How to Introduce Yourself in English Properly

Summary

1. Use the Present-Past-Future Framework 🕰️

Structure your introduction for clarity and professionalism.

• Present: Share who you are and what you do.

  • Example: “Hi, I’m Mia, and I’m a graphic designer specializing in branding for startups.”

  • Tip: Tailor your present intro based on your audience.

    • Formal setting: “I’m a financial analyst working with Fortune 500 companies.”

    • Casual setting: “I’m a teacher, and I absolutely love working with kids.”

• Past: Highlight your experience or achievements.

  • Example: “Previously, I worked at a tech startup, where I developed an app used by over a million people.”

  • Tip: Choose experiences that are relevant to the context.

• Future: Share your enthusiasm or goals.

  • Example: “I’m looking forward to collaborating on projects that make a difference in healthcare.”

  • Tip: Use positive language to show energy and interest.

2. Apply Suitable Topics When Introducing Yourself 📚

Choose the right information to share depending on the situation.

• Hometown:

  • “I grew up in New York, so I’m always on the go.”

  • Tip: Add a fun fact about your hometown to make it memorable.

    • “I’m from Kyoto, famous for its cherry blossoms and tea.”

• Job:

  • “I’m a software engineer focusing on artificial intelligence.”

  • Tip: Keep it brief but highlight a unique skill or interest.

    • “I specialize in creating accessible apps for people with disabilities.”

• Education:

  • “I studied international relations and worked on cultural exchange programs in Europe.”

  • Tip: Mention an interesting project or area of study to build curiosity.

• Interests:

  • “I’m passionate about photography and exploring new hiking trails.”

  • Tip: Bring up hobbies that can start a conversation.

3. Know Who You’re Talking To 🤝

Your introduction should connect with your audience.

• Networking event:

  • “I’m Alex, and I’m working on launching a green energy startup.”

  • Tip: Focus on professional goals and achievements.

• Party:

  • “I’m Emma, and I just moved here. I love finding great coffee spots around the city!”

  • Tip: Keep it fun and lighthearted to build rapport.

• Tech meetup:

  • “I’m Jason, and I’m passionate about machine learning and how it’s shaping industries.”

  • Tip: Use specific terms that resonate with the group.

4. Introduce Yourself with Purpose 🎯

Every introduction has a goal—make yours clear.

• Job interview:

  • “I’m Sarah, and I’ve spent the last five years creating campaigns that increased brand visibility by 30%.”

  • Tip: Highlight measurable achievements to showcase your value.

• Formal conference:

  • “I’m Chris, and I’m excited to discuss how sustainable urban design can change cities.”

  • Tip: Share your expertise confidently.

• Casual gathering:

  • “Hi, I’m Mark. I’m a big fan of soccer and just started learning Spanish.”

  • Tip: Be relatable and approachable.

Transcript

Noah Hey everyone! Let me ask you something. How many times have you introduced yourself, and it just didn’t click? Like, maybe you felt it was too plain, or worse, they didn’t even remember your name!

Luna Oh, I’ve been there! It’s frustrating, right? You try your best, but it feels like you’re just another face in the crowd. That’s why today’s episode is a game-changer.

Noah Yeah, We’re diving into higher-level tips for introducing yourself in English. And no, we’re not talking about the usual “Hi, my name is…” stuff.

Luna Yeah, we’re skipping those overused lines. Instead, we’ll teach you how to make your introductions memorable—whether it’s for a job interview, networking, or even meeting new friends.

Noah And here’s the thing—introducing yourself isn’t really about you. It’s about your audience. It’s about helping them remember you. That’s why these tips matter.

Luna Right! And we want to hear from you too. After listening to this episode, try introducing yourself using our tips and share it in the comments. We’d love to see how you do!

Noah So, stick around! By the end of this episode, you’ll have the tools to introduce yourself confidently in almost any situation. Let’s get started!

Noah 1: The Present-Past-Future Framework

Noah Alright, let’s introduce the Present-Past-Future framework. This method helps you organize your introduction so it sounds polished and professional. It works in casual, formal, or even semi-formal settings.

Luna Totally! So, here’s how it works. First, start with the present. Share who you are and what you’re doing right now. For example, “Hi, I’m Ashley, and I’m a software engineer focused on optimizing customer experience.” Easy, right?

Noah Super easy! And you can tweak it depending on the situation. Like, if it’s casual, you could say, “Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m a software engineer who loves solving user problems.” More relaxed, but still clear.

Luna Then comes the past. This is where you share a bit about your background or accomplishments. For example, “Before this, I worked in big data for healthcare, and I’ve been with my firm for eight years. Last year, I led a campaign that won a Webby award.”

Noah That’s such a smart way to build credibility. You’re showing people what makes you qualified or interesting without overloading them with details.

Luna And finally, the future. Wrap it up by expressing enthusiasm or sharing your goals. Something like, “I’m excited to collaborate with you all to tackle this project.” It shows energy and purpose.

Noah Yeah, and you can adjust this part too. For a job interview, you might say, “I’m eager to contribute to your team’s success.” For networking, “I’m looking forward to connecting with like-minded professionals.” It’s all about the context.

Luna Speaking of context, let me give you my introduction using this framework. “Hi, I’m Luna, and I’m an English coach helping learners feel confident in conversations. Before this, I taught English at an international school for five years, and I’ve worked with students from over 20 countries. I’m so excited to share tips with you today to help you grow!”

Noah Wow, that’s such a good example! So Guys, now it’s your turn. Try introducing yourself using the Present-Past-Future framework. Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

Luna and one more thing. If you master this framework, you can apply it to so many situations, like formal introductions, casual meetups, or even semi-formal events. It’s super versatile.

Noah And here’s a quick tip: If you practice specific conversation skills, like talking about the past, it opens up so many topics. You could share stories about your travels, achievements, childhood memories—basically anything!

Luna Totally, So guys , What if I told you that we've summarized the key skills that you need for English conversation, there are 16 of them, and with these skills you can one use them into any conversation, it’s like one for all.

Noah This ebook contains 16 practical English conversation skills, like how to introduce yourself, how to reject others, or how to express opinions. 16 skills for almost all the English conversations. And, You don’t have to buy it now—just check out the free sample on our website and see if it’s for you.

Noah 2: Apply Suitable Topics When Introducing Yourself

Noah Now, let’s talk about choosing the right topics when introducing yourself. What you share really depends on the situation. For example, in a casual setting, you might mention your hobbies or where you’re from. But in a professional setting, focusing on your job or education works better.

Luna Let’s go through some examples. For hometown, you could say something like, “I grew up in Chicago, and it shaped my love for city life.” Or, if you’re from a small town, “I’m from a little town in Texas, and I love how peaceful it is there.”

Noah Right. And if the setting is work-related, you might talk about your job. For example, “I’m currently leading a team in digital marketing.” Or, “I work as a project manager, focusing on tech startups.”

Luna And for education, you could say, “I studied environmental science and recently completed a project on sustainable farming.” Or, “I have a background in graphic design, which I’ve been passionate about since college.”

Noah For something more casual, like interests, you could share, “In my free time, I’m a big fan of hiking and photography.” Or, “I really enjoy playing the guitar and experimenting with new recipes.”

Luna Those are great! And don’t forget, you can also talk about family if it feels appropriate. For example, “I have two kids who keep me on my toes.” Or, “I’m super close to my younger sister; we travel together all the time.”

Noah The key here is to pick topics that feel natural for the person or group you’re talking to. Like, if you’re meeting coworkers, you might focus on your job or hobbies. If you’re at a neighborhood party, maybe your hometown or family fits better.

Luna Absolutely. And try to add a personal touch to make it more memorable. For instance, instead of just saying, “I like hiking,” you could say, “I love hiking, it helps me clear my mind after a busy week.” Small details make a big difference!

Noah So, dear listeners, what about you? Think about your favorite topics to share when introducing yourself. Maybe even practice with someone or write them down to feel more confident.

Noah 3: Know Who You’re Talking To

Noah Well, You might think it goes without saying, of course you know who you're talking to, right? But lemme explain, A good introduction isn’t just about you. It’s about connecting with your audience. Think about it: What would they actually want to know about you?

Luna Right, because if you just list random facts about yourself, people might lose interest. Instead, tailor what you say to match the situation. For example, at a networking event, you’d focus more on your professional goals or experience.

Noah Yeah, like if you’re at a networking event, you could say, “I’m Jamie, and I specialize in digital branding. Right now, I’m looking to connect with others working in e-commerce.” That’s way more engaging than just, “I work in marketing.”

Luna But at a party, it’s totally different. You could go for something fun, like, “I’m Sarah, and I’m obsessed with cooking—especially trying out new pasta recipes.” That’s more casual and fits the vibe.

Noah Let’s say you’re at a tech meetup. You might say something like, “I’m Alex, and I’m really passionate about AI and how it’s transforming industries.” That shows you’re interested in the same thing as the people there, which instantly builds a connection.

Luna So, it’s all about reading the room. Ask yourself: What would these people care about? What will grab their attention or help them remember me?

Noah And don’t overthink it. Just pick one or two points that match the situation. Keep it simple and clear.

Luna Yeah, keep it natural. And if you’re not sure what to say, you can always start with something general and adjust as the conversation goes on. Like, “I work in finance, but I’m also really into hiking.” Then see where it goes from there.

Noah So, next time you introduce yourself, think about your audience first. And, practice a few versions—one for work, one for casual events, and one for hobbies. You’ll feel much more prepared!

Noah 4: Introduce Yourself with Purpose

Noah Let’s dive deeper into something we often overlook—introducing yourself with purpose. Every introduction serves a reason, and understanding that can completely change how people perceive you.

Luna Yeah, think about it. Why do we introduce ourselves? It’s not just to say, “Hi, I exist.” It’s to create a connection, leave a positive impression, or even achieve a specific goal.

Noah Exactly. Take a job interview as an example. You’re not just sharing your name and title—you’re positioning yourself as the ideal candidate. For instance, you could say, “I’m Sarah, and I’ve spent five years building marketing campaigns that increased brand visibility by 30%.” It’s not just an introduction; it’s a summary of your value.

Luna Right. And in more formal settings, like a conference, your purpose shifts. You want to show why you’re there and what you bring to the table. You might say, “I’m Chris, and I’m here to share insights on sustainable urban design.” It’s professional, concise, and sets clear expectations.

Noah Now compare that to something casual, like meeting someone at a party. Your purpose here might be to start a friendly conversation or find common ground. Saying, “Hi, I’m Emma. I just moved here and love exploring local coffee shops,” invites the other person to engage with you. It’s warm and approachable.

Luna That’s why understanding your purpose is so important. Without it, your introduction can feel random or forgettable. But with purpose, it becomes intentional, memorable, and impactful.

Noah Exactly. And here’s a trick to make this easier—always think about why you’re introducing yourself before you even start. Is it to build a professional connection? To make a friend? Or just to get the conversation going? Knowing the “why” helps you focus on the “what.”

Luna Another trick is to imagine what the other person might want to know about you. For example, at a networking event, people are probably curious about your job or skills. At a party, they might be more interested in your hobbies or where you’re from. Tailoring your introduction to their interests makes it more engaging.

Noah And let’s not forget about delivery. Even the best introduction can fall flat if your tone is off. Speak clearly, sound confident, and add a touch of enthusiasm—it makes a world of difference.

Luna So, in short: always know your purpose, adapt to your audience, and deliver with confidence. When you do this, your introduction becomes more than just words—it becomes a lasting impression.

Noah And remember, every introduction is an opportunity. Whether it’s to connect, impress, or just make someone smile, make it count. That’s the real purpose behind introducing yourself.

Luna Alright dear listeners, before we go, if you want more conversation tips, check out our new ebook. It’s packed with skills like storytelling, expressing opinions, and, of course, making introductions. You’ll find everything you need to master English conversations. Just head to our website and take a look at the sample—it might be just what you’re looking for.

Noah That’s all for today! Thanks so much for tuning in.

Luna We’ll see you in the next episode. Until then, keep practicing and stay confident. Bye for now!