Introduce Yourself to Colleagues and Clients – Introduction
First impressions count – especially when you’re working in English. Whether you’re joining a new team, meeting a client for the first time or introducing yourself on a video call, the way you present yourself in those first few seconds can shape how others see you.
This article builds on How to Start a Conversation with a Colleague or Client and How to Introduce Yourself Professionally in English, offering specific, practical tips to help you make confident introductions that suit the situation and the person you’re speaking to. You’ll also find out how to practise with others in our community for professionals who use English at work.
Why Introducing Yourself Effectively Matters
It’s tempting to rush your introduction or keep it vague, but in professional settings, a clear and confident introduction helps others understand who you are, what you do and how they can relate to you.
It also builds trust and opens the door to future collaboration.
Think about the difference between these two:
❌ “Hey, I’m Tom… I sort of work with the finance team.”
✅ “Hi, I’m Tom Patel. I work with the finance team, supporting monthly reports and budgets for the EMEA region.”
The second example is clearer, more professional and more memorable.
How to Introduce Yourself to a Colleague vs. a Client
The basics are similar, but your tone and content should reflect your audience.
👉 To a colleague:
You’re aiming for friendly and professional.
“Hi, I’m Sofia. I’ve just joined the operations team. I’ll be working closely with you on the new scheduling system.”
“Nice to meet you – I’m Alex, the new software developer. I’m sitting just over there near the kitchen, so feel free to say hi anytime.”
👉 To a client:
You should sound confident and represent your company clearly.
“Good morning. I’m Irene Novak, and I manage client accounts in the North region. I’ll be your main contact moving forward.”
“Hello, I’m Paul, Sales Manager at {company}. It’s a pleasure to meet you – we’ve heard great things about your team.”
💡 Tip: When introducing yourself to a client, make sure to mention your role and how it connects to their needs.
What Makes a Good Introduction?
Here’s a simple three-step structure you can use in almost any professional setting:
Your name
Your role or job function
A personal or relevant detail
“I’m Maya, part of the internal communications team. I focus on staff newsletters and training updates.”
“My name’s Dan, and I’m based in the Berlin office. I support product launches across the DACH region.”
UK vs. US Introductions: A Note on Style
In the UK, people tend to be slightly more reserved. An overly enthusiastic or personal introduction might feel unusual in some settings.
UK: “Hi, I’m Rachel. I’ve just joined the HR team – nice to meet you.”
US: “Hi, I’m Rachel, and I’m so excited to be joining HR! Really looking forward to working with you.”
Neither is wrong, but it’s good to observe how others speak in your company and adjust your tone if needed.
How to Add a Friendly Comment (Without Overdoing It)
Including a short, relevant comment can make your introduction feel more natural.
“I’ve heard great things about your team – it’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
“I saw your name in the meeting notes – glad we’re working together on this.”
Avoid personal comments unless you already have some familiarity.
Introducing Yourself to a Group or in a Meeting
If you’re joining a group call or being introduced to a team, keep it structured but warm:
“Hi, I’m Chiara from the London office. I work in logistics, and I’ll be supporting the expansion project. I’m excited to collaborate with everyone.”
“Good afternoon. I’m David and I manage supplier contracts across the EMEA region. I look forward to working together.”
You don’t need to include too much detail—just enough to help others understand your role.
Writing Introductions: Email or Chat
Written introductions matter too, especially when you work remotely.
💻 Example: Email
Subject: Introduction – New Account Manager for Radian Project
Dear Anna,
My name is Yuki Tanaka, and I’ve recently joined the team as your new account manager for the Radian project. I’m looking forward to working with you and the team. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.Best regards,
Yuki
💬 Example: Workplace Chat
Hi Lina – just wanted to say hello! I’m Yuki, your new account manager. Looking forward to our first meeting tomorrow.
Remote Introductions on Video Calls
With more teams working remotely, video calls are often the first time you “e-meet” someone. Here’s how to get it right:
Look into the camera (not at your own image)
Smile and speak clearly
Use your name, location (if relevant) and role
“Hi, I’m Tara from the Cape Town office. I’ll be your main contact on the content team. Nice to see you all.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too much detail: “I started in 2017 and then moved teams… and now I sort of help out with…”
➤ Keep it focused and clear.No introduction at all: Don’t assume people know who you are!
Speaking too quickly: Especially if English isn’t your first language. Slow down and check for understanding.
Over-apologising: It’s common for non-native speakers to say, “Sorry, my English isn’t great.” Instead, focus on your message. You’re doing well just by showing up and communicating.
Practise and Get Feedback
Try creating two or three introductions you can use in different situations:
One for new colleagues
One for new clients
One for meetings
Practise in our community for professionals who use English at work, where you can get feedback and refine your introductions with real people who understand your challenges.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be perfect – you just need to be clear, confident and prepared. A well-structured introduction can help others remember who you are and feel comfortable approaching you. It’s a small moment with big impact.
Ready for more? Go back and read:
👉 How to Start a Conversation with a Colleague or Client
👉 How to Introduce Yourself Professionally in English
Or take the next step and connect in our English for Work community.
