How to Introduce Yourself in English and Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview

TL;DR

To introduce yourself in English, begin with a suitable greeting and your name, then add context-relevant details such as your location, position, company, qualifications, experience, hobbies, or family. Prepare the introduction in advance, combine short statements into a natural flow, and learn it by heart so you are ready for an English class, job interview, new activity, or convention. Read on for practical phrases and common mistakes to avoid.

Transcript

(rousing electronic music) - Hello, everyone, and welcome back to English with Lucy. Today, we are going to talk about self introduction, the answer to that dreaded question, "Tell me about yourself." Now, to some of you this topic may seem very basic, but learning to introduce yourself properly is incredibly important. You might need to introduce ... Read More

Key Insights

• A self-introduction should start with a suitable greeting based on formality and context.
• Include your name, location, and relevant professional or personal details.
• Tailor your introduction to the situation, such as a job interview or casual setting.
• Practice and prepare your introduction to ensure confidence and clarity.
• Use formal greetings like 'Good morning' in professional settings.
• Informal greetings like 'Hey' or 'Yo' can be used in casual settings.
• Include your job title and company if relevant to the context.
• Consider adding a fun fact to make your introduction memorable in social settings.

Questions & Answers

Q: How should you introduce yourself in English?

Start with a greeting that matches the situation, followed by your name. Then select relevant details such as where you are from, your work, qualifications, experience, hobbies, or family, and prepare the complete introduction in advance.

Q: How can you answer “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview?

Give a prepared introduction focused on professional information, such as your position, company, qualifications, courses, and experience. For example, you can say, “I work as an accountant,” “I have a BA in marketing,” or “I have three years of experience in the neuroscience field.”

Q: Which greetings should you use when introducing yourself?

In formal situations, use “Hello,” “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” or “Good evening,” paying attention to the time of day. In informal settings, options include “Hey,” “Hi,” “Hiya,” or “What’s up,” but choose one that feels natural to you; “Goodnight” is normally a farewell, not a greeting.

Q: How should you say your name during a self-introduction?

You can say “I’m Lucy” or “I am Lucy” when people can see you. On the telephone or in a large auditorium, “My name is Lucy,” “This is Lucy,” or “This is Lucy speaking” may be clearer.

Q: How can you describe where you are from and where you live?

Use “I’m from” with a place name or state your nationality, such as “I’m British.” Other options include “I was born in France but raised in Sweden,” “I grew up in LA but now live in New York,” and “I’m originally from Edinburgh but I’m now based in London.”

Q: How do you describe your job, company, and professional experience?

Use “I work at” or “I work for” before a company name, rather than “I work in” followed by that company. Say “I work in sales” for a general field, “I work as an accountant” for a position, or “I have 10 years of experience in sales” to describe experience.

Q: What common English mistakes should you avoid in a self-introduction?

Do not say “We are five in our family”; say “I’m from a family of five” or “We are a family of five.” Avoid using “Goodnight” as an opening greeting, and use “at” or “for,” not “in,” before a company name.

Q: How can you make a self-introduction sound natural and memorable?

Combine separate facts into fewer flowing sentences instead of delivering a long sequence of short statements. In informal or social settings, you can also prepare an optional fun fact about a fear, unusual preference, pet, achievement, or extraordinary experience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Introduce yourself by starting with a suitable greeting, such as 'Good morning' for formal settings or 'Hey' for informal ones. Follow with your name, location, and relevant details like your job title or hobbies. Tailor your introduction to the context, whether it's a job interview or a social gathering, and practice to ensure confidence.

• Incorporate your professional background by mentioning your job title and company, or your educational qualifications if relevant. For social settings, consider sharing a fun fact about yourself to make your introduction memorable. Preparing a concise, flowing introduction helps in delivering it naturally and confidently.

• Avoid common mistakes like using outdated phrases or incorrect prepositions. Instead, use phrases such as 'I'm from' or 'I work at' to clearly convey your background. By preparing and practicing, you can ensure your self-introduction is effective and leaves a positive impression.