Write an intro email to a new team to start your job on the right foot

Receiving a job offer is exciting, but forming working relationships from scratch is intimidating. 

You might worry about how you’ll fit into the team dynamic, collaborate with close colleagues, or get along with your manager. And as a new employee, you’ll want to prove yourself and make a good impression on those you’ll work closely with.

One way to make a great first impression is to introduce yourself and show what you have to offer before you start. Writing an intro email to a new team is an excellent way to reach all of your new coworkers at once and give them an idea of who you are. 

Breaking the ice by introducing yourself can help you connect with people faster and build trust in the workplace. You may even find people with similar interests and make friends along the way.

Why is it important to introduce yourself when starting a new job?

Although your new manager or human resources representative might introduce you to the entire team with a welcome email, sending an email before your first day gives the whole process an individual touch. It puts a personality behind your name and lays the foundation for healthy working relationships between you and your coworkers.

Whether working for a startup or a large corporation, you want to start on the right foot. Before meeting your new team on your first day, an email can tell them a little about yourself, your personality and background, and what to expect from you as a coworker.

Rather than reiterating the work experience found on your LinkedIn profile, highlight the personality traits that make you unique, such as hobbies and personal achievements. This shows who you are beyond your job title and helps others relate through shared interests.

It also breaks the ice if you’re feeling nervous or experiencing work anxiety. Sometimes, it’s less intimidating to say hello virtually than in person. If you work in an office, you might have to stand up in a meeting and introduce yourself face-to-face, but all it takes is a quick, pre-planned email to start your relationships and potentially feel less nervous when that day comes.

And if you’re working from home, introducing yourself via email is especially important as it shows your colleagues you’re more than just a name on a screen. You’ll hit the ground running and tell them you’re ready to collaborate and play an active role within the team.

Building relationships from the beginning can make you feel more comfortable in a new workplace environment, and it could help you make new friends and expand your professional network. A survey from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that making friends at work improves job satisfaction and performance, leading to greater fulfillment and retention. You’ll enjoy your new job more if you make connections.

An introductory email not only provides insight into who you are, but also creates a starting point for your colleagues to introduce themselves and share their interests. If you express your passion for food in the intro email, a coworker who loves cooking could invite you to a dinner party. And if you reveal your love of sports, a colleague could ask you to join your company’s recreational sports team, leading to further team-building opportunities.

How to write an intro email to your new team

A new employee introduction email can be short and sweet or include more fun facts about yourself and your career history. It lays the foundation for a first impression, so it’s ideal to get it right the first time. But the best part of an email is that you can write one in advance.

If you’re experiencing writer’s block and are unsure how to write a professional email, here are some tips for approaching the subject:

• Write a friendly email subject line: Start your email like a pro with an eye-catching subject line encouraging your colleagues to open it. Be specific and write more than just a hello. Remember to include your name and position so people know who you are right away.
• Research the company culture: Before creating your email, read company documentation and visit its social media pages to get a sense of the culture. Formal and relaxed work environments require very different tones of voice, so try your best to match the existing communication style. When in doubt, keep it friendly and professional.
• Show what makes you unique: Although you may keep your personal life private, you can still show a little bit about yourself while staying in your comfort zone. Including even just one fact about yourself is enough to show off your individuality. This could extend beyond where you’re from or where you went to school. Try including a fun travel tidbit, a personal project you’re working on, or your pets.
• Express enthusiasm: If you’re excited to start your new position, express it in your email. Show your enthusiasm for joining the company and what you’re looking forward to. This is also an excellent chance to discuss your work experience and background.
• Send replies and ask questions: After sending the email, current employees might reply to introduce themselves and let you know they’re excited to work with you. This is a great opportunity to get to know them better before you start collaborating and shows you what familiar faces to reach out to when you have questions.

5 introduction email templates to follow

Depending on your position, you might create multiple emails — one for your manager, one for colleagues, and another for your team. What you share with each party will differ as you’ll want to make different impressions on each. You may want to add humor or keep things lighthearted for your colleagues, but be careful of your email etiquette and communicate professionally with your manager.

If you’re a new hire, you’re likely knee-deep in onboarding and have a lot on your plate. But even if you feel overwhelmed, it’s best to show your excitement and positivity. Cold emails might not resonate. 

Here are some introduction email examples to give you inspiration when crafting your own:

Intro email for a new team

No matter what size or type of team you’re working with, it’s good practice to send an intro email to everyone. You might want to connect with individual people if you remember them from the interview process or will be collaborating on a daily basis, but it’s up to you.

Example 1:

Hi [department] team,

I hope you’re all having a great week so far!

I’m [your name], and I just started at [company name] as a [job title]. I wanted to reach out and introduce myself as I know we’ll be working closely together.

I just moved to the city from [location], and I’ve enjoyed exploring my new neighborhood and the great parks around here. I love reading, kayaking, and hiking with my dog, Ted. I love the outdoors and am always looking for new people to walk or hike with, so reach out if you’re open to meeting up.

I’m excited to start working with all of you on [start date].

Cheers,

[your name]

Example 2:

Hello [employee’s name],

I know we haven’t started working together yet, but I wanted to introduce myself before my first day. My name is [your name], and I’m excited to join the [department name] team next week!

I love to paint, watch movies, and kickbox outside of work. Since I’m new to the city, I’ve been exploring the city’s best restaurants and coffee shops. If you have the time, I’d love to grab some coffee with you during our lunch break next week to get to know each other.

See you on [start date]!

[your name]

Example 3:

Dear [department],

My name is [your name] and I just started in the [job title] position. I look forward to joining the team and getting to know each of you.

Getting to know teammates quickly while working remotely can be difficult, so I would love to get to know each of you better however you’d like — whether over Slack, Zoom, or email. Learning about your roles within the organization will help me integrate into the team better and put a face behind each of the names on screen!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Sincerely,

[your name]

Intro email to a new manager

You’ll likely interact with your manager on a daily basis, so start your relationship off strong. Say hello, explain your interest in the position, and let them know you’re eager to start. You might even want to set up a time to meet and learn more about each other as you start the job.

Example 4:

Hello [name of manager],

My name is [your name], and I’ll be working on your team in the [new position] starting on [start date]. I’m really excited to get started and learn under your leadership. I’ve recently finished my degree at [school] and look forward to putting my skills to work.

When I started my onboarding, I received a warm welcome from the team and got caught up to speed on the current projects. I wanted to reach out to you to say that I’m ready to dive in and am excited to contribute to the [work-related topic].

Let me know how you prefer to communicate. I can chat with you on Slack if you prefer chatting in real-time, or we can continue by email if that works best.

Take care,

[your name]

Example 5:

Dear [name of manager],

My name is [your name]. I’ll be working in the [new role] on your team, and I wanted to reach out and formally introduce myself.

My first day on your team is on [start date], and I’m excited to work for [company name]. Before this, I worked in a [position] for [previous company], so I’m familiar with the industry and eager to learn more. I’m an avid baker and piano player, and enjoy hiking in my spare time. I’m excited to join the company’s recreational basketball team!

I’ve already started my onboarding, but I look forward to joining you and the rest of the team soon.

Talk soon,

[your name]

4 opening lines that never fail

An opening line starts your intro strong and should state who you are and why you’re communicating. Keep it simple, and save humor or flair for the rest of the email. The goal is to begin on a friendly note.

Here are four ideas for your opening line:

1. I wanted to introduce myself…
2. I hope you’re doing well…
3. Let me introduce myself…
4. My name is [your name]...

4 subject lines that never fail

Your subject line should catch your recipient’s attention and stand out in their inbox. Explain why you’re writing and spark their curiosity in just a few words. 

Here are four potential subject lines to use in an introduction email:

1. Let’s get started!
2. Meeting my new team
3. A bit about myself
4. [Your name] virtual meet and greet

Close your email like a pro

You’ve written a friendly greeting, introduced yourself, and are now ready to end the email. There are numerous ways to close it out, depending on whether you’d like to chat more or keep it professional. Just remember to match the tone of your closing line to the rest of your email. Here are a few examples of effective closing lines:

1. Sincerely: This tried and true sign-off is a formal option that works well for emailing higher management and coworkers.
2. Best regards: This straightforward professional farewell maintains a respectful tone while sending your coworkers positivity. 
3. Best: This shortening of “Best regards” is more informal and suits workplaces with a relaxed, casual work culture.
4. Thank you all: Thanking your team sets the tone for relationships and shows your considerate side. You can communicate your gratitude for the job and being a part of the team to encourage future collaboration.
5. Kind regards: This closing line hits the sweet spot between formal and casual, being less formal than “sincerely” and more formal than “best” and “keep in touch.” When writing a professional introduction email, this is appropriate for addressing a new team member you want to build a relationship with.

Your next move

Starting a new job is intimidating, but with the proper preparation, it doesn’t have to be. An intro email to a new team is a great jumping-off point to building connections with your new team and making a positive first impression. You’ll get to know your colleagues faster, become familiar with the company culture, and may even make workplace friends. 

Next time you write a self-introduction email, approach it with a positive attitude and express your individuality. Don’t forget to always be yourself and be confident in your abilities. Your new company hired you for a reason.