When you enter a new business environment, the way you introduce yourself can set the tone for your professional relationship. A professional self-introduction is a brief, clear, and confident way to present yourself, usually at the beginning of a meeting, interview, conference, or networking event. It helps others understand your role, your expertise, and how you can connect on a professional level.
In international business, effective self-introductions are essential—not only do they give others a positive first impression, but they also create the foundation for meaningful business conversations and connections.
Professional introductions matter for several reasons:
First impressions: In business, your first impression can influence how colleagues, clients, and partners perceive your competence and trustworthiness.
Clarity: A clear introduction helps others understand your role and what you do.
Networking: Good introductions make it easier to network and start business relationships.
Confidence: When you can introduce yourself well, you feel more confident in any professional situation.
To introduce yourself well in a business setting, focus on these elements:
Greeting: Start with a polite greeting.
Name: State your full name clearly.
Position/Job Title: Mention your position in the company.
Company/Organization: State the name of your company.
Additional Context (optional): Share a brief fact or reason for the introduction, such as your main responsibility, department, or purpose for attending.
Polite Close: End with a positive phrase or a question.
Let’s break down each part with useful vocabulary and real examples.
A professional greeting sets a polite and friendly tone. Here are some essential business greetings:
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
Hello, everyone.
Hi, I’m pleased to meet you.
Definition:
Pleased to meet you – a polite way of showing you are happy to meet someone for the first time.
Tip: For international environments, “Hello” or “Good morning/afternoon” are always safe choices.
Always say your full name—first name and surname—slowly and clearly.
For example:
“My name is Anna Müller.”
“I’m John Smith.”
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Wei Zhang.”
Useful phrase:
“Let me introduce myself…” — a polite and formal way to begin.
Tip: In formal business, use your full name. In less formal or internal team meetings, your first name may be enough.
Your job title tells others what you do in your company. Common business job titles include:
Manager /ˈmænɪdʒər/: Someone who is responsible for part of a company or a team.
Accountant /əˈkaʊntənt/: Someone who manages financial records.
Sales Representative /seɪlz ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv/: Someone who sells a company’s products or services.
Marketing Specialist /ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ ˈspɛʃəlɪst/: An expert in promoting and selling products.
HR Officer /ˌeɪtʃ ˈɑː ˈɒfɪsər/: A person responsible for hiring and managing employees.
Project Coordinator /ˈprɒdʒɛkt kəʊˈɔːdɪneɪtər/: Someone who organizes and oversees projects.
Examples:
“I’m the Sales Manager at TechNova.”
“I work as a Financial Analyst in the investment team.”
“My position is Senior Software Engineer.”
Be sure to mention your company or your department if relevant. This provides context about your professional background.
Examples:
“I work for Global Solutions Ltd.”
“I’m with the Marketing Department at Star Enterprises.”
“Currently, I’m based in the R&D division of FutureTech.”
Tip: Use “I’m with…” or “I work for…” to indicate your employer or department.
If it’s appropriate, briefly add something about your responsibilities, your background, or why you’re there.
Examples:
“I’ve been with the company for five years, focusing on international sales.”
“My main responsibility is overseeing product launches in Europe.”
“I’m here today to learn more about partnership opportunities.”
Useful words & phrases:
Main responsibility /reˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti/: The most important duty or task in your job.
Oversee /ˌəʊvəˈsiː/: To supervise or be in charge of.
Division /dɪˈvɪʒən/: A large part of a company or organization, such as ‘IT division.’
Finish your introduction with a positive closing phrase. Examples include:
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself.”
Or, in a networking context:
“I’d love to learn more about your work.”
“May I ask what your main role is here?”
Example 1: Formal, In-Person Meeting
“Good morning, everyone. My name is James Lee. I’m the Operations Manager at EastWest Logistics. I’ve been with the company for eight years and currently oversee our supply chain projects in Europe. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
Example 2: Informal, Internal Meeting
“Hello, I’m Lisa from HR. I’ve just joined the team, and I’ll be working on recruitment and employee engagement. Nice to meet everyone.”
Example 3: Online Meeting Introduction
“Good afternoon, I’m Maria González, Head of Marketing at Creativa Ltd. I’m joining from Madrid, and I’m excited to collaborate on this project with you.”
Let’s review the most important vocabulary and expressions:
To introduce (verb): /ˌɪntrəˈdjuːs/ — To tell people who you are.
Colleague (noun): /ˈkɒliːɡ/ — A person you work with.
Department (noun): /dɪˈpɑːtmənt/ — A section of a company (e.g., Sales, HR).
Background (noun): /ˈbækɡraʊnd/ — Your experience and education.
Role (noun): /rəʊl/ — Your position or job function in a company.
Networking (noun): /ˈnɛtwɜːkɪŋ/ — Making professional connections.
Responsibility (noun): /rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti/ — The duty to do something as part of your job.
Experience (noun): /ɪkˈspɪərɪəns/ — The knowledge or skill you have from doing something.
Example sentences:
“I would like to introduce my colleague, Mr. Brown, from the Finance Department.”
“My background is in engineering, but I now work in sales.”
“Networking is an important part of building your career.”
In business, knowing how organizations are structured helps you explain your position and understand others.
Common structures:
CEO (Chief Executive Officer): The most senior manager in a company.
Director: A manager in charge of a large department or part of the company.
Manager: Responsible for a team or department.
Supervisor: Manages smaller teams or specific tasks.
Assistant: Supports managers or executives.
Intern: A student or recent graduate gaining work experience.
Example:
“Our CEO, Ms. Patel, will give a short welcome speech.”
“I report directly to the Finance Director.”
Use a handshake (where culturally appropriate), make eye contact, and smile.
Speak clearly and confidently.
Adjust the level of formality depending on the audience.
Use the chat to type your introduction if audio is unclear.
Mention your location or time zone if relevant.
Use your webcam to create a stronger connection, if possible.
Use a clear subject line: “Introduction — Anna Müller, Project Coordinator, Global Solutions”
Write a short, polite greeting.
State your name, position, company, and reason for writing.
Email example:
Subject: Introduction — Anna Müller, Project Coordinator, Global Solutions
Dear Mr. Smith,
My name is Anna Müller, and I am the Project Coordinator at Global Solutions. I am reaching out to introduce myself as your main contact for the new project. I look forward to working with you.
Best regards,
Anna Müller
Business introductions can differ by country and culture. Here are some tips:
In the UK, people often use first names quickly, but in Germany or Japan, titles and surnames may be used longer.
In the US, it’s common to share a little personal information, such as hobbies, after business introductions.
In some countries, business cards are exchanged during introductions—always receive and give cards with both hands in Japan.
Be observant, listen carefully, and follow the local customs when introducing yourself in international environments.
1. Write Your Introduction:
Prepare a script for your own self-introduction. Use the structure:
Greeting
Name
Position
Company/department
Main responsibility or reason for meeting
Polite closing
2. Pair Practice:
With a partner, practice introducing yourselves. Switch roles and give feedback on clarity, pronunciation, and confidence.
3. Record & Reflect:
Record your introduction on your phone. Listen back—do you sound clear and confident? Are you using the correct business vocabulary?
4. Expand the Conversation:
After introductions, practice asking and answering questions like:
“What do you do at [company]?”
“How long have you worked there?”
“What projects are you currently working on?”
Q1: Should I use my full name or just my first name?
A: Use your full name in formal settings, especially if meeting people for the first time. First names are okay in informal situations or after being invited to use them.
Q2: What if my job title is difficult to translate?
A: Try to explain your main duties. For example, “I am a ‘Product Evangelist,’ which means I promote and explain our new products to clients.”
Q3: How can I sound more confident when introducing myself?
A: Practice your introduction out loud. Smile, make eye contact (or look at the camera in online meetings), and speak at a moderate speed.
Q4: How do I continue the conversation after introducing myself?
A: Ask a simple question or comment, like “How about you?” or “What’s your role in the company?” This shows interest and helps build a connection.
Introduce (verb): To make someone known by name to another, especially formally.
Example: “Let me introduce our new team member.”
Colleague (noun): A person you work with.
Example: “This is my colleague, Sarah, from the Marketing Department.”
Department (noun): A specific area or section of a company with its own responsibilities.
Example: “I work in the IT department.”
Role (noun): The job or function you have at work.
Example: “My role is to coordinate the sales team.”
Networking (noun): Meeting people to share information and build professional relationships.
Example: “Networking events are great for making new business contacts.”
Hierarchy (noun): A system in which people are ranked according to their status or authority.
Example: “Our company has a flat hierarchy.”
Supervisor (noun): A person who manages or oversees employees.
Example: “If you have questions, speak to your supervisor.”
Executive (noun): A senior manager, usually with decision-making authority.
Example: “The executive team will make the final decision.”
Main responsibility (noun phrase): The primary duty or task in your job.
Example: “My main responsibility is managing customer accounts.”
Oversee (verb): To supervise or direct work.
Example: “I oversee the logistics team.”
Practice makes perfect: The more you introduce yourself, the easier it becomes.
Be ready to adapt: Change your introduction slightly for different audiences or purposes.
Listen to others: Notice how colleagues or clients introduce themselves. Imitate phrases that sound professional and friendly.
Smile and use open body language: These small signals make a big difference, especially in international business.
Did I greet politely?
Did I say my full name clearly?
Did I state my job title and company?
Did I add a relevant detail about my work?
Did I finish with a polite closing or a question?
Did I smile (if face-to-face or on camera)?
Create your own business introduction. Then, record yourself and listen.
Try to answer:
Is your pronunciation clear?
Are you using professional phrases?
Would you understand your job and company if you heard this introduction?
Challenge: Try to introduce a colleague next time, using the same structure!
Mastering professional self-introductions is the first step to becoming confident and effective in any business environment. By practicing the phrases, vocabulary, and strategies outlined in this lesson, you’ll build the foundation for strong business relationships, successful networking, and a great first impression every time.