How to Introduce Yourself in English: The Ultimate Guide

Do you ever feel nervous when meeting new people? Knowing how to introduce yourself in English can be challenging, especially when it is not your first language.

There are a few key things to remember, though, and with a bit of practice, you’ll be able to make a great first impression every time!

Today we will go over different ways to introduce yourself in English with examples. We will deal with different situations and typical questions and answers to expect when meeting others. Let’s get started!

So, Which Should You Use?

How to Introduce Yourself:

1. In casual conversation
2. In class (student and teacher)
3. In an essay
4. In a job interview
5. For a presentation
6. At a networking event

Plus, this guide will also cover:

1. Tips for Introducing yourself
2. Follow up questions
3. Creative introductions
4. Other phrases you can use for introductions

Note: Learn English quickly and easily online. Practice basic greetings and small talk, and feel confident knowing what to say next!

What is an Introduction?

An introduction is a way of saying “hello” and starting a conversation. It can be as simple as saying your name and asking someone how they are doing. This is an informal or casual way to introduce yourself. It works best with people you meet outside of a work setting.

In some cases, you may want to give more information about yourself in your introduction. For example, you may need to give a presentation, attend a job interview, or networking event. In these cases, you may want to talk more about who you are and what you do. This will require a more formal or professional introduction.

1. Introduce Yourself in Conversation

Let’s start with some basic phrases for introducing yourself.

These expressions are useful for starting a conversation when you meet someone new.

“Hi, my name is _______. I don’t think we’ve met before!”

“Nice to meet you. I’m _______(name). How are you?”

“I’m great, thanks. And you?”

These phrases are all straightforward and easy to remember. You can use them in almost any situation where you need to introduce yourself.

You could also give information about what you do, for example,

• “Hi, my name is Caitriona. I am your English teacher. What is your name?”
• “Hi, my name is John. I work in marketing. What do you do?”

Alternative Ways To Say “Hi”

In addition to these basic phrases, there are alternative ways to say “hi” and start a conversation. Here are a few examples:

• “Hey there!”
• “Hi there!”
• “Howdy!”
• “What’s the story?” (informal way of asking what is happening)
• “How’s it going?” (informal way of asking what is happening)
• “What’s up?” (informal way of asking what is happening)
• Morning!

These expressions are all informal and more likely to be used with people you know well, such as friends or family. It is a way of being friendly and chummy.

• Good morning
• Good afternoon
• Good evening

These greetings are more formal and can be used in any situation, whether you know the person or not.

Introduce Yourself Formally in Conversation

Now let’s look at some phrases for introducing yourself more formally. These expressions are useful in more professional situations.

• “My name is _______ and I am _____.”
• “Allow me to introduce myself; my name is _____. I work in _____.”
• “May I introduce myself? My name is ______. I am _____.”

These phrases are all fairly formal. The last two expressions are the most eloquent and are typically used in professional settings.

For example,

• “My name is John, and I am the managing director.”
• “Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Sarah. I work in human resources.”
• “May I introduce myself? My name is David. I am a sales representative.”

If you need to introduce someone else, you can say:

• “This is _____.”
• “Allow me to introduce _____.”
• “May I introduce my coworker _____?”

Follow Up Questions

You can also ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going.

For example,

• “How are you doing?” (informal) or “How are you today?” (formal)
• “Where are you from?”
• “What’s going on?” / “What’s up?”
• “How’s your day going?”
• Did you have a good weekend?

Remember, if the goal is to keep the conversation flowing, ask follow-up questions. Asking follow-up questions encourages the person to keep talking.

2. Introduce Yourself in Class

If you are in an English class, your teacher may ask you to introduce yourself to the rest of the class. This is a good opportunity to practice using some of the phrases we’ve learned.

When introducing yourself in class, you may want to include information such as:

• Your name
• Where you’re from
• What you like to do in your free time
• What you’re hoping to learn in the class

For example,

“Hi everyone, my name is Sarah. I’m from Canada, and I like to play tennis and travel. I’m taking this class to improve my grammar and speaking skills.

“Hello, my name is John. I am moving to the United States for my studies. I like to play basketball and listen to music. I’m taking this class to improve my listening skills.”

Remember, when introducing yourself in class, be clear and concise. Try to avoid rambling on and on about topics that are not relevant.

If you are a teacher and you want to introduce yourself, you can say:

• “Hello, my name is _____. I am your _____ teacher.”
• “Hi everyone, I’m _____. I’ll be your teacher this semester.”
• “Good morning/afternoon/evening class. My name is _____, and I’ll be teaching you _____.”

You can do some “get to know you” activities, such as “Find Someone Who.” Check out our ESL warmers for ideas.

3. Introduce Yourself in an Essay

If you need to write an essay about yourself, start by brainstorming ideas of what they are looking for. Write down an outline of important information or points that you would like to include in the essay.

Once you have brainstormed some ideas, it’s time to start writing. Begin with a brief introduction that tells the reader about you and the essay’s purpose. Then, add a few sentences to each section of the outline, if required. Remember to proofread your work for grammar mistakes before you submit it.

Example of a Basic Essay Introduction:

“My name is _____and I am from _____. I am currently a student at the University of _____, studying _____. In my free time, I enjoy _____. I work in _____. I am also a member of the _____ club/organization. I am interested in _____. I am hardworking and attentive to detail. In the future, I hope to _____.”

In this example, the student has given information about themselves, their studies, responsibilities, and hobbies. They have also included some information about their future goals. Feel free to include anything else that is relevant to your introduction, such as character traits or skills.

4. Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview

If you need to introduce yourself in a job interview, start by researching the company and the role you are applying for. This will help you to understand what they are looking for in a candidate.

When you go into the interview, make sure to have a firm handshake and make eye contact with the interviewer. Smile and give them your name. It is also a good idea to have an “elevator pitch” prepared. This is a short summary of your skills and experience that you can give to the interviewer if they ask for it.

Here are some example phrases you can use to introduce yourself in a job interview:

• “I am _____, and I am interested in the _____ position.”
• “I am _____, and I am a recent graduate of _____.”
• I have _____ years of experience in the _____ industry.

For your elevator pitch, give a brief overview of who you are, what you do, and your future goals. Make sure it is concise and to the point.

Example:

Interviewer: “Tell me about yourself?”

“I am a recent graduate of the University of _____ with a degree in _____. I have experience working in _____, and I am interested in applying for the _____ position. I am a hard worker with great communication skills. I’ve _____ (mention projects you’ve completed or work relevant to the role). I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.”

In this example, the candidate has given an overview of their education, experience, and skills. They have also shown that they are familiar with the company and the role they are applying for.

Remember, the goal is to stand out from the other candidates and show that you are the best person for the job. So, take your time to prepare for your interview and make sure you have a great introduction ready. Good luck!

5. Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

If you need to introduce yourself in a presentation, start by welcoming the audience and introducing yourself. Give your name, your title, and a brief overview of your experience. Then, give some background information on the topic of your presentation.

For example, if you are presenting the history of the American Revolution, you might say something like:

“Hello, my name is _____, and I am a history teacher at _____ High School. Today, I’m going to talk to you about the American Revolution. This was a time in which the thirteen colonies of America fought for their independence from Britain. I’m going to tell you about the events leading up to the war, the war itself, and the aftermath.”

In this example, the speaker has given their name and their occupation. They have also announced the topic of their presentation and provided some background information on it.

Another example:

“Hello, my name is _____, and I am a marketing consultant. I am here to talk to you about social media marketing. Social media is a powerful tool that can be used to reach new customers and grow your business. I’m going to talk to you about how to create a social media strategy, what platforms to use, and how to measure your success.

Remember, when you are introducing yourself in a presentation, you want to give the audience an overview of who you are and what you will be talking about. You can also mention the other presentation members if appropriate.

6. Introducing Yourself at a Networking Event

Networking events are a great way to introduce yourself to new people and gain business contacts. You will gain confidence as you introduce yourself to more and more people.

• “Hi, I’m _____. I’m a _____. I work with _____ (or I’m interested in _____).”
• “Pleased to meet you. I’m _____. I work as a _____ at _____. I’m here today to _____.”
• “Hi, my name is _____, and I just moved here from _____. I’m looking to meet people in the area and learn more about _____.”

In these examples, the speakers have given their names and a brief overview of who they are and what they do.

Connect with the person you are talking to and build the foundation of your relationship.

For example,

• “I enjoyed the presentation about _____. What did you think?”
• “The _____ looks delicious. Have you tried it?”
• “I see you work for _____. Do you happen to know _____? He works in the finance department. “

Be aware of your body language. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and smile. These nonverbal cues will show that you are confident and approachable in many western countries.

Tips for Introducing Yourself

 Here are some tips to help you make a great first impression:

Be Culturally Aware

People from foreign countries have different ways of introducing themselves, for example, gift-giving, bowing, or kissing both cheeks. If you are introducing yourself abroad, learn about the culture before you go and respect their customs.

Be Approachable

When you meet someone new, you may want to give the impression that you are friendly and approachable. Avoid looking at your phone or fidgeting while the other person is talking. In many Western countries, smiling and making eye contact shows that you are interested in talking to them.

Be Polite

One of the most important things when introducing yourself in English is to be polite. You can do this by using phrases like “thank you for speaking with me” or “it’s nice to meet you.”

Keep it Brief

Another key point to remember is to keep your introduction short and to the point. You don’t want to bore the person you’re speaking to, so keep it concise.

Correct Grammar

When introducing yourself in English, be mindful of your grammar. This means using correct verb tenses and speaking in simple sentences that are easy to understand.

Ask Questions

Asking questions is a great way to keep a casual conversation going. You can ask about other people’s hobbies, interests, or work. Just make sure to avoid personal questions that may make the other person uncomfortable.

Confidence is Key

It’s normal to feel a little nervous when meeting a new person or group of people. However, try to relax and be confident. Speak slowly and clearly and try not to interrupt others. Use body language to your advantage.

Creative Introductions

If you want to stand out from the crowd, try using a creative introduction. This can be anything from telling a joke to starting a conversation with an interesting question. Just make sure that your introduction is appropriate for the situation.

Ways to make your introduction more creative:

1. Mention your nickname (your name that is different from your official name)
2. Mention where you are from and where you live currently
3. Share an interesting story
4. Share a unique detail about yourself
5. Talk about what you like to do in your free time
6. Provide a reason why you are here

For example,

“My name is Nicholas, but people call me Nick.”

“I’m originally from New York, but I currently live in London. I’m here to learn about the latest trends in web design.”

“I go by the name of ‘The Joker’ because I love making people laugh. I’m here to network and see what kinds of opportunities are out there.

“I’m an amateur photographer, and I love to travel. I’m here to meet like-minded people and learn about new cultures.”

Remember, the goal is to make a lasting impression, so be creative, friendly, and respectful.

Other Phrases for Introducing Yourself

Here are some other phrases that you can use in your introduction:

• It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• I’m looking forward to meeting you.
• I’m glad to meet you.
• Nice to meet you.
• Thank you for speaking with me.
• I’m based in (place), but I’m originally from (place).
• I work for (company).
• I’m a colleague of (name).
• I’m here to learn about (topic).
• I heard that you’re an expert on (topic), and I would love to pick your brain.
• Do you have a business card?
• Can I buy you a coffee?
• It was nice meeting you.
• I hope to see you again soon.
• Take care.

Phrases to Describe Your Job or Studies

If you want to introduce yourself and talk about what you do, here are some phrases that you can use:

• I work as a (job title).
• I’m a (job title).
• I’m an (occupation).
• I’m employed as a (job title) at (company name).
• I have worked at (company; for example, Microsoft) since (year; for example, 2020).
• I’m responsible for (duties).
• I’m a student.
• I study (subject).
• I’m taking classes in (subject).
• I’m majoring in (subject) / My field of study is (subject).
• I hold a (bachelor’s degree? master’s degree?) in (subject) from (university name).
• What do you do? / What’s your occupation? / What’s your job title?
• Where do you work? / What company do you work for?
• What school do you go to?
• What classes are you taking? / What subject are you studying?
• What’s your major? / What field of study are you in?
• I’m retired.
• I’m a stay-at-home parent. / I’m a homemaker.
• I don’t work right now. / I’m currently unemployed.

Phrases When Talking About Yourself in an Interview

When you’re in an interview, the interviewer will usually ask you to talk about yourself. Here are some terms that you can use:

• I would describe myself as (adjective).
• The three words that best describe me are (adjectives).
• I’m known for my (strength or skill).
• Some of my hobbies include (hobby).
• I have experience with (topic or task).
• I have been working on (project).
• I’m passionate about (cause or topic).
• My greatest achievement is (accomplishment).
• One goal that I have is to (future goal).

When asked to describe yourself, always try to be positive. For example, you could say:

• I would describe myself as a hard worker.
• The three words that best describe me are determined, ambitious, and driven.
• I’m known for my problem-solving skills because…
• Some of my hobbies include reading and cooking.
• I have experience with customer service and sales.
• I have been working on our social media campaign for several months now, which has proven to be a huge success.
• I’m passionate about helping others.
• I would like to become a fluent English speaker so that I can communicate with people from all over the world.

The Bottom Line

Introducing yourself in English can be easy if you know how to start a conversation and keep it going. Remember to be polite and confident, and use proper grammar.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, try using a creative introduction. As you become more confident, you will feel more comfortable giving an introduction in English.

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to make a great first impression the next time you meet someone new.

Do you have any other tips for introducing yourself in English? Share them with us in the comments below!