Good Words to Describe Yourself (+ Example Answers)
- Diligent / Loyal / Reliable. I am always the first person my friends call because they know I am always there for them. …
- Creative / Innovative / Visionary. …
- Motivated / Ambitious / Leader. …
- Honest / Ethical / Conscientious. …
- Friendly / Personable / Extrovert.
Secondly, How can I impress in interview?
How can I impress the interviewer with my answers?
- Be passionate. Have a positive attitude and be enthusiastic when talking about yourself and your career. …
- Sell yourself. …
- Tell stories. …
- Ask questions. …
- Ask for the job.
Also What are 5 adjectives that describe you? Positive words to describe yourself
- Able. I am able to handle multiple tasks on a daily basis.
- Creative. I use a creative approach to problem solve.
- Dependable. I am a dependable person who is great at time management.
- Energetic. I am always energetic and eager to learn new skills.
- Experience. …
- Flexible. …
- Hardworking. …
- Honest.
In fact How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
“If I have to describe myself in 5 words I would say I am attentive, reliable, able, creative, and hardworking. I have been working for a magazine for the past 2 years.
How do I say about myself?
Here are a few things you should be able to say to let your life be your voice.
- I followed my heart.
- I believe in myself.
- I live by high standards.
- I treat others the way I want to be treated.
- I understand how precious time is.
- I look for positivity in all things.
- I trust my intuition.
- I speak up.
How can I impress my interview in 5 minutes?
Here are 7 ways to impress an interviewer in the first five minutes of your interview:
- Be inquisitive. …
- Arrive early. …
- Make the most of body language. …
- Display kindness. …
- Bring multiple copies of your resume. …
- Mention something you have in common. …
- Build rapport with small talk.
What are your strengths?
Some examples of strengths you might mention include: Enthusiasm. Trustworthiness. Creativity.
How do you close an interview?
How to close an interview
- Ask questions.
- Address any concerns.
- Remind the interviewer of your strengths.
- Express your interest in the job.
- Ask about the next steps.
- Offer additional information.
- Leave the meeting politely.
- Send a follow-up email.
How can you describe yourself in one word?
Positive words to describe yourself in any situation. Words to describe yourself in an interview. Words to describe yourself on a resume.
…
Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview.
Resourceful | Focused | Reliable |
---|---|---|
Motivated | Methodical | Proactive |
Insightful | Disciplined | Organized |
Results-oriented | Energetic | Ambitious |
How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Sample answers:
I am a hard-working and driven individual who isn’t afraid to face a challenge. I’m passionate about my work and I know how to get the job done. I would describe myself as an open and honest person who doesn’t believe in misleading other people and tries to be fair in everything I do.
How would you describe yourself?
How to answer, “How would you describe yourself?”
- I am passionate about my work. …
- I am ambitious and driven. …
- I am highly organised. …
- I’m a people person. …
- I’m a natural leader. …
- I am results oriented. …
- I am an excellent communicator.
Why do u want to work here?
“I see this opportunity as a way to contribute to an exciting/forward-thinking/fast-moving company/industry, and I feel I can do so by/with my … ” “I feel my skills are particularly well-suited to this position because … … “I’m excited about this job opportunity, as it would allow me to …
How do you define yourself?
Defining yourself is basically the idea of knowing who you are, what you stand for, what your identity is, what rules you stand by, and so on. This could be morals you live by, what you define as integrity, how important your word is to you, what you consider to be good and bad things, your beliefs and more.
How do you describe yourself?
Example: “I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. I’m not comfortable with settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness.
What are 3 positive things about yourself?
16 Things You Should Tell Yourself To Lead A Positive Life
- I’m capable. …
- I am confident. …
- I love challenges. …
- I’m moving forward. …
- I make great decisions. …
- I don’t need other people’s approval. …
- I am lovable. …
- I am responsible for my own happiness.
How would you describe yourself?
Positive words to describe yourself in any situation.
…
Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview.
Resourceful | Focused | Reliable |
---|---|---|
Results-oriented | Energetic | Ambitious |
Engaged | Creative | Persuasive |
Diligent | Thorough | Analytical |
Persistent | Passionate | Dynamic |
How do you define yourself?
Defining yourself is basically the idea of knowing who you are, what you stand for, what your identity is, what rules you stand by, and so on. This could be morals you live by, what you define as integrity, how important your word is to you, what you consider to be good and bad things, your beliefs and more.
How can I impress in 5 minutes?
Let’s take a look at some of the things you should do:
- Understand your audience. …
- Have good posture and keep eye contact. …
- Let the other person talk and listen attentively. …
- Just Smile! …
- Final Note.
What to say to impress interviewers?
8 Things to ALWAYS Say in an Interview
- You know the company really well. …
- You have the experience to do the job. …
- You work well with others. …
- You are constantly seeking to learn. …
- You are motivated. …
- You are excited about this job. …
- You have a plan. …
- You want to build a career in the company.
How can I impress a interviewer in 1 minute?
Here are four ways to impress an interviewer in the first five minutes of your interview.
- Be inquisitive. At the end of most interviews, the interviewer asks the applicant if they have any questions. …
- Make eye contact. …
- Mention something you have in common. …
- Build rapport with small talk.
What are your weaknesses?
Examples of weaknesses related to your work ethic might include:
- Leaving projects unfinished.
- Providing too much detail in reports.
- Shifting from one project to another (multitasking)
- Taking credit for group projects.
- Taking on too many projects at once.
- Taking on too much responsibility.
- Being too detail-oriented.
What is your weakness best answer?
My greatest weakness is that I am a shy and nervous person by nature. The result is that I have a difficult time speaking up in groups. Even if I have good ideas, I have trouble asserting them. Often I keep them to myself.
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About This Quiz
All of us are the sum of many parts, one of the things that makes people so cool and interesting is how different all of us are. Still though, when it comes to people that know us well, they think of one thing about us first and foremost. If we were to go up to your significant other or your best friend and asked them to describe you in one word, what would it be? Now don’t forget, we are talking about people that like you here, otherwise, the word might be a lot different.
Are you known by all as a leader who never quits? Are you courageous, having faced long odds and defeated them? Are you kind to all that you meet? Are you so affected by the world around you would people describe you as sensitive? Are you so funny that people would forget about all of your other characteristics? Do you have a strong sense of justice of what is right and wrong? There are a whole lot of people in the world, and there are a whole lot of words that can be used to describe each of them. Take this quiz to find the word that might describe you best.
When it comes to a job interview, you’ve got a lot of prep work to do. While it’s impossible to know every question you’ll get asked, the good news is that there are many common ones that hiring managers tend to ask.
One of these is “Describe yourself in 5 words.” But if you’re not prepared to give a solid answer, this request can throw you off track.
Here are 15 potential words to describe yourself (and 16 words not to use!). We also include a few tips from our interview prep experts to keep in mind so you feel fully prepared for this question:
15 best adjectives to describe yourself
When you’re preparing your response, you’ll need descriptive adjectives (i.e. a word or phrase naming an attribute about yourself) that sum you up in a nut-shell. Consider using the following adjectives to describe yourself.
- Flexible
- Hard-working
- Persistent
- Reliable
- Enthusiastic
- Responsive
- Analytical
- Confident
- Encouraging
- Motivated
- Friendly
- Creative
- Methodical
- Personable
- Versatile
But listing off these adjectives alone isn’t enough to stand out to hiring managers. Tell the interviewer why you’ve chosen these words and back up your claims with strong, story-based examples.
Hint: Ensure that the words and stories both describe you AND are relevant to the position.
Turn five adjectives & examples into a cohesive answer
Unless the interviewer gives you less time, take around two to four minutes to list out five words that describe you and then share examples of why you exemplify each one.
For example, perhaps you’re applying for a remote marketing manager position. Here’s how you might describe yourself in five words:
I would say that I’m motivated, analytical, creative, encouraging, and friendly.
Motivation comes naturally to me and I’ve always been a self-starter. During my first six months with XYZ Company, I proposed the idea for an all-day, 15-speaker virtual event to promote our company on a global level. The management team loved the idea and I led a ten-person team to execute the conference. This included working with vendors to purchase and install new technology when our video conferencing system crashed the day before the event. We had over 500 participants and the event was featured in Marketing Today.
I’ve also always enjoyed the analytical side of marketing. I’m constantly looking at numbers to tell a story. For example, to improve our Revenue-per-Recipient at XYZ Company, I analyzed the KPIs within Mailchimp to understand why customers were clicking links in our emails, but not purchasing products. I then segmented our email lists by Engagement levels and created a plan for personalized content. Our Revenue-per-Recipient improved by $10 in 3-months.
I’m also creative and enjoy developing brand guidelines and customer personas to build compelling marketing campaigns. As Junior Marketing Manager for ALL MARKETING Agency, I developed the “Launch Countdown” campaign for X Client to promote the launch of their new HR software. This campaign coincided with NASA’s rocket launch and included a live countdown on the website, an email and social media strategy, and a product launch event/takeoff watch party. We had over 5,000 early launch sign-ups and did $30K in sales on launch day.
Finally, I’m encouraging and friendly with everyone I meet. Over the past four years, I have managed three to 15-person marketing teams. Early on, I realized the need for positive weekly emails to update the team on company progress AND recognize them for their contributions. I scheduled monthly 1:1’s with each member of my team.
These meetings involved listening, providing critical feedback for growth, and highlighting 2-3 areas where the member excelled that month. I’m an extrovert at heart and enjoy interacting with others. In addition to my team, I’ve always interacted well with other departments, which has helped me to effectively collaborate and excel as a marketing manager!
Notice how this answer is very descriptive. It’s packed full of examples that also relate to the position.
This answer would take about two to four minutes to share. You might feel like you need 30 minutes to express yourself, but you’ll impress an interviewer more if your answers are succinct and clearly answer the question.
Practice answering “Describe yourself in five words” before your interview to ensure your response is tight and clear.
16 adjectives to avoid
Not all words are created equal. Don’t list off vague, boilerplate, or general words to describe yourself. And steer clear of business jargon like “customer-focused” and “extensive experience.”
These words don’t mean much. They don’t describe how your mind works and won’t impress the hiring manager (especially since many applicants tend to use them). Also, avoid words that could be perceived as negative.
Here are examples of bad adjectives (or badjectives, if you will):
- Good
- Superstar
- Stubborn
- Outspoken
- Perfectionist
- Talented
- Humble
- Go-to person
- Obsessive
- Unique
- Extensive experience
- Intelligent
- Customer-focused
- Result-driven
- Seasoned
- Driven
In short, don’t fritter away your answer with fluff words. Your choice of adjectives matters so be prepared with strong choices and well-thought-out responses.
Extra tips when asked to describe yourself in 5 words
Take the question seriously.
While this question might not seem as challenging on the surface, don’t underestimate its importance. Hiring managers ask questions for a reason, so make sure to put your best foot forward. Make sure you’re taking the question seriously, just as you would any other question. Hint: Never answer, “I don’t know.” or “I’m not sure.”
Be honest with your answer.
You want to position yourself in the best light. However, don’t go overboard and exaggerate your qualities or list those that don’t fit your strengths simply because it might make you look good. Instead, think through the requirements for the job and how your unique attributes can best meet them.
Ask family and friends.
If you’re still unsure about which words describe you, ask a family member or friend. They might be able to offer you more insight into how others view you and how you can best describe yourself.
Make a list.
It’s best to start writing out your thoughts when thinking about how you’d answer this question. Don’t edit yourself in any way. Continue to write until you can’t think of any other qualities you want to highlight. Then start to edit until you have the top five that best represent you for this particular job.
Ready? Describe yourself in 5 words.
A hiring manager asks you to describe yourself in 5 words to determine if you’re self-aware and a genuine candidate. They also want to know how you think.
Use this question as an opportunity to thoughtfully explain who you truly are to the employer (and why you’re the best candidate for the position!).
Need more help preparing for your next interview?
Turn to the interview prep team at ResumeSpice. We know what hiring managers expect from top candidates and can help you better prepare so you ace your next interview. Find out more by reaching out to our team at 832.930.7378 or by contacting us online.
Being asked to describe yourself is a very common interview question.
The hiring manager may ask something like, “How Would You Describe Yourself” or, “Tell Me Five Adjectives That Describe You”.
The average person will list a few adjectives and be done with their answer. Then they’ll wonder why they never got the job offer.
Saying you are smart, loyal, organized, and creative holds little weight. Anyone can say these things.
If you want the job, it’s essential that you use these words to tell a story.
In this article, we’ll share some of the best words to describe yourself in an interview, but more importantly, we’ll show you how to turn these words into a compelling story.
We’ve also broken down these words into professions to help you better choose the adjectives that are fitting for your line of work.
If you just came here looking for some good adjectives to describe yourself in an interview, check out our list below.
But remember, the best answer to this interview question goes beyond the words you choose. It’s all about the story you tell!
Once you have your words chosen, you can focus on finding real-life stories that back up those traits you portray.
List of Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview
Top Tip
If you are struggling to figure out words to describe yourself, ask the people who know you best. Simply text, call, or email a few friends and family members and ask them, “What are five words that describe me well? And do you have any stories that support them?”
Job-Specific Words to Describe Yourself (+Stories)
Let’s say you can think of a handful of good adjectives to describe yourself on the spot.
That’s great! You’re halfway there.
Again, you want to avoid simply giving a list of words to describe yourself. Instead, give a short story to support your claim.
Below is a list of example answers to the interview question, “What are 3 words to describe yourself?”
Keep in mind that the same story can be used for different words. It’s more about the positive story you tell than the specific words you choose.
In the examples below, the interviewee gave one of the descriptive words and then added a short (and true) story to back it up.
We’ve included samples for most professions including: administrative, sales & marketing, customer service, healthcare, finance & accounting, operations, managers & leaders, IT & software, educators, human resources, and design/creative.
Words to Describe Administrative Professionals
Here’s how administrative professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words cool-headed, organized, resourceful:
I always try to maintain my cool when I deal with heated situations. Recently, my apartment complex towed my car because I was not given notice to move it for asphalt repairs. Communication to residents had been an on-going problem. I had been carefully documenting my multiple attempts to request information from the community directors. After calmly presenting my proof, the complex was happy to refund the towing fees.
Words to Describe Sales & Marketing Professionals
Here’s how sales & marketing professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words friendly, personable, and extrovert:
I’ve always enjoyed meeting new people. It comes naturally to me to pour a lot into my relationships with all kinds of people. I’m your typical extrovert, which has really helped me in my career. My natural networking abilities have enabled me to excel in sales roles such as this one.
Words to Describe Customer Service Professionals
Here’s how customer service professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words diligent, loyal, and reliable:
I am the first person my friends call because they know I am always there for them. Night or day, I make sure to take care of the people in my life. I put the same effort into making sure my work is done correctly and being available to help my team members.
Words to Describe Healthcare Professionals
Here’s how healthcare professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words empathetic, patient, and adaptable:
I always try to make my patients as comfortable as possible. One time, we had a patient that was presenting some unusual symptoms. After multiple tests, we didn’t have a proper diagnosis and the patient was getting irritable. To ease their mind, I asked more questions and offered some advice based on my personal experience. This allowed us to determine their care needs, set a plan to improve their health, and earn the patient’s trust.
Words to Describe Finance & Accounting Professionals
Here’s how finance & accounting professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words ethical, organized, and thorough:
I’ve always put an emphasis on details and identifying issues. Recently, I found a key data discrepancy that directly led to a large accounting error. To prevent any financial loss, I took initiative to review all the data sets to find where the initial error occurred. I also recommended a new quality control process so that moving forward we would not have the same issue and would eliminate any negative financial impact to the company.
Words to Describe Operations Professionals
Here’s how operations professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words critical-thinking, collaborative, and efficient:
I tend to be the go-to for solving problems. As a volunteer for my local youth sports team, I recently had to put my skills to good use. We lost a contract with one of our vendors, leaving us without some equipment right before the start of the season. I reached out to local businesses to secure donations while working with my peers to find a new vendor. The season started on time and we were able to save some extra funds to send the team to the championship game.
Words to Describe Managers & Leaders
Here’s how managers & leaders might reply to the question focusing on the words motivated, ambitious, and leader:
I tend to be very driven in my approach to life and work. Throughout college, I was active in three clubs, worked full time, and still managed to graduate at the top of my class. As the oldest sibling, I have always been somewhat of a leader. My brothers and sisters look up to me for advice. I try to be someone that others would feel confident following.
Words to Describe IT & Software Professionals
Here’s how IT & software professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words analytical, innovative, and resourceful:
I’m someone who loves a challenge. One of my friends needed a new system for processing orders at their company. I asked what they were ideally looking for and realized that there wasn’t any existing software on the market that met both their needs and their budget. I built a new software program that integrated with their other existing systems, solving all their business needs using a single technical solution.
Words to Describe Teachers & Educators
Here’s how teachers & educators might reply to the question focusing on the words attentive, disciplined, and supportive:
I’ve always been one to pay attention to the people around me. One time, I noticed that a student of mine was getting into a lot of trouble. It was strange, since I never knew him to misbehave. So, after detention, I reached out to him to see what was wrong. He opened up about what he was going through, and I offered him some advice and resources. He was able to get the much-needed help he needed.
Words to Describe Human Resources Professionals
Here’s how human resources professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words analytical, collaborative, and decisive:
I have always thought of myself as a team player. My traveling softball team had to choose which tournaments we would play in for the season. Everyone had differing opinions and the group was pretty divided on where we would travel to. We were closing in on our deadline to decide, so I volunteered to plan the season. I collected my teammates’ suggestions, organized the information, and was able to include everyone’s first or second choice. We ended up having our best season yet!
Words to Describe Creative & Design Professionals
Here’s how creative & design professionals might reply to the question focusing on the words imaginative, passionate, and proactive:
I thoroughly enjoy using my imagination. Seeing my ideas go from concept to creation is the greatest accomplishment. In my most recent position, there was a failed marketing project that the company was ready to give up on it. Knowing that it would be very helpful for business growth, I came up with a new idea and headed up the project. With my team, we were able to bring the plan to reality and not only successfully complete the project, but helped create new revenue opportunities.
Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
Now that you’ve found the best words to describe yourself in an interview, take a look at your resume.
As with an interview, it’s important that your resume describes you with more than adjectives. Tell a story!
List of Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
Please note that this list is not extensive. There are hundreds of words you can use to describe yourself on a resume.
With the right story, just about any word can be effective.
Next, let’s look at a few resume examples using some of the adjectives from the list above.
Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume (+Stories)
Just like describing yourself in an interview, your resume should tell a story. More often than not, this story will be under your work experience section.
While it is possible to add some of these adjectives to the “Skills” section of your resume, it’s better to list hard skills in this section.
Soft skills such as “analytical, diligent, and strategic” are better shown in a story than listed as keywords.
Below, we provide a few examples from real resumes written by Certified Professional Resume Writers at Find My Profession.
Accomplished
Accomplished leader with demonstrated background applying innovative ideas to drive growth, productivity, and profitability for both Fortune 500 corporations and private equity-backed start-ups.
Versatile
Versatile change agent and executive leader with strengths in encouraging buy-in amongst all levels of an organization and utilizing communication skills and a well-developed sense of humor to drive collaboration across all business units.
Strategic
Strategic advisor across all business functions with advanced ability to build and manage partnerships with stakeholders, board members, and fellow executive leaders to support strategic planning and drive continuous improvement.
Such powerful words are sure to make you the favorite candidate of the hiring manager!
Key Takeaways
There are hundreds of words you could use to describe yourself in an interview, but more important than the adjectives you use is the story you share to drive your point home.
- Pick relevant words for the job you’re applying for. An accountant may not need to say they are an extrovert. A word like “analytical” might be a better choice.
- Tell a story that backs your words up. This can be one story that encompasses all 3-5 words or it can be a unique story for each word.
- Stay positive and brief. Your story should remain positive, avoid sharing too many personal details, and remain under two minutes long.
You can find more interview questions to study in our list of the 50 Top Job Interview Questions and Answers.
Good luck with that interview! You are going to do great. You are ambitious, confident, and resourceful!
You probably heard this question multiple times without knowing exactly which word fits you best. Now you can find out with this quiz!
START THE QUIZ!
Question 1/10
In a group of friends, what type of friend are you usually?
The optimistic
The different one
The planner
The lazy one
Other
Question 2/10
When a friend is in need, how do you usually cheer them up?
Lending them a shoulder to cry on
Giving them advice
Taking them out to help cheer them up
Other
Question 3/10
What would you say your best feature is?
My optimism
My intelligent
My big heart
My curiosity
Other
Question 4/10
What would you say your worst feature?
I’m a pushover
I’m judgmental
I’m shy
I’m lazy
Other
Question 5/10
Are you extroverted or introverted?
Extroverted
Introverted
I’m in between
I’m not sure
Question 6/10
Which of these are most important to you?
My happiness
My loved ones happiness
Finding a great career
Traveling
Other
Question 7/10
What do you see life as?
A journey
A gift
A path to success
Other
Question 8/10
How would you say you feel on average day?
Happy
Indifferent
Relaxed
Curious
Other
Question 9/10
How do you resolve conflict?
Try to change the subject
Hug it out
By intimidating them
Other
Question 10/10
Are you a shy person?
Not really
Not at all
A bit shy
Very shy