English TalkSelf Introduction in English — For Interviews, Class and First Calls
"Tell me about yourself" sounds simple and ruins more interviews than any hard question — because people either freeze or talk for four minutes.
The three-part structure
Every good introduction, in any setting, is the same three pieces in order:
- Now — what you do currently
- Before — how you got here, briefly
- Why here — why you are in this room, on this call, in this class
For a job interview (60-90 seconds)
"I'm currently working as a customer support executive at [company], where I've spent the last two years handling client queries and escalations.
Before that I completed my B.Com from [university] and worked briefly in retail sales, which is where I first got comfortable dealing with people.
I applied here because this role is more focused on the account management side, which is the part of my current job I enjoy most."
Notice what is missing: no family details, no marks, no life story.
For a class or a course
"Hi, I'm Priya. I'm from Nagpur and I work as a school teacher. I joined this course because I can read and write English well, but I get stuck when I have to speak. I'm hoping to get more comfortable with that."
For a first practice call
Keep it short — this is a conversation, not a performance.
"Hi! I'm Rahul, from Jaipur. This is my first call here, so I'm a bit nervous. What about you?"
That last question is the important part. It hands the turn over and stops you from rambling.
Useful sentences to build your own
- "I'm currently working as…" / "I'm currently studying…"
- "I've been doing that for about [two years]."
- "Before that, I…"
- "I'm originally from [city], but I live in [city] now."
- "What I enjoy most about it is…"
- "I'm here because I want to…"
Four common mistakes
- Starting with "Myself Rahul." This is a direct translation and sounds wrong in English. Say "I'm Rahul" or "My name is Rahul."
- Listing your whole family. Common in Indian introductions, but not asked for in interviews.
- Talking for four minutes. Watch the interviewer; if they look away, you have gone too long.
- Apologising for your English. It draws attention to a problem nobody had noticed.
Practise it out loud, not in your head
An introduction you have only thought about will not come out smoothly. Say it aloud ten times, then say it to an actual person who can ask you a follow-up question — because that follow-up is what really gets tested.
Practise your introduction on a real call — free →
Free voice calls with other learners. Nothing to fill in, no signup.
Start in your browser → Get the Android app →Common questions
How long should a self introduction be?
In an interview, sixty to ninety seconds. In a normal conversation, two or three sentences. Most people go far too long and lose the listener.
Should I memorise my introduction?
Prepare the points, not the sentences. A memorised introduction sounds recited, and it collapses the moment someone asks a follow-up question.
What should I not say?
Skip your full family history, your school marks and a list of every job you have held. Say who you are now, what you did before, and why you are here.