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How to write a welcome speech in 3 steps

With a printable welcome speech planner, outline and a sample welcome speech

By:  Susan Dugdale  

So, you've been asked to give a short welcome speech for an event. Congratulations! And now you want to be doubly sure you get it right. The right content. The right tone. Plus, the right length!

You'll find everything here you need to do that easily, from start to finish. 

Jump in. You are just three steps away from a completed welcome speech. Shall we start?

The fastest and best way to get your speech done is to:

• skim read this page to get an overview of the speech writing process, ( the welcome speech template and the planner you're going to use), to  read the example welcome speech , and to find out more about the function of a welcome speech and the importance of its tone .
• then download, print and complete the welcome speech planner .
• and lastly, use the notes you made in the planner to write your welcome speech . To help with that, you can download and print the outline of my example welcome speech to use.  Edit, and add your information to make the speech your own.

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The welcome speech template

To be effective your welcome speech needs to meet expected, as well as any specific, requirements dictated by the occasion.

The 6 standard welcome speech content ingredients

There are six common or standard content items in a good welcome speech.

• Greetings to welcome everyone and thanking them for coming along.
• Acknowledgement of special guests, if there are any.
• An introduction of the event itself and a brief overview of special highlights the audience will want to know about.
• Any important housekeeping information, for instance: where the bathrooms are, where lunch will be served and when...
• An introduction for the next speaker, if there is one.
• Thanking everyone for coming once more and then concluding having made everybody feel at ease, eagerly anticipating what is to come.

Numbers 1, 3, and 6 are basic essentials you cannot do without. Numbers 2, 4 and 5 may, or may not, be applicable. Pick what you need from them to fit your occasion.

Short sample welcome speech for a conference 

Now let's put all six ingredients into an example of a short welcome speech to open a conference that you can adapt for your own speech.

* (This speech is pure fiction! I made it up to show you how it's done. You'll see its tone is formal rather than informal to fit the occasion. I don't think there is a group called Parents United. However, there are others with a similar mission: 10 Inspiring Organizations that Promote Literacy and Education .)  

Example welcome speech - "Readers by Right"

"Sue-Ellen Thomas, Jim Smith, Jane Brown and all of our guests, good morning!

My name is April Molloy, and it's my privilege and great pleasure on behalf of Parents United to welcome you all here today.

We are delighted to have you with us to participate and share in this special occasion, our 5th annual Children's Day Conference. Thank you for coming. That many of you have willingly traveled long distances to be here serves as a reminder to us all just how important our work is.

Parents United is committed to actively raising the quality of life for every child. We want all children, regardless of race, creed or circumstance to achieve their full potential. Our task is to make it possible. Our mission is to provide practical, step by step assistance.

This year our theme is literacy. We've named the day 'Readers by Right'.

Thanks to the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are aware of 'rights' in many spheres, including education.  Article 26 declared it should be compulsory and free for children.

That goal is as pertinent today as it was then. And it's a goal I know we all share - the full development of every child. As a body, Parents United recognizes good reading skills established in childhood as the foundation of fulfilling, and ongoing education.

We are honored to have Sue-Ellen Thomas, Jim Smith and Jane Brown with us today. All three are esteemed specialists in teaching young children to read.

Sue-Ellen has worked for a long time with educational authorities to establish programs putting in place necessary pre-reading skills. Her hard work needs no introduction. The results speak for themselves.

Jim and Jane bring their passion, and knowledge of how to reach those in our communities who are frequently overlooked or bypassed. Their work among disadvantaged English-as-a-second-language families has bridged gaps that were deep dark chasms.

Prepare yourself to be challenged, excited and inspired.

And before I handover to Lesley Watts, our coordinator for 'Readers by Right', who will outline the day's various events, I want to say once more on behalf of the Parents United organizing committee, welcome. It's wonderful to see so many of you here." 

Get your welcome speech started

To shortcut wondering, "Should I say this?" or "Maybe I should say that?" and "Then again there's also ...", I have a very simple solution for you.

Get yourself a printable welcome speech planner

Download and print my  special greeting address planner .

It covers ALL the necessary ingredients that go into preparing a successful welcome speech. It's simple to use and easily filled out. Once it's done, writing your speech will be a lot less hassle as you'll have the core content ready to work with.

Writing your welcome speech

Tips to help you get your speech right.

When you're entering information into your speech planner:

• ensure you've got all the names of individuals or special guests you need to mention specifically and, that you know how to pronounce each of them. Also check that you know and use their preferred pronouns: them/they, she/her, he/him...
• double check the remarks you're going to make about them, or anything else, are factually correct.

Use your introduction of your guests/or the event, as a "teaser" for what is going to come. It will help create anticipation in the audience. Don't ruin it by giving too much away! Just enough to tempt and no more.

Keep it brief. One to two minutes is generally sufficient.

(The word count of my sample welcome speech is 357. It will take approximately 2 minutes to say .) 

Use the S-S-S formula for success: Short, Simple and Sincere. Your listeners will appreciate it.

Get a printable welcome speech outline

If you would like to use and adapt the structure I used in my sample speech as the foundation for your welcome speech, click the link to download the printable: welcome speech outline .

Then edit; delete, amend and add, until you are done.

Get a hand with vocabulary

If you're stuck for words, here's a large selection of  adaptable welcoming phrases with example s entences.  Reading through them could help you to find exactly what you want.

What does a good welcome speech do?

An effective welcome speech has three important functions. It:

• signals the official beginning of an event . It says to the audience, hush, sit down, stop talking and listen. What you came for is starting!
• sets the tone for the occasion through the choice of language used . For example, using light-hearted and informal words to welcome guests to a dear friend's birthday party may be completely appropriate.  However, the same type of language to welcome family and friends to a memorial service is unlikely to be. In that setting, people generally expect a more solemn and formal word choice. They could be deeply offended and think the use of casual language is disrespectful.  Understanding and getting tone right is a key element in the overall success of your welcome speech.  
• unites the audience . It draws everyone together in the common purpose at the heart of the occasion. For example, at a birthday party, the welcome speech invites everyone to join in celebrating the person whose birthday it is. The welcome speech opening a specialist conference will affirm its principal purpose: the coming together of people with mutual interests to meet and share new knowledge. Or if a welcome speech is given to newcomers in a workplace, club or educational setting, its purpose is to give an introductory overview of how things work to help them feel more at ease in their new situation - to help them develop a sense of belonging.

Getting the tone right for an event

What is tone.

Tone is the combined impact of the words chosen to express something, with how they are structured and, delivered.  All three elements come together to create tone * . 

Get tone wrong, and your welcome speech is a disaster.

Get it right, and it's a triumph!

(Yes, that's hyperbole but I'm sure you get the idea. ☺)

* Tone - a mood, quality or feeling

How to choose the right words

The beginning of getting tone right is to think about your audience and the event itself. Your goal is to unite and bring them together in the main purpose at the core of the occasion. What type of language will do that most appropriately and easily?

To answer that question, think about the common interest everybody shares - the principal reason behind them getting together.  It will help guide your language choice.

Is it a fun event like a birthday party for close friends and family? If so, then informal language is likely to be the most apt.

You might hear something along the lines of: "Well, here we all are! The big day has finally arrived. Jean-Marie is 50! Half a century! How on earth did that happen?"

If it's a remembrance service for someone who has recently died, the language you're likely to hear is more formal.

For example: "Friends, family, colleagues, thank you for joining us today to celebrate and give thanks for our dear Jean-Marie. Your presence is gratefully appreciated." 

What is appropriate? What is expected?  Do spend some time thinking tone through. Misunderstanding and getting it wrong can be very embarrassing for everyone. If in doubt, ask someone whose opinion you trust.

Related helpful pages

Help rehearsing your welcome speech.

Get  step by step instructions on how to rehearse  including how to make and use cue cards.

And please do rehearse. It makes a huge difference! You'll sound, and look better. Taking the time to rehearse shows respect for yourself, the audience and the event. Truly.

Help to manage pre-speech jitters

Nervous? If you're shaking in your boots at the thought of having to speak in front of an audience, click  overcoming public speaking fear  for assistance. Take your time. The page has 14 tried and tested suggestions to consider.

Help with other types of welcome speeches

Or perhaps you need  welcome to the family speeches   or a  church welcome speech sample ? Click the links to find easily adaptable examples.

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

One of the most oddly challenging parts of meeting with a hiring manager is figuring out how to introduce yourself in an interview. After all, the hiring manager has your resume. Don’t they already know a bit who you are and what you have to offer? Why do you need to tell them about yourself?

Well, yes, the hiring manager probably has your resume. But that doesn’t mean they’ve memorized every detail. Plus, there’s plenty of potentially relevant facts about you that don’t fit in that one document.

When you introduce yourself, the hiring manager learns more about what you bring to the table. Additionally, it helps them gauge your communication capabilities, what you view as important about yourself, and more. That’s why figuring out how to introduce yourself properly is so important.

So, if you’re reading to learn all you need to know about how to introduce yourself in an interview, let’s get started.

Basics of Introducing Oneself

Overall, introducing yourself to someone during an interview is a simple concept. The idea is to give them an overview of who you are as a professional, touching on relevant tidbits about your experience and skills.

Plus, if you handle it right, you can also showcase your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Pretty neat, right?

But if there is going to be a full-length interview, why does nailing the introduction matter? Well, for one, it matters because hiring managers can make decisions about you shockingly quickly.

One report suggests that you only have 27 seconds to make a good first impression. According to a different study , about 30 percent of hiring managers know whether they want to hire you within five minutes. Fifty-two percent have it figured out within the first 5 to 15 minutes.

If you flub your introduction, your first impression isn’t going to be as great as you hoped. While some hiring managers might give you the benefit of the doubt, others may write you off almost immediately.

On the flip side, if you really nail it, that could secure you the job right then and there. You might have them convinced that you’re the best candidate that quickly. Ultimately, that’s why how you introduce yourself matters.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should panic. Crafting a great introduction isn’t as hard as it seems on the surface.

Professionally vs. Casually

Alright, another point we need to dig into is the difference between how to introduce yourself professionally vs. casually.

With professional introductions, you’re usually focused on your career-related experience, achievements, and skills. It’s you in a nutshell from a professional perspective.

When you introduce yourself in a professional capacity, your aim is to cultivate the right kind of impression to further the relationship in a career-boosting manner. Whether that’s to land a job, boost your network, or secure a client’s business, it’s all about addressing the other person’s needs.

With a casual introduction, there’s a bit less pressure. You might not have a specific goal in mind aside from widening your circle.

In many cases, your career doesn’t have to be center stage. Instead, you want to touch on points that make sense based on the situation and person you’re meeting. For example, if you have a child and you’re meeting a parent of one of their classmates, your introduction should include something about your kid.

However, in either case, relevance is always part of the equation. You want to introduce yourself using an approach that resonates with the listener and makes sense based on the context of the situation.

Introducing Yourself in a Job Interview

Before your interview arrives, it’s wise to spend a little time putting together an introduction. By following a proven step-by-step process, you increase your chances of hiring the right notes. Plus, by avoiding certain mistakes, you make it more likely that your introduction will shine.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. research the role.

As with all interview preparation, researching the role is a good idea when you need to get an introduction ready.

Take a look at the job description to identify the high-priority skills and duties. Also, see if there is a minimum amount of experience required or if the hiring manager referenced any crucial traits.

Make a list of what you find. While you might not have time to talk about all of the points in the introduction, it’ll give you insights that can help you create a relevant answer to the classic interview question, “ Tell me a little about yourself ,” or for a general introduction.

2. Include Your Name (and Some Pleasantries)

If you’re meeting the hiring manager for the first time and you haven’t exchanged names or pleasantries officially, add that to your introduction. A simple, “Hi, my name is [first and last name], it’s such a pleasure to meet you,” sets a positive tone, so it’s worth doing.

However, if this moment has already passed, you don’t need to go through it again now.

3. Embrace the Tailoring Method

Alright, we know we’ve mentioned this a few times already, but relevancy is really, really important. By using the Tailoring Method to your advantage, you can make sure your introduction is impactful.

With the Tailoring Method, it’s all about creating interview answers that resonate with the hiring manager. That way, you can make an exceptional impression, increasing the odds that you’ll stand out from other candidates for all of the right reasons.

4. Be Achievement-Oriented

When you begin crafting your introduction, don’t just say who you are, mention your most recent job title, and list your skills. That approach isn’t just boring, but it also tells the manager you have what it takes instead of showing them. That’s not ideal.

It’s always better to be achievement-focused. Discuss how you use your skills to make a meaningful impact. Mention how your experience aligns with the company’s industry or goals. This gives them a better idea of what they can expect from you. It’s all about value-add, and that matters to hiring managers.

5. Be Ready to Expand

If you mention something in your introduction that intrigues the hiring manager, there’s a chance that they’ll ask an immediate follow-up question about it. So, while you don’t want to cram too much information into your intro, it is smart to know the relevant details.

Spend some time planning on how you could expand on each point you make in your introduction. That way, you won’t be caught off guard if the hiring manager explicitly asks for more details.

6. Master Your Body Language

When it comes to interviews, it isn’t just what you say; it’s how you say it. As you practice your answer, do it in front of a mirror or webcam. That way, you can see how your body is moving, ensuring your body language is also sending the right message.

If adjusting live is giving you trouble, then record yourself answering. That way, you can review the footage to see if there’s anything you need to change.

Common Introduction Mistakes

Usually, the biggest mistake when you’re trying to figure out how to introduce yourself in a job interview is providing too much detail or sharing irrelevant information. Brevity is actually your friend, ensuring what you showcase in your introduction is meaningful to the hiring manager.

In many cases, your introduction should only include a few sentences and take no more than 30 seconds. After all, you’re in an interview; there’s going to be plenty of opportunities to dig deeper.

Additionally, you should only mention facts that matter to the hiring manager. Relevance really is the key.

It’s also crucial to not spend your introduction just rehashing your resume. All of that information is readily available. So, unless the hiring manager actually asks you to walk them through your application, don’t go this route.

Finally, be wary of using humor if you don’t already know the hiring manager fairly well. Humor is often subject to taste, and while you might think something is funny, others may find a joke confusing, inappropriate, distasteful, unprofessional, or just not amusing.

3 Examples of Job Interview Intros

When it comes to how to introduce yourself in a job interview, you might need to adjust your approach based on where you are in your career. With that in mind, here are three examples of how to put the tips above into action, one for new grads, one for mid-career pros, and one for managers.

1. New Grad

New grads often struggle with introductions. After all, they usually don’t have much work experience.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t craft an amazing introduction. Along with highlighting your education, you can discuss what about the field interests you, the skills you’ve acquired, and how you are raring and ready to become an asset to a new team.

“Hi, my name is John Doe, and I’m a recent graduate of XYZ University’s Human Resources program. I believe that a company’s workforce is its most powerful asset. That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to learning skills that make identifying and retaining top talent as simple as possible. Ultimately, every department needs a great team to thrive, and I look forward to putting my knowledge into action, ensuring that your company is positioned for success through smart talent acquisitions.”

2. Mid-Career

Mid-career professionals have relevant experience in nearly all cases. Along with tapping into the various in-demand skills you bring to the table, it’s smart to express excitement about what the future can hold. That way, you come across as enthusiastic, and that can work in your favor.

“As a software engineer, I’ve had the opportunity to hone my skills significantly over the past seven years. I’ve been fortunate enough to gain experience at some leading companies where I was not only able to enhance my building and testing capabilities but also explore the exciting world of the DevOps model. I’m particularly adept at working with cross-functional teams, as well as adapting to unforeseen changes and challenges. Ultimately, I look forward to putting my skills to work with a forward-thinking company such as yours.”

3. Management

Management positions usually involve a lot of supervisory duties. While your individual contributor skills can matter, if you’re going to be overseeing a team, spending time discussing how you can help other employees excel can be a great idea if managing others is a big part of the role.

“I’m an innovative floor manager with nine years of experience in advanced manufacturing. During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to lead teams featuring dozens of employees with a range of skillsets. Whether it’s mentoring for growth, coaching for performance improvement, or guiding teams through the transition to a new technology, I’ve had the chance to do it. Not only is that rewarding personally, but it also enhances company success, ensuring my teams can adapt and thrive in any situation.”

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, with all of the information above, you should have a pretty good idea of how to introduce yourself in a job interview. Use all of the tips to your advantage and, once you craft a solid response, practice it over and over until it feels natural. That way, your first impression will be stellar, allowing you to stand out from the crowd for all of the right reasons.

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• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
• Tell Me About Yourself
• Why Should We Hire You?

Click Here To Get The Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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What to Say in a Job Interview

Useful Expressions to Built Rapport with Your Interviewer

Important Things To Say During a Job Interview

Key phrases to use during a job interview, how to start an interview, as the interview is happening, at the end of the interview, after the interview.

Emilie Dunphy / The Balance

If you’ve done any research on  successful interviewing , you probably have a good idea of what not to say in an interview. However, you might not be sure about what you should say when meeting with hiring managers. It can be hard to know how to make a persuasive case for an employer to hire you.

It’s also easy to get caught up in  practicing interview questions and answers  and completely forget to review the basic ideas you should express.

Remember that an interview isn’t a test—or at least, it isn’t only a test. It’s also a conversation and a chance to discover whether you’ll be a  good fit  for the role.

We’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of the most effective expressions to use in an interview. However, you need to use common sense when incorporating these statements in your interview.

Don’t feel like you have to hit every single one: in fact, that might sound a little silly. You don’t want to sound like a robot spouting out pre-planned statements that don’t fit within the context of a broader conversation. Instead, keep these in your back pocket to pull out whenever it makes sense.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t repeat these statements verbatim, or in the order they are listed. Instead, use your own words to demonstrate the core idea and insert each thought tactfully, so the conversation flows naturally.

Here are some of the things you should say in an interview and when each statement will be most useful. Familiarize yourself with these talking points and you’ll be able to weave them seamlessly into the conversation.

At the beginning of the interview, your goal is to make a strong first impression on the interviewer . You want to present yourself as polite, professional, and conscientious. While you shouldn’t spend too much time on pleasantries, remember that your interviewer is a human being who will appreciate common courtesy. This will also start your interview off on the right foot!

• Start the interview with a polite greeting: “How are you today?” or “I’m pleased to meet you!”
• Thank the interviewer for meeting with you: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.”
• Mention who you know at the company: “I was so excited when _____ told me this position was open!”
• Express your gratitude for being considered: “I really appreciate being considered for this role.”
• Convey that you’ve researched the role and the company: "I’ve done a lot of research already, and I’m excited to learn more about your company from you.”
• Point out that you’re a great fit for the job: “I’ve reviewed the job description, and it aligns well with my experience and qualifications. I’m looking forward to talking more about these with you.”

As the interview proceeds, your main concern should be to answer the interviewer’s questions thoughtfully. However, if possible you should also aim to weave in some of the following statements:

• Don’t just say you’re a match for this job: Say why . Review the job posting and match its requirements to your resume ahead of time to determine which qualifications are most valuable. Then, use examples of real-life interactions , success stories, and accomplishments from your past. Be sure to tailor your anecdotes based on the job’s specific requirements and responsibilities: “I’m a match for this job because…”
• Explain how you will add value (and help the company’s bottom line): “In previous roles, here’s what I’ve done… and this is how I will add value to your company .”
• Convey that you’re a team player: “I consider working with others to be one of my strengths.”
• Suggest that you would plan on staying with the company: “This role aligns with my long-term goals, and I’d really like to continue to build my career at this company.”
• Emphasize that you’re eager to learn and develop yourself personally and professionally: “I’m always looking to build my skills, and I’ve recently ____ (taken a course, read a book, studied a subject, etc.) which I think has really sharpened my edge in this field.”

The end of the interview is your chance to ask questions , which is important to do in order to show genuine interest in the company. You should also demonstrate social fluency by closing out the interview gracefully.

• State that you have researched the company and want to know more about _____: “I’ve done a lot of research about this organization, and I really love _____ about you. Can you tell me more about _____?”
• Ask what goals the company is trying to meet this quarter: “Can you tell me more about the goals the company is trying to meet this quarter?”
• Convey that you really want the job—and reiterate why: “I would love to work here because _____.”
• Say that you’re ready for next steps: “The position sounds like a great fit. I’m ready for next steps, so please let me know if you need anything else from me.”
• Thank the interviewer for their time: “Thanks again for taking the time to chat today! Have a great rest of your day.”

Once the interview ends, you should follow up with a thank-you note sent via email or postal mail. This note should:

State that you enjoyed meeting: “I really enjoyed learning more about this role.”

Thank the interviewer for their time: “Thank you so much for taking the time to talk today.”

Convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity: “I’d be thrilled to work with this organization.”

Reiterate that you’re a good fit for the position: “As I mentioned, after learning more about your operations I strongly believe my qualifications make me an excellent fit for this role.”

Keep the lines of communication open: “Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions about my experience, or if you’d like to schedule another time to chat.”

Key Takeaways

• Don’t just practice answers to common questions. Focus on the ideas you want to communicate to the hiring manager.
• Review key statements to show your value. But don’t try to include every phrase in your interview, or your responses will sound canned.
• Show, don’t tell. Weave in anecdotes that express how your skills are valuable to the company.
• After the interview, say thank you. Send a prompt and courteous thank-you note expressing your gratitude for the conversation.

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How to Write a Great Welcome Speech

Table of Contents

Writing an effective welcome speech is a form of art. It requires a delicate balance of knowledge, wit, charm, and the right dash of emotion to make your audience feel valued and at home.

Knowing how to write a welcome speech that resonates with people and draws them in is no small feat — it takes practice and finesse!

In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of writing a successful welcome speech. This will help you confidently greet guests, create lasting impressions, and set the tone for any event.

What Is a Welcome Speech?

A welcome speech is an important part of any event that marks the beginning of a new journey or celebrates a milestone. It sets the tone for the rest of the event and helps create a sense of community amongst guests and participants alike.

A well-crafted welcome speech should have a captivating opening, personalized introductions, acknowledgments, humor, and appreciation for those present. It must also highlight other key elements to ensure that everyone in attendance has an enjoyable experience.

Crafting such a speech can be gratifying as it gives a voice to people’s collective enthusiasm and will help make the event truly special.

Great Tips on How to Write a Welcome Speech

We have compiled some effective tips on how to write a welcome speech that will set the tone and engage the audience. Follow these suggestions and make your speech stand out.

Establish a Connection

Greet the guests at your event with warmth and enthusiasm, welcoming them to the occasion. A few personalized touches can go a long way in making attendees feel welcome and appreciated.

Set the Tone of the Event

Start by thanking everyone for coming, and be sure to use language that reflects the tone of your event. This is especially important if you are having an informal gathering versus a more formal one.

Express Gratitude

Make it a point to thank special guests or anyone who went above and beyond to help make the event possible. Doing so will show how much their efforts were appreciated.

Give an Overview

Summarize what attendees can expect from the event and provide any key information they should know before participating.

Offer Words of Encouragement

Provide encouraging words to guests and remind them why attending this particular event was important to them. Invite them to make the most out of this experience while also stressing the importance of taking some time to relax as well.

End on a High Note

Conclude the speech by wishing everyone a good time. Express your appreciation once again, or provide an inspiring quote that encapsulates the purpose of the gathering. Be sure to thank each person present for being part of the day.

Examples of Effective Welcome Speech

Take inspiration from the examples below to help you write an effective welcome speech based on your requirements.

Example 1: Welcome Speech for a Corporate Event

Good evening everyone, and welcome to our special corporate event. I’d like to start by introducing myself; my name is [Name], and I’m honored to be here with all of you today.

I would like to extend a warm greeting to our esteemed guests who joined us this evening. Your presence truly makes this night that much more special. It’s great to see such a lively audience here tonight!

As we begin, let me remind each of us how essential it is to include the various perspectives gathered in this room. Only when we come together can we form solutions tailored to fit each individual’s needs.

So without further ado, let’s get started on making this an unforgettable night. Thank you for being here!

Example 2: Welcome Speech for a Church Event

Greetings and welcome to our church event! Let us take a moment to express gratitude for the many blessings and the special opportunity to come together like this today.

We are delighted to introduce you to the amazing speaker who will be presenting here today. He is an individual with vast knowledge of the topic at hand. He has graciously agreed to work with us and share their wisdom with us.

I’m sure by the end of the presentation, we’ll be feeling invigorated, enlightened, and ready to put into practice what we have learned today. So let’s show appreciation for this good fortune, and bid our guest a warm welcome!

Example 3: Welcome Speech for a Cultural Event

Greetings, everyone! Welcome to our cultural event of the evening!

I want to thank all of you for coming here today and participating in this unique experience. I am confident all of us will leave with an appreciation for our cultures and a better understanding of how similar we truly are.

This is a great opportunity to learn about different customs and traditions from around the world. With luck, skill, and hard work, this year could bring success to our mission of global unity through shared experiences.

Good luck to everyone who is showcasing their talent or displaying traditional artifacts! We are eager to witness your ingenuity and creativity. Like all meaningful endeavors, there will be challenges along the way, but the rewards will outweigh them if we work together.

So let’s make sure that this cultural event succeeds by collaborating effectively and celebrating each other’s differences!

Example 4: Welcome Speech for a Fundraising Event

Good evening everyone. I am honored to be here on this very special occasion! Let’s all take a moment to show our respect for the people who have come together tonight with one common purpose. That is – raising funds for an incredibly important cause.

I want to welcome each and every one of you warmly in a formal manner to this function which we are hosting annually. As many of us know, the money raised tonight will go toward helping those affected by natural disasters in our own country. We need your help to make this event successful so we can continue providing aid in the upcoming year.

So let’s make tonight count and work together to reach our fundraising goals! Thank you again for joining us; it is truly appreciated.

Example 5: Welcome Speech for a College Event

Good evening everyone! I am excited to welcome you all to the annual college event tonight. It has been my privilege and joy to be a part of this school and see the amazing students come through each year. So it is a special night when we get together to celebrate our achievements!

I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible job our staff has done in the past year. They helped us focus on improving our skills and growing as individuals. Our faculty members are some of the best around, and they are truly committed to seeing every student reach their highest potential.

Finally, let’s not forget why we’re all here: to have fun and enjoy the company of friends. We’ve worked hard and deserve a break, so with that said, join me in celebrating another successful year for our college. Enjoy the rest of the evening!

This article explains how to write a welcome speech effectively, along with examples. Nail your welcome speech by making it personal, informative, friendly, and outgoing.

The key to a great welcome speech is a brief and well-crafted introduction. As the first speaker, it is important that you establish rapport with your audience. It will leave them in a positive and receptive mood , leading to a successful event for everyone present.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Back to: Language for interviewing

The first impression you make on interviewers will probably influence their final decision. Unfortunately, many job candidates fail to prepare for this stage of the interview and the results can be disastrous.

You can make a good first impression by greeting the interviewer with a firm handshake, a warm smile and eye contact. As in all cultures, it is important to give the appropriate response to the greeting.

Sample greeting (formal)

In a formal interview, the interviewer may greet you like this:

Sample greeting (less formal)

Some interviewers may greet you more informally:

As a rule, we mirror basic greetings in the following way:

If you have met before (at a job fair for example), the interviewer may greet you with "How are you?" A suitable response is "Fine, thanks." or "Very well, thanks."

Although you may find it strange to be greeted by your first name at an interview, this is not uncommon in English-speaking countries. However, wait until the interviewer invites you to call him or her by his or her first name:

 TIPS! Greetings and introductions

• Say the name of the person you are greeting. It sounds polite and friendly – and people like hearing their own name. But remember: only address the interviewer by his or her first name if they invite you to.
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The rhythm of the interview: expert tips for speaking on the big day

Sep 26, 2022

Journaliste indépendante.

They say that a successful job interview follows the 80/20 rule: the candidate speaks for 80% of the time, and the recruiter speaks for the remaining 20%. The recruiter’s role is to ask the right questions and supply key details about the role. The candidate is there to talk about their experiences and prove that they’re the best person for the job , using relevant and carefully worded answers. Well, that’s the theory …

In reality, things aren’t that simple. Managing your speaking time in an interview is no small feat: chances are, a little voice in your head is second-guessing your every sentence. “Take your time! No, hurry up. Now slow down! Time is running out: go, go, go!” How can you know if you’re speaking too much or not enough? Margaux Lefebvre, public speaking expert, is here to guide you through some classic interview situations, pointing out pitfalls to avoid and giving you the tools that you need to shine .

The monologue: to be, or not to be?

You’ve launched into a run-on speech that would make even a seasoned Shakespearean actor flinch. Words are practically falling out of your mouth, with ideas flying around left and right. By the time you’ve realized what’s happening, it’s already too late. Or is it?

“ Not necessarily,” says Lefebvre. It’s best to avoid the extremes—talking so much that the interviewer can’t get a word in, or remaining practically mute throughout the whole interview—but how a listener “feels” time depends on how you make them feel. “I like to use movies as an example,” she says. “ Several hours might go by in a flash in front of something like Lord of the Rings, but a thirty-minute short film might seem to drag on for eternity.” So, if you think that the ins and outs of your latest project are interesting enough to merit a full breakdown, then work out what you’re going to say ahead of time: that way, you can keep your listener hooked and draw their attention to the most important points.

You’re more likely to drone on if you feel like you’ve been put on the spot, perhaps in reaction to an unexpected question . You’ll start to explain yourself, then back up, go off at a tangent, keep adding ideas here and there, and before you know it, you’re rambling incoherently. “That’s why preparation is so important,” states Lefebvre. “You need to have one or two key messages you want to get across in your answers to any type of question. And if you get asked a question you weren’t expecting, take a few seconds to think about your response before you open your mouth.”

But what if you have a lot to say? The key is to remember that an interview is meant to be a conversation . Ask the interviewer how long they want to spend on a question: “ I have several relevant experiences in this area. How many would you like me to tell you about?” Alternatively, you could give a quick overview of what you have to say, then ask the interviewer if they’d like to hear more: “ Those are the main aspects, should I go on?”

Bridging awkward gaps in conversation

Talking too much can be a problem—but then, so can talking too little. Uncomfortable silences can be unnerving during an interview, especially if you don’t know whether it’s up to you or the interviewer to get things going again.

If your answer to a question is met with silence, perhaps the interviewer just needs a few moments to absorb what you’ve said , or maybe they’re thinking about their next question . If things are getting uncomfortable and the recruiter seems receptive, Lefebvre suggests asking a question (“ Do you want me to go on?” ) or even using humor to break the silence. “Acknowledging the silence can create a feeling of complicity between you and the recruiter, strengthening the human connection. Humor can disperse tension and lighten the tone of the discussion,” she explains.

What if you can’t answer a question ? Lefebvre’s answer is simple: don’t panic! An honest and open response is a token of maturity and candor. “Humor and sincerity are the best tools for building empathy. Whatever happens, admitting that you don’t have all the answers is rarely a bad move.”

The power of silence

Yes, silence can be stressful, but it can also be a valuable tool. That’s why you don’t need to jump in with an immediate answer to every question. Lefebvre suggests taking two to three seconds before responding, something she calls “ smart silence”. This short break allows the interviewer to re-focus their attention on what you’re about to say and shows you’ve thought about your answer.

You’ve heard the term “ethos” before, but did you know that the original Latin meaning relates to the impression made on others by a speaker? The greatest speakers know how to use silence to their own ends, to mark a point or create a compelling atmosphere: “ Silence is a key element of the ethos. It creates an impression of mastery. It makes you the master of your time,” says Lefebvre.

Silence also gives you time to think. A few precious seconds can be enough to develop a constructed, reasoned response to a question—and that’s far better than giving an immediate but irrelevant answer.

Paraverbal communication in interviews

Paraverbal communication is everything that relates to speech besides the actual words you use: your tone of voice, volume, speed, and so on. Do you tend to talk fast? Stress often causes people to speak even faster , so you’ll want to slow down. Lefebvre recommends practicing reading aloud to help slow yourself down and suggests candidates focus on their breathing.

Another point to think about is how you finish your sentences. Do you tend to trail off? Do you feel the need to say “that’s all” at the end of every answer? If you’re aware of any verbal tics you might have, you can do something about them: finishing your sentences neatly gives the impression of confidence. When you speak , your sentences will naturally “wind down”: at the end of a phrase, your speech slows, and the pitch of your voice gradually descends. The listener will know you’ve finished without you needing to tell them . “Don’t be afraid to leave a moment of silence at the end of your answer,” adds Lefebvre. “Silence is a clear sign that you’ve finished speaking, and the interviewer will pick up on that.” If the silence is getting uncomfortable, then you can always ask a question, as we said earlier. Aaaaand … that’s all.

Translated by Catherine Prady

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Welcome Speech in English: Best Samples, Examples & Tips

Why are welcome speeches necessary.

Most of the gatherings and ceremonies are held with a purpose. They are either planned events or spontaneous gatherings. In both cases, it is important to know how to organize such events. We must prepare ourselves to conduct the event properly.

Let us imagine that you are hosting a gathering. You have prepared everything, including food, drinks, decorations, etc., and even set up the stage. However, you forgot one thing – a welcome speech. What happens next? Do you start talking immediately without waiting for everyone to arrive? Of course not!

The same goes for a meeting. How many times did you attend meetings where people didn’t introduce themselves? Or worse, they talked about themselves too much during the meeting. In addition, some speakers talk directly to the audience without introducing themselves. This makes it difficult for the attendees to comprehend the event’s process and connect with its objectives.

So why is a welcome speech in English needed? To begin with, it is necessary to give a brief overview of the topic. Secondly, it helps to provide information about the organization and its history. Thirdly, it allows us to highlight our achievements. And finally, it creates a good impression on guests. Otherwise, they might ask questions like “Where is this event going?”.

Significance of welcome speech

The significance of the welcome speech won’t be apparent without understanding what makes up the history of an event. An event can be defined as a sequence of activities carried out over a period of time. These activities are usually organized into stages, each with a specific purpose. For example, an event may start with opening remarks, followed by a keynote address, and finally concluded with closing remarks. Each stage of an event has a different set of responsibilities.

In the case of a welcoming ceremony, the welcome speech is considered to be one of the most important parts of the whole gathering. In fact, it is the most crucial aspect of the entire event. This is because the welcome speech serves several purposes.

First, it introduces the guests to the host. Second, it provides information regarding the upcoming program. Third, it creates a positive impression among the attendees. Fourth, it helps in creating a sense of unity among the participants. Fifth, it helps in establishing good relations between the hosts and the guests. And finally, it ensures that the guest feels comfortable during the occasion.

Objectives of a Welcome Speech in English

The objective of a welcome speech in English is to introduce yourself and the rest of the attendees at the event. This is done through a short introduction about who you are, what you do, why you’re attending, etc. The following are the objectives of a welcome speech:

• Introduce yourself
• Provide Information regarding the event
• Create a positive impression among attendees
• Establish good relations between hosts and guests
• Ensure guests feel comfortable during the event
• Help build unity among participants
• Explain the purpose of the meeting/event
• Set up the agenda for the meeting/event
• Make introductions
• Give background info about the organization
• Highlight achievements (if any)

Welcome Speech Samples in the Education Field

There is a number of school gatherings that require welcome speeches, be it an official school gathering or an informal event. In this segment, we’ve sorted samples according to the typical events organized in schools. Take note of each paragraph and determine its purpose. You’ll be able to create a workable framework or basis for your current and future speech requirements.

Welcome Address in English For Students

It’s natural for attendees of any event to expect an introductory speech, which sets the tone for the occasion. A host can easily command attention with an effective welcome. Even the longest speeches have the capacity to hold an audience’s interest when delivered in a catchy and impressive manner.

A short opening speech for a commencement ceremony

To everyone present, good morning. A very warm welcome to our respected faculty, our remarkable parents, and our dear students. Special recognition is due for our Chief Guest (name of chief guest). It’s a true honor to have such a successful alumnus (or state the chief guest’s job title). We express our biggest gratitude for accepting our invitation to deliver today’s keynote speech.

I’m standing here as a lucky witness to our dear students’ academic journey. Our school is very proud of everything you have accomplished and your small but not minor contributions to society. You’ve brought prestige to our name and deserve the title of one of our school’s most successful and dedicated batch of students.

With your teachers’ guidance and parents’ support, you’ve reached remarkable heights. I’d like to take this time to extend my gratitude to our faculty and our parents, for understanding, encouraging, and nurturing our students.

Graduates, you are about to start another chapter in your life. An exciting yet scary period. From now on, you will face more challenges, but I am confident that you’re adequately equipped to face any tribulation that comes your way. Remember that with conviction and self-belief, no mountain is too high to climb. The laurels you’ve brought back to our school are only the beginning. I am genuinely excited to see the astonishing feats that your futures hold.

A long opening speech for a commencement ceremony

Good morning everyone! I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our esteemed faculty, astounding parents, and our dear students. I’m honored to open our commencement ceremony and stand here where many of our accomplished alumni who I look up to once stood.

I extend a particularly warm welcome to our Chief Guest (name of chief guest), who as one of our outstanding alumni, has really set the standard for exemplary accomplishments.

(enumerate key achievements of chief guest)

Her/his professional and philanthropic endeavors attest to their upbringing and the values she/he lives by. We want to thank you for responding positively to our invitation to be the keynote speaker on today’s auspicious occasion.

As another academic year reaches its end, I’m sure that our dear students are anxious and also filled with hope and excitement. This is their final school event in our renowned school/college/university (name of school). But hopefully, it won’t be their last awarding ceremony.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented and passionate group of graduates who have earned laurels in honor of our school, adding to its distinction and great reputation. The amazing encouragement and unconditional support of our parents throughout the school year have been extraordinary. They have stood by their children in every school event. Our teachers and staff are truly thankful for the trust you’ve given us. Your children’s journey wouldn’t have been a huge success without your guidance and nurture.

It’s been a remarkable experience to witness the passion and commitment our students have exhibited in all their undertakings. I am filled with certitude that you will achieve whatever goal you’ve set your mind on. Adulthood is going to be jammed with more trials you’ve never imagined before. I am kidding. Maybe. Joking aside, you will win as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.

Remember that you are valuable and take every challenge you face as an opportunity to prove your worth and get better. Also, surround yourselves with people who are good for your well-being and treat them the way you’d like to be treated.

Maintain your sense of humor because not much else will get you through when the going gets rough. Life can be very special and you can truly make a mark, which doesn’t always need to have global proportions. Be accountable for your mistakes and learn from them. Keep nurturing your passions and remain as driven, bright, and astonishing as you are today. You are all wonderful and I can’t wait to see your future accomplishments, because they will be great.

Thank you and do us proud!

Welcome Speech for a College Function

(General greeting, i.e. good morning/afternoon/evening) to all (the audience attending the event, e.g. the parents, teachers, students, etc.) and our respected Principal (name of principal). It’s with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to (name of school)’s (name of event or ceremony).

Our college nurtures the ideologies of discipline and pride in one’s work and aims to hone our students as responsible and productive members of society. It is in this spirit that we celebrate today.

To commence our festivities, allow me to introduce one of our most esteemed alumni. Our Chief Guest (title and name of chief guest) has embodied the values fostered by our prominent and respected college. (Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest). We honor you for your contributions to society and our city, most especially, which future generations will surely benefit from. With your hard work, dedication, and charitable spirit, you have set the goalposts we aspire to reach in order to make the world a much better place than we’ve found it.

(Initiate a round of applause)

Welcome Speech for a Yearly Function

(General greeting, i.e. good morning/afternoon/evening to all)

Honorable Chief Guest (name of guest), our beloved Principal (name of principal), our amazing faculty and staff members, our dearest parents and fellow students, and to everyone present, I welcome you all to (name of school/college/university)’s annual function.

My name is Lakshmi Gupta, a student of the Information Technology Department, and also the president of our school’s Cultural Exchange Organization and founder of the Languages Club.

It is with tremendous pride that I announce our prestigious school’s Silver Jubilee anniversary. We’re gathered today to celebrate 25 years of estimable service and success. The remarkable accomplishments of our elite school since its foundation won’t be possible without its long history of dedicated and respected teachers and passionate students, its tireless staff, and the unconditional support from our parents.

It’s also a great honor to introduce our Chief guest and keynote speaker. Any introduction won’t do justice to the extraordinary achievements she/he has attained throughout her/his career. (Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest). She/he is truly one of the most treasured and incredible alumni our school has produced. Without further ado, let’s give a round of applause to (title and name of chief guest).

Welcome Speech for the School Principal

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning!

I’m truly pleased and honored to welcome our new principal (title and name of principal). He has previously worked for 5 years at Lumos International as principal and has succeeded in revitalizing their academic standing and programs, especially in English and Cultural Studies.

I have gotten to know her/him over the last few days during the transition phase and found her/him to be a brave and progressive intellectual, with a great ideology and vision for the future of (name of school), our beloved school.

On behalf of the current administration, our board of trustees, the faculty, the staff, and our student body, we wholeheartedly extend a great welcome to you (title and name of principal).

We hope that with your leadership, energy, and enthusiasm, we shall start a new era of learning and reach greater excellence.

Congratulations and welcome!

Welcome Speech for Teachers Day

Good morning! We welcome everyone today who is here to celebrate this annual event for their beloved teachers. We don’t always get to thank our teachers, but on this day, we pay tribute to our second parents.

They have provided guidance and given their light to educate and lead us to a journey of wonder, discovery, and knowledge. For their efforts, they deserve the greatest of honors and our utmost respect.

Our steadfast yet affectionate teachers should be our role models. They inspire us daily and motivate us to reach our greatest potential. They impart wisdom so that we don’t only excel academically, but as good people and responsible members of our society.

So on Teacher’s Day, it’s all about them and giving them the honor that many take for granted. Thank you, dear teachers!

Welcome Speech for Children’s Day

Good morning everybody!

Today we extend our appreciation and the warmest embrace to our beloved students to celebrate Children’s Day!

It’s been a blessing to be a part of nurturing children’s sense of wonder and imagination. These are qualities we often lose as we grow up, and it’s awesome to witness them happen every day.

Children’s innocence and love are incomparable and difficult to resist. Their smile is the closest thing to heaven that we can glimpse in the world.

School is your children’s second home, and we teachers are their second parents. We thank you for the opportunity to take care of and guide your little angels.

Join us to celebrate our students and make this day as eventful and fun as it can be!

Welcome Speech for Freshers Party

Welcome everyone to our Fresher’s party!

We’ve all gathered here today to celebrate the gift of possibilities and commence the experience of a new beginning.

It’s of utmost pleasure to welcome everyone, especially all my freshers to today’s festivities. I extend my deepest gratitude to all my teachers and everyone who helped make this event a reality. Look at this place, it’s amazing!

University or school life isn’t just about getting a higher education – brace yourself for the adventure of a lifetime! This is the period to create good memories and meet people who can be a permanent part of your academic and later professional lives. May you develop the relationships and acquire the necessary skills to succeed in life.

But for now, let’s leave our worries and cares out in the hall. Let’s celebrate your wise decision to matriculate in our institution. Our college has prepared special events and an entertainment program highlighting some of our talented students.

The next few hours will be memorable and exciting! Thank you for listening and let’s get on with it!

Have a good time!

Welcome Speech Samples for Business

Much like in academic settings, there are more formal events that happen in professional contexts. Some may need a welcome address to introduce special guests or welcome the attendees of a conference. Some are informal events that welcome those who are invited to special occasions at the office and the people they’re honoring. Note down the key phrases and objectives of the samples below and use the same structure in your own welcome or introduction speech in English.

Sample of Welcome Speech for a Goodbye Get-together

Good evening everyone!

Welcome to my farewell party. I know, I know. You all said you’re sorry to see me go, but that you all would need food and entertainment first to deal with your sadness. So here we are. I shall deliver.

As the Semisonic song goes “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” And so it is with great gratitude that the VP in Japan decided to retire early, so the end of his role can mark the beginning of mine. To Toni Takitani, thanks for deciding you’ve had enough!

Kidding aside, I’d like to thank my friends who made this very corporate event a huge success. Look at this, my goodness!

Most importantly, I want to impart my profound gratitude to my boss (name of the boss). Without you, this party won’t have a band. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Or I could, but none of them would have changed my life as positively as you have. It saddens me to leave you the most, but it comforts me that you were my biggest source of encouragement to go. Or it may have been your plan all along. Genius!

So to everyone who came, thank you. I’ll have time to thank you properly later, but for now, let’s eat!

Welcome Speech Sample for a Business Conference

Good morning to everyone who came out to join us here today. My name is Julius Kaizer and I’ll be hosting today’s events.

Before anything else, I’d like to take this moment to thank Merville & Posque Inc., their CEO Mr. Hyori Asano and his team for putting this event together in record time. It won’t be possible without your tireless dedication and contributions. I also want to thank everyone who came, our remarkable associates from Osaka, Chiang Rai, and Quezon, our wonderful clients who have stuck with us through thick and thin, and our amazing consultants in various fields of energy conservation. Your interest and patronage are very much appreciated.

A great welcome to all our extraordinary employees and staff members, some of whom have worked and grown along our company’s 23-year history. A big welcome, too, to our interns who have recently joined and brightened our corporate offices.

Today marks the 15th annual MPBC and it’s an honor to be a host in this glorious congress. I myself will be staying for the conference’s entirety to learn what I can about sustainable energy systems and their various implications and impact on the future of our planet.

The activities today will include an overview of all the forums, seminars, and exhibits around the MPBC complex. Second, we will have the inauguration of the new bio-dome on the grounds where we will also honor this year’s retirees. The afternoon’s seminars will kick off after lunch, and I encourage you to attend the discussions and learn about our future plans and projects. Finally, I’d like to encourage everyone to help yourselves to the snack stations in the hallway. Refreshments and sandwiches are on us for the duration of the conference.

I won’t keep you long and let’s begin the day. I wish all of you a valuable and wonderful time! Thank you.

Welcome Speech for a Business Workshop

Good afternoon everyone!

I am so pleased to see you all here. Welcome to my workshop, or should I say “our” workshop. I am truly overjoyed and excited about learning together and helping you reach a breakthrough in industry-scale coding practices.

This workshop aims to cover new software and the importance of earning certificates in several computer applications such as VM Suite, Landscape 5.0, and NF Tech.

I hope you’ll learn a lot in the next few hours and I promise to try to make our activities as engaging and hands-on as possible. Good luck and thanks again for participating in our workshop.

Welcome Speech for Office Events

My name is (your name), the (position in the company), and your host for this meeting. To our CEO (title and name of the CEO), (next are the dignitaries for the company hierarchy if any), all the staff members and their loved ones, and our beloved employees. I welcome you all to the (name of the event) of (name of company).

We are here today to honor our employees’ achievements in their respective fields and departments. Your efforts to attain and sustain the standards we keep aren’t unnoticed. This awarding ceremony seeks to remind us about the value and pride we should have in our accomplishments, and the significance of collaboration and teamwork. It is our spirit of community and faith in our abilities that represent the vision of (name of company). May we continue to grow through hard work, accountability, and cooperation.

To start off with our first award, let’s call up (title and position of the presenter), (name of the presenter).

Welcome Speech Samples for Family Functions

Huge family events often have speeches: weddings, birthdays, farewell parties, funerals, anniversaries, and so on. Some of these events normally have hosts and esteemed guests. Here are some tips and samples to inspire you.

Tips on Welcoming the Chief Guest?

If you’re searching for tips on how to make a welcome speech for guest, here are some things you can do:

• When drafting your speech, do the research.
• Highlight the key qualities that are worth mentioning in an opening welcome speech for event.
• Take note of the welcome address speech sample in this article and create a framework from them.
• Look up welcome speech quotes and choose the best one to use somewhere in your speech.
• Greet the chief guest at the event personally and introduce yourself if you don’t know each other.
• Extend your hard for a handshake and smile to express that they are honored and welcome to the event.
• Smile and suggest they are being welcomed.
• Address them formally with the usual Miss or Mr.
• Escort the chief guest before you assume host duties.

Welcoming the Chief Guest with a Short Speech

It’s a great honor to welcome our Chief guest and tonight’s keynote speaker. I was worried at first about how to introduce (title and name of Chief guest) because any introduction would pale in comparison to the reality and immensity of her/his accomplishments.

(Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest).

She/he is the ultimate inspiration for young professionals everywhere who want to succeed in the field of international trade. Here to inspire us with her career journey and all the experiences she accumulated along the day, join me in giving a round of applause to (title and name of chief guest).

Welcoming the Chief Guest (Longer Version of the Speech)

Introducing our next attendee is a great pleasure of mine. When she/he accepted our invitation to be tonight’s Chief guest and keynote speaker, I almost jumped for joy. Then I realized I would naturally receive the task of introducing her/him. At first, this gave me great anxiety. How would I be able to pull it off and deliver an introduction that would give her background justice? Then I thought, no introduction would ever compare, so it was foolish to aim for success when failure is guaranteed. So I decided to just do it. Our chief guest has accomplished the following, to name a few:

As I looked at her/his professional and personal successes, I realized here is a woman/man who was faced many times with the certainty of failure but had given her circumstances a grad twist by attaining success against all odds. Then I thought, perhaps I should aim for success in this speech, after all.

She/he is an inspiration to many, not only for all the fields of expertise she has earned and the extreme success that went with the process, but she/he has also set the benchmark for philanthropy and good deeds. She/he has done this quietly, too, and she/he might strangle me for revealing it to the public. I didn’t even know half of the wonderful things she/he has done for our community before my research.

Without further ado, and here to inspire us with her wisdom and grand skill, join me in welcoming our Chief guest (title and name of chief guest).

Welcome Speech for Parents

Hi everyone!

As host and brother of the groom, I’d like to take this time to introduce the parents of the bride. Without them, my brother wouldn’t be the lucky and happy man he is today. More than that, I have witnessed how they accepted my brother and treated him as a son long before the engagement. I often tag along on family trips and have spent hours of wonderful conversations with them. Apart from my own parents, they are two of the most affectionate and hospitable people I’ve ever met. If I could meet a woman whose parents are just like them, I’d consider myself half as lucky as my brother.

Let’s give a round of applause for (names of the bride’s parents). Thank you for embracing my brother into the fold.

Welcome Speech Samples for National Holidays

Below is a sample of a welcome speech typically delivered during Annual Day. Substitute the appropriate details to match your information and use the framework in other speeches reserved for national holidays.

Welcome Speech for Annual Day

I am overjoyed to have this chance to welcome all of you to our elite institution’s 25th Annual Day. Today’s children are the hope of the next generation. All these graduates we see today, receiving awards for their achievements will go on to lead successful lives. Let them live up to the expectations set before them.

I am very happy to be a member of such an elite school where we learned from such great professors who teach us beyond the boundaries of the ordinary classroom. They’re also the minds and hands behind such a big event every year. I’d like to use this chance to organize such a wonderful event this year. It’s also a great pleasure of mine to introduce our Chief Guest.

Welcome speeches are necessary at events. They usually set the tone or expectations of the people who attended or participated in the occasion. There are many ways in going about delivering a welcome address speech. Review the samples in this article and do your due diligence to craft an outline, framework, or skeleton from the contents that you can use in welcome speeches of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

A good welcome speech has the following qualities: * It is sincere. * It can hold the attention of the audience. * The ideas don’t ramble. * Welcome address quotes are used. One for a short welcome speech, and 2 for a longer one. Never 3, unless the speaker is trying to be funny. * The contents are relevant to the event. * It has an impressive anecdote. * The length doesn’t exceed 5 minutes.

The last segment of this article contains tips on welcoming chief guests, esteemed guests, or guests of honor. The tips contained here can be divided into things to consider while drafting the welcome speech, and things to do at the event itself when meeting the chief guest.

A simple thank you would suffice. Make sure you reiterate your gratitude. Some welcome speeches can end with a line that welcomes the guest of honor.

Depending on the context, a welcome speech doesn’t always need to be impressive. In some situations, a straightforward introduction is all you need. However, in some circumstances like commencement ceremonies, farewell parties, dinners, and some others, the audience is prepared to listen to long speeches. In this case, the speech needs to catch the attention of the attendees and maintain their interest. An impressive welcome speech often has an emotional element. Not just parroting big words to describe a person’s achievements or flatter them. Try to use humor if you’re funny by nature or if you can deliver the punchline well. Use popular quotes in your speech. Tell anecdotes relevant to the attendees. Or reveal an epiphany. These are how you should draft a welcome speech set to impress.

Make sure that it is relevant to the content of your welcome speech or the point you’re making. You can use phrases such as the following: * According to… * As the old saying goes… * There’s a quote that has always stuck with me… * Events like this always remind me of one of my favorite quotes… Try to find quotes that are unique and not cliche. You can find some in the lyrics of contemporary music, or lines and dialogues from books and movies, and so on.

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How to Write a Welcome Speech

Last Updated: July 29, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,643,471 times.

Are you on welcome speech duty for an upcoming program or event? You’ve got nothing to worry about—with the right format and tone, it’s super easy to write and present a welcome speech for just about any occasion. We’ve outlined everything you need to know, from your opening greetings and acknowledgments, to establishing the right tone and nailing your closing remarks. You’ve got this in the bag!

Greeting the Audience

• Keep the tone more serious if it's an important occasion. Use more formal language and don't crack any inappropriate jokes. For example, at a wake, you might say, "We're so glad to have you all here tonight. We appreciate your presence at this difficult time."

• For an event with close friends and family, more informal language might be appropriate. Include a few jokes and keep your speech more lighthearted.

Patrick Muñoz

Grab your audience's attention with a strong opening. Start with a loud voice and a strong presence that welcomes everyone and gets them involved. Ask a question they can respond to or tell a joke — anything to connect with the audience. Do something that grabs their attention and excites them and makes them thrilled about the event.

• Special guests include any people of honor, those that may play a particularly important part in the event, or those who have traveled a long way to be there.
• Make sure that you practice all of names, titles, and pronunciations of the special guests before your speech.
• For example you could say, "We'd like to extend a special welcome to our guest of honor, Judge McHenry, who will be speaking later tonight."
• Alternatively to welcome a group of people you might say, "While we're excited to have you all here tonight, we'd especially like to say welcome to the students from Johnson Middle School."

• For an informal event such as a birthday party, you could say, "We're so happy to have you here tonight to eat, drink, and celebrate another year of Jessica's life. Now, let's get to it."
• For a more formal event such as one run by an organisation, you could say, “We are so excited to have you all here to participate in our 10th annual pet’s day, organised by the Animal Rescue Group.”

Forming the Body of the Speech

• An example of acknowledging individual people is saying, “We couldn’t have pulled off this fundraiser without the hard work and dedication of Grace and Sally, who worked tirelessly from day 1 to make today a reality.”
• Avoid reading off a long list of people or sponsors, as your audience will begin to get bored. Stick to just a handful of highlights.

• For instance, at a conference, you might point out when the dinner will be held, or where particular sessions will take place.
• At a wedding reception, you might note when dancing will start or when the cake will be served.

• Alternatively, you could end the body of your speech during an informal gathering by saying, “I can't wait to see you all out on the dancefloor!”

Ending the Speech

• You could also say that you hope that the audience takes something away from the event. For example, “I hope that today inspires ideas and discussions around the ways that we can make our city a better place!”

• At a formal event, you might say, "Now, for our speaker. Rebecca Roberts comes here from Montreal, Canada, and she is a leading expert in the study of the human brain. She'll be speaking tonight on what drives humans to make decisions. Let's welcome her."
• For a more informal event such as a party, you could say, “Next up is Sam, who has been Kyle’s best friend for 10 years strong. He has a decade of embarrassing stories about Kyle to share with us tonight!"

• Alternatively you might say, “Thank you again to everyone for being here tonight to celebrate Joe and Kathleen’s 50th wedding anniversary! Let the celebrations begin!”

• If you are unsure, ask the organiser or host what an appropriate length of time for your speech will be.

Writing Help

Community Q&A

• Practice your speech in front of trusted friends and family in the days leading up to the event. [12] X Research source Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/effective-welcome-speech
• ↑ https://www.examples.com/education/speech/welcome-speech-for-conference.html
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/how-5574707-write-welcome-speech.html
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/write-after-dinner-speech-8035341.html
• ↑ https://uark.pressbooks.pub/speaking/chapter/closing-a-speech/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery

About This Article

To write a welcome speech, start with a greeting to your audience that’s appropriate to the situation. For example, you could try “Good evening ladies and gentlemen” if you’re introducing a formal event, or “Thank you everyone for coming on this sunny day” for a more relaxed occasion. After you’ve finished the greeting, introduce the event by talking about who organized it and what its purpose is. In the main body of your speech, acknowledge 2 or 3 people who played important parts in organizing the event. You should also emphasize special parts of the event that people should pay attention to, such as where dinner will be or where a conference session will take place. When you’re ready to conclude your speech, tell the audience to enjoy the event by saying something like “I hope you all enjoy the exciting speakers to come.” Finish your speech by thanking the audience for attending. For tips on how to introduce people at a special occasion, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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12 Interview Scripts (Opening and Closing)

Arley’s comments:

You’ve done a lot well here. You’ve organized your information clearly and have given lots of examples and visuals. You’ve also explained the types of questions that will be in the script. However, when revising, we’ll need to look at source use. There are some sentences and phrases from the original sources that have been included in the document, though the author has made an attempt to cite. We will need to paraphrase these. Also, the graphics don’t have a Creative Commons license, so we will need to make our own or find other sources.  We also might want to give a sample script, so the reader can see how these progress.

Judy’s comments:

There is a lot of good information here which is structured and organized well, making it easy to follow and read.  However, the focus here is on interview question vs. focusing on creating a script for the opening and closing of an interview. Moving forward what needs to be done is to review the material from Week 5 which pertains to opening and closing an interview and then research this topic further to create guidelines (or tips) for both opening and closing a job interview as well as prepare and include sample scripts for both.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will learn

Introduction

• Types of interview questions
• Open-Ended interview questions
• Guidelines to prepare open-ended interview analysis
• objectives of preparing guidelines
• Sample script of open-ended interview
• Close-Ended interview questions
• Guidelines to prepare Close-Ended interview

Sample script of Close-Ended interview

• More information about the open-ended and close-ended interview

An interview script refers to a set of questions and answers which is likely to be answered by the candidate, it is more of a streamlined process so that they can be prepared as much as possible. Although those candidates have no idea what type of questions are asked such scripts help to feel more confident and relaxed before attending an interview. Each HR department holds a different interview script to find the right candidate. There are a few steps to consider while formatting an interview script, to keep it organized firstly, one should prepare interviewer questions and then interviewee answers. (LaRock, 2019) In this section, we are going to get a deeper insight into the opening and closing interview scripts, as these are the main areas where we can analyze the personality or presentation of our candidate.

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/thmb/dQeSo_2YhuZ_6IJva6Q1Nnno_8o=/950×0/filters:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/job-interview-questions-and-answers-2061204-Final-109bcdbb88a34d1a9746a56c96d6c3a4.png

https://create.piktochart.com/output/55225647-interview-questions

Types of Interview Questions

It is important to get prepared well before taking an interview as it is the responsibility of the interviewer to analyze and understand the skills and talents of the candidate, which required asking both open-ended and closed-ended questions rest all the questions come along while conversing with the candidate. The interview questions are classified into 4 as follows:

https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/258/2021/07/n.png

• Open-ended interview questions
• Closed-ended interview questions
• Hypothetical Interview questions
• Outside-the-box interview questions

Open-ended Interview Questions

Open-ended questions are usually the questions to make the candidate feel relaxed and comfortable, these questions require thought and are obliged to reveal the job seeker’s attitudes and opinions, for example, behavioral questions. Here, the candidate demonstrates more about their communication skills, for this, the interviewer asks some personal and past experience-related questions. (Half, 2020)

Examples of Open-ended questions

• “Can you describe how you handle tight deadlines on the job?”
• “Can you give me an illustration of how you improved productivity at your last job?”
• “Why do you want to work for this company?”
• “What are your methods for avoiding errors?”
• “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?”
• “What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced in any job?”
• “What direction do you see your career taking in five years?”
• “What does your ideal job look like?”
• “What could your current company do to be more successful?”

(Half, 2020)

When to use it?

These above-mentioned questions should be asked frequently throughout the interview process. This will help you be freer between certain questions or case types, and the interviewer should always ensure that these questions are combined with closed-ended questions. (Half, 2020)

Pitfall to avoid: The interviewer must ask the candidate to understand and answer the question, otherwise they may lose their way and probably will not answer the closed-ended question because both questions must be sufficiently linked. (Half 2020)

Benefits of Open-ended questions

• Allow Unlimited Answers – These questions will open a way to ask another set of questions. The interviewer has a great opportunity to gather a lot of information about the candidate. Different candidates carry out conversations in different ways from different angles.
•  Provide Unexpected New Insights- Open-ended questions help elicit unexpected answers from different perspectives that the interviewer may never have thought of. For example, suggestions or solutions to different problems can allow the interviewer to understand the potential of the candidate .
•  Provides more detail- Here, the responses prepared by the interviewer are just the way the candidate speaks, providing more nuance, explaining them more fluently, and leading to less ambiguous responses.
•  Provides more detailed qualitative data- These types of questions provide more qualitative answers and help interviewers read between the lines and understand them as individuals.
•  Express your views and opinions- Open-ended questions will allow interviewers to analyze the emotions, feelings, and personality of the person as they discuss the path or ideas based on their personality/point of view.
•  Tracking the entire customer journey- Interviewers need to have a general understanding of their candidates to provide feedback and make them satisfied with their performance in the interview. (Learn, 2021)

Limitations of Open-ended questions

• Time-consuming – Here, the candidate is likely to talk about his life or personal experience in detail, which may lead to extended conversation time and the interviewer may not be able to complete the interview on time.
•  Low response rate -If the candidate takes a long time to answer open-ended questions, this may result in fewer answers to closed-ended questions, and they may answer some questions prepared for closed-ended questions.
•   Difficult to compare – Because the answers are objective, it will be a difficult task for the interviewer to compare and recall all answers with data points and consistent results.
•  Irrelevant information – Some candidates may provide irrelevant information, which can lead to missing clues to the question and confusion when answering.
•   Difficult to analyze- These problems are more difficult to analyze because they contain unstructured data and therefore are not easy to calculate. (Learn, 2021)

  Guidelines to prepare an open-ended interview:

• Use Relevant Examples:  Every question is answered with unlimited responses, but they won’t all get you  the work . Tailor your response  to suit  the position by using relevant examples. When asked “If  you’ll  have  the right  job, what  wouldn’t it  be?” use the responsibilities  related to  the position  to make  your dream  description ,  rather than  sharing your fantasy of becoming a  rocker .
• Be Specific:  Interviewers ask vague  inquiries to  see where you’ll  accompany  them. Offer  an in-depth  response  to color  a transparent  picture of  the rationale  you’re  the simplest  choice for  the work . The more pointed your response is,  the better  it’ll  be for the hiring manager  to measure  your fit. Rambling and veering off-track will only earn you a rejection letter.
• Practice Replies to Common Inquiries:  Expect to be asked standard questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why are you  the simplest  person for the job?” Anticipate these inquiries  before  time and prepare a winning response. It  is often  difficult to  consider  an excellent  reply on the spot, so do your homework  and are available  to the interview  able to  give your well-rehearsed reply.
• Let Your Personality Shine:  Many companies ask quirky questions like “If you were an animal, which one would you be?”  to urge  a glimpse of your personality and see if  you’d  be  an honest  fit for  their company culture. You can’t really anticipate these inquiries, so be  able to  think fast. Let your true personality show, because that’s what the interviewer wants  to ascertain . If you’re  an honest  fit for  the position, then great. If not, it’s better  to understand  now than after accepting an  employment  offers.   

(Connelly, 2015)

What words are used?

  When people speak, their communication often exceeds their intentions. Pay attention to the connotation of the words used by the interviewee. Look for ambiguous words that can have multiple meanings.

 What is the context?

The interview did not happen in a vacuum; everything the interviewee said happened in a certain context. Sometimes, the context can have a significant impact on the results. For example, comments may be influenced by factors such as widespread media attention on related topics, local news about education cuts, etc.

 To what extent are these beliefs, feelings, or thoughts shared?

One of the biggest challenges of qualitative research is to understand the level of attention paid to various comments. What is a major discovery, what is a minor discovery, and what is not a discovery at all?

 Here are some simple guidelines to help you make these distinctions:

• Frequency and amplitude. How often does this view appear in interviews? How many people agree with this view? A widely held view or experience can be an important discovery, while a view that appears only once may not (unless it is a good idea or knowledge).
• Strength. How strongly do people feel about this view? Is the interviewee enthusiastic about a particular point of view, or is it neutral and carefree?
• Specificity. Are the interviewees’ feelings and beliefs based on specific personal feelings and experiences, or do they generally refer to “what most people say”? For example, in a particular OST program, the specific anecdote of injuries due to poor supervision should have more weight than the interviewee’s “everyone said that the place is not good”.  (Workbook E, Page 17)

https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/258/2021/05/G-OEI.png

Sample script of Open-Ended interview

Open-Ended Interview script

Manager: Hi Daniel. Thank you for being here today. This is Gracey Katlyn Pleased to meet you.

Applicant:  Hi, I am Daniel Cortez. Nice to meet you too.

 Manager:   Tell me about yourself.

Applicant: I am an excellent team member. I like to collaborate and contribute as much as possible during the project. If I finish my homework and have free time, I will ask my colleagues if I can do something for them. I always try to take the time to answer any questions, especially questions from new team members. I believe that teamwork and collaboration can help create better and more efficient results. ”

Manager: What are your greatest strengths?

Applicant:  “I have always been a born leader. I also regularly hone my management skills through 360 reviews and candid meetings with the team, and I know that continuing to develop my leadership skills is the goal of my next position. ”

Manager: What is your motivation?

Applicant: One of my biggest motivations is the end-user experience. In my current role as a front-end developer, I know how many details can improve the product. I want to make sure that each button is in the best position, that the drop-down menu is correct, and that each page can be enlarged. Receiving positive feedback from clients or clients motivates me to do my best. ”

Manager: What makes you a suitable candidate for this job?

Applicant:  Judging from the information I have gathered about your company; your company has a strong work system and you need organized employees to manage day-to-day operations. My Work experience shows that I have a history of success in organizing and communicating with employees. I look forward to using my skills to benefit the organization. ”

Manager: Where will you be in five years?

Applicant:   Five Years later, I believe that I am in a middle management position in this company, and I have a strong view of top management. If possible, I want to take on the role of product manager and then maybe take a coaching position. I have worked hard to improve my leadership skills for success and growth, and this company is the ideal environment to do so.

Indeed Editorial Team (November 30, 2020)

Cl ose-ended  Inte rvie w Questions

The close-ended questions are usually simple answers which might be yes or no, multiple types, ordinal, interval, and ratio type questions which will help you to gain factual information. They can be complicated and confusing based on the answers given in open-ended questions. (Half, 2020)

Examples of Closed-ended questions:

• “How many years did you work for your last employer?”
• “Have you ever worked in a different industry?”
• “What’s the longest you’ve worked for any employer?”
• “Are you comfortable working remotely?”
• “Do you have much experience with social media?”

These types of questions are best while eliciting or setting a stage for complex questions as they might get a path to answer or can make them feel relaxed while ending pleasantly. (Half, 2020)

Pitfall to avoid: The interviewer should not ask too many close-ended questions as the candidate can feel interrogated especially when the interviewer is not able to link the entire process. (Half, 2020)

Benefits of Close-ended questions

• Easier and quicker to answer: These type of questions can be answered easily and faster as they are one option or one-word answers and does not need much time.
• Help in obtaining measurable and quantitative data: These questions can be easily measured or corrected as there is only one answer and the candidates selected with the right one can be hired or called for the next round.
• Better understanding through answer options: The candidate doesn’t need to know the answer for all the questions but when they look at the options available it’s easy for them to identify the right one.
• Customers are more likely to respond: It takes only less time to answer given questions as they just need to select the answer and don’t have to give any explanation.
• Help to get rid of irrelevant answers: This type of question is structured data with predefined relevant answers.
• Comparable answers: The answers provided by the candidate are easy to compare with other candidates.
• Can be customized easily: these questions are easy to replicate and modify based on the type of survey, organization, or business. (Dawer, 2019)

Limitations of Close-ended questions

• Unable to provide detailed information: Although these questions can be answered easily the interviewer won’t be able to acquire the exact answer or reason why they have opted for certain options.
• Cannot help to receive customer opinions: The candidate cannot provide the reason why they have rated the products or services of the company and this can hamper the interviewer from selecting the right candidate.
• It is not possible to cover all possible answers: All the candidates are different from each other and might not have the option as per their knowledge or thinking this can limit their options or opinions about certain services or products provided by the company.
• More choices can create more confusion: Providing more than 3 options can confuse the candidate and they might end up in some answers which they are sure of.
• Can suggest answers which the customer may not be thinking: Some candidates might not even be thinking the same way as the questions and options are given but the options will make them think differently.
• Customers having no opinion will also answer: In some cases, the candidate might not even have any idea about the questions given but to complete the survey and get the feedback they might tick or select one option other than leaving it unattended.
• Not possible to find out if the question is misinterpreted: If the candidate misinterprets the answer in a closed-end question this will make the interviewer realize their mistake when answered the open-ended questions. (Dawer, 2019)

Guidelines to prepare close-ended interview

• First, the closing signals the termination of the interview but not the relationship.
• Second, the closing may express supportiveness to enhance the relationship and bring the interview to a positive close.
• Third, the closing may summarize the interview. A summary must accurately reflect the important elements of the interview.
• Be sincere and honest.
• Do not rush the closing.
• Do not introduce new topics or ideas during the closing.
• Leave the door open for future contacts.
• Avoid false closings when the interview is not really over.
• Avoid failed departures when you soon meet up again with the party after having concluded the interview.   ( Ch4 Structuring the Interview , 2017)

 Manager: Have you at any point been terminated from a task? Indeed or no? Clarify.

 Applicant: No. There has never been any justification a business to release me.

 Manager: Do you get a kick out of the chance to work under tension? Indeed or no? Clarify. 

 Applicant: Yes. Obviously, it relies upon the sort of pressing factor yet when in doubt I would need to answer that I do. I find that pressing factor will in general further develop my presentation since it builds my assurance to take care of business. I feel that I am a self-starter however pressure gives me that additional motivation or push that we as a whole need every once in a while.

Manager: With what number of different associations have you met? What are their names?

Applicant: This is the solitary meeting I have had up until now. I’m by and large amazingly specific.

Manager: Do you realize how to utilize or work on (typewriter, PC, drill press, the 3 C’s of selling, SWOT examination, and so forth)? Indeed or no? Clarify.

Applicant: Yes. I utilized (a typewriter, PC, drill press, and so on) in my last work and turned out to be intimately acquainted with it. I additionally found that I did very well with it and came to appreciate utilizing it.

Manager:   Are you looking for work in an organization of a specific size? Indeed or no? Clarify.

Applicant:  Yes. I might want to work for an organization that offers me an opportunity to create and utilize the entirety of my abilities. I feel an enormous organization can allow me that opportunity.

  Manager: Are you satisfied with your experience with us? 

Applicant: Yes. I am looking forward to hear from you.

Thank you for your time, Daniel. We will disclose the results soon.

( The Closed-Ended Questions during an Interview , 2014)

Difference between Open-Ended Interview and Close-Ended Interview

(Dossetto, 2014)

https://www.hotjar.com/blog/open-ended-questions/

To conclude, the open and closed-ended questions play an important role in an interview as they offer both quantitative and qualitative answers despite all the case type questions asked, as it is essential for a company to know and understand the communication skill of the employee to attract more customers and for that the employee should able to talk briefly and sufficiently rather than providing some irrelevant answers. These types of characteristics can be only analyzed in the open-ended questions as they will share their personal and professional experience and in the case of close-ended questions, they share more of their feelings or emotions towards certain aspects of situations. Therefore, an interviewer has to be fully prepared and expect surprising answers from the candidates.

• Qualitative data:  Qualitative data focuses on the characteristics. It is generally used when the descriptive form of data is needed to be collected.
• Quantitative data: Quantitative data is measured in terms of numerical values. It is collected when there is a need to analyze the statistical data.
• Hypothetical interviews: Hypothetical data are a kind of theoretical data based on assumptions.
• Out-of-the-box interviews: Out-of-the-box interviews mean being more creative and innovative. It means to think logically.

LaRock, H. (2019, December 13). How to Write an Interview Script . Bizfluent.

https://bizfluent.com/13370557/how-to-write-an-interview-script

Half, R. (2020, August 26). 4 Types of Job Interview Questions to Help You Dig Deeper . 4 Types of Interview Questions Employers Ask | Robert Half.

https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/how-to-interview-candidates/job-interview-questions-4-types-to-consider

learn, monkey. (2021, January 25). What Are Open-ended Questions? Advantages & Disadvantages . MonkeyLearn Blog. https://monkeylearn.com/blog/advantages-of-open-ended-questions/

Connelly, S. (2015, November 30). Tips for Answering Open-Ended Interview Questions . SPARKS GROUP.

https://blog.sparksgroupinc.com/candidate/tips-for-answering-open-ended-interview-questions#:~:text=Use%20these%20guidelines,a%20job%20offer.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/tough-open-ended-questions

Dawer, N. (2019, October 9). Advantages & Disadvantages of Closed-Ended Questions in Feedback Forms. Zonka Feedback.

https://www.zonkafeedback.com/blog/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-closed-ended-questions

( Open-Ended Questions [vs Close-Ended] + 7 Examples , 2014)

https://www.hotjar.com/blog/open-ended-questions/#:~:text=%F0%9F%91%87%20Closed-ended%20question%20example,are%20looking%20for%20today%3F

The Closed-Ended Questions during an Interview . (2014, May 14). EmploymentCrossing.Com. https://www.employmentcrossing.com/article/900041500/The-Closed-Ended-Questions-during-an-Interview/

( Ch4 Structuring the Interview , 2017)

https://studylib.net/doc/9712406/ch4-structuring-the-interviewhttps://slideplayer.com/slide/8410106/#:~:text=Closing%20the%20Interview%20Functions,having%20concluded%20the%20interview.

HR Communication Handbook Copyright © by acruthers. All Rights Reserved.

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21 Best Welcome Messages for New Employees [With Templates]

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For new hires, there’s a rush of emotion that comes after accepting an offer of employment. They’re excited about the new role, eager to get started, and more than likely—they’re a bit nervous.

By sending a personalized welcome message—or welcome letter—you can keep new employees’ spirits high and ease their first-day jitters. Use these tips and templates to create your own new employee welcome messages, and ensure employees feel comfortable and confident when they join your team and all through their onboarding .

Why are new employee welcome messages important?

A welcome message creates a positive first impression and can increase your employee engagement and retention. Employees who have a negative onboarding experience are twice as likely to look for new opportunities in the near future. Here are a few more benefits of new employee welcome messages:

Clear direction for remote employees

A warm welcome message acts as a virtual kick-off. It answers the new hire’s basic questions and gives them a map of their first few hours or days in their new job.

The first day at a remote company isn’t the same as starting a new job in an office. There’s no new commute to navigate, no building to tour, and no new colleagues to shake hands with. Clear guidance in the welcome message lets the new hire know they’re on the right path, alleviating some stress of starting any new job ( remote or not).

Builds trust between employer and employee

When a new employee has a welcome email waiting for them in their inbox on their first day of work, it tells them your employee onboarding team (and company as a whole) was prepared for their arrival. Without this communication, your company can appear disorganized—or worse, the new employee may feel like you’ve forgotten about them.

Communicates your company culture and values

A welcome message is an easy way to communicate that you have a welcoming and inclusive company culture. You can make your message reflect your culture through the words you use, the topics you cover, and the tone of the message.

For example, if you have a more relaxed work environment, your welcome message should be more casual, including exclamation points, contractions, and some appropriate humor. If you have a formal work culture, your welcome message might read more professional and straightforward (while still sounding warm).

Makes employees feel valued and recognized

A personalized welcome message shows new employees you value them as an individual and that they aren’t just another cog in the machine. This is especially true for new hires joining large or hyper-growth companies. A nicely worded welcome message will ensure your new hires feel recognized and appreciated for who they are and the unique skills they bring to the table.

21 welcome message examples for new employees

Below, you’ll find templates for thoughtful welcome messages that vary in tone, focus, and length. Swap out the placeholder text for the employee’s name, the company name, and other personalized information to make these messages your own.

Casual employee welcome messages

1. Welcome to the [Company name] team! We can’t wait to get started. [Name] will be in touch soon to schedule your new hire orientation, coordinate your system access, and answer any questions you have.

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about [Company], take a read through [Documents]. Also, keep an eye out for email invitations to the platforms we use on a daily basis, and please fill in the information required as soon as you get them.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to [Name] at [Email address] if you have any questions before your new hire orientation at [Time].

2. Welcome to the team, [Name]! Are you ready to make some magic? Before we get to the good stuff, we’ll lead you through your onboarding and training process. After that, you’ll have everything you need to hit the ground running as the new [Job title] on the [Team]! Check out the documents attached to this email to get started.

3. Congrats, [Name]! It’s your first day at [Company]. We know first days can be intimidating, but here at [Company], we’re trying to change that. Below, you’ll find a welcome package that includes a digital Starbucks gift card so you can grab a coffee on us!

Once you’re caffeinated, come back to your workspace and take your time reviewing the documents attached to this email. If you have any questions, please reach out to [Contact].

4. Day one—let’s do this, [Name]! Can you believe it’s finally here? We here at [Company] are just as excited as you are! Your skills, creative insights, and experience will take [Company] a long way.

In the next hour or so, you’ll receive an email from [Name] to schedule your onboarding meeting and answer any questions you have. Please review [Documents] to learn more about [Company]’s policies, practices, and culture.

5. Hey there, [Name]! Or should I say, the latest and greatest new team member at [Company]! Welcome to the first day of an exciting new chapter as our [Job title]. We can’t wait to see all the fantastic things you’ll accomplish with us. But first, let’s get you settled in.

[Name] will be in touch soon to schedule your first onboarding session. Until then, you can review the documents attached to this email. Please don’t hesitate to email [Name] at [Email address] if you have any questions—we’re all here to help!

6. Congrats—it’s your first day at [Company]! I’ll keep this short and sweet: Thanks for being you. We’re sure that with your unique talent and skills, you’re the right person to be our new [Job title]. You’ll do great things here, and we’re glad you’re officially part of the team. Cheers to this next chapter!

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Formal employee welcome messages

7. On behalf of the entire [Company] team, I wanted to extend a warm welcome on your first day. We are thrilled to have you as our new colleague and look forward to achieving new heights with you on board.

Our Onboarding Specialist, [Name], will contact you soon to schedule your first onboarding session. Until then, please read through [Documents] to gain a better understanding of [Company’s] history and position in the market.

8. Welcome to the team, [Name]. From the very beginning, we were impressed with your extensive experience and skills in [Industry] and knew you would be a fantastic addition to our [Department]. We know you will be a valuable asset to [Company] as we continue on this successful journey together, and send you our best wishes.

9. Many congratulations, [Name], on officially joining [Company] as our new [Job title]. With your skillset, we know you will be a fantastic asset to our team.

Please see the attached itinerary for today’s schedule. During this time, focus on reviewing company policies, dress code, employee handbook, and other critical information. If you have any questions, please contact [Name] at [Email address].

10. We are happy to welcome you to the team, [Name]. As our new [Job title], you will play a pivotal role in our team’s future success and growth. We are confident that your skillset will help you thrive in this endeavor.

We look forward to building a successful, long-lasting relationship with you and send you nothing but good wishes as you start your new career with us. Enclosed, you will find the necessary documents to begin your employee onboarding process. If you have questions, please contact [Name] at [Email address].

11. [Name]—welcome to the team. We are confident you will make a great addition to the [Department] here at [Company]. We have high aspirations here at [Company], but with your expertise, we are confident we can reach new heights. Please see the attached documents to get started.

Team-focused welcome messages

12. [Name]—you’re now officially part of the team! At [Company], we value our employees’ unique backgrounds and experiences and are excited to see what fresh new ideas you’ll bring.

We’re excited to have you as our new [Job title] and to get to know you better in the coming days. Come meet your new teammates today at [Time]—you should already see a meeting invite in your Google Calendar. Until then, you can read through the attached onboarding documents at your own pace.

13. Welcome to the team, [Name]! As you know, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic team with some of the industry’s top talent—and now, that includes you. We have big plans for the year ahead, and you’ll play an integral role in every step.

First on the list: Please check your email for an invitation to join our employee onboarding platform. There, you’ll find everything you need to get settled into your new role.

14. On behalf of the whole team here at [Company], welcome! You’re officially one of us. As you settle in, know that we are here to support you. The first few weeks at a new job can be a learning curve, but we’re in this together. We’ll see you at our first team meeting together at [Time]!

15. Happy first day at [Company], [Name]! Our entire team is buzzing with excitement that you’re finally here. As a values-driven team, finding someone with the right skills who shares our core values is a major win for all of us.

In this email, you’ll find some important documentation, including our company policies, employee handbook, and other information. We kindly ask you to review these documents over the next day to learn more about our company, culture, and best practices.

16. Congratulations, [Name]! You’ve just joined the best team in the world—in our opinion, at least. We’re small and tight-knit, so finding the right person for the [Job title] position was an important mission. Luckily, we found you!

We can’t wait to start working together. First up: Your meeting with [Name] at [Time]. You’ll see a meeting invitation in your inbox shortly. Have a great first day!

Welcome messages from a leader or manager

17. [Name]—I want to make sure you start your first day at [Company] off right by officially welcoming you to the team. I’ll see you at our first meeting at [Time], but if you have any questions before then, feel free to message me on Slack or email me at [Email address]. Settle in, and we’ll talk soon!

18. Welcome aboard, [Name]! You’ve made it to your first day at [Company], and I’m so glad you’re here. It was great getting to know you during the interview process. I know our journey working together is only going to get better from here.

We have great things ahead of us—but first, let’s rock day one! I’ll be in touch soon to kick everything off.

19. Sending a quick congratulations and warmest welcome on your first day at [Company]! I couldn’t be happier that today is finally here and that you’re officially on our team. With your expertise and insights, I just know our team has what it takes to skyrocket to the next level. Cheers to the great things we’ll accomplish together!

20. Welcome, [Name]! The whole team is thrilled to have you join us as our new [Job title] at [Company].

I wanted to share how much we value the skill and expertise you’re bringing to this new position. We dream big here at [Company], and we need the best on board—like you—to reach our goals. I look forward to achieving above and beyond with you on the team!

21. [Name], big congratulations are in order! You’ve made it through the interview process and are officially part of the [Company] team. Today is all about getting you settled and comfortable in your new role. Take some time to read through the attached documents, and I’ll be in touch soon to schedule your employee onboarding session.

Bonus: Long welcome message for a new employee

If you want to provide a new employee with detailed information about their new role before they get started, use a longer welcome message. Your message should include:

• A personalized introduction
• An overview of their first month
• Key people they’ll be working with
• Recurring meetings

Training to complete

• Applications and systems to install
• Expected work hours
• Best practices for internal communication
• Contact information for their team lead or onboarding lead

Here’s an example of what a longer welcome message could look like:

Welcome—officially—to the team!

We’re thrilled to have you join us on our sales team and know you’ll bring a lot of value to the role, especially with your experience in software sales.

This email has a few important sections for you to review as you settle into your new role, including company documents, who you’ll be working with, and what your first month will look like. So, let’s dive in!

Company documentation

Please review the following documents and policies:

• Employee handbook
• Sales playbook
• Knowledge database

Your first month

Your first month will focus on training and knowledge building. You’ll be shadowing Dave and Mary starting next Monday. During this time, take as many notes as you need to. By the end of the month, we’ll have a mock sales call for you to demonstrate what you’ve learned. After that, we’ll start assigning you outbound calls in your market.

Who you’ll be working with

Here are a few key people you’ll work with in your role. You can book introduction calls with them directly via Google Calendar:

• Carey Brown - Head of Sales
• Dave Smith - Customer Success Manager
• Ryan Singh - Sales Enablement Manager
• Mary Johnson - Account Executive, SMB
• Michelle Scott - Sales Development Representative

[Note: Include hyperlinks to key teammates' email addresses or LinkedIn pages so the new employee can get to know them.]

Recurring internal meetings

You’ll be invited to these meetings via Google Calendar. Please accept all as ongoing events:

• Regional meeting: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. EST
• 1:1 performance review: Wednesdays at 2 p.m. EST
• Weekly all-hands meeting: Mondays at 10 a.m. EST

By the end of the month, you should have completed the training for the following systems:

Apps and programs

Install and register for the following apps and programs (you’ll find invites for each of them in your inbox already):

• Slack (web and phone)
• Salesforce (web and phone)
• Asana (web)

Our sales team is expected to be online from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. These hours are flexible, depending on our customer needs and business needs.

Team communication

The majority of our internal communication is conducted through Slack. You’ll see an invite to our Slack workspace in your inbox already. Browse and join any open channels of your interest, as well as the following mandatory channels:

• #GlobalSales
• #SalesLeads
• #announcements

Next up is our Welcome Call at 11 a.m. Until then, take your time reading through this information and the additional emails I’ve sent. You don’t need to prepare anything for the call.

If you have any questions, please send me a message on Slack or email me at [Email address], and I’ll be happy to help!

Have a fantastic first morning, teammate!

How to make a new employee feel welcome with your message

Your welcome message should make the employee feel like it was written just for them—even if it was drafted from a template. Here are some tips for writing a new employee message that makes them feel welcome:

• Use a friendly tone: Even if your organization is more formal, new employees want to hear from a colleague that sounds approachable and warm
• Include a personalized introduction: Use their name throughout the welcome message and consider working in something interesting you learned about them during the interview process
• Use forward-thinking language: Mention the great work you’ll do together and talk positively about the future to connote long-term commitment and dedication
• Be detailed: If you’re sending an email, include a personalized and exciting subject line, since it’s the first thing they’ll see in their inbox. Or, handwrite the message if you’re mailing it to them in a physical welcome package

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Read more about how Deel works or book a demo to see how we can help you and your team grow.

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How to Start a Welcome Speech in English with a Sample

Are you going to host an event soon? You might be nervous about a lot of things including the welcome speech. The welcome speech is one of the most important parts of an anchoring script because it helps you set the tone for the rest of the event. Therefore, you have to be doubly sure that you get it right. So, read the article below to learn how to start a welcome speech in English. Besides, we have a sample in the end as well.

How to Start a Welcome Speech in English

A welcome speech is a speech given by a host at the beginning of an event, gathering, celebration, meeting, or program. The purpose of a welcome is speech is to greet everyone in the audience including the chief guest, delegates, and participants. A good welcome speech is always full of optimistic and encouraging words and feedback.

If we put it in simple words, a welcome speech is to start an event or a program and to welcome the audience. Thus, follow the steps below to learn how to write a welcome speech in English.

Comparing Script for Annual Function

Step 1: locate your guests.

Before you do anything, you need to locate your audience. So, when you are behind the podium, take a look around in the audience and check who is sitting where. Especially, you need to know where are the chief guests and the delegates are sitting because you will need to address them during your event.

This is a very simple but unavoidable step. Because knowing who is in the audience and where they are sitting may help you be more confident and aware.

Step 2: Introduction

Next, you have to set the tone for the welcome speech. So, think about how you can set the tone for the welcome speech. This usually depends upon factors such as the theme of the event, demographics, audience, and others. So, once you have the right mood, you can start the first part of your welcome speech, the introduction part. It usually consists of the following elements.

• Greeting: Greetings are similar to saltuations in a letter. For incetance, you can begin with “Good morning, laides and genetlemen”.
• A thank you to the contributors: When an event is hosted, it is always sponsered by an orgarniation or people. So, in the introduction part of your welcome speech, it is also important to thank te contirbutors for their contribution.
• A What statement: In the introduction part of your event, you also need to remind your audeince what is the purpose of your event. Besides, you can also mention how previliged you are for hosting the event.

Step 3: Acknowledgments

A thank you statement is not enough actually. The sponsors of your events deserve to be appreciated because they are the people who helped you turn this into reality. However, just reading the names of the sponsors out of a piece of paper may become boring for your audience. Therefore, we suggest you cut down the list and mention the highlights.

Here are some examples to help you with this section:

• “A special thank to …”
• “We could not have done this without …”
• “Here is a short tale of how it all came together …”

Step 4: The goal of the event

In this section, explain what your event is all about. However, you should avoid talking about the potential benefits of attending the event. Because people who are attending your event already why they should be there and what they can get from your event. Besides, you do not need to thoroughly tell the goal of every session. So, focus on one primary two objectives that may indeed help you define the objective of your event.

Step 5: Wrap-up and What’s next

The final step is to wrap up the welcome speech and tell your audience what they can expect. You can also wrap up the welcome speech by telling a joke or by adding a little touch of fun.

Next, let your audience know what they should expect coming to the event. Besides, you can also ask someone else to brief your audience about the event’s coming sections. You can do so in the following way.

“Thank you for your attention. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to invite _____ (name of the speaker) who will brief you more about …”

Otherwise, you can briefly mention what is next and wrap up the welcome speech.

Comparing Script for Welcome Party

Welcome speech sample for chief guest.

A warm welcome to everyone to this beautiful evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today we have gathered here to celebrate the 13th annual function of ______ (name of the school). And we are pleased to have our chief guest _____ (name of the chief guest). It is an honor for me ______ (name of the chief guest) to welcome to our today’s event.

He is a well-known businessman and an accomplished writer. Several of his books are widely read across the country. His books have motivated us to not only dream big but also guide us on how to turn them into reality. This is not just that. He is also a social worker and spends his spare time solving social issues. He has been working hard day and night to put children to school and diminish child labor from our society. We can’t thank you enough, Mr. ______ (name of the chief guest).

Thus, it is a pleasure for all of us to have such an honorable personality among us today. We are excited to hear from you, sir, about your journey and success. Once again thank you, sir, for giving us your precious time and I warmly welcome you to the function on the behalf of our director, teachers, and everyone in the _____ (name of the school).

Welcome Speech Sample for College Function

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Honorable chief guest, Mr. director, respected teachers, and my dear school fellows, I welcome you to our 25th annual college function. It has been a long and beautiful journey since 1996 and _____ (name of the college) has earned it a prestigious place in our society. Besides, ______ (name of the college) has been successful in providing young college students with quality education in the best way possible. Today we are proud to be part of ______ (name of the college).

Moving ahead, we have ____ (name of the chief guest). I warmly welcome ____ (name of the chief guest) to our today’s event on behalf of everyone in the school. He is a well-known social worker working hard day and night to beat child labor. We are honored to have you, sir.

Today I want to congratulate all the parents who have invested in their children as well as in our school. Moving forwards, I would like to call ______ (name of the speaker) who will brief you about today’s function.

Thank you all!

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Example of a welcome speech.

Watch an example of a welcome speech. Get an actual sample of a welcome speech from a communications expert in this free public speaking video.

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome Jim Johnson here to Austin Texas. Jim is one of the finest major league baseball players in the world and we are absolutely thrilled for him to come play on our first new major league baseball team.

It is an exciting adventure for all of us. And Jim, we hope sincerely that you will find Austin interesting, and unique, and as fabulous as we do.

Here is wishing you the best success as one of the greatest ball players of all times.

And here is wishing the team a pleasant and profitable future here in Austin Texas.

We hope you stay here forever.

Welcome Speech Outline

Structure and Order:

• Express pleasure in having the person or organization here.
• Give ​ a little bit ​ of information about the person or organization.
• Give the highlights of "here" the town, the organization or the university.
• Send off of goodwill. You hope that their experience here in this town is pleasant or profitable.

Welcome Speeches: Do's and Don'ts

Be Brief. 2 or 3 minutes. Hit those highlights and be honest. Know your information and tell the truth.

Do not ​ gush ​ about the person. They may not meet the expectation you set for them.

Related Articles

How to write a thank-you card to your boss →.

How to Announce a Replacement for a Job →

How to Write a Farewell Letter to a Person Who Is Leaving Employment →

How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview →

How to Respond to a Welcome to a New Job →

How to Word a Retirement Announcement →

This article was written by the CareerTrend team, copy edited and fact checked through a multi-point auditing system, in efforts to ensure our readers only receive the best information. To submit your questions or ideas, or to simply learn more about CareerTrend, contact us [here](http://careertrend.com/about-us).

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How to Write a Welcome Speech | Academic Conference Edition

Have you ever been to a conference where the welcome speech left you wanting more information or didn’t make you excited for what’s to come? Yikes! You may not be alone in that sentiment.

But were you invited to give the welcome speech for the upcoming conference you’re attending, and want to do a better job? Fun stuff, congratulations!

We can’t take the conference jitters away, but we can help you learn about welcome speeches and how to write one in this article. In the end, you’ll see how Orvium helps the research community prepare for a conference.

What is a Welcome Speech?

A welcome speech (or address) sets the tone for a conference or event. The speech must describe what’s to come and get everyone excited for the event and feel welcome. It should also create an appropriate environment for knowledge sharing.

Anyone can deliver a welcome speech, but a minimum of excellent presentation skills, fun and creative demeanor, and the ability to be personable are major pluses. If you haven’t given a speech of this caliber before, remember that preparing your notes, writing your speech, and delivering it are all a part of the process . Practice makes perfect.

An excellent welcome speech will unite the audience, helping them come together for a common purpose.

See some examples of welcome speeches here , and learn how to write your own below.

How to Write a Welcome Speech for a Conference

1. get the event focus and tone right.

Since a welcome speech sets the tone for a conference or event, you must ensure it’s informative and interesting. While thinking about this, decide whether or not you’ll use formal or informal language . How you choose, structure, and deliver your words matters. These all come together to create the “tone”.

To decide between formal and informal language for your welcome speech, consult the graph below:

Typically, you’ll want to use formal language for a conference (but not overly formal) depending on your audience demographics and ensure everyone can understand you. A welcome speech has the following structure:

• opening and welcome
• theme and main topics
• outcome (or agenda)
• thank yous (to attendees, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, speakers, etc.)
• a closing statement.

Pro tip : you want to connect with your audience, grab their attention, and get them excited about the event, so start with a strong but warm opening. Don’t mention everyone involved throughout your speech, as that can get lengthy; instead, mention the essential speakers, organizations, associations, or volunteers. Finally, end the speech on a good note to get everyone excited with stats and pertinent information, such as:

• the high number of attendees
• any high-impact research that will be shown
• the different represented countries
• the variety of covered topics.

If you don’t know where to start, follow this welcome speech planner and read the information below.

2. Take Notes and Draft an Outline

From our Full Guide to Planning an Academic Conference, you know that your welcome speech must add value to the conference , just as each keynote and session speaker does. To do so, research (and reach out to) essential participants (keynote, session speakers, vendors, etc.) to make sure you know what kind of approach you can take with your speech. Humor works in the right circumstances, but you must spend time thinking it through; not all jokes will be taken lightly, and you want to avoid any misunderstandings.

Remember, your goal is to unite and bring together like-minded individuals who all have a common purpose, that of advancing and sharing knowledge .

In your notes or outline, you’ll want to include the following steps:

• Welcome the audience - use a clear and strong voice to welcome all attendees and grab their attention.
• an example of an informal greeting: “Hello and welcome, everyone!”
• an example of a formal greeting: “Good evening to all attendees. It’s wonderful to see you all.”
• Introduce the event - say the event’s name, purpose, and age or history (if it’s a repeat event or conference), and talk a bit about the event’s organization.
• Mention any distinguished guests - ensure you get their names, affiliations, and credentials correct.
• State the main topics - the main topics are the attendees’ common interests, so you may choose to present a specific subject within the field selected that year.
• Outline the agenda - mention whether there’ll be sessions with specific poster presentations, (sub)topics, or areas and spaces to exchange and discuss ideas or network. Direct attendees to the conference website, content management tool , or brochure for schedule specifics.
• Motivate everyone - highlight any conference strengths and warmly introduce the first speaker or entertainment.

Important to note : for virtual events, ensure that attendees can see and hear you clearly and look up from your notes or outline often.

3. Write Your Speech

As you’re finalizing your notes or draft, ensure that your speech is around the five-minute mark to avoid boredom or giving the audience too much information right off the bat (to not take away from any speakers). Consult with the organizing committee about a time frame, as the length of the speech can vary from conference to conference.

Pro tip : add individual greetings as necessary for special guests, speakers, or sponsors.

4. Rehearse Your Speech

Once you’ve done the necessary research, outlined, and written your welcome speech, it’s time to rehearse it a few times to familiarize yourself with your speech. Read it out loud and practice it with colleagues or friends to get their input and feedback on areas of possible improvement.

However, don’t over-rehearse your speech . You want to still sound natural, not robotic or like you’re reading a script.

Again, ensure you know how to pronounce everyone’s name and credentials as you’re rehearsing, and practice making enough eye contact with the audience or specific attendees as you’re speaking.

Orvium Makes You Feel Welcome

No one can take the nerves of giving the opening speech at a conference away; however, Orvium can make it less nerve-wracking. If you’re having trouble finding colleagues or like-minded individuals to review your speech outline and give you feedback, you can reach out to one of the Orvium communities to get to know other people in the field.

Who knows, maybe you’ll meet members and form friendships that’ll last a lifetime.

As for giving your welcome speech, remember to get the tone right, keep it brief, and don’t make it overly formal (unless absolutely necessary). Also, a smile and a lot of eye contact go a long way . Let’s get people excited about new scientific discoveries!  Want to see more of what we do? Check out our platform to discover what matters to you.

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Roberto Rabasco

+10 years’ experience working for Deutsche Telekom, Just Eat or Asos. Leading, designing and developing high-availability software solutions, he built his own software house in '16

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Welcome Speech

Creating an engaging Welcome Speech sets the tone for any event. In this resource, we offer a variety of speech examples to guide you in crafting a warm and impactful greeting. Whether it’s for a formal gathering, a corporate event, or a casual meet-up, our examples provide a framework for delivering a message that resonates with your audience. Learn how to start your event on a positive note, making every attendee feel valued and excited about what’s to come.

What Is a Welcome Speech? A welcome speech is a statement that signifies a beginning of any particular event, meeting, assembly, or celebration. It is used in order to cordially greet all participants in a gathering. In addition to that, it also contains important information about a special highlight in the event.

Just like any other speech, it follows a structure. Welcome speeches are intended to raise excitement, delight, and anticipation to every person in the crowd. Its very nature is to address an audience and deliver a message that is suitable for the special occasion speech .

Download Welcome Speech Bundle

There are different kinds of speeches according to the nature of its functionality. There is persuasive speech , retirement speech , and keynote speech. All of these requires skills and confidence to be delivered in the most convincing and appealing way. Adding to the list is the welcome speech which is important to mark a beginning of an event. A speech introduction has to be brief and energetic in order not to bore the audience. The speaker needs to be lively and high-spirited as well when delivering the speech. All these are but additives and factors to create a good welcome speech.

Welcome Speech Format

Greeting : Begin with a warm greeting to the audience. Example: “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Introduction : Briefly introduce yourself, mentioning your name and role or connection to the event.

Acknowledgment

Gratitude : Express gratitude to the attendees for their presence. Example: “Thank you all for being here today.” Special Guests : If applicable, acknowledge any special guests, dignitaries, or significant participants by name or title. Organizers and Sponsors : Recognize the efforts of the event organizers, sponsors, and volunteers.

Purpose of the Event

Event Significance : Highlight the importance and purpose of the event. This can be a brief statement that encapsulates the essence of the gathering. Expectations : Share what the attendees can expect from the event, such as key speakers, activities, or outcomes.

Agenda Overview

Schedule Highlight : Provide a concise overview of the event’s agenda or key highlights without going into too much detail.

Encouragement for Participation

Engagement Request : Encourage attendees to participate actively in the event, whether through listening, asking questions, or partaking in activities. Networking Encouragement : If relevant, motivate attendees to network with each other, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Concluding Remarks

Warm Wishes : Conclude with warm wishes for an enjoyable and successful event. Example: “I hope you find today’s event both enlightening and enjoyable.” Closing : End with a polite closing remark. Example: “Thank you, and let’s have a wonderful time together.”

Example of Welcome Speech in English

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,   It is my absolute pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the annual Gala Night of [Organization’s Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am thrilled to be your host for this enchanting evening.   First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for joining us tonight. Your presence adds a special warmth to our gathering and makes this event even more memorable. A special welcome goes out to our distinguished guests, [Names of Special Guests], whose support and dedication to our cause have been nothing short of remarkable.   I would also like to acknowledge the incredible effort of our event organizers, volunteers, and sponsors. Without your tireless work and generous contributions, tonight’s celebration would not have been possible. Your commitment to excellence is what brings our community closer and makes events like these a resounding success.   Tonight, we are gathered here not just to celebrate, but to reaffirm our commitment to [Organization’s Mission/Objective]. Through this evening’s activities, speeches, and performances, we hope to shed light on the impact of our collective efforts and the continuing need for support.   As we move through the evening, I encourage you all to engage with one another, share stories, and enjoy the array of performances we have lined up for you. Let this night be a testament to the strength and unity of our community, as we work together towards a brighter, more promising future.   Before I conclude, let me remind you to make the most of tonight. Let’s cherish these moments of joy, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to the new opportunities that lie ahead.   Thank you once again for being here. I hope you have a wonderful time and leave tonight feeling inspired and uplifted.   Let the celebration begin!   Thank you, and enjoy your evening.

1. Welcome Speech

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5. Short Welcome Speech for an Event Example

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7. Opening Welcome Speech for Event Examples

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8. Welcome Speech in English Examples

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9. Welcome Address Speech Examples

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10. College Welcome Speech Examples

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16. Sample Welcome Speech Example

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How to Write a Welcome Speech

A welcome speech is a key component of any event, setting the tone and making attendees feel valued and excited for what’s to come. Here’s a guide on crafting an engaging and warm welcome speech:

• Understand the Purpose: Recognize that the primary goal is to greet guests, make them feel valued, and set a positive tone for the event.
• Know Your Audience: Tailor your speech to the interests and demographics of your audience. Understanding who they are will help you connect more effectively.
• Start with a Greeting: Open with a warm and enthusiastic greeting. Use phrases like “Good morning,” “Welcome,” or “Thank you for being here.”
• Introduce Yourself: Briefly introduce yourself, including your name and role, to establish your connection to the event or organization.
• Express Gratitude: Thank attendees for their presence. Acknowledge any special guests and express appreciation for everyone’s effort to attend.
• Highlight the Purpose of the Event: Explain the significance of the event and what attendees can expect. This gives the audience a clear understanding of the event’s objectives.
• Mention the Agenda: Briefly outline the event’s schedule or highlight key segments. This helps set expectations for the audience.
• Recognize Contributions: Acknowledge the work of organizers, sponsors, and volunteers. Highlighting their contributions fosters a sense of community and appreciation.
• Encourage Participation: Motivate the audience to engage with the event. Whether it’s listening attentively, participating in discussions, or enjoying the entertainment, encourage active participation.
• Conclude with a Warm Note: End your speech on a positive note, expressing hope for an enjoyable and meaningful experience for all attendees.

Tips for a Welcome Speech

Your welcome speech doesn’t have to be four or five pages long like some graduation speeches . Here are a few tips to write one

• Keep it short and simple: You have to make sure your audience doesn’t spend too much time listening to your words or else they will get bored. Be brief with your simple statements .
• Use proper language: Knowing your audience is very important. If the occasion is business, be formal. Be careful with your words.
• Check your vocabulary: It is a must that your words are exactly how it should be used. Never confuse the crowd. You may also see presentation speech .

Importance of Welcome Speech

Most of us have probably read or listened to a hundred or maybe thousands of speeches. That includes welcome speech outline. Maybe we can all agree here that the welcome speech sets the tone of the event. Welcome speech can be useful in many ways such as welcome speech for students , welcome speech for an event and many.

In reality, we always judge a thing by its first appearance. In the same way as in an event, we can tell how it goes by the welcoming or introductory rights. It is very important that the welcome speech template is prepared and well-versed in order to set the right expectations to the audience.

What are some lines for welcome speech?

• “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, a very warm welcome to [event/occasion].”
• “I’m delighted to see so many familiar faces and new ones in the audience today.”
• “Thank you all for joining us on this special day.”
• “It’s a pleasure to stand before you and extend a hearty welcome.”
• “I extend my warmest greetings to our distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends.”
• “We’re gathered here today to celebrate [occasion] and share in the joy of this moment.”
• “Welcome to this exciting journey that lies ahead.”
• “As we begin this [event/occasion], let’s embark on a journey of [purpose].”
• “I would like to express my deep gratitude for your presence and support.”
• “Our [event/occasion] would not be complete without each of you here.”
• “Let’s make this [event/occasion] a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
• “I hope you’re all as excited as I am for what’s in store today.”
• “The energy and enthusiasm in this room are truly contagious.”
• “To our first-time attendees, welcome to our [event/occasion] family.”
• “Get ready for a day filled with [highlights/activities] that will leave you inspired.”
• “Our goal today is to [purpose], and we couldn’t have asked for a better group to do it with.”
• “As we come together, let’s celebrate our unity and diversity.”
• “Let’s create memories that we will cherish for years to come.”
• “It’s not just an event; it’s an experience we’ll treasure.”
• “Without further ado, let’s officially kick off [event/occasion].”

FAQ’s

What do you say when welcoming guests.

When welcoming guests, express gratitude for their presence, extend a warm greeting, and convey excitement about their participation in the event. Make them feel valued and appreciated.

What do you say in a grand opening speech?

In a grand opening speech, acknowledge the significance of the occasion, thank attendees, share the purpose of the event, and express enthusiasm for the new venture or establishment.

What is a welcome address speech?

A welcome address speech is a formal or informal presentation given to greet and acknowledge the audience at the beginning of an event or gathering, expressing hospitality, gratitude, and enthusiasm.

How do you give a warm welcome speech?

To give a warm welcome speech, use a friendly and inviting tone, express gratitude for the audience’s presence, acknowledge the significance of the occasion, and convey genuine enthusiasm.

Crafting a captivating welcome speech is an art that involves understanding your audience and the purpose of the event. For additional resources on writing and delivering effective speeches, the University of Nevada, Reno’s Writing & Speaking Center offers valuable tips on speech introductions, which can be found here. These resources provide insights into creating impactful openings that capture the audience’s attention and set the stage for a successful event.

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Welcome Speech for a Scientific Conference: Examples & Tips

Published on 15 Feb 2022

Having a well written welcome speech that you’re confident about goes a long way in overcoming public speaking nervousness.

A great welcome speech sets the tone for the conference. It makes everyone feel welcome and creates the appropriate environment for the exchange of knowledge. The speech should broadly outline the contents of the event and, most importantly, make everyone feel excited for what’s to come.

In this article, you will find our best tips to create a successful welcome speech and some examples with analysis for inspiration.

Quick Tips for a successful welcome speech

Formal vs. informal language.

The first thing you should decide is whether you want to use formal or informal language. For larger events that include scientists of various fields where everybody might not know each other, you may want to use formal language. For smaller yearly conferences for researchers in your field where most people know each other, it’s common to use informal language.

I find that, in general, a rather informal or casual speech is more successful. That way you set the tone and bring everyone to the same level, promoting questions, comments, and socialization during the event.

Greet and welcome everyone

Start with a warm welcome. As alluded before, this can range from very formal (“Good morning to all attendees”) to informal (“Hello and welcome, everyone!”). These will be your first words, so you need to grab everyone’s attention—use a clear, strong voice.

A smile goes a long way to make everyone feel welcome and in a good mood. Make eye contact as you start addressing the room.

It can be great to inject a bit of humor, if appropriate. It could be something as simple as, “We are lucky to be in such a beautiful location with so many beaches close by. I hope that is not the main reason you’re here!”.

Talk about the event’s history and purpose

Is it a first-time event, a yearly conference put on by a scientific organization? In any case, you’ll want to mention the motivation behind the conference, what brings you together. If the event is related to a specific organization, you can mention its history and purpose.

Mention any distinguished guests

It is common for scientific conferences to have one or more distinguished guests or speakers. Mention them and thank them for accepting the invitation to participate. Make sure you have their names, credentials and affiliations correct.  

Thank creators and/or organizers

If the event is being held for the first time, thank the creators by name. Give some words of appreciation to the organizing committee. You don’t need to mention every single person involved, but rather the essential ones.

State the main topic(s)

Mention the main topic(s) of the conference, the common interests for all attendees. For annual conferences of scientific organizations, a specific subject within the field is usually chosen for each year. For example, for an annual meeting of an immunology organization, the year's topic could be “Infectious Diseases” or “Immunotherapies.”

Touch on the agenda

Briefly outline the event’s agenda. You can mention whether there will be sessions with specific (sub)topics, poster presentations, spaces for exchange and networking. Don’t get  into too many details. You can direct people to the conference brochure, if there is one, for specifics on the schedule.

Motivate everybody

End your speech on a high note by getting everyone excited about the talks to come. Highlight all the strengths of the conference: any high-impact research that will be shown, the variety of topics that will be covered, the great number of attendees, the different countries represented.

Introduce the first speaker

If the first speaker follows your welcome speech, don’t forget to introduce him or her. Introduce them with their full name and credentials and give a brief description of their career achievements.

Rehearse a few times

Practice with colleagues and friends to get some feedback and familiarize yourself with your speech. You want to be familiar enough that you don’t need to look down at your notes constantly. However, don’t over rehearse. You don’t want to sound robotic, but rather natural and conversational.

Be sure you know how to pronounce all the names in your speech. Make eye contact with the audience and with specific attendees as you mention their names.

Keep it brief

In general, you should keep your speech short, usually around 5 minutes. Consult with the organizing committee so you know how long they expect you to talk.

In-person vs. virtual event

Virtual events are very common right now and likely will be for a while. This creates some challenges when giving a welcome speech. Making eye contact with the attendees is not possible when you’re on a video call. That being said, you can still give a great speech and get people excited virtually. Just make sure that people can clearly see and hear you before you start.    

Welcome speech examples

1. welcome and opening remarks - 2015 coast/ssew symposium.

In the above example of opening remarks for a scientific symposium , the speaker starts by welcoming everyone with a smile and lots of eye contact. It seems the attendees are in the same field of research and among familiar faces. Accordingly, her language is informal. She adds a bit of humor when she talks about collecting money in a bowl.

She follows by explaining the origin of the organization that the symposium is for, along with the main topics that will be covered. In the middle, she asks  the audience some questions to keep them engaged. Finally, she creates positive expectations by presenting a “sneak peek” of brand-new research and mentioning “leaders” in the field of microbiome.    

 2. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering Welcome Speech

Read this welcome speech for an annual international conference.

This seems to be a scientific conference with attendees from various countries and from a broad range of fields. The formal language used is therefore appropriate. The speaker welcomes the attendees and introduces the distinguished keynote speakers.

The origins and goals of the conference are outlined. He broadly describes the topics that will be discussed. Then, he thanks the organizing committee, companies and volunteers involved. Finally, he mentions “internationally notorious speakers,” a great way to spark people’s interest.   

 3. Welcoming Address | Dale Mullennix

In this welcoming address, the speaker starts by warmly welcoming the audience. He uses rather informal language since it seems this is a regularly held event where most people know each other. He throws in some humor, directly addresses the audience, and asks them questions to grab their attention at the beginning.

By conveying the value that the attendees will find in the lectures to come, he creates anticipation. He makes lots of eye contact throughout and doesn’t even have notes! By the end, he tells a personal story and connects it to the theme of the event.

With these tips and examples, we hope that you are inspired to write a great welcome speech.  Remember to keep it brief, conversational, and not overly formal, unless necessary. Eye contact and a smile go a long way.

If you’re looking for more general conference presenting tips, you should read our 15 Best Tips for Presenting at a Conference . 

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Takeaways from Donald Trump's Wisconsin rally: economy, immigration, early voting

WAUKESHA – With polls showing a tight race for president in Wisconsin, former President Donald Trump returned to the battleground state Wednesday for the second time this year, rallying a crowd in Waukesha around immigration and economic issues.

Large crowds wearing red, white and blue formed in a long line around the parking lot earlier in the day to get into the Waukesha County Expo Center, a venue that both campaigns have now used as they try to foment support among voters in a suburban county that has lost some of its Republican strength .

In his hour-and-a-half speech, Trump claimed reelecting Biden would increase taxes and "lead to the destruction of the country. We have so many negative forces in this country," Trump said, calling out protests on college campuses early in his speech.

Police arrested protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison earlier Wednesday. He also praised the police response to protests at Columbia University.

"To every college president, I say: Remove the encampments immediately, vanquish the radicals and take back our campuses for all of the normal students who want a safe place from which to learn," Trump said.

More: Former President Donald Trump talks about immigration, economy in Waukesha: recap of Wednesday's rally

Here are the takeaways from Trump's visit to Waukesha:

Immigration, economy were focus of Trump's speech

Similar to his rally in Green Bay, Trump used his speech to criticize Biden on his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it "the worst border in the history of the world."

"Biden came in and unleashed mayhem on our economy, just like he unleashed mayhem on our border," Trump said. "They have people flowing in from the poorest and the heaviest-crime countries all over the world."

In the latest Marquette University Law School poll , Wisconsin voters considered Trump better than Biden at handling immigration and border security, plus the economy, Israel-Hamas war and foreign relations. Biden had the lead on health care, abortion policy and Medicare and Social Security.

Voters overall ranked the economy as their top issue, with 33% saying it would be most important in deciding who to vote for. Immigration and border security was the second, with 21% citing that issue.

Trump also criticized Biden's economic policy and said he would deliver a "Trump economic boom" if he returns to the White House. Trump said he thought up the phrase "inflation tax" on the plane ride to Wisconsin, referring to higher costs of household goods.

More: Is Bryan Steil correct that households are spending $11,400 more per year because of Biden?

Immigrant rights group say Trump is 'not welcome' in Wisconsin

In the morning before Trump's rally, organizers and supporters for Voces De La Frontera gathered as they had for nearly 20 years to march for immigrant rights. But Trump’s visit to Waukesha was not ignored by organizers.

“You are not welcome in Wisconsin,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director for Voces. “You are the real threat to democracy. You orchestrated a failed coup with your corrupt followers and white supremacists and we reject your racist platform, that promises, dictatorship, military-style mass, deportation, and family separation.“

Democrats focus on Trump's abortion policy

In response to Trump's visit, Democrats focused on abortion access, a key message that they have delivered at Biden campaign events.

"Trump’s abortion bans are wreaking havoc across the country — something he called “incredible” today — and he’s fine with it. Because it’s all about him, not Wisconsin, and not America," said Brianna Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Biden-Harris campaign in Wisconsin.

"As president, Donald Trump delivered less jobs and paved the way for extreme abortion bans across America. His next term could be worse: more bans, more suffering, and higher costs," she said.

Trump briefly addressed abortion in his speech, repeating his position that abortion is best left up to the states. In an interview before his remarks , he declined to weigh in on whether the state Supreme Court should uphold a lower court's ruling restoring abortion access in Wisconsin.

In interview, Trump doesn't commit to accepting 2024 results

Compared to Green Bay, Trump spent less of his speech focusing on the 2020 election in Wisconsin, which he has previously falsely claimed he won. But in an interview with the Journal Sentinel , he did not commit to accepting the results of the 2024 election.

"If everything's honest, I'll gladly accept the results. I don't change on that," Trump said in an interview Wednesday. "If it's not, you have to fight for the right of the country."

In the interview, Trump again falsely claimed he won Wisconsin in 2020. "If you go back and look at all of the things that had been found out, it showed that I won the election in Wisconsin," Trump said. "It also showed I won the election in other locations."

Biden won Wisconsin in 2020 by just over 20,000 votes, taking 1,630,866  votes  compared to Trump’s 1,610,184. Trump did win the state in 2016.

Recounts requested by Trump and reviews, even those conducted by conservatives, found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.

More: Ahead of first rally in Wisconsin, Trump repeats false claims that he won the state in 2020

More: Elections chief Meagan Wolfe gets extra security while Donald Trump foments false accusations

Local Republican leaders urge supporters to embrace early voting

Taking the stage before Trump, Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow encouraged the crowd to vote early.

“We are going to get hammered by out-of-state money. They’re going to flood every single election that we have. If we get out and vote early, that means our dollars can be targeted to those who haven’t voted yet,” Farrow said.

Trump has long discouraged voting absentee but has recently shifted his tone. Republicans have persuaded him to change his stance to maximize the party's voting power.

But on Wednesday, Trump did not explicitly mention early voting, instead voicing support for "one-day voting with paper ballots," indicating he wouldn't support the multiple dates offered in Wisconsin to vote in-person absentee.

Before Trump's speech, Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming told reporters that he would continue promoting early voting as party chair. "The Republican National Committee will continue to do that, and so will the president."

Trump sought to throw out all in-person absentee ballots cast in the two most populous Wisconsin counties during the 2020 election. In 2023, Trump used a  Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling  declaring absentee ballot drop boxes illegal to  light a fire under his campaign  to convince voters he did not lose his reelection bid.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who was meeting with supporters, also told the Journal Sentinel he was "100% against early voting."

More: Trump's Wisconsin rally amplifies GOP's mixed messaging on absentee voting

Rally held on Trump's typical day off from hush money trial

Trump's Waukesha rally was held Wednesday, typically his day off from his hush money trial in Manhattan. Trump is accused of falsifying business records during his 2016 campaign to conceal an affair.

Trump faces potential jail time if he again violates a gag order he's under as part of the court proceeding. He did not mention the case in Waukesha but generally referenced other indictments against him.

"Never forget our enemies want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom. I'm never going to let it happen, " Trump said. "They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you."

Trump has spent most of the last couple of weeks in court, largely unable to campaign. His stop in Wisconsin is his first since the trial began , and he also scheduled a stop in Freeland, Mich., later in the day.

In the parking lot Wednesday, Bil Aldrich of DeForest called Trump “honest to a fault” and said the criminal charges he's facing are “show trials.”

“They’re BS, but he’ll prevail one way or another, even if he ends up running the country from jail,” Aldrich said.

Lindell said Trump is "the most courageous person I've ever met in my life," adding that attacks on the former president are an "anomaly in history."

Both campaigns have paid high attention to Waukesha

Democrats have also focused heavy attention on Waukesha, in suburban Milwaukee. First lady Jill Biden held an event at the same expo center in early March , where she rallied mostly women voters around abortion and health care.

Vice President Kamala Harris brought the same message to La Crosse last week , reflecting the campaign's efforts to reach voters in purple and even red areas.

In 2020 , Trump won Waukesha County with about 60% of the vote, compared to Biden's 39%. Margins of victory for Republican presidential candidates in the county have dropped from 35 points in 2012 to 27 in 2016 to 21 in 2020.

More: Women campaigning for Biden take abortion issue to Republican stronghold Waukesha County

Molly Beck, Jessie Opoien, Ricardo Torres, Claudia Levens and Alison Dirr contributed to this report.

Ministers Treasury portfolio

• The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP
• Transcripts

Interview with Sarah Ferguson, 7.30, ABC

Subjects: strengthening Australia’s foreign investment regime

SARAH FERGUSON:

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is giving a speech tomorrow reframing Australia's economic policy as a national security issue with new rules about foreign investment at the centre. I spoke to him earlier. Treasurer, welcome to 7.30.

JIM CHALMERS:

Thanks very much, Sarah.

You're delivering a major economic speech tomorrow at a foreign policy think tank, much in the way that the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan did last year. Are you proposing a significant rewrite of foreign investment rules based on national security?

In short, Sarah, I am. And one of the reasons why I'm delivering this speech at the Lowy Institute tomorrow is because this third Budget that we'll hand down 2 weeks from now will have the usual emphasis on responsibility, on fighting inflation in the here and now. But there'll be a much bigger emphasis on economic security and that's because we recognise the world is changing. The pace of that change is accelerating. We need to make sure that we are attracting investment, private investment and public investment, as part of a Future Made in Australia and foreign investment has got a role to play there, so long as it's in the national interest.

So, my question was a significant rewrite of foreign investment rules to which you answered yes. Does that mean that you've identified specific existing projects which don't line up with our national security interest?

No, the focus is more forward‑looking than that, Sarah. And what I'm intending to announce tomorrow is a major overhaul of our foreign investment framework in 3 ways. I want to make it stronger so that it's more robust, that we are imposing much more scrutiny on investments which may not be in our national interest. Secondly, I want to make it more streamlined for the less risky investment that we trust. And thirdly, I want to make it clearer and more transparent.

Well, give me some examples, because you already have existing powers that you used last year against a Chinese businessman. How much further will this policy go?

What this new policy will do is when we get an investment bid, we will categorise it, determined by the amount of risk we think it poses. If it's low risk, it will get the streamlined treatment much faster than before. If it's higher risk, it will get more scrutiny, a stronger, more robust examination to how it relates to our national interest. And some of the things that we're worried about will be familiar to you, Sarah, where we are worried about losing control of supply chains, where we're worried about losing resilience, where there is the capacity for interference and a whole bunch of other tests that we apply to foreign investment. What's happening right now is we're treating most investments more or less the same, and that's gumming up the system. We're spending a lot of time examining proposals which are low risk, and that comes at a cost. And so what I want to do is I want to substantially strengthen the foreign investment framework in this country. Foreign investment can be a force for good if it's in our national interest and I want us to be much better at screening out the less risky investment so that we can devote our time and energy to the more risky investment.

Let's talk about the risky investments. You just used the word interference. Risk of interference. What do you mean by that?

Well, obviously, if a supply chain or an industry is controlled more by overseas interests, it has the capacity to be manipulated, to be interfered with. In some cases, the most extreme cases, to attract sabotage or espionage or some of those sorts of things. And so we need to be very careful about that, particularly in our critical industries, whether it's critical minerals, critical data, critical infrastructure, these are the sorts of things that we are especially attentive to. And so where there's investment in sensitive areas or in sensitive places or sensitive industries, people can expect that to attract much more scrutiny.

Now, of course, we're talking about foreign investment, but largely, of course, we're looking at the threat coming from China when it relates to Australia, and obviously, particularly in relation to critical minerals and the energy transition. But here's the question: the Canadian government, when they reviewed this set of laws in Canada, ordered the disinvestment of 3 Chinese companies. Is that what you're proposing here, similar prohibitions on state‑owned Chinese enterprises?

First of all, the regime in Australia is already a bit tougher for state‑owned enterprises, and I think that's appropriate. I don't intend to change that when it comes to the zero threshold and the like. That's an important part of the current framework that we are looking to enhance and improve. I'm pretty confident when people see the full suite of this overhaul tomorrow, they'll see that we have been very, very attentive to making sure our framework is as robust as it can be, not because we are focusing on one country necessarily or another. The tests that we apply to investments apply equally to investments from all parts of the world. But we will make it more robust, we will make it stronger, and we will make it easier or better informed to apply some of those retrospective tests if we need to.

Now you're talking about boosting the ability of Treasury officials to make on‑site visits to critical projects. How would on‑site visits by officials uncover security issues?

Well, it's just one of a suite of tools that we want to make more substantial when it comes to the scrutiny on foreign investment. So, on‑site visits are part of it but also the broader compliance story. Sometimes when foreign investment bids are approved, in fairness, by governments of either political persuasion, there are a series of conditions imposed on that. We want to make sure we've got the resources to actually enforce those conditions, and some of those will be physical, will require an on‑site visit. Some of them will be financial or the structure of ownership, or the structure of boards and the like. And so a big part of what I'm announcing tomorrow is about how do we make sure when we do impose these conditions, they're actually complied with.

And would you be sending security officials from ASIO, for example, to accompany those Treasury officials? Because an on‑site visit at a company that is digging rare earths out of the ground, it's very hard to imagine a Treasury official can make an on‑site visit and discover anything crucial.

I'm a bit reluctant to get into those kinds of operational issues. You know, primarily this is the focus of the Foreign Investment Review Board, a great group of people very well supported by the Treasury. And it won't surprise your viewers to know that they consult very closely with our various agencies across the government. And what this is about more broadly, this foreign investment reform that I'm announcing tomorrow, is making sure that that coordination is as good as it can be, as efficient as it can be, as robust as it can be. The actual operationalisation of that is a matter for the relevant officials.

Now, in the case of these new rules, and I haven't asked you yet whether you'll need to legislate as well. I'll come to that in just a moment. But are you talking about future projects or also existing projects?

Well, first of all, I can answer the question about legislating. We don't need to legislate the changes I'm announcing tomorrow. That's easily enough dealt with. On the prospective versus retrospective, my predecessor, to his credit, gave treasurers more power to look at deals which had already been struck and to go back into those if that's necessary. I supported that at the time, and I support that now. But what we're most fundamentally talking about now is getting the regime right for the future. We can enforce compliance, we can go back into those deals. We are enhancing, actually, these changes. I'm announcing tomorrow some of those powers, but fundamentally, it's about looking forward. It's about how do we attract more less risky investment and how do we better screen the more risky investment. Because if you think about a Future Made in Australia, you think about our capacity to be a renewable energy superpower, you think about the future of our economy, it's going to rely on hundreds of billions of dollars of private investment, and so we need to make sure that that's in the national interest. Foreign investment can be a big part of our national economic success, but only if it's screened robustly and that's what I intend to do.

Just on the question of call‑in powers, because I think you retain a 10‑year call‑in power over these new projects. Are you talking about extending that call‑in power or beefing it up?

I'm talking about making that power more robustly applied and enforced. One of the things that has concerned me, and clearly it concerned my predecessor, because he took some steps here, is we're worried about once we sign off on a foreign investment proposal, we’re worried about policing the conditions, and we're worried about when that investment changes. No investment stays exactly the same over a long period of time. And so any normal, self‑respecting country like Australia should have the ability to go back into those deals, if that's necessary. And what the changes I'll announce tomorrow will be about is beefing that up, as you say, but also having a much more robust information base to make those kinds of often difficult decisions.

We're talking principally about China here. I just want to raise something that Don Farrell said, the Trade Minister in November, he said there were no proposed changes to Chinese investment in Australian critical minerals and, quote, that's not going to change. Is Don Farrell on board with these changes?

Of course. We've done this in a really methodical way, a really consultative way. And the point that Don's making, I think, is the point that I made a moment ago, which is our foreign investment regime is non‑discriminatory. The tests apply equally to investment, no matter where it comes from around the world.

So, he was speaking there on the sidelines of the APEC Summit. So, these were not comments made off the cuff. He said, we need the investment, including from China. Will you now be treating all investment from China differently?

No, the tests that we apply are who's making the investment. So, state‑owned enterprises obviously attract a different level of scrutiny, how they're making that investment, the structure of the deal and in what industries they're investing in. And those tests apply across the board, whether it's China or Singapore or Canada or other places where we get a lot of interest, a lot of foreign investment. So, the point that Don's making is the point that I would make. Our foreign investment regime is non‑discriminatory. We welcome investment if it's in our national interest, but we need to make sure that we're screening that robustly, and that's why I'm strengthening the regime.

I just want to ask you about taxes. You're also talking tomorrow, I understand, about ensuring investors pay their fair share of taxes. What specific projects are not delivering the returns they should?

One of the things you notice, Sarah, I get hundreds of foreign investment bids come over my desk, as do my colleagues Stephen Jones and Andrew Leigh. And one of the big things that we pay a lot of attention to is the structure of the tax arrangements for these bids. And what's become clear to us over the last couple of years is that we need to make it much clearer to investors, potential investors, what we expect from them when it comes to their tax obligations here in Australia. And so what I'll be releasing and working up initially tomorrow, but over the course of the next couple of months is much clearer and more transparent tax guidance. So, there's a bit less of the back and forth between decision makers and the Foreign Investment Review Board and the bidders trying to understand what their tax obligations are. If we can clear that up, we can tidy that up, then I think that's a really important thing.

Jim Chalmers, thank you for coming to talk to us, and particularly on this fascinating subject. Thank you very much indeed.

Thanks for having me back, Sarah.