Job interviews
Self introduction in English: what to say in an interview, in class, online and on your first day
The short answer
A good self introduction in English has three parts: who you are, what you do now, and one thing that matters to the people listening. Keep it to about thirty seconds, or up to a minute in an interview. Start with “I’m” and your name, and practise the first sentence until it comes out without thinking.
By the Chappie team · Updated
How do you introduce yourself in English?
Someone says “Let’s go round the room and introduce ourselves,” and your turn is four people away. You stop hearing the others because you’re rehearsing your own. It happens in interviews, in the first class of a course, on Zoom calls and on the first morning of a new job, and the same three parts carry you through all of them.
- 1
Who you are
Your name, said plainly: “I’m Nadeesha.” Add where you’re from only if it helps.
- 2
What you do now
Your job or your course, in one sentence.
- 3
One thing for this room
Why you’re here, or something the listeners can use: what you’ll be working on, what you hope to learn, what you can help with.
Said at a normal pace, that takes about thirty seconds. In an interview you add one piece of proof and stretch it to a minute.
Self introduction for a job interview
In an interview, “introduce yourself” and “tell me about yourself” are the same request. Give your name, what you do now, one thing you’ve done that fits the job, and why you want it.
Good morning. I’m Shehan Fernando. I finished my diploma in accounting in Kurunegala this year, and during my training I spent three months at a small audit firm, where I checked invoices and helped prepare the monthly reports. I found I liked the detail work, and that’s why I applied for this accounts assistant role.
Good afternoon, I’m Fathima Rizna. I’ve worked in customer service at a telecom company in Colombo for four years, and for the last year I’ve trained the new agents on my team. I’m looking for a team leader role, which is what brought me here.
There are four longer examples, and the follow-up questions to expect, in how to answer “Tell me about yourself”. If this is your first interview, read how to face your first job interview as well.
Self introduction for students
The first class of a course, a university orientation, a group project: all of them want something short. Your name, what you’re studying, and one line about why.
Hi everyone, I’m Kavindu. I’m in my second year of a software engineering degree, and I’m taking this course because I’d like to be more comfortable presenting my work in English.
Good morning. My name is Thanuja Selvarajah, and I’m from Jaffna. I did my A/Ls in the biology stream and I’m applying for the nursing degree. I’ve wanted to work in a hospital since I helped look after my grandmother, and I’d be glad to tell you more about that.
How do you introduce yourself online?
On a video call nobody can see you getting ready to speak, so say your name first and leave a small pause before the rest. Look at the camera for the first sentence, and keep the whole thing shorter than you would in a room.
Hi all, I’m Dilshan from the Colombo office. I handle payments and refunds, so if a customer asks about either, I’m the person to message.
Good morning. Can you hear me clearly? Thank you. I’m Ishara Perera. I’m a graphic designer with three years at a printing company in Kandy, and I’m interested in this role because I’d like to work on digital campaigns.
Self introduction on your first day at work
Good morning, I’m Malith, and I’ve just joined the sales team. Before this I was at a hardware distributor in Galle for two years. I’m still learning where everything is, so I’ll probably ask a lot of questions this week.
Small changes that sound more natural
The versions on the left are understood perfectly well. The ones on the right are what listeners expect to hear, so they pass without anyone noticing.
Which mistakes should you avoid?
Going on too long is the common one: past a minute, people stop listening and start waiting. Then there’s starting with your school when the room wants to know what you do now, and reading from a page or a screen, which flattens your voice. The last is practising silently. Say it out loud five times, to a wall or to your phone, before you say it to people.
If your mind goes blank when your turn comes, here is why that happens and what helps.
Practise it
Say your introduction out loud in Chappie’s job interview practice, and see what it would change.
Questions people ask
How do I introduce myself in English in an interview?
Give your name, what you do now, one thing you’ve done that fits the job, and why you want it, in about a minute. For example: “I’m Shehan. I’ve just finished a diploma in accounting, I spent three months at an audit firm, and that’s why I applied for this role.”
How long should a self introduction be?
About thirty seconds in a class or a meeting, and up to a minute in an interview. If they want more, they’ll ask.
Should I say “My name is” or “I’m”?
Both are correct. “I’m” is what people say in conversation. “My name is” is a little more formal, and fine at the start of an interview.
What should a student say in a self introduction?
Your name, what you’re studying and which year you’re in, and one line about why you’re in the room: “I’m taking this course to get better at presenting in English.”
How do I introduce myself in an online interview?
Check they can hear you, say your name, pause, then give the introduction you’d give in a room, slightly shorter. Look at the camera for the first sentence.
Should I mention my family in a self introduction?
Usually no. At work or in class, keep to what you do and why you’re there, unless the interviewer asks about your family.