Introducing yourself is the first thing you do in English in an interview, a new class, a new job or an online meeting. The good news: you only need one simple formula and a few sentences. Here is the formula, with ready examples for every situation.
The simple 4-step formula
A good self-introduction is short: about 20 to 40 seconds. It has four parts.
- Greet and say your name. “Hi, I’m Tanvir.”
- Say what you do. Your study, your job, or where you are from.
- Add one interesting detail. A goal, an achievement or a hobby, so people remember you.
- Finish with a friendly line. “Nice to meet you” or why you are here.
Example
“Hi, I’m Tanvir. I’m a computer science student at a university in Dhaka. In my free time, I build small websites for local shops. It’s great to meet you all.”
Useful sentences for each part
| Part | Sentences you can use | Bangla meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Name | “Hi, I’m Sadia.” / “My name is Sadia, but everyone calls me Sadi.” | আমি সাদিয়া। / আমার নাম সাদিয়া, তবে সবাই আমাকে সাদি ডাকে। |
| Where you are from | “I’m from Sylhet.” / “I grew up in Khulna, but I live in Dhaka now.” | আমি সিলেটের মেয়ে/ছেলে। / খুলনায় বড় হয়েছি, এখন ঢাকায় থাকি। |
| Study | “I’m studying English literature.” / “I’m in my final year of a BBA.” | আমি ইংরেজি সাহিত্যে পড়ছি। / আমি বিবিএর শেষ বর্ষে আছি। |
| Work | “I work as an accountant.” / “I work at a garment company in Gazipur.” | আমি একজন হিসাবরক্ষক হিসেবে কাজ করি। / গাজীপুরের একটা গার্মেন্টস কোম্পানিতে কাজ করি। |
| Interesting detail | “I love cricket.” / “I’m learning to speak English more confidently.” | আমি ক্রিকেট খুব ভালোবাসি। / আরও আত্মবিশ্বাস নিয়ে ইংরেজি বলতে শিখছি। |
| Ending | “Nice to meet you.” / “I’m looking forward to working with you.” | আপনার সাথে পরিচিত হয়ে ভালো লাগল। / আপনাদের সাথে কাজ করার অপেক্ষায় আছি। |
Also read: Job Interview Questions and Answers in English (with Bangla Meaning) and 50 Daily-Use English Sentences with Bangla Meaning
Examples for different situations
In a job interview
Here, focus on your studies, experience and why you want the job. Keep it to about one minute.
Job interview
“Good morning, and thank you for inviting me. My name is Farhan Hossain. I completed my BBA in Finance last year, and since then I’ve been working as a junior accounts officer at a trading company. I handle daily payments and prepare monthly reports. I’m now looking for a role where I can grow in financial analysis, and that’s why this position interests me.”
For the questions that come next, read our 15 job interview questions and answers in English.
On your first day at a new job
New job
“Hi everyone, I’m Nabila. I’ve just joined the marketing team as a content writer. Before this, I wrote for an online news site for two years. I’m really happy to be here, so please say hi if you see me in the office!”
In class or at university
Class
“Hello, I’m Arif. I’m from Rajshahi, and I’m studying civil engineering. I’m taking this course because I want to improve my presentation skills. Outside class, I play football on weekends.”
When you meet someone new
In casual situations, introductions are a conversation. Ask a question back.
Monica: Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Monica.
Joe: Hi Monica, I’m Joe. Nice to meet you.
Monica: Nice to meet you too. How do you know Sara?
Joe: We work together. What about you?
Monica: We went to university together.
In an online meeting
Online meeting
“Hi everyone, can you hear me okay? Great. I’m Rafi, and I’m the project coordinator from the Dhaka office. I’ll be sharing the weekly update today.”
Mistakes to avoid
- Myself Tanvir.I’m Tanvir. / My name is Tanvir.This is the most common introduction mistake in Bangladesh. “Myself” দিয়ে বাক্য শুরু হয় না।
- My good name is Sadia.My name is Sadia.“Good name” is a direct translation. “ভালো নাম” ইংরেজিতে শুধু “name”।
- I am doing job in a bank.I work at a bank. / I work in banking.We say “work at / work as”, not “do job”. চাকরি করি বোঝাতে “I work at/as…” বলুন।
- I have completed my graduation from DU.I graduated from Dhaka University.Use “graduate” as a verb, and say the full name of your university. “graduate from” সবচেয়ে স্বাভাবিক।
- My hobby is reading books, gardening and travelling.My hobbies are reading, gardening and travelling.More than one hobby needs “hobbies are”. একাধিক শখ হলে hobbies are।
For more everyday mistakes like these, see 25 common English mistakes Bangladeshis make.
Tips to sound natural and confident
- Keep it short. People remember two or three facts, not ten.
- Smile and make eye contact. Your face is part of your introduction.
- Change it for each situation. Talk about work in an interview and hobbies at a party.
- Ask a question back. “And you?” or “What do you do?” turns an introduction into a conversation.
- Practise it out loud. Say your introduction five times today. By the fifth time it will feel easy.
Practise now: write your own
Fill in the gaps and say it out loud.
Your introduction
“Hi, I’m ________. I’m from ________, and I’m ________ (studying / working as) ________. Something interesting about me: ________. Nice to meet you!”
Practise now: test yourself with today’s free daily English quiz (10 questions, about 3 minutes, no sign-up).
