When we meet new people, the way we introduce ourselves can make a lasting impression. It's important to find the right balance between sharing important information and keeping it engaging...and also making it unique to ourselves. So how do we do it? Let's dive in and explore two types of introductions: a personal one for casual settings and a professional one for job interviews.

General Tips for Self-introductions

1. Understand your audience: Who will hear your introduction? What do they need to know about you? If you're meeting new friends, you might share your hobbies. For a job interview, focus on your skills and experiences.

2. Create a mental outline: Think about what you want to say before you start speaking. This is your plan or guide. Keep it simple!

3. Add a touch of personality: Simply stating your name and where you're from can be a little boring. Spice it up by adding some fun or intriguing details about yourself.

4. Don't memorize: Your introduction should sound natural, not like you're reading from a script. Memorizing can make you sound robotic, and people can tell!

5. Practice makes perfect: Try saying your introduction a few times before you need to use it. Each time can be slightly different. This helps you get comfortable with what you want to say.

6. Keep it short and sweet: You're just introducing yourself, not telling your entire life story. Stick to a few key points that are most important.

7. Show your excitement: If you're introducing yourself at a job interview, talk about why you're excited about the job. It shows you're keen and ready to contribute.

Crafting a Personal Introduction

Let's imagine you're at a meet-up and you need to introduce yourself. Start with basic details like where you're from and what you do. Then, share what you enjoy doing in your free time. Remember to add some interesting details to make your introduction memorable.

Outline:

• Origin (hometown)
• Education (major at university)
• Occupation (current job)
• Interests
• Closing remarks (excitement to meet others)

You might say something like:

"Hey everyone, my name's Luke. I'm from Ohio, from a small town called Greenwich, Ohio. I guess most of you haven't heard of that. Yeah, I didn't think so. It's very small. A lot of corn fields, a lot of cows, not many people. So if you don't like cornfields and cows, maybe give it a miss. I studied philosophy at Miami University of Ohio, and now I'm an English teacher. So I make English courses and English learning videos. And it's fun. I love it.

In my free time, I like to travel. I like to meet new people, try new food. I think it's a good way to expand horizons. So travel is really fun. And I really like reading. Reading is probably my favorite hobby but actually, I usually listen to books. So, I'm kind of an audiobook addict. But anyway, it's the same, right? Reading is reading. Anyway, that's it for me. Thank you very much. And I really look forward to getting to know all of you."

Crafting a Professional Introduction

In a job interview, you probably won't need to say your name or where you're from—they already know that! Instead, focus on your experiences and skills. Share why you're a good fit for the job and what you can bring to the company.

Example outline:

• Professional experience and skills
• Explanation of why these skills matter
• Why you're interested in the company
• Why you think you would be a good fit

Possible introduction:

"I've been an English teacher for eight years, teaching all sorts of students in different ways. I'm patient, observant, and empathetic, which are important skills for a teacher. I love explaining things until my students understand and I adjust my teaching to fit each student's needs.

I understand how it feels to be a student because I love learning new things myself. This helps me be patient and attentive to each student's unique needs. I want to work here because I love the company's culture of feedback and collaboration. I've heard good things about the experiences of other employees. I'm excited that I'd be able to reach students from all over the world here. This job would make me feel like I'm doing meaningful work. That's why I think I'd be a good fit and why I would love to join the team."

Your Turn!

Now it's your turn to craft your introduction. Remember these tips as you plan out what you're going to say. Keep practicing until you feel comfortable. Remember, the goal is to sound natural, not like you're reading a script. And most importantly, let your personality shine through! Good luck!