Describe yourself in three word

In this blog, we will give you THREE BRILLIANT EXAMPLE ANSWERS to the tough interview question, describe yourself in 3 words!

Firstly, we will tell you HOW NOT to answer the interview question, describe yourself in 3 words. Nearly all the other candidates will answer the question in this way, and we urge you not to do the same. We will then explain how to answer this question to gain the highest scores possible.

Finally, we’ll give you 3 brilliant answers in a live interview to the question describe yourself in 3 words and all you have to do is choose which one answer option you think is the strongest!

How shouldn’t you answer the interview question “Describe yourself in 3 words”?

Well, do not answer the question by using the 3 words professional, team-worker, and hard-working.

Virtually all candidates use these 3 words when describing themselves but the hiring manger has heard these words many times before. These words are not unique, and you should automatically be professional, a great team-worker, and hard-working anyway as standard!

But how should you answer the interview question describe yourself in 3 words to impress the hiring manager and standout from the competition. You should do two things:

#1. Choose 3 words that are unique, and that are designed to demonstrate you will ADD VALUE to the organization in the role.

#2. Once you have given your 3 words to describe yourself, quickly explain to the hiring manager how these will be of benefit to their company.

“I would describe myself as DISCIPLINED, INDUSTRIOUS, and COMMEERCIALLY-DRIVEN. Being disciplined means I will take responsibility for my work and ensure it is completed to a high standard. I am industrious which means I will be tireless in my work and I will strive to help you succeed. Finally, being commercially driven means I will seek ways to help you grow whilst being a positive role model for the organization.”

“I would describe myself as FRUGAL, COLLABORATIVE, and LOYAL. Being frugal means I will always seek ways to you save money. Being collaborative means I will support my co-workers, help them to improve and share my knowledge amongst the team. Finally, being loyal means you can trust me to represent the business brand positively and I will stay working here for many years to come.”

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS ANSWER #3

“I would describe myself as RESOURCEFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and ENERGETIC. I am resourceful which means I will find quick and smart ways to overcome difficulties. Because I responsible I will take ownership of my ongoing development to ensure I am always valuable to the organization and my skills relevant. Finally, because I am energetic I will be able to get more work done than the average employee.”

Knowing how to describe yourself well is the first step towards success in an interview. It’s one of the most common questions during a job interview, if not the first.

How you describe yourself in an interview will help the interviewer assess your skills, traits, and attributes. It’s also a way for you to demonstrate how you can add value to their organization.

In this article, you’ll learn how to describe yourself in a structured manner. You’ll also learn which words to use in your job interview and see examples of these scenarios at work.

• How to describe yourself: A step-by-step guide
• Adjectives to describe yourself in three words
• How NOT to describe yourself in an interview: 5 mistakes to avoid
• Personalized interview coaching

One of the best ways to prepare for interviews is to look for insights from professionals in the industry you want to enter. That way, you’ll know what to expect and how to be the best candidate to exceed those expectations. In other words, having an industry professional coach will increase your chances of both acing an interview and nailing a job.

Before everything else, you have to remember that you need to start strong in your introductions. That’s because whoever’s interviewing you might cut the interview short if they don’t feel like you’re ready or if you’re not taking it seriously.

So here are ways to ensure your interview gets off the right foot. We’ll also provide examples of how to describe yourself in an interview when appropriate.

How to describe yourself: A step-by-step guide

When an interviewer asks you to introduce yourself, they’re asking you to describe yourself. Since that’s a broad question, you’ll need to create a structure for it. Here’s a simple introduction structure you can use:

1. Personal details
2. Three adjectives
3. Your achievements
4. Expectations setting

1. Personal details

When you start a conversation with someone you just met, you don’t go straight to the point.

The same in interviews. Start by telling your name and where you live. You don’t have to go into detail, but it helps to let the interviewer know about your living arrangement, such as who you live with and if you have pets.

It is your chance to inject warmth into the conversation. Don’t be afraid to be a little candid, as long as it’s appropriate for the situation. For example, you can say you like the city you’re living in, and that’s why you’re looking for work there if the job you’re applying for is in the same area.

Example answer:

“I’m (name). Pleasure speaking to you. Right now, I live in (city) by myself/with my family/with my partner. I lived here my whole life/moved here for work/when I was (age).

I’ve heard good things about (organization) in (industry), and it’s located in a great place. So I decided (organization) is a great company to pivot my career to after (years of employment) at (company name)/finishing (degree name) from (university name).”

2. Three adjectives

We’ll cover this more in-depth later. For now, what you need to know is that these three words are your most defining traits at work. Go for powerful adjectives open for further elaboration.

Example answer:

“If I had to pick three adjectives to describe myself, I’d choose resourceful, encouraging, and results-driven.

I’m resourceful because I find ways to deliver even in high-pressure situations. I’m quick to find new solutions if the current methodology is lacking. At the same time, I keep my team’s morale up by hearing out their problems and reminding them to take a breather when needed.

Being resourceful and encouraging to my team helps us achieve our set goals and tweak them so we don’t plateau in growth.”

3. Your achievements

Focus on achievements and milestones related to the job posting. In our example, the focus will be on someone applying as a content marketing manager. This person needs to use assertive language when citing concrete examples to drive home that they’re a value-add to their potential employer.

Example answer:

“In my last company, I was responsible for a 200% increase in blog traffic. By working inter-departmentally, I spearheaded an overhaul of schedules and campaigns that grew our audience. And by creating a relay system with our BDR team, we doubled our conversion rate.”

4. Expectations setting

If given the opportunity, you should try to set expectations for what you can bring to your potential employer. As much as possible, do this after you’ve asked questions about their company, and why they need the position they’re hiring for. That way, you can tailor your answer to their needs.

Example answer:

“If I become your content manager, I can take stock of your organization’s current needs and identify what strategies are needed to meet them. We can then work on a long-term plan to work on neglected goals and create new ones we can achieve per quarter. I can also introduce team bonding exercises I developed in my last place of work, proven to improve morale and synergy.”

Adjectives to describe yourself in three words

“Describe yourself in three words” is a common interview question. By asking you to describe yourself in three words, interviewers assess whether or not you have a firm grasp of your working style and personality.

It also tells the interviewer how you view yourself. Plus, it allows them to envision how you’ll fit within the workplace.

So when you’re looking for three words to describe yourself, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the choices. To lessen the pressure, try to group adjectives under traits that employers look for the most in interviews. You can try splitting these adjectives up by these five traits:

1. Industrious
2. Results-driven
3. Adaptable
4. Encouraging
5. Genuine

In many of the articles and videos you’ll find online, you’ll find that interviewers like hearing adjectives related to these traits the most. That’s because these words reveal how you interact with others, how you think, and how your skills align with your personality.

When picking adjectives to describe yourself, remember that you’re selling yourself. You need to be positive, yet realistic. Make sure you’re not exaggerating to the point of being dishonest.

At the same time, don’t be self-deprecating! There’s a way to remain humble without hurting your chances of getting hired, as the sample answers below show. And before you speak, parse out what you’re trying to say and think about it to avoid any misunderstandings.

1. Industrious

• Persistent
• Tireless
• Diligent
• Conscientious
• Persevering

Before anything else, you should note that some articles discourage the use of “hard-working”. This post points out that you can’t prove that right off the bat. Instead, it’s better if you use words that can be parlayed into examples of how you demonstrate your industriousness.

Example: “I was persistent in reaching out to our customers who had negative feedback about our product. Because of my conscientious work, my team identified major problems and addressed them.”

2. Results-driven

• Results-oriented
• Goal-directed
• Purposeful
• Committed
• Ambitious

It’s best to show your potential employer that you always have your eyes on the prize. By showing that you’re working towards goals, your interviewer will feel confident that you’re determined to be a top performer. While companies might expect this, you never know how meaningful it is to meet their expectations.

Example: “Because I’m results-driven, I look forward to working with the team to share my passion so we can meet our goals. If the worst happens, I want to ensure we can still turn things around for a net positive.”

3. Flexible

• Versatile
• Innovative
• Inventive
• Dynamic
• Resourceful

Workplace flexibility is expected of everyone, but not everyone has it. You need to be flexible to adapt to evolving challenges. You also need to show that you’re willing to modify how you approach your work to reach your goals.

Example: “I’m quite resourceful. For example, when my team needed to shift to another software to publish our content, I took courses in advance to help the team out during our retraining.”

4. Encouraging

• Coactive
• Supportive
• Corroborative
• Synergistic
• Diligent

A study in 2019 identified soft skills as a deal-maker and breaker for 92% of talent professionals and hiring managers when it comes to hiring candidates. An important soft skill is your ability to communicate and work well with others.

Example: “I’ve been described as coactive, as I tend to meet with my co-workers after hours and between breaks to help them map out their career path within the company.”

5. Genuine

• Authentic
• Sincere
• Credible
• Unfeigned
• Honest

Similar to the set of adjectives above, this set has to do with your interpersonal skills. While everyone is expected to be honest at work, can you set the record straight while remaining tactful?

Remember that being brutally honest all the time isn’t necessarily the best option. Any strong surge of emotion might lead you to say something untrue, gravely exaggerated, or intentionally hurtful, even if it’s your sincere opinion. So while you aim to be authentic, be careful when you tell the truth, and time it right.

Example: “Integrity is important to me. I must be consistent with how I act at work and be upfront with the people I work with, so none of us have to compromise on what we bring to the table.”

How NOT to describe yourself in an interview: 5 mistakes to avoid

Now that you know how to describe yourself in an interview, let’s look at some mistakes to avoid. These run the gamut from careless words and phrases to statements that might seem honest but would damage your chances.

1. Using filler words

Filler words hurt your chances in a job interview. A “basically”, “um”, or “like” makes you sound as if you didn’t think what you’re trying to say through. Don’t forget that you can ask for time to think about a question, or to have the interviewer repeat their answer if you don’t understand.

Aside from these verbal tics, you should also avoid ambiguous words. For example, avoid using “experience” and “basically”, and go straight for an elaboration. Avoid cliche words too, like “self-starter”, “motivated”, and “dedicated”.

Finally, avoid casual and double-edged adjectives. “Cool” and “radical” might be too informal for a business setting, even if the organization is relaxed. “Competitive” and “perfectionist”, meanwhile, may tell interviewers that you might prioritize your career above the overall wellness and performance of your team.

2. Badmouthing

You should also choose your words carefully when talking about previous employers. Industries are smaller than you think. If you bad-mouth an ex-employer, your potential employer will think this is your attitude towards everyone you previously worked with.

Other than that, you might be spilling NDA-protected information. Even if it’s nothing specific, it shows your potential employer that you’re careless with classified data. Plus, even if you don’t say the word “hate”, it’s implied if you rant about a previous employer. That “hate” might get you classified as a “high-risk candidate”.

3. Sounding uninterested

Your interviewer will take notice if you’re detached and unconfident from the start. Interviewers want candidates who are certain about their skills and are confident enough to convince them that they’re the perfect fit for the job.

They also want someone who knows what they want from the job and is curious enough to ask questions after or during the interview.

4. Sounding boastful

Unless you can prove that you’re a leading voice in the industry, don’t use the word “authority” to describe yourself in an interview. Chances are, you’ll come across as unskilled for the level of expertise you say you have. Give a modest assessment of your competencies, and prove it instead of saying it.

On a related note, be open to not knowing something. Not being the authority of a subject or field opens you up to the possibility of growth. It also gives birth to the possibility of having a niche or specialization that prospective employers can chalk up as a value add.

5. Negative self-talk

Being negative about yourself is completely different from self-criticism. Don’t lead your answers with things you can’t do or tasks that will challenge you. Think of a way to rephrase these answers to show that you can create positives from these potential negatives.

And when you’re asked to talk about the biggest challenge you’ve faced at work, emphasize how you overcame it, and what you learned from it. Keep the story you tell relevant to the job, or at least, how you solved the challenge. Use the STAR method to keep your thoughts organized and sound credible.

Now, what if you need a little help putting your interview together? As you can recall from the start of the article, there’s a recommendation for one-on-one coaching.

Personalized interview coaching

For Erik Hernal, the one-on-one coaching he received through Acadium Plus helped him retain his education and training better than traditional schooling.

Both his resume and job interview skills were polished by on-demand coaching from an industry expert. He also didn’t lack experience, as he took courses taught by industry professionals and gained hands-on knowledge by matching with a business in digital marketing.

In the end, Erik quickly landed work at Cleverly Agency as its new VP of Marketing.

“After the program, I felt more career-ready. I knew that first and foremost my resumé was excellent because I had a pro actually review and walk me through it.”

Your interviews can be a walk in the park if you know how to prepare for them. One thing you shouldn’t forget in your preparation is that you’re upselling yourself in interviews.

That means you need to put your accomplishments in a positive light. But be careful not to overdo to the point where you’re overselling your skills or outright lying. You must subsequently ride the crest of energy that your confidence creates to keep the interview going.

Don’t lose this confidence or energy if your interviewer appears inscrutable and you can’t gauge their reactions. Just keep going, answer questions with thought, and show the interviewer that you should pass this interview and get the job, or go to the next stage of the hiring process.

Lastly, you can’t always guess company values, but you can always look at their website and tailor your answers to reflect what you see there.

Preparations will help your interviews go smoothly. Keep this post open when you do your prep to keep yourself on the right track.

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!

Asked by: Dr. Angelina Rodriguez

Score: 4.8/5
(6 votes)

Welch says employers are deeply interested in how you think and operate, and you should use one of your three words to accurately capture that. She recommends using words like “conceptual,” “creative,” “curious,” “analytical” or “methodical” to describe your thought process.

What are 3 words to describe yourself?

Good Words to Describe Yourself (+ Example Answers)

How would you describe yourself in 3 words dating?

These words are sweet, funny, ambitious, thoughtful, easy-going, passionate, outgoing, hardworking, spontaneous, and happy. These words have been mentioned in this article so that you can express yourself in a positive way while dating.

Can you describe yourself in three to five words?

What is your weakness best answer?

How to answer What are your greatest weaknesses? Choose a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role. Be honest and choose a real weakness. Provide an example of how you’ve worked to improve upon your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the issue.

44 related questions found

Written by Career Specialist
Jan 25, 2023

To bag a job or position at a company, you need to be shrewd and highly intelligent. Being able to convince employers that you are the right candidate for a job position is a great skill that exceeds your documents.

It is intensely paramount for you to understand the right strategies to get employed. This article will look at an essential part of the modern-day job interview – “describe yourself in three words”. How do you reply professionally, and what is expected to be heard by your employers?

Why Do Employers Ask You To “Describe Yourself In Three Words”?

Just three words. Why? The major reason employers might ask you to describe yourself in 3 words is to first ascertain your level of expertise. Virtually all companies look forward to recruiting proactive professionals in their fields with strong teamwork abilities. These primary qualities are essential to moving businesses forward.

Besides, employers study many things about the employee by asking you to describe yourself in three words. Another primary reason why employers ask you to describe yourself is to comprehend your personality. By your description, they can easily fathom your character and personal behaviour. The descriptive words you use during the answer may speak for themselves. Devil is in the “small” details. Your answer may be mediocre or memorable. It’s a great idea to impress your potential employer, hiring managers with the words, coming from the heart. Be sincere and self-critical. In short, use honest words to describe yourself. This job interview question helps to check your self awareness – quality without which is simply impossible to build a successful business.

What hiring managers really want is a glimpse into the core essence of who you are, without drowning into a sea of adjectives. They’re keen on deciphering how well-versed you are in the fine art of self-awareness, and whether you possess the ability to communicate that efficiently. Decoding these three magic words can potentially provide them insights into your suitability to thrive in their particular work culture. So, the next time you’re asked to sum up your entire existence in a mere trinity of words, remember – you’re not just a walking dictionary; you’re a master of brevity, painting a vivid portrait of your professional credibility.

How To Respond To “Describe Yourself In Three Words”

When asked to describe yourself in three words during an interview, do not panic, be calm, and give a professional reply. Moreover, here, we will provide you with the crucial things you have to consider and add to the description of yourself to quickly become the favourite choice of the company. Check the tips out below:

• Prepare Before The Interview

  You need to prepare your personal and professional qualities before the interview date. Ensure that the qualities you prepare align with the job position you are aiming for. You can ask your family and friends to help you with the descriptions. They can see some excellent characteristics you do not know about yourself. In a nutshell, it is crucial to note your best qualities before the interview and professionally present them.

• Do Your Research About The Brand

  By researching and knowing deeply what your employers deal with and their brand’s values, it will be easier for you to mention qualities that align with their jooble-newsistration. The interviewer will regard you as an expert if they see that your response and characteristics mentioned are tailored to the company’s aim and objectives. To make your work easier, you can check out the brand’s websites, and social media handles to understand the qualities that they search for in their employees. For Example, for a company with a mission statement – “we are always interested in assisting our clients in excelling…” you might consider a characteristic such as ’empathetic’ to describe yourself.

• State Honest Qualities

  It is also crucial to stay genuine and provide honest qualities about yourself. Being honest with your answers will help you during and after the interview. If you fabricate some qualities you do not possess, you might later find it hard to maintain the position. Being honest will help not only you, but the employer as well to find the best candidate for a job.

  Try to remember a few words that your friends or previous coworkers used when they were congratulating you on your birthday. Onlookers see most of the game.

What To Avoid When Responding To “Describe Yourself In Three Words”

Even if you know how to respond well to questions, there are certain things you should avoid when asked by the interviewer to “describe yourself in three words”.

These include:

• Displaying Excessive Ego

  Confidence is a paramount characteristic you should always display when asked a question at the interview; besides, you should be pretty careful of over-acting. Doing too much will appear as excessive ego to the interviewer. You should try to show humility via your tone of the response to the request— “describe yourself in three words”.

• Using Unrelated Words

  Another thing you should avoid when describing yourself to the interviewer is using irrelevant words. Some words might express your intentions, yet, that does not add any value to your responses during the interview session. You should avoid unrelated words that will render the excellent description of yourself useless.

• Showing Fear

  Furthermore, you should avoid appearing too timid when asked to describe yourself. Showing fear or giving timid responses will neutralise the potency of your description. You need to be professional with your replies and display a form of self-confidence.

• Don’t mumble

  When an interviewer asks this tricky question – speak confidently. Spread positivity and confidence. Winners do not mumble.

Words You Can Use To Describe Yourself

These are the best words you can use to describe yourself:

• Honest
• Resourceful
• Creative
• Detail-Oriented
• Passionate
• Dedicated
• Proactive
• Reliable
• Meticulous
• Analytical

Example Answers To “Describe Yourself In Three Words”

These are some examples which you can check to guide on how to respond to “describe yourself in three words”:

1. “I am an organised person with the readiness to help at all times. I can boast of my time management prowess in meeting multiple deadlines. When I develop writer’s block, I don’t give up easily. Instead, I maintain my composure and keep working on the project until I think of a good idea. I also relish assisting my team members in approaching their projects with different strategies. I often derive joy in helping others.
2. “I am driven, communicative and reliable. I am driven because I consistently work toward a new objective and refuse to surrender if met with any impediment. I chose communicative because I highly enjoy collaborative work and would love the opportunity to learn from others if offered this position. Finally, I regarded myself as reliable because I stick to my commitments. If I volunteer to do something, you can guarantee I will get it done to the best of my abilities.”
3. “Enthusiastic, confident, and amiable are three words I would choose to describe myself. My enthusiasm for health care allows me to stay motivated at work and find value in what I am doing. My confidence helps me recognise my potential while discovering and learning more concepts. In addition, I think of myself as a friendly individual. This is evidenced in my interaction with my patients and colleagues.”

To Sum Up

When it comes to describing yourself in three words, remember that the most important thing is to be honest and confident. You should strive for short, concise answers that capture your unique qualities as an individual. Be sure to consider how each word reflects on you as a person and potential employee or business partner. It’s always best to practice these types of questions ahead of time so you can give the interviewer a thoughtful response when they ask this question during an interview. So, next time you find yourself in this perplexing predicament, remember that these are not just three words – it’s an opportunity to leave a lasting impression with a well-thought-out trifecta of terms that flaunt the fantastic fusion that is you.