Job interview word list

It is a well known fact that some companies like to surprise job candidates with interesting, searching questions. Some of these questions read this way:

“Tell me about yourself.”

“Describe yourself in one word.”

“Sum up your experience in one sentence.”

“Cite five adjectives that best describe you.”

“If you had to choose 3 words to describe yourself (or 5 words, or 10 words to describe yourself), what would they be?”

Words are powerful. The simple words that you choose to use in this circumstance could mean the difference between getting the job and not getting hired.

If you’re preparing for an interview, don’t panic! Consider the following tips and our list of 101 helpful adjectives to ace your next job interview.

What Are Adjectives?

Perhaps you are wondering, what are adjectives, and why do I need them for a job interview? Well, as you’ve completed the job application process, you likely scoured the job listing for important keywords. You included these keywords in your resume and cover letter. Some were hard skills, and others were soft skills. Some of these soft skills especially were the descriptive words we’re considering here.

That’s what an adjective is, a descriptive word. Specifically, describes “the qualities or states of being of nouns” or things.

Let’s do a simple exercise. How would you describe yourself? Write down ten words that would give a new acquaintance an understanding of the kind of person you are.

Perhaps you described your personality with words like adventurous, funny, extroverted, introverted, or happy. You might have used words that characterize your relationships with other people, for example, caring, patient, compassionate, understanding, generous, talkative, or quiet. Finally, your words might specify the ways in which you work: hard-working, safety-conscious, prompt, punctual, driven, or lazy.

Now that you understand the nature of these descriptive words, how can you use them to your advantage in your career? Specifically, how can you leverage your carefully chosen words during a job interview? To find the answer, let’s discuss why these questions are used in the first place.

Why Do Interviewers Ask You to Describe Yourself?

How did you get to know your friends and family members? By spending time with them. Think back to when you first met someone whom you now consider a close friend. What did you know about them? Likely, there was a time when you didn’t even know their name. You observed their actions and talked to them, and over time you became friends.

Job interviews lack the luxury of time and observation. Hiring managers need to fill the position quickly, in a matter of days, weeks, or months. Most of the candidates are complete strangers. That means the “getting to know you” process has to be speeded up. It is facilitated by questions like those at the outset.

Describing Yourself Can Be Tricky

Some people are more comfortable talking about themselves than others are. However you feel about it, though, describing yourself during a job interview can be like walking a tightrope – it’s all about balance. How so?

You want to be honest about yourself, but you don’t want to downgrade your qualities or abilities. You want to impress the interviewer, but you don’t want to seem self-centered or narcissistic.

This balance and the words you should use can shift depending on the reason for the description. If you’re writing a dating profile, for example, the tone of your biography will be different from the one on your LinkedIn profile. The dynamic will also change depending on the company culture – you may choose lighthearted words for an interview at a company with a relaxed culture, or more serious, traditional words for an interview at a lawyer’s office or a C-level position, for instance.

Your experience in the field can also alter how you describe yourself. If you’ll need on the job training, your descriptive words should have an added humility. If you have forty years of experience in the field, you can be a bit more forthcoming.

How to Choose the Right Adjectives

How can you choose the best words to describe yourself? First, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do the words I’ve chosen accurately and honestly describe me?
• Are the words positive?
• What qualities are needed to accomplish the job?
• What is the company’s culture like?

Let’s consider these questions in more detail.

Be Honest

Is your description of yourself honest? Just as stretching the truth about your abilities on your resume can get you into trouble, so it can during an interview. The bottom line is, if what you say isn’t true, it will be noticed eventually.

Be Positive

Words like shy, political, or emotional could be taken negatively, depending on the context. Definitely avoid negative descriptors like lazy, self-centered, or money-loving.

Be a Good Fit

Questions about yourself are designed to help the interviewer see if you are a good fit for the job. Think of what will be required of you. If you have the opportunity to explain your choices, cite an experience from your past employment that supports each adjective. For example, if you say you’re reliable, cite an example of how your reliability accomplished something good.

Consider the Company Culture

Some adjectives may be more suited to certain company cultures than they are to others. Mindfulness may be more valued in a company that promotes alternative health products or practices. Unconventional thinking may be valued at a tech startup. Get to know the company’s culture and values, and choose accordingly.

How many of these adjectives should you keep in mind? Generally, having three words to describe yourself will suffice. You can revisit the list below before each job interview to customize your word list to the nature of the job and the culture of the company.

101 Adjectives That Can Make You Shine

There are lots of articles touting the “top 10,” “top 20,” or “top 5” words, qualities, or personal traits to include on your resume or to use at your job interview. But adjectives aren’t one size fits all. Those 5, 10, or 20 words may not always work for you, or they may not be appropriate for every interview.

Below, we’ve assembled a list of 101 positive adjectives for you to choose from. Think about your own personal traits, the needs of the job to which you are applying, and the culture of the company. Then, you can choose good words to describe yourself that are tailored to your situation.

1. Honest
2. Committed
3. Reliable
4. Trustworthy
5. Accountable
6. Responsible
7. Diligent
8. Organized
9. Balanced
10. Driven
11. Ethical
12. Loyal
13. Resilient
14. Discreet
15. Punctual
16. Flexible
17. Agile
18. Adaptable
19. Positive
20. Team player
21. Leader
22. Communicative
23. Capable
24. Collaborative
25. Technologically competent
26. Creative
27. Unconventional
28. Innovative
29. Imaginative
30. Passionate
31. Empathetic
32. Compassionate
33. Attentive
34. Productive
35. Energetic
36. Adventurous
37. Humble
38. Artistic
39. Problem solver
40. Ingenuitive
41. Strategic
42. Goal-oriented
43. Motivated
44. Self-starter
45. Efficient
46. Thoughtful
47. Mindful
48. Experienced
49. Sociable
50. Detail-oriented
51. Eager
52. Teachable
53. Quick study
54. Quick learner
55. Curious
56. Genuine
57. Persistent
58. Patient
59. Disciplined
60. Dynamic
61. Ambitious
62. Straightforward
63. Tenacious
64. Generous
65. Considerate
66. Independent
67. Courageous
68. Confident
69. Determined
70. Helpful
71. Hardworking
72. Cheerful
73. Sensitive
74. Sincere
75. Easygoing
76. Clever
77. Witty
78. Friendly
79. Versatile
80. Open-minded
81. Practical
82. Intuitive
83. Fearless
84. Brave
85. Intelligent
86. Emotionally intelligent
87. Optimistic
88. Realistic
89. Resourceful
90. Enthusiastic
91. Approachable
92. Articulate
93. Autonomous
94. Charismatic
95. Calm
96. Cooperative
97. Courteous
98. Eloquent
99. Focused
100. Meticulous
101. Perceptive

Did you find accurate, relevant, and positive descriptions of yourself on the list above? Good! Remember, too, that there are plenty of other admirable qualities not listed here. Maybe you’re skillful, systematic, or something else. Create your own unique list. Keep it in a notebook or saved on your computer as a quick reference for interview prep and resume building.

Does Preparation Really Help?

In a word, yes! If you anticipate a “describe yourself” question and have a relevant answer in mind, you will be able to speak with confidence when the time comes. Even if the question is in a different format, you can adapt your answer to it.

Consider an example: A high school student in the United States had an important academic test approaching. She had to write an essay, and the topic would be assigned at the time of the test. To prepare, she studied a psychology concept that could be applied to almost any situation. At the time of the test, she was able to write fluently because she already had a subject in mind – she simply adapted it to the essay topic. This student received a prize for the highest score.

In a similar way, preparing for your interview by having self-descriptive adjectives in mind can help you to score the job you want and earn the respect of your hiring manager.

In Conclusion

You may be asked to list a number of words to describe yourself in an interview. Thinking about this ahead of time can prevent you from freezing. It can help you answer the question in the most advantageous way possible. This list of 101 words to use on your job interview can give you the inspiration you need.