How to Introduce Yourself Professionally + Examples

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 during a meeting, in an interview, or in another setting. 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.
• Self-introduction examples you can use for inspiration.

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Looking for other ideas? Read our guides on:

• How to Email a Resume
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How to Introduce Yourself Professionally

To make a professional introduction, follow the below steps:

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, talking about what pizza toppings you like will feel quite random. Be mindful of the context. Take a step back and ask yourself what you want to be known for.

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. 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.

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,” or “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.

Self Introduction Example

The Best Self-Introduction Method

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and it takes only 7 seconds to make one—that’s why your self-introduction is so crucial. Relevance is key when you introduce yourself. In a speech, writing, to a group, or in any other context.

How to introduce yourself to grab attention effectively? Sometimes, the most effective solutions are the simple ones. To create an engaging narrative with your self-introduction, use this simple framework: present, past, and future. Let’s analyze how it’s done:

• Present—open your self-introduction with a statement in the present tense. Include your name and job title. You can also add some information about a current project you’re working on, your expertise, or where you’re located.
• Past—next, use the past tense to present your background. You can showcase some information about your past projects, employers/clients, professional accomplishments, or education.
• Future—finish with a short and enthusiastic sentence about the near future. If you’re in a meeting, you can refer to its goal, and if you’re during a job interview, you can express how you’re looking to add value to the company.

How to Introduce Yourself Professionally—Example

How to Introduce Yourself in a Meeting—Example

How to Introduce Yourself Professionally at a Networking Event—Example

Make an even better impression and learn How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

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The Best Self-Introduction Tips

Keep these things in mind to introduce yourself professionally no matter the situation you find yourself in:

• Be mindful of the social context—it’s the single most important thing: make your self-introduction relevant.
• 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.
• Acknowledge the presence of others—the best self-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.
• 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. Great conversations can only happen when people listen to each other and are present in the moment.

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Key Takeaway

If you want to introduce yourself professionally:

• Remember to be mindful of the social context—make sure your introduction fits the situation. 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—you’re introducing yourself to other human beings, so act like a human yourself. Smile and make eye contact. Focus on what’s relevant, don’t say too much, and 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 a 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!

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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

• https://postdocs.mit.edu/document/branding-yourself-effective-communication-skills-2018-03-06
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/humor-sapiens/201504/want-increase-trust-in-others-just-smile-0

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 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.