How to do a Self Introduction in English (for ESL/EFL)

Let’s talk about how to do a self-introduction. You may have to do a self-introduction at a job interview, before a presentation, introducing yourself to a new team, at a conference, in a business meeting or in another social setting. There are various situations in which you might have to introduce yourself so keep these simple steps in mind and it’ll be easy to do.

How to a Self Introduction in English

First, I want to give you a quick tip about doing a self-introduction: keep it brief. Seriously. Shorter is better.

If someone says, please introduce yourself, nobody wants a whole page. They’ll be super bored. Basically, people want like three or four sentences that should take around 30 seconds. If you start talking longer than 30 seconds, people just like you might see their eyes glaze over. They’ll lose a bit of focus, and they’re not that interested.

3 Simple Steps for a Self Introduction

There are three very simple steps that you can follow. The information to include in each step will depend on the situation so keep that in mind. It will look a bit different for a job interview than at a party, for example. But, follow these 3 steps and you won’t go wrong.

Step #1: Name and Occupation

The first step is to give your name and occupation. For example, “Hi my name is Jackie and I’m an English teacher.”

Step #2: Professional Skills & Accomplishments

You can talk about your professional skills and accomplishments. For example, “I am a certified English teacher. I’ve done the Celta and the Delta courses and I’ve been teaching English for 15 years to a variety of students and levels.

Step #3: The Conclusion

And then finally the conclusion. If you’re at a job interview, you probably want to say why you’re the best candidate for that job. For example, “I would be a great candidate for this job because I have a lot of experience and I’m excited about teaching English students. I look forward to this opportunity.”

Tips for an English Self Introduction

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you introduce yourself in English.

#1: Keep it Short

I’ve already mentioned it, but it’s worth mentioning it again. Keep it short! 3-4 sentences is a good length for a self-introduction. If people want more information, they can ask a follow-up question.

#2: Consider the Audience/Purpose

A self-introduction at an informal work party looks different than introducing yourself at a job interview. The basic framework remains the same but you’ll want to change the information that you include. Think about this and consider your audience.

#3: Body Language

Things like eye contact, an open stance (arms not crossed and leaning slightly forward), and a firm handshake are important.

#4: Speak Clearly and at a Medium Pace

Even if you can speak very quickly, don’t. Not everyone that you’re talking to may speak English as their first language. Instead, aim for clear speech at a medium pace that is easy to understand.

#5: Show your Personality

Nobody wants to talk to, or work with a robot! Don’t be afraid to show your personality and even inject a bit of humour into your self-introduction.

Self Introduction FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about doing a self introduction. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is the best self-introduction?

The best self-introduction is brief and includes some key information such and name and job title.

How do I introduce myself to impress others in a job interview?

The best way to introduce yourself to impress others in a job interview is to dress well and be well-groomed. Besides that, briefly state your name and occupation, skills and accomplishments and then state why you’re the best person for the job.

How do you introduce yourself in a speech?

If you’re giving a speech at a conference, you’ll want to introduce yourself before jumping into it. State your name and occupation and then list any relevant qualifications or experience you have that are related to what you’re going to talk about.

Self Introduction Summary

So that’s about it for a self-introduction in English! Remember the three things: your name, occupation, and then your professional skills and accomplishments but don’t list everything, keep it short. And then finally the conclusion (why you are the best person for the job or the opportunity or at the conference, why someone should follow up with you, etc.).

Self Introduction Example

Here’s my standard self-introduction:

“Hi, my name is Jackie and I’m an English teacher. I am a certified English teacher. I’ve done the Celta and the Delta courses and I’ve been teaching English for 15 years to a variety of students and levels. I would be a great candidate for this job because I have a lot of experience and I’m excited about teaching English students. I look forward to this opportunity.”

More Examples

Check out these other resources for some great self-introduction examples:

Indeed

Western Michigan University

Zippia

More Tips for Speaking English

Do you want to speak English with confidence? Yes? I thought so. Then you’ll certainly want to check out this book: 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. You’ll learn more than 1000 really useful English phrases and see how they’re used in real life.

Pick up a copy of the book and get ready for better English tomorrow!

Self Introduction in English: Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks for introducing yourself in English? Leave a comment and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!

Last update on 2024-08-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API