The Best Ways to Professionally Introduce Yourself: Tips & Examples (2024)

Introducing yourself in a professional setting can be nerve-wracking.

You have to be confident and charming, present the most important information about yourself, and appear as someone others would want to work with.

It’s not an easy task, whether you’re:

• Meeting your coworkers for the first time,
• Reaching out to a new client,
• Attending a networking or work event, or
• Trying to ace a job interview.

That’s why, in this article, you’ll learn the most useful tips on how to professionally introduce yourself and leave a great first impression.

Why does the first impression matter?

No pressure — but, leaving a good first impression is a big deal.

This is partly due to a phenomenon called the primacy effect. In simple terms, our brains tend to recall the information presented first better than information presented at the middle or end of “a list of items.”

Moreover, a Harvard study cited in Forbes revealed that after a bad first impression, it takes 8 subsequent positive encounters to change someone’s negative opinion of us.

This means that the first impression significantly affects how others perceive you — so, how you introduce yourself matters.

Nervous? The good news is — there’s no need to lose sleep over this.

If you follow our tips when introducing yourself, you’ll master the art of leaving a good first impression and appear as pleasant and professional as possible.

How to introduce yourself professionally

The best way to introduce yourself in a professional manner is by preparing for the interaction beforehand and maintaining a professional tone throughout the conversation.

Here’s what you can do to put your best foot forward:

• Be more aware of your body language,
• Prepare the talking points you want to highlight, and
• Show interest in your interlocutor.

Example of a professional introduction

How do all of these tips look in action? Let’s find out with the following example where Sarah is walking into a job interview.

As Sarah approaches the interviewer, she tries to exude confidence through her body language. Thus, she:

• Stands upright,
• Smiles, and
• Goes in for a handshake.

As the conversation unfolds, she seamlessly incorporates her talking points, sharing details about her background and current projects:

Additionally, she doesn’t dominate the conversation but engages in a balanced exchange of information.

She inquires about the company, showing she has closely followed the conversation:

The above elements give the interviewer a positive impression of Sarah’s:

• Professionalism,
• Confidence, and
• Genuine interest in building a meaningful connection.

Now, let’s delve into the above tips in more detail so that you can also take advantage of business opportunities.

Tip #1: Pay attention to your body language

If you’re introducing yourself in written form (via email or a team collaboration app, for example), you do not have to worry about body language.

However, body language is crucial if the introduction takes place in person.

According to a Princeton University study on first impressions, it takes us a mere tenth of a second to form a judgment about someone.

Similar research conducted by Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioral investigator, found that we need approximately 7 seconds to make up our minds about something.

Before you even speak, people will have already formed an impression of you based on nonverbal cues, so try to make them count.

Specific body language cues can improve your first impression significantly, such as:

• Smiling,
• Speaking clearly,
• Shaking hands firmly (but not too hard),
• Maintaining good posture, and
• Making eye contact with others (without staring excessively).

Also, remember to dress appropriately for the occasion and ensure your clothes are clean and well-ironed. Being confident and well-groomed can positively influence people’s perceptions of you, partly because of the halo effect.

This cognitive bias happens when a positive quality of a person affects our judgment of their other related traits. For example, if someone is assertive and confident, we may assume they are competent and knowledgeable — even if they are not.

Tip #2: Prepare what you’re going to say

As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.”

Before you introduce yourself to someone, prepare what you’re going to say.

But, don’t plan and memorize every single word — it will come off as if your speech was scripted.

Instead, have a general idea of what you’ll talk about while leaving room for improvisation and letting your personality shine.

Additionally, planning what you will say:

• Prevents rambling and oversharing, and
• Helps maintain a professional and respectful atmosphere.

Keep in mind that others may be waiting for their turn to talk, so try not to hijack the conversation.

Tip #3: Show interest in the person you’re talking to

If the introduction goes well, it will likely lead to a full-blown conversation.

What are you going to talk about?

If you plan to continue talking about yourself, it’s best to reconsider your plan.

After all, no one is particularly fond of “me, me, me” people.

The best way to spark the interest of others is to be interested in what they have to say. In his book How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie sums it up nicely:

“To be interesting, be interested.”

That’s also a good way to form an actual connection with someone, which can benefit you in many ways.

Here’s what you can do to show interest:

1. Listen attentively and carefully.
2. Ask questions. Summarize what’s been said to make sure you understand, or ask follow-up questions to dig deeper and show interest in the topic.
3. Have open body language (see Tip #1).
4. Nod from time to time when they’re speaking. It shows that you’re engaged and following along.
5. Don’t interrupt people.
6. Show appreciation. For instance, you can say, “It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for your time and your invaluable advice. Looking forward to talking to you again soon.”

At first glance, this tip doesn’t seem applicable in some contexts — like job interviews, where a conversation is more structured.

However, showing interest and asking questions is still the way to go. Instead of asking personal questions, focus on inquiring about the job’s responsibilities, the company culture, and the expectations of the role — this will help you stand out from other candidates.

Extra tip: Always include relevant background information about yourself

If you’re unsure what information to include in your introduction, we’ve got you covered.

You should keep these things in mind:

1. Start with the basics — introduce yourself by name and job title.

2. If your job title is not self-explanatory, briefly describe what you do.

3. Explain the reason for reaching out and mention any mutual connection that could capture their attention.

4. Let them know what value you can offer and how you can benefit them, especially in formal contexts like job interviews.

Phrases to use when introducing yourself professionally

We now know how to introduce ourselves in theory — but, let’s go over some specific phrases we can use.

Start simple, for example:

“Hi, my name is __, and I’m a [job title] at [company]”

“Let me introduce myself, I’m…”

“Nice to meet you, my name is…”

“I don’t think we’ve met before — I’m…”

When you’re describing what you do, you can stick to “I’m [job title] at [company],” as we’ve mentioned above — or, you can say:

“I work in [field/industry]”

“Currently, my job is to…”

“I work as a [job title], and my role is to…”

“My job is [job title], which essentially means …”

“I work as a [job title]. I’m responsible for…”

“I work with [person].”

“I’m self-employed/freelancer in [industry].”

Then, you can let them know why you’re there and/or what they can expect from you:

“I’m here to…”

“I’m reaching out because…”

“For the next [amount of time], I’m going to…”

See Also

How to Write a Formal Email

“My purpose today is…”

“I’d love to…”

Let’s see how that looks all together in different scenarios.

How to introduce yourself in an interview

Introducing yourself in an interview can be daunting, but it’s crucial for establishing your personal brand.

To simplify the process, try following these steps:

1. Start with a statement that introduces your name and job title.
2. Share relevant details about your background, such as education, past projects, employers, or accomplishments.
3. Express enthusiasm for what’s ahead.

Example of an introduction at a job interview

Your self-introduction doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. To give you an idea of how to start, here’s an example:

“Hello, my name is Samantha Johnson, and I’ve been working as a social media manager for the past 9 years.

I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of your Marketing team!

I’ve successfully managed many social media accounts, including X and Y. I would love to help you grow your social media, increase brand awareness, and improve customer communication.”

Since she’s at a job interview, she doesn’t need to clarify her job title — hiring managers should be familiar with the position and what it entails.

Then, she goes on to:

• Express her enthusiasm to work for their company,
• Mention the relevant work experience and achievements, and
• Describe how she’s going to provide value to the company.

All of this makes an excellent introduction for a job interview.

How to introduce yourself in an email

We’ve broken the task of introducing yourself professionally via email into simple steps to help you ace your self-introduction:

1. Use a catchy subject line: Make sure the subject line catches the recipient’s attention and includes your name and position.
2. Research the company culture: Before writing your email, take some time to learn about the company’s culture. This way, you can tailor your tone and style to match.
3. Show your value: Include your strongest skills and mention examples of where you’ve excelled in previous roles.
4. Express enthusiasm: Let your excitement for the new position shine through in your email. Share what you’re looking forward to and highlight your relevant work experience.
5. Respond and ask questions: Once you’ve sent your email, be sure to respond to any replies promptly and ask questions to get to know the business better.

Example of introducing yourself in an email

How exactly would an attention-grabbing self-introduction email look like? Well, something like the below example, which follows all the steps we’ve mentioned.

How to professionally introduce yourself in a letter

A well-crafted introduction letter can show your accomplishments or business in the best light.

To ensure you include sufficient background information about yourself, you should:

1. Begin with a formal greeting and elaborate on the purpose of the letter.
2. Provide more details about yourself and highlight key skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. If possible, mention a mutual acquaintance.
3. Finish off by thanking the recipient for their consideration and providing your contact details after the sign-off.

Example of introducing yourself in a letter

Self-introduction letters can bolster your networking efforts and help you form connections with organizations, colleagues, and recruiters. You can use the example below for inspiration on how to tailor your letter.

How to introduce yourself to a new colleague at work

When speaking to a new colleague for the first time, you can communicate with them in a more informal but still professional manner. To make sure the conversation goes down smoothly, you should:

1. Ask your colleague questions: Show your genuine interest in their work and opinions.
2. Mind your body language and go in for a handshake: Sometimes, open body language is just as effective as positive language.
3. Focus on the positives: There’s no need to use negative language and bring up past grievances during your first few weeks.
4. Keep the messages short: If your workplace uses a business messaging app for professional correspondence, don’t send lengthy introduction messages. Your self-introduction on the first day of work should state who you are and highlight your enthusiasm for being part of the team.

Example of introducing yourself to a new colleague at work

So, how can you introduce yourself to a coworker in a brief and friendly manner? Perhaps Joseph can give us some ideas as we look at how he virtually introduces himself to a new team.

His self-introduction strikes the right tone because:

• It is short and friendly.
• It conveys his genuine happiness about being part of the team.

How to introduce yourself and ask for a favor from a coworker

If you want to ask a coworker you don’t know for a favor, you need to introduce yourself first — especially if you’re new to the company.

This makes a lot of people anxious, but it doesn’t have to be as awkward as you’d imagine it would be.

When asking for a helping hand:

1. Briefly explain who you are and what your job responsibilities entail.
2. Be clear about what you’re asking.
3. Take into account your coworker’s current workload.
4. Inform them of your request in advance.
5. Choose a convenient time to schedule a meeting or send a message.
6. Explain why you’re asking them for a favor.
7. Accept rejection with grace.
8. Thank them for their time.

If your coworker agrees to help, don’t forget to offer to return the favor down the line.

Example of an introduction to a coworker to ask for a favor

When you reach out to a coworker, it’s essential to keep the message brief and polite. Then, without beating around the bush, you should explain why you’re contacting them, just like in the below exchange.

What NOT to do when you’re introducing yourself professionally

Is there something we have to pay attention not to do when introducing ourselves in a professional setting?

Yes, there is — for example, don’t:

• Use the same introduction in every situation. How you introduce yourself to your new manager will differ from how you greet a new coworker, right?
• Complain and be negative. Even if what you’re saying is true, there’s a time and place for everything, and you don’t want to be remembered as a Negative Nancy.
• Check your phone every couple of minutes. You may be doing it because you’re nervous, but it comes off as rude and shows disinterest in the person you’re talking to.
• Assume everyone comes from the same (cultural) context as you. This is especially true if you work in a multinational company or your network is multicultural. For example, grabbing someone’s hand and giving it a firm shake is perfectly acceptable in the West, but it would make a person from Japan uncomfortable — their handshakes are much softer.

Conclusion: When introducing yourself, preparation and amiability are key

You only get to make the first impression once.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do that can make almost everyone form a favorable opinion of you:

• Have open body language, smile, and look people in the eyes,
• Be well-groomed,
• Prepare in advance,
• Make your introduction relevant, informative, and brief, and
• Show interest in others.

And, of course — be yourself. Your personality is what will make you stand out and connect with others.