How to Introduce Yourself Professionally & Casually— ...

Say hi. Say your name. Scratch your head. And... Hope for someone else to take it from there. Let’s be honest: It’s not exactly how you want to introduce yourself. That’s why you’re here.

 

This guide will show you:

 

• Why you have to know how to introduce yourself well in different contexts.
• How not to introduce yourself.
• What are the best ways to introduce yourself in a job interview or an email.

 

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1

How Not to Introduce Yourself

 

Before we move on any further—

 

Let me introduce myself.

 

“My name is Maciek. And I like Hawaiian pizza.”

 

Eek!

 

Not great, right? (And it’s not exactly because of pineapple on a pizza.)

 

Truth is—

 

While this way to introduce myself may be funny to some, the vast majority will find it plain stupid.

 

And this is exactly how most people mess their intros up.

 

By introducing themselves in ways that are irrelevant to the larger context.

 

2

How to Introduce Yourself Professionally

 

Here’s the thing:

 

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

 

But—

 

Give me a second chance so you don’t ever need it.

 

Professional Introduction—Example

 

GOODMy 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.

 

So, in a professional context, follow the below steps:

 

How to Introduce Yourself Professionally—Dos and Don’ts

 

1. 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.

 

2. Go beyond your professional title.

 

The truth is, job titles don’t mean much. Sorry. The best way to introduce yourself is to explain what your job is really about.

 

3. 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?

 

4. 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.

 

5. Prepare.

 

No ideas on how to make a great introduction? Take a step back and ask yourself what you want to be known for.

 

6. Mind the cultural context.

 

If you’re introducing yourself to an international audience, make sure not to offend anybody.

 

7. 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.

 

One more thing.

 

Sometimes, it may be very hard to say anything more than your typical “I’m a project manager,” “I’m a teacher,” “I’m a scientist.” It’s especially true when you’ve been doing your thing for a long time.

 

That’s where your friends and family come in.

 

Just ask them to help you figure out what your real contribution is.

 

 

3

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

 

Here’s the thing.

 

A good job interview introduction is essentially the same as answering the “tell me about yourself” question.

 

In fact—

 

We have a dedicated guide on how to answer “tell me about yourself” question, so let’s just stick to the basics here.

 

To Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview:

 

1. 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.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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.

 

4. 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.

 

Follow our successful interview tips. There’s much more to acing the interview than knowing how to introduce yourself to a recruiter.

 

And remember:

 

It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.

 

So—

 

Learn how to write a thank you email after an interview.

 

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When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

 

4

How to Introduce Yourself in an Email

 

Just think about it:

 

Before you even get a chance to introduce yourself in an interview, you need to land one.

 

In this day and age sending a job application via email is the way to go.

 

So—

 

To whom it may concern.

 

Whoa!

 

Let’s stop here before it gets worse.

 

With an introduction like that, the only person concerned... would be yourself.

 

Luckily, we have a series of in-depth articles that—

 

Show you how to introduce yourself in an email for a job application:

 

 

Offer step-by-step guidance on how to introduce yourself in a cover letter:

 

 

Explain how to introduce yourself in a cover letter email:

 

 

Remember:

 

A successful introduction goes beyond a single sentence or paragraph.

 

It’s the entire message that counts.

 

For detailed advice, head straight to one of our dedicated guides listed above. To make sure your introduction email is complete consult the checklist below:

 

How to Introduce Yourself in an Email to a Recruiter—Checklist

 

1. Include all email elements.

 

This may seem obvious, but double-check if your message starts with a subject line and ends with your name. Your “introduce yourself” email cannot be incomplete.

 

2. Write a great subject line.

 

When you introduce yourself via email the last thing you want is to land in a spam folder. Come up with a strong subject line. Stay within the suggested character limit. Avoid spam trigger words. If you’re replying to a job offer, make sure you use the right subject format.

 

3. Choose an appropriate greeting.

 

In an email to introduce yourself, “dear Sir or Madam” looks lazy. It shows you don’t know who you’re writing to. Make an effort to identify your Dear Sir or Madam by name.

 

4. Craft a great opening sentence.

 

It sets the tone for everything you want to include in your self-introductory email.

 

5. Offer the context. Say why you’re writing.

 

Relevance is key. A message that doesn’t resonate with the recipient will go straight to the trash folder. You don’t want your introduction email to a recruiter to go there.

 

6. Make your offer. Ask for something.

 

Show the hiring manager how they will benefit from hiring you, and ask for an interview. This is the most important part of your entire professional introduction.

 

7. Say thank you.

 

Ending your self-introductory email with gratitude can boost your chances of getting a reply. Read this study to find out more.

 

 

Now, let’s move on to—

 

New Employee Self-Introduction Email

 

A successful introductory email to a recruiter is not the end of story.

 

Because—

 

You’re likely to come across other situations when you’ll have to introduce yourself via email or in writing.

 

Look at these typical challenging tasks of a new employee:

 

• Send an introduction email to the new team
• Write an introduction paragraph about yourself for the newsletter
• Prepare an “about me” paragraph for the website

 

Don’t panic.

 

You already know the most important thing: the context.

 

Plus—

 

You’re not the first person tasked with this.

 

Ask your teammates to show you their “about me” sample text. This will give you a first-hand insight into the length, structure, and tone expected of you.

 

If you have no reference point for your new employee self-introduction email, paragraph, or blurb—

 

Imagine you’re talking to a real person. Write down the introduction paragraph about yourself just the way you would normally introduce yourself professionally.

 

Simple as that. Look at this example:

 

How to Introduce Yourself to a New Team—Email Sample

 

Hi!

 

My name’s John. I’ve just joined the marketing department as an outreach specialist.

 

I’ll be getting in touch with influencers, bloggers, and vloggers to increase our online presence.

 

If you see a new face around, well, that’s me:) We can chat about cyberpunk literature, video games, and downhill mountain biking.

 

Cheers!

John

 

PS The sweet treats in the kitchen are all for you!

 

Remember:

 

Before you write such an introduction about yourself, ask your colleagues to show you how they did it when they joined the team.

 

And—

 

When you finally get down to writing, imagine you’re talking to someone, and let your intro flow as naturally as possible.

 

 

5

Best Way to Introduce Yourself (in Any Setting)

 

“But I’m about to meet the parents of my 6-year-old daughter’s friends. I’m going to a children’s party!What is the best way to introduce yourself in such a setting?”

 

Simple—

 

Be mindful of the context.

 

If you introduce yourself along these lines:

 

“My name’s William. I run a company that employs 100+ people. We trade in metal with our partners in China.”

 

You’ve just made an idiot out of yourself.

 

How about this:

 

“I’m Will, Kate’s dad. We like to hang out together at kids’ parties. And... I’m a sucker for chocolate chip cookies.”

 

Better?

 

Of course!

 

Let’s break it down:

 

The Best Way to Introduce Yourself—Works in Any Setting

 

1. Be mindful of the social context.

 

Yes, I’m being repetitive. But this is the single most important thing: make your self-introduction relevant.

 

2. Don’t say too much.

 

Oversharing irrelevant information will play against you. If you’re attending a children’s party, focus on being a parent, and make it the central part of your introduction. You may be the president of a huge company, but there’s no point in bringing this up when introducing yourself.

 

3. Acknowledge the presence of others.

 

The best introduction focuses on what you have in common with the others. You’ll see how much easier it will be for everyone to establish rapport.

 

4. Listen and be present.

 

Listening to others is a great interpersonal skill. It’s not exactly part of introducing yourself, but the next step after all introductions are made is striking up a conversation. And great conversations can only happen when people listen to each other and are present in the moment.

 

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

 

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Summary

 

If you want to introduce yourself in a professional manner remember to be mindful of the social context. In other words, make sure your introduction fits the situation. Plus, be aware of why you're introducing yourself in the first place, and what you want others to learn about you.

 

Resonate with the audience. Remember: you’re introducing yourself to other human beings, so act like a human yourself. Smile and make eye contact. Focus on what’s relevant—nobody enjoys pointless rambles. So, don’t say too much, avoid verbosity. Be brief and to-the-point.

 

Last but not least—prepare. Especially if your self-introduction is part of a larger presentation to live audience. And don’t aim for perfection. Just see to it that you've got everything right. Right is enough.

 

How do you cope with introducing yourself? Do you have your own strategies? Want to share advice or ask a question? We’d love to hear from you. Give us a shout out in the comments below!

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Introducing Yourself

 

How to introduce yourself professionally?

 

Here are a few rules for making a good self-introduction in a business setting:

 

1. Start with a greeting and say your name.
2. State your job title and specify what’s your area of expertise.
3. Say a few words about your relevant work experience and professional achievements.
4. Mention your professional goals. 
5. Ask the other person a question to make a connection.

 

If you’re struggling to get the right balance between the contents and the length of your self introduction, try writing an elevator pitch.

 

How to introduce yourself in an email?

 

When introducing yourself in an email, always explain why you’re writing and what’s the connection between you and the email’s recipient. Then, share a bit of your business background, such as your work history or your area of expertise. Stick to a professional tone if you’re introducing yourself to a job recruiter, but if you’re writing to new colleagues, you can experiment with a more informal tone.

 

Here are two email introduction examples:

 

Introducing Yourself in an Email—Formal Message Example

 

My name is [Name] and I’m the new [position] at [name of the company]. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and say how thrilled I am to work with all of you. I’d appreciate a chance to meet all the team members in person, so how about scheduling a meeting this week?

 

Best regards,

[Name]

 

How to Introduce Yourself in an Email—Informal Message Example

 

My name is [Name], I’m the new [job title] at [the company or department name]. I just wanted to say how excited I am about joining your company and how I’m looking forward to working with you. It might take some time before I get to know everyone, so if you see me frantically searching for coffee in the break room, don’t hesitate to say hi!

 

Best,

[Name]

 

If you’re writing a follow-up message for a job application, or you’re emailing your resume to a recruiter or a potential employer, remember to make your email formal and straight to the point.

 

How to introduce yourself in an interview?

 

Talking about yourself during a job interview can be stressful, so it’s a good practice to prepare a short self-introduction beforehand.

 

Here’s what your professional introduction should include:

 

1. Your personal information: name, job title, and professional background
2. A brief overview of your work experience or education
3. What your current job is and what your professional responsibilities include
4. A recent work or educational achievement you’re proud of
5. An explanation of why you applied for the job and what you can contribute to the company

 

Try to script a few introduction examples and practice saying them in front of a mirror. 

 

How to introduce yourself to a new team at work?

 

Here are some tips to help you introduce yourself to a new team:

 

1. Prepare a short introduction beforehand so you’re ready right away.
2. Adjust your tone to the company culture—notice if it’s formal or laid back.
3. Use the onboarding process to meet new colleagues and ask them questions.
4. Go for lunch or coffee with your team to get to know them in a more relaxed setting.
5. Send an introduction email with a short professional summary. 
6. Ask HR for other means of introduction, so you can connect with people from other teams.
7. Use positive language to make a good impression.
8. Steer away from sharing information that could be inappropriate for a work setting.

 

About Zety’s Editorial Process

 

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

 

Sources

 

If you have a hard time thinking of ways to break the ice over email, you can always ask those close to you how you come across to others. Are you funny? Charming? Outgoing? Sincere? Good-natured and kind? Find a characteristic that resonates with you and use it to brand yourself. If you are looking for a financial services job at a fintech firm, for example, a great opening line might be something like, “I have been a math geek my whole life and I started building computers when I was in high school.”. The first line is key to getting the reader interested, so I cannot stress enough the importance of having a “hook” that makes you stand out as an individual.

When introducing yourself personally, manners and confidence matter. Make eye contact and stand up straight, but try to be relaxed and not too stiff. I also recommend being complimentary but a bit subtle about it, for example, saying, “Thank you so much for meeting with me today” followed by, “Your office is such a lovely building” or “I knew we would have a lot in common when we talked based on our email exchange”. A little flattery goes a long way! I like to have three to five points about myself memorized when meeting someone for the first time in an interview setting. Something biographical, something personal, and something professional. So, for me, if someone says, “Tell me about yourself“, I can reply with, “I grew up in Connecticut and have been in New York City for 14 years, I’m a middle child, I love to travel, cooking, and hiking, I am not afraid of a challenge and I find that I do my best work when I get to work with clients and build relationships”. To sum it up, have an elevator pitch to go along with the brand you promoted over email!

For anyone who gets nervous meeting new people, I suggest practicing in front of a mirror or doing mock interviews with a friend or relative. For virtual interviews (so many are being done on Zoom these days), you can do a mock version by doing a video recording on your phone and looking it over. A few minutes before the actual interview, try a technique called box breathing to calm your nerves.

Lastly, one of my personal heroes who is a true master when it comes to this type of advice is Vanessa Van Edwards. She is a well-known human behaviorist who has been featured on the Today Show, has done a Ted Talk, and has a great YouTube channel. Trust me, you’ll love her.