to handshakes post-pandemic, but some prefer a nod or verbal greeting. If the interviewer extends their hand, shake it — a firm, brief grip. If they do not, mirror whatever they offer. Do not force physical contact if they seem hesitant.

How long should my self-introduction be?

For the casual opening icebreaker, two to three sentences — roughly 20–30 seconds. For the formal 'Tell me about yourself' question that follows later, aim for 90 seconds to two minutes. The opening introduction is not the place for your full career story.

What if I freeze or go blank when introducing myself?

Take a breath, smile, and start with your name — that single anchor almost always breaks the freeze. If you still struggle, it is a sign to practise out loud beforehand, not just in your head. Rehearsing with someone else, or recording yourself on your phone, makes a significant difference to how naturally the words come out under pressure.

Is it OK to use notes during a video or phone interview?

For phone interviews, having key bullet points nearby is acceptable and widely done. For video interviews, use notes sparingly and discreetly — looking away from the camera repeatedly to read is distracting. Your introduction should be confident and unscripted; notes are better used for specific data (dates, figures) later in the interview.

How do I introduce myself to a panel without it feeling awkward?

Greet each panellist by name if introductions have been made. During your spoken introduction, make brief eye contact with each person — roughly 3–5 seconds each — so no one feels ignored. Address the bulk of your opening answer to the person who asked, then naturally include the rest of the panel as you speak. It gets easier with practice.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview UK

How to introduce yourself in a UK job interview: the first 60 seconds, greeting and handshake, a simple self-intro structure, video and panel openings, with examples.

The moment you step through the door — or appear on a video call — your interview has already begun. Before a single formal question is asked, interviewers are forming impressions based on how you greet them, how you carry yourself, and the first words that come out of your mouth. Knowing how to introduce yourself in a UK job interview with confidence can set the tone for everything that follows. This guide covers the whole opening sequence: the greeting, the small talk, the handshake (and modern alternatives), and how to deliver a crisp spoken self-introduction that makes the panel want to hear more.

The First 60 Seconds: What Actually Happens

Many candidates prepare obsessively for the formal questions but neglect the informal opening. In reality, the handshake, the eye contact, and the casual chat as you walk to the room carry significant weight. UK interviewers often decide within the first minute or two whether they could see you fitting into the team — so this window matters more than most people realise.

Here is what a typical in-person opening looks like, and how to handle each moment:

Being greeted at reception or the door. Stand up if you are seated, smile, and make eye contact. Offer your hand for a handshake if the interviewer extends theirs first — a firm, brief grip, not a bone-crusher and not a limp touch. Since the pandemic, some interviewers prefer to nod or wave instead; mirror whatever they offer rather than forcing physical contact.
Walking to the interview room. This is small talk time, not silence. Comment on something genuine: "It was easy to find, thank you for the clear directions" or "The office is lovely — how long have you been based here?" Keep it light. Avoid oversharing personal details or jumping straight into your qualifications.
Sitting down. Wait to be invited to sit, or ask "Shall I take a seat?" This is a small politeness that registers positively.
Being asked to introduce yourself. This is the moment the interview formally opens. It is subtly different from the later "Tell me about yourself" question — see the section below on the distinction.

For video and phone interviews the opening sequence is compressed but equally important. Log on 2–3 minutes early, check your audio and video, and when the interviewer joins, greet them warmly by name: "Hi Sarah, lovely to meet you — thanks for making the time." Smile into the camera (not the screen), sit up straight, and maintain eye-line with the lens. These details read as confident engagement on the other side of the call. If you struggle with nerves before interviews, our guide on managing interview nerves has practical techniques you can use right up to the moment you join the call.

The Difference Between "Introduce Yourself" and "Tell Me About Yourself"

These two phrases sound similar but they call for different responses. Getting this distinction right shows social intelligence.

"Introduce yourself" — usually said within the first 30–60 seconds — is an icebreaker. It is casual and brief. The interviewer is not expecting a structured career narrative; they are helping everyone settle in and get comfortable. A two-to-three sentence response is ideal. Give your name (even though they know it — it anchors the moment), your current role or situation, and a single warm connecting sentence about why you are there.

"Tell me about yourself" — which typically comes a few minutes in, once everyone is seated — is a proper interview question. It calls for a structured 90-second to two-minute answer covering your professional background, relevant achievements, and what draws you to this specific role. We cover that in detail in our dedicated guide on how to answer "Tell me about yourself" in a UK interview.

Conflating the two is a common mistake. Launching into a three-minute career monologue when someone is just saying hello is jarring. Keep the opening introduction short and warm, then save the full narrative for when you are formally invited to give it.

A Simple 3-Part Structure for Your Spoken Self-Introduction

When the interview does formally begin and you are asked to say a few words about yourself, the following three-part structure works across every sector and seniority level:

Who you are now. Your name and current professional situation in one sentence.
Relevant background. One or two sentences on the experience or skills most relevant to this role.
Why you are excited about this opportunity. A brief, genuine reason that connects your background to this specific employer or role.

This keeps your introduction under 45 seconds, which is the right length for an opener. Here are two concrete examples for different sectors:

Example 1 — Care worker applying to a residential home:

"Hi, I'm Priya. I've been working as a senior care assistant at Ashfield Lodge for the past three years, where I support residents with personal care, medication administration, and daily activities. I've recently completed my NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, and I'm really excited about this role because your home's person-centred approach aligns closely with the way I like to work."

Example 2 — Office administrator applying to an accounts team:

"Good morning — I'm James. I've spent the last four years working in office administration at a busy logistics firm, handling invoicing, supplier correspondence, and scheduling. I enjoy the detail-focused side of admin work, and I was particularly drawn to this position because of the growth the accounts team has had recently — it sounds like a place where there's a lot to get involved in."

Notice that neither example is generic. Each one names a specific skill or achievement and gives a genuine reason for interest in the employer. Tailoring even two sentences to the actual role signals preparation and care. If you want to sharpen the "why this role" element, our guide on how to answer "Why do you want this job?" in the UK goes into greater depth.

Panel Interviews, One-to-One, Phone, and Video — What Changes

The format of the interview changes how you manage introductions, and adapting naturally signals experience and professionalism.

One-to-one interviews are the most straightforward. You have one person to connect with, so you can give them your full attention throughout the introduction. This is where body language — an open posture, natural eye contact, a genuine smile — does the most work.

Panel interviews require a different awareness. When you enter the room, greet each panellist individually if you are introduced to them. During your self-introduction, briefly make eye contact with each person rather than locking onto the most senior interviewer. Address your opening answer to the person who asked, but sweep your gaze naturally around the panel so everyone feels included.

Phone interviews strip out all visual cues, which means your voice carries the full load. Smile while you speak — it genuinely changes the tone of your voice in a way callers perceive. Speak slightly more slowly and clearly than you would in person. Say "Nice to meet you" and use the interviewer's name to establish warmth. Keep background noise to an absolute minimum.

Video interviews (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet) combine visual presence with the technological friction of a screen. Look into the camera lens, not at the interviewer's face on screen — this creates the impression of eye contact on their end. Test your connection, lighting, and background in advance. If you are applying for roles where video interviews are standard, researching the company beforehand will help you tailor those first few connecting sentences to something specific about the organisation.

What NOT to Do in the Opening Minutes

Just as important as the positive actions are the pitfalls that undermine first impressions. UK interviewers will rarely tell you when something has landed badly, so it is worth knowing in advance what to avoid:

Rambling. An introduction that runs past 60 seconds loses the interviewer before the formal questions have even started. If you find yourself still talking about your secondary school, stop.
Over-sharing personal information. Your family situation, health history, political opinions, and financial circumstances are not relevant to a professional introduction. Keep it career-focused.
Badmouthing a previous employer. Even if your last job was genuinely difficult, the opening of an interview is the worst possible moment to signal negativity. It immediately raises doubts about your professionalism and loyalty.
Starting with an apology. "Sorry, I'm a bit nervous" or "I'm not great at these things" shrinks your presence immediately. Everyone is nervous at interviews; announcing it draws attention to it unnecessarily.
Reading from notes or your phone. For the opening introduction, you should know your own background. Consulting notes at this stage looks unprepared.
Forgetting to listen. The interviewer may give you useful information in the small talk — the team culture, recent projects, what they are looking for. Candidates who are so rehearsed that they stop listening miss these cues entirely.

If nerves are the root cause of any of the above, it is worth investing time in preparation that goes beyond scripting answers. Structured practice — mock interviews, recording yourself, doing breathing exercises beforehand — all reduce the physiological anxiety response that causes rambling and blanking. Our guide on overcoming interview nerves covers this in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I shake hands at a UK interview in 2025?: Follow the interviewer's lead. Many UK employers have returned to handshakes post-pandemic, but some prefer a nod or verbal greeting. If the interviewer extends their hand, shake it — a firm, brief grip. If they do not, mirror whatever they offer. Do not force physical contact if they seem hesitant.
How long should my self-introduction be?: For the casual opening icebreaker, two to three sentences — roughly 20–30 seconds. For the formal "Tell me about yourself" question that follows later, aim for 90 seconds to two minutes. The opening introduction is not the place for your full career story.
What if I freeze or go blank when introducing myself?: Take a breath, smile, and start with your name — that single anchor almost always breaks the freeze. If you still struggle, it is a sign to practise out loud beforehand, not just in your head. Rehearsing with someone else, or recording yourself on your phone, makes a significant difference to how naturally the words come out under pressure.
Is it OK to use notes during a video or phone interview?: For phone interviews, having key bullet points nearby is acceptable and widely done. For video interviews, use notes sparingly and discreetly — looking away from the camera repeatedly to read is distracting. Your introduction should be confident and unscripted; notes are better used for specific data (dates, figures) later in the interview.
How do I introduce myself to a panel without it feeling awkward?: Greet each panellist by name if introductions have been made. During your spoken introduction, make brief eye contact with each person — roughly 3–5 seconds each — so no one feels ignored. Address the bulk of your opening answer to the person who asked, then naturally include the rest of the panel as you speak. It gets easier with practice.

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