SELF INTRODUCTION | How to Introduce Yourself in English | Tell Me About Yourself Interview Answer

The Importance of Self-Introduction in English00:00:09

Learning to introduce yourself properly is crucial for various situations, from English classes and job interviews to new jobs, hobbies, or large events. Being prepared with a pre-written and learned self-introduction can significantly reduce anxiety and help you come across confidently. This video aims to guide you through creating a complete self-introduction, ready for use.

Greetings: Formal vs. Informal00:01:42

The first step in any self-introduction is a greeting. Formal greetings include "Hello," "Good morning," "Good afternoon," and "Good evening." Note that "Good day" is considered old-fashioned in British English but common in Australian English, and "Good night" is typically a send-off, not a greeting. Informal greetings include "Hey," "What's up," "Hi," and "Yo." It's important to choose a greeting you feel comfortable with and that suits the context.

Stating Your Name00:04:18

After a greeting, introduce your name. Basic ways include "I'm [Name]" or "I am [Name]." For situations where the audience cannot see you, like on the phone, "My name is [Name]" or "My name's [Name]" are appropriate. In large settings, "This is [Name]" can be used.

Talking About Your Location00:05:03

Discussing where you're from and where you live can be done in several ways. Options include "I'm from [Place Name]," "I'm [Nationality adjective]," or "I come from [Place Name]" (implying a journey). To mention where you grew up, say "I was born and raised in [Place Name]" or specify different places: "I was born in [Place] but raised in [Another Place]." To indicate current residence, use phrases like "I grew up in [Place] but now live in [Another Place]" or "I'm originally from [Place] but I'm now based in [Another Place]." You can also state how long you've lived somewhere: "I've been living in [Place] for [Duration]" or "I've spent the past few years in [Place]."

Discussing Your Position, Profession, and Qualifications00:06:31

To talk about your job, you can say "I work at/for [Company Name] in the [Department] department," or "I'm a [Position] at [Company Name]." For a general field, use "I work in [General Area]" (e.g., 'sales'). To state a specific position, use "I work as a [Specific Position]." When mentioning qualifications, especially in a job interview, you can say "I'm about to graduate," "I am a [Subject] graduate/postgraduate," and specify degrees like "I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in [Subject]" or "I have a BA in [Subject]." When talking about courses, use "I'm currently taking a course in [Theoretical Subject]" or "on [Practical Subject]," or simply "I'm taking a [Subject] course." To note completed courses, say "I have completed a [Number]-hour course in/on [Subject]."

Sharing Experience, Family, Hobbies, and Age00:09:03

For work experience, use "I have [Number] years of experience in the [Field]" or "I've worked in [Field] for [Duration]." In informal settings, discussing family is common. Instead of "We are five in our family," say "I'm from a family of [Number]" or "We are a family of [Number]." To mention siblings without specifying gender, say "I am one of [Number] siblings" or "I'm one of [Number]." If you have no siblings, use "I am an only child." For hobbies, phrases like "I really like/enjoy [Activity]," "I'm a big fan of [Activity]," or "I am a keen [Noun for hobbyist]" are useful. For age, the basic is "I am [Age] years old" or "I'm [Age]." If you prefer not to be specific, use "I'm in my early/mid/late [Decade]s" (e.g., '20s, 30s'). You might also hear "She's a [Decade]s something [Profession]".

The Dreaded 'Fun Fact' and Condensing Your Introduction00:12:33

Often requested in introductions, a 'fun fact' can be daunting. It's recommended to have one prepared, perhaps about an interesting fear, a weird like/dislike, a pet, a strange achievement, or an extraordinary experience. Finally, the video suggests condensing your introduction for a more natural flow. Instead of multiple short sentences, combine them into two or three flowing sentences to make your self-introduction sound more articulate and confident. An example is provided from the speaker's own introduction, transforming several short sentences into a well-connected one.