Learn how to introduce yourself in conversation and in writing

Learning how to introduce yourself https://cara.app/maryschnider/all in different circumstances in. After all, first impressions are important.

While you’ll forget preconceived notions or awkward handshakes, the way someone presents themself to you lingers and affects how you feel about them later in the relationship. Unless you’re given the opportunity to learn otherwise, you likely already made up your mind about them.

A true first impression only takes seven seconds to form, so you need to start strong — from the first moment.

Luckily, acing self-introductions isn’t difficult. We’ll discuss how to introduce yourself verbally and in written form to leave a professional impression and offer some introduction examples for you to try.

Why self-introductions matter

Presenting yourself well means leaving a good first impression, which impacts the early stages of any relationship. You'll likely manage to change someone’s mind about you with time and patience if you have a rocky start. 

But if you can avoid misunderstandings from the beginning, it could set you up for opportunities you might otherwise miss.

For example, if you’re writing a letter of interest to a company you’d like to work for and forget to include personality traits and skills matching their organization values, they may move past your application. Remembering to include those sections helps you start that much further ahead in the application process.

Writing an introduction about yourself also allows you to consider your strengths and interests. Even professional introductions often involve discussing a few hobbies and favorite pastimes. You can self-reflect when creating these short introductions about yourself to improve your self-awareness and write a more authentic letter. 

Regularly updated self-intros on your platforms like LinkedIn also help prospective followers and professional connections know what you’re up to and what to expect when they connect.

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Elements of a great self-introduction

In professional settings, a good introduction doesn't need to be formulaic and can be casual or lengthy, depending on the scenario. Here’s a general outline for an intro that covers all the bases: 

Beginning

If you're wondering how to start an introduction about yourself, the best thing to do is keep it simple. Greet your conversation partner or audience, state your name, and mention why you're there, if relevant.

Background

Let your audience know where you’re from and what you’ve been up to recently. Customize this to the situation. In some cases, you’ll discuss where you grew up and where you live now. In others, where you went to school and your profession will be your focus. 

Skills

In professional settings, mention any relevant skills and offer context by discussing why you’re mentioning or where you gained them. 

If this is a written introduction, like a cover letter or letter of intent, include skills mentioned in the job description to show you’ve prepared and know what’s required for the role. And ensuring your skills are aligned benefits you. According to Gallup, working where you can use your skills to the best of your ability reduces the likelihood of hypertension and high cholesterol.

Achievements

In most professional intros, it’s helpful to note things you’ve accomplished, like degrees or promotions. This might also be relevant when introducing yourself to new colleagues or clients. 

Ambitions

You can use an introduction to express to your community what you’d like to achieve and how you might get there. This subtle type of networking might help you gain help or land an opportunity you might’ve missed. 

To show your proactivity and sincerity, include examples of how you’re already taking action to realize these goals. For example, if you're interested in learning French, mention you're taking classes and have a language-exchange partner you meet once a week.

Values

Expressing your values during an introduction doesn’t have to be explicit. The way you behave when meeting someone says more than stating you value a specific trait. Be honest, speak articulately and with kindness, and remain humble to show you value transparency, compassion, and humility.

If this is a job search or workplace introduction, align your values with those expressed by the team or company. For example, if their mission statement mentions valuing teamwork skills, talk about your love of collaborating with others to achieve common goals. 

Conclusion

The best way to end an introduction is to leave the conversation open. For example, if the intro is for a job interview, ask the hiring manager how they'd like to proceed. If it’s a meet and greet where there’s only time for introductions, set a follow-up call to ask more questions.