{"id":234,"date":"2022-03-10T07:58:03","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T07:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/?p=234"},"modified":"2023-06-26T15:01:17","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T15:01:17","slug":"words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless your potential employer goes for a very unconventional approach to interviewing, you\u2019re guaranteed to run into some variation of this question: \u201cHow would you describe yourself?\u201d. While it may seem like an innocent conversation starter, there are right and wrong answers here. It is crucial to at least <strong>have an idea of how you will answer it<\/strong> before you go in for an interview.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When an interviewer asks this question, they are looking for how your qualities align with the role they are looking to fill. When preparing your answer, keep that perspective in mind. In this article, we will give you some ideas of what to say in this situation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"builder-button\">  \n        <a href=\"\/goapp\/new-resume\" class=\"builder-banner__a\">Create your resume<\/a>\n    <\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img width=\"601\" height=\"407\" src=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/words-to-describe-yourself.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/words-to-describe-yourself.png 601w, https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/words-to-describe-yourself-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/words-to-describe-yourself-50x34.png 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e95ae280fd3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #2c1e39;color:#2c1e39\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #2c1e39;color:#2c1e39\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e95ae280fd3\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#How_to_answer\" >How to answer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#The_most_common_variations\" >The most common variations&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#%E2%80%9CDescribe_yourself_in_three_words%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cDescribe yourself in three words\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#%E2%80%9CDescribe_yourself_in_a_sentence%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cDescribe yourself in a sentence\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#%E2%80%9CTell_me_about_yourself%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cTell me about yourself\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#%E2%80%9CHow_would_your_friends_describe_you%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cHow would your friends describe you?\u201d<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#Extra_advice\" >Extra advice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/words-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_answer\"><\/span>How to answer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two important points to keep in mind when thinking about how to describe yourself professionally. First of all, this is an opportunity to focus on soft skills and how your personal characteristics make you perfect for the job. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read over the job posting and the description of what will be expected from the employee to get an idea of what the \u201cperfect\u201d person for the job would be like. For example, the job may involve a lot of social skills and require you to be friendly and patient. Or it may be an intense, results-driven position which would require a person who is goal-driven and ambitious. Think of some of your qualities that make you a good match and focus on them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Second, the way you answer this question is a demonstration of your spoken communication skills, much like how your <span style=\"color: #e16036;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-cover-letter\/\">cover letter<\/a><\/span> is a chance to show off your written communication skills. This is why it\u2019s important to come prepared and have a formulated, professional answer so you don\u2019t talk in circles or trail off topic. If possible, practice answering this along with your answers of the most common interview questions with a friend or family member. This practice will also help you feel less nervous when you go in for the real interview.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"builder-banner-top\">\n        <div class=\"builder-banner-top__title\">\n            You'll Never Find a Good Job\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"builder-banner-top__text\">\n            It\u2019s a job hunter\u2019s common fear, but we can help boost your chances!\n        <\/div>    \n        <a href=\"\/goapp\/new-resume\" class=\"builder-banner-top__a\">Click to use resume builder<\/a>\n    <\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_most_common_variations\"><\/span>The most common variations&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on what version of the question you are asked and your specific qualities, there are countless ways to describe yourself. Prepare for each of these common variations, and you\u2019ll be ready to answer this question.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CDescribe_yourself_in_three_words%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>\u201cDescribe yourself in three words\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s best to think of three words in advance so you don\u2019t find yourself stumped and take too long to think. Even if it doesn\u2019t get asked, you can use these words in other parts of your interview. Alternatively, you could get asked to describe yourself in one word. In this case, simply choose the most important out of the three. Here are examples of words you could use:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creative<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organised<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Results-oriented&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reliable<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driven&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patient<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ambitious&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initiator&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supportive<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enthusiastic&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inventive<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Committed<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovator&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CDescribe_yourself_in_a_sentence%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>\u201cDescribe yourself in a sentence\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This question is very similar to the previous one, so you can simply use the same three words you prepare and formulate them into a sentence. For example, if your three words were \u201chardworking\u201d, \u201csociable\u201d and \u201cambitious\u201d you can say \u201cI would describe myself as a hardworking, ambitious individual who is also very sociable and works well in a team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CTell_me_about_yourself%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>\u201cTell me about yourself\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a more general question so you have an opportunity to focus on different aspects of describing yourself. Try to keep it succinct, a 2 minute answer is plenty. It\u2019s a good idea to start by talking about your previous experiences, what skills you have that helped you excel in previous positions, and finally, how you hope to progress in your career. Make sure to keep all of it relevant to the job you\u2019re applying for and focus on professional qualities as well as personality traits that make you a good fit for the work you\u2019d be expected to do.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CHow_would_your_friends_describe_you%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>\u201cHow would your friends describe you?\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This question focuses more on your personality, rather than professional skills. In advance, try to think of qualities that make you a good friend. You can even ask a few friends for their opinions! Then choose some of the best qualities that can be applied to a professional environment. For example, maybe you are a reliable person who can be counted on. Or you are the friend who takes initiative and organizes activities for your friend group. These are qualities that can be very helpful in all kinds of jobs.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Extra_advice\"><\/span>Extra advice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep it positive.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is not the time for self-deprecation (even in the form of jokes). Show off your best qualities and try to make the interviewer believe you are perfect for the job.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Don\u2019t brag.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While it is important to focus on positive traits, you need to find a balance so you don\u2019t look too boastful. Be sure not to compare yourself to others and say you think you are better or the best.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Be honest.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It may be tempting to craft the perfect answer that matches the job requirements, however there\u2019s no point in it if you lie or exaggerate. You can answer both truthfully and convincingly.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep it short.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is not the time to go into a full autobiography. Give short, well-formulated answers. Your interviewer will not appreciate you dragging on and taking up time with your answer to a single question.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to prepare to describe yourself in an interview, as this question is very likely to come up. Plan in advance by brainstorming some of your best and relevant qualities, and even asking friends and family what they think makes you a good friend and worker. By preparing, you also ensure you can answer quickly and eloquently while feeling more confident. Before you go into your interview, be sure to read about <span style=\"color: #e16036;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-an-interviewer\/\">the best questions to ask your potential employer<\/a><\/span>. This opportunity to ask a question often gets overlooked, but it can greatly improve your chances of landing the job.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good luck in your job hunt! Remember to do your research and be prepared. <\/span><\/p>\n    <div class=\"builder-banner\">\n        <div class=\"builder-banner__title\">\n            Build your perfect resume in&nbsp;a&nbsp;snap\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"builder-banner__text\">\n            Use templates created by HR pros to make your resume and cover letter catch the recruiter's eye.\n        <\/div>    \n        <a href=\"\/goapp\/new-resume\" class=\"builder-banner__a\">Create your resume<\/a>\n    <\/div><div style='text-align:left' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unless your potential employer goes for a very unconventional approach to interviewing, you\u2019re guaranteed to run into some variation of this question: \u201cHow would you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":235,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":""},"categories":[6,3],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0,"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=234"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6379,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234\/revisions\/6379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=234"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}