A strong self-introduction includes who you are, what you do and what others need to know about you. When you deliver a powerful self-introduction, you can make a lasting positive impression.In this article, we define a self-introduction and offer you tips and examples so you can write your own effective self-introduction.
What is a Self Introduction?
A self-introduction is a short speech about yourself that you give when you meet new people or start a job. It gives basic details about who you are and your background.The goal of a self-introduction is to provide a quick overview of your personality, interests, skills, education and experience. It allows others to get to know you in a friendly, professional way. A good self-introduction should last 1-2 minutes. It should sound natural, not memorized. The information should be clear, positive and relevant to the situation.
The key parts of a self-introduction include:
- Your name
- Where you are from
- Your job/role or area of study
- Work experience or education/training
- Personal interests or hobbies
- Any other relevant details about yourself
Self-introductions are used in many settings:
- Starting a new job or class
- Networking events
- Professional conferences
- Job interviews
- Casual social meetings
Being able to introduce yourself confidently is an important skill. A warm, genuine introduction makes a great first impression.
Follow these guidelines to introduce yourself in 10 lines:
- Start with a standard greeting: Hello, nice to meet you
- Introduce yourself by name: I’m.../my name is…
- Introduce your age (if you want to): I’m … years old
- Include your profession: I am an…(English teacher/student/stay-at-home parent)
- Include how long you have done your job: I’ve been teaching/studying for…
- Include the university or school you studied at: I studied at…
- Include where you’re from: I’m from…
- Include where you live now: I live in…
- Include your hobbies: my hobbies are/my hobbies include…
- Include other interests: I enjoy running/sleeping/eating/playing football.
Self-Introduction for English Learners
- Make your professional introduction relevant.
You may be a pizza lover, but unless you’re a chef or taking part in a culinary workshop, it will feel cute random. Be mindful of the context.
- Go beyond your professional title.
- Say what your contribution is.
This ties in nicely with the previous point. But it’s just so important it deserves a separate point. Your professional introduction should tell the audience about your contribution to their (professional) lives. What problems do you help them solve?
- Be original.
It doesn’t mean that if you’re a writer you need to prepare a self-intro essay. No. Just take an extra step and say something more about the nature of your job. Plus, the way you deliver your professional introduction matters. You know, a friendly smile works magic.
- Prepare.
No ideas on how to make a great introduction? Take a step back and ask yourself what you want to be known for.
- Mind the cultural context.
If you’re introducing yourself to an international audience, make sure not to offend anybody.
- Be careful when coming up with funny ways to introduce yourself.
Humor is great, but avoid cracking jokes for the sake of cracking jokes. What you consider funny may not resonate with your speaker.
How to Introduce Yourself in a Class
So you’re in a class with other students and your teacher asks you to introduce yourself in English.
Self-introductions in a class are meant to be brief and conversational. You don’t need to provide a detailed account of your life. Keep this checklist in mind:
Open with a warm greeting that conveys your excitement about joining the class.
Present your name, and if there’s a nickname you prefer, let your classmates know.
Tell them where you’re from, which can include a memorable detail about your hometown or current city.
Offer a brief insight into what interests you or what you enjoy doing in your free time.
Conclude by expressing your enthusiasm for the class and your intention for joining.
To Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview:
Mind the context. It’s a bit of a no-brainer. The context is your job interview, and introducing yourself means giving the best answer to “tell me about yourself” question.
Do your research. To introduce yourself in the best possible way, find out as much as you can about the company you’re applying to. Make sure you’re a cultural fit. And learn how to answer them what are you passionate about question.
Control your body language. Body language communicates much more than you think. When you introduce yourself to the recruiter:
Look them in the eye. Make sure your handshake is firm but natural to signal trust. Speak with confidence. Do not fidget, roll up your eyes, or cross your arms. Prepare your answer. Come in prepared to deliver the best interview introduction. That’s it. Rehearse what you want to say to minimize the chances of being taken by surprise.
When do you use a self-introduction?
You should offer a self-introduction any time you meet someone new and there isn't someone present to introduce you. The following are specific instances where a self-introduction might be helpful:
- At the beginning of an interview
- While attending a hiring event
- When networking with new connections
- While giving a presentation
- When meeting people at a trade show or conference
Professional Introduction—Example
My name is Maciek, and I’m a career writer. My job is to provide job seekers with expert advice on career-related topics. I read a lot and consult recruiting professionals so you don’t have to. I show you how to hack the recruitment process, create a job-winning resume, ace the job interview, and... introduce yourself, among others.
Better, right?
Now—
When you come to think of it, the first self-introduction wouldn’t have sucked that much in a meeting of Italian cuisine chefs.
In fact, it might’ve been a good one.
But not in the context of this article. Such a professional introduction doesn’t make sense, and it’s not useful in the least.
Remember:
Relevance is key when you introduce yourself. In a speech, writing, to a group, or in any other context.
some common questions you might encounter when introducing yourself:
- "Can you tell me about yourself?"
- "What do you do for a living?"
- "Where are you from?"
- "What are your hobbies or interests?"
- "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
- "What brought you here today?"
- "What motivates you?"
- "Do you have any relevant experience in [specific field]?"
- "What are your goals or aspirations?"
- "How do you handle challenges or pressure?"
Answers
- "Sure! I'm [Your Name]. I recently graduated from [Your University/College] with a degree in [Your Field], and I'm passionate about [Your Interests/Hobbies]."
- "I currently work as a [Your Job Title] at [Your Company/Organization], where I [Briefly Describe Your Role/Responsibilities]."
- "I'm originally from [Your Hometown/Country], but I've been living in [Current City/Location] for the past [Number of Years]."
- "In my free time, I enjoy [Your Hobbies/Interests], such as [Specific Activity or Interest]. It helps me unwind and stay creative."
- "One of my strengths is [Strength], which helps me [Brief Explanation of How This Strength Helps You]. As for weaknesses, I sometimes [Weakness], but I'm actively working on improving in that area."
- "I came here today because I'm interested in [Reason for the Meeting/Event], and I'm excited to learn more about [Topic/Subject]."
- "I'm motivated by [Source of Motivation], whether it's [Personal Goal, Helping Others, etc.]. It keeps me focused and driven."
- "Yes, I have [Number of Years] of experience in [Specific Field]. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I [Brief Description of Relevant Experience]."
- "My main goal is to [Your Goal/Objective], whether it's [Career Advancement, Personal Development, etc.]. I'm always striving to [How You Plan to Achieve Your Goals]."
- "I handle challenges by [Brief Explanation of Your Approach], such as [Problem-Solving Strategies, Seeking Support from Others, etc.]. I find that staying calm and focused helps me overcome obstacles effectively."
