If you're like most people, you probably find it difficult to describe yourself in just a few words. After all, there are so many qualities that make up a person!
Luckily, there are some tried and true ways to make sure you put your best foot forward when it comes time to describe yourself. In this blog post, I'll share 50 words to describe yourself in an interview and 8 example answers that you can use as inspiration to help get your message across clearly.
By following the tips in this post, you'll be able to present yourself in the best possible light and make a great impression on potential employers.
Let's get started!
Start By Thinking About The Qualities That Make You Unique
What makes you unique? Are you creative? Passionate? Driven? These are just a few of the many qualities that make people who they are. When you know what makes you special, you can start to focus on how you can use those qualities to achieve your goals.
For example, if you are creative, you might want to pursue a career in the arts. If you are passionate, you might want to find a cause that you can fight for. And if you are driven, you might want to start your own business. No matter what qualities make you unique, remember that they can be used to help you achieve success.
It's also important to think about what in-demand soft skills you have, and how you will convey those traits to a recruiter or hiring manager. We've found the best way to do that is through targeted example answers.
Example #1: Describing yourself as Creative:
I am creative and passionate about my work. I am always looking for new ways to express myself and I strive to create the best work possible. I am driven by my desire to design something beautiful and unique using my graphic design skills. I believe that art should be accessible to everyone, and I strive to make my work available to as many people as possible.
I share my work in open-source online communities, as well as through print and digital media. I am always learning and growing as an artist, and I hope to continue to develop my skills for years to come.
Use Adjective Words To Describe Yourself
When you're describing yourself, it's important to use positive words such as “hard-working,” “driven,” and “creative”. After all, you want to make a good impression. These words will show potential employers that you are a go-getter who is willing to put in the work to achieve success. Associating yourself with positive words is a powerful way to communicate your soft skills to a potential employer.
Words to describe yourself:
- Unique
- Creative
- Passionate
- Driven
- Motivated
- Successful
- Positive
- Upbeat
- Self-Starter
- Determined
- Hard-working
- Collaborative
- Empathetic
- Team-Player
- Friendly
- Innovative
- Analytical
- Considerate
- Resourceful
- Reliable
- Respectful
- Disciplined
- Honest
- Trustworthy
- Determined
- Patient
- Detailed
- Confident
- Productive
- Flexible
When you start to use these words to describe yourself, be sure to use your experiences to back up your adjectives. Words alone will not be enough to convey your value and experience to a hiring manager.
Brush up on your Star Interview Method skills to better incorporate these describing words into your career stories. Be as clear as possible with your language, and make sure your stories illustrate the qualities you want to highlight.
Example #2: Describing yourself as Trustworthy:
I was always the one my team could count on to get the job done. I was always on time, I never missed a deadline, and I communicated well. My team knew that they could rely on me to be honest and transparent with them.
I remember one time, we were working on a project and I made a mistake. I owned up to it immediately, and took responsibility for my actions. I learned from that experience, and since then I have been extra careful to double-check my work. I am now the go-to person on my team for quality control.
My team knows that they can trust me to do my job well, and they know that I am always working to improve my skills. They know that I am a reliable and responsible team player, and they know that I am someone they can count on.
Share A Personal Story To Illustrate One Of Your Qualities
Be specific when you're describing your accomplishments and qualities. For example, if you say that you are “hard-working,” share a story about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to get a project done.
This will help potential employers see that you are not just saying that you are hard-working, but that you have actual proof to back up your claim.
Example #3: Sharing a personal story, describing yourself as Resourceful:
As the new intern at ABC Company, I was given the task of creating a presentation for the board of directors. I had never done anything like that before, and I was really struggling to figure out where to start. However, I wasn't going to give up.
I spent hours upon hours researching different topics until I finally found one that I thought would be perfect for the presentation. Once I had the topic, putting the presentation together was a breeze.
My resourcefulness and tenacity impressed my boss so much that she gave me a permanent position on the team. From then on, I was always the one they turned to when they needed someone to get the job done no matter what.
Example #4: Describing your work experience using the word Innovative:
At my previous job, I was tasked with coming up with a new marketing campaign that would help increase sales. I brainstormed for days, but I just couldn't come up with anything that felt fresh and new.
I decided to partner with a stop-motion video maker who was able to showcase our products in a different way and help us reach a wider audience. The campaign was a huge success, and the company saw a significant increase in sales. Thanks to my innovative thinking, I was able to help the company reach its goals.
Both of these examples show how you can describe specific experiences in your career. Whether you came up with a new marketing campaign or found a new way to do something, sharing your success stories in an interview will help a recruiter or hiring manager see your value and what you could bring to their company.
No matter what your unique qualities are, remember that you can use them to your advantage. Be specific when you're describing your accomplishments and qualities, and use your experiences to back up your claims. With a little effort, you can use your unique qualities to stand out from the crowd and land the job you've always wanted.
Talk About Your Professional Experience And Accomplishments
When you're asked to describe yourself, it's important to include both your professional and personal experiences. After all, your potential employer will want to know not only what qualities you have, but also how you've used those qualities to achieve success in your career. It's likely that you will be asked, What is your greatest accomplishment?” in an interview, so you'll want to be prepared ahead of time!
Four things you might want to include are:
- Your professional experience – What results did you drive in your previous role?
- Your accomplishments – How did you help your team/customers/company succeed?
- Any awards or recognition you've received – Were you recognized for anything specific?
- What you've learned in your career so far – How did you grow professionally in your career?
Action words to describe your accomplishments and experience:
- Achieved
- Created
- Developed
- Designed
- Organized
- Earned
- Focused
- Assisted
- Tracked
- Led
Example #5: Using the action word Developed to describe an accomplishment:
I developed a new sales strategy that increased our company's sales by 20% within the first year. As the sales manager at my previous job, I was always looking for new ways to increase sales. One day, I had a lightbulb moment and came up with a new strategy.
I presented my idea to the board of directors, and they loved it. I then worked with the sales team to implement the new strategy, and it was a huge success. Thanks to my hard work and creative thinking, the company saw a significant increase in sales.
Example #6: Describing your professional experience using the word Organized:
I am an organized and detail-oriented person, which has helped me excel in my career as an events planner. No matter how big or small the event is, I am always able to keep track of all the details and make sure everything runs smoothly.
My clients have always been impressed with my organizational skills, and I have even received several awards for my work. Thanks to my attention to detail, I have been able to successfully plan and execute a wide variety of events.
Both of these examples show how you can use your professional experiences to demonstrate your qualities. When describing your accomplishments, be sure to include specific details and use action words.
If you're struggling to think of specific examples, take a look at your resume. Chances are, you've already listed some of your professional accomplishments there. You can also think about a time when you went above and beyond at work or helped solve a problem.
Once you have a few examples in mind, take some time to brainstorm how you would describe each experience. Remember to use action words and be as specific as possible. By doing this, you'll be able to paint a picture of yourself as a competent and successful professional.
Words To Describe Yourself That Focus On The Future
It's important to focus on the future as this shows potential employers that you are always looking for ways to improve and grow.
When you're interviewing for a job, it's important to let the hiring manager know what your career goals are and where you see yourself in the future. It shows them that you care about your career and are looking for a long-term opportunity. It also gives them a better idea of where you see yourself fitting in at their company.
Four things you might want to include are:
- Your short- or long-term goals – What career goals do you have now and in the future?
- What you are hoping to achieve in your career – What is your career path?
- What skills you want to learn – Be specific!
- How you plan on developing your abilities – Courses, side projects, on the job training, etc.
Words to describe your future plans:
- Improve
- Advance
- Expand
- Grow
- Update
- Learn
- Test
- Develop
- Motivated
- Interested
Example #7: Your plans to Advance in your career path:
I am always looking for ways to advance in my career. I am currently working towards getting my MBA, and I hope to one day become a Director of Sales. I have taken several courses on leadership and management, and am constantly learning new things and expanding my skill set.
To become a Director of Sales, I know I will need a lot of experience and knowledge in the field. I want to gain more experience leading and motivating a sales team and coming up with creative strategies to increase sales. I am well-organized and have excellent communication skills. I am motivated to continue growing within my field to achieve my career goal.
Example #8: Your plans to Develop your abilities:
I am always looking for ways to improve my skills. I recently took a coding class, and I am hoping to learn more about web development. I am also interested in learning new software programs and testing out new technologies. By continuously developing my abilities, I hope to one day become an expert in my field.
Summary
In conclusion, when you are asked to describe yourself, it's important to use positive words, share a personal story, focus on your professional experience and accomplishments, and focus on the future. Doing so will give potential employers a well-rounded picture of who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Looking for more interview tips? These posts will help you prepare for your next interview:
