Introduction

Interviewers usually ask you to “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview. What comes to mind when you hear this question? Your answer will determine the first impression the company will have of you, so use the right adjectives to represent your personality accurately.  

• Best adjectives to describe yourself
• Words to describe yourself in job interviews
• Words to describe yourself in resumés and cover letters
• Words to describe yourself in performance reviews
• Words to describe your ability to work with others
• Words to describe yourself when networking
• Words to describe yourself on social media
• Tips for choosing the right words
• Summary
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

As a job seeker, you must be ready for this question to ace your interview. It’s your interviewer’s way of seeing how you think on your feet, and drawing out a spontaneous answer. 

Make sure that your answers are relevant to the job you are eyeing and the company you are applying to. One of the best ways to do this is to use the best, most appropriate words to describe yourself.

Most of your fellow job seekers will have very similar qualifications and resumés as you. The candidates with winning personalities stand out in this case. 

Give yourself an edge by using powerful adjectives to describe yourself and leave a lasting impression. Increase that edge even more by providing situations that proved that description to be true!

Even if the interviewer doesn’t ask this exact question, or ask it in a different way – such as “What three words would you use to describe yourself?” – it will help to be ready with good, positive words to bring into the discussion.

Best adjectives to describe yourself

While it may be nerve-wracking to talk about yourself, it’s an excellent opportunity to develop your self-perception and confidently express it to others. Different scenarios call for different ways to describe yourself. Start building your confidence in selling yourself with these 100 words that can work in any situation. 

When given an opportunity to showcase yourself, be your biggest advocate. But how can you sell yourself without sounding like a show-off? Talk about how your personality has contributed to creating good work. Focus on your impact and avoid using superlatives. 

Instead of saying, “I am the most confident sales agent with the highest quotas,” you can say, “I have closed a lot of sales with my confidence and charisma.” Be ready with examples if the interviewer follows up on your answer – talk about one such sale you closed and any feedback you received from the customer. 

Here are words to describe your personality:

• Outgoing
• Analytical
• Creative
• Enthusiastic
• Detail-oriented
• Organised
• Reliable
• Charismatic
• Independent
• Flexible
• Friendly
• Optimistic
• Confident
• Compassionate
• Empathetic
• Patient
• Assertive
• Diplomatic
• Open-minded
• Curious

Not all work styles fit a company’s culture, so be conscious of aligning your descriptions with the company you are applying for. Here are some good adjectives to describe your work style:

• Efficient
• Proactive
• Thorough
• Methodical
• Resourceful
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Goal-oriented
• Self-motivated
• Adaptable
• Disciplined
• Dedicated
• Meticulous
• Decisive
• Detail-focused
• Goal-driven
• Independent
• Strategic
• Results-oriented
• Analytical

How can you stand out in an industry where you are one of many skilled and qualified candidates? Highlight your skills and abilities and show the unique value you bring to the table. Here are some positive adjectives to describe your skills and abilities:

• Technical
• Strategic
• Critical thinking
• Project management
• Communication
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Team management
• Creative
• Analytical
• Innovative
• Resourceful
• Efficient
• Tech-savvy
• Multitasking
• Budget management
• Risk management
• Negotiation
• Adaptability

Show off the things you do exceptionally well. Use any of these words to point out your strengths:

• Confident
• Resourceful
• Analytical
• Dependable
• Results-oriented
• Motivated
• Organised
• Communicator
• Positive
• Detail-oriented
• Creative
• Persuasive
• Proactive
• Reliable
• Ambitious
• Goal-driven
• Strategic
• Passionate
• Innovative
• Resilient

Unlike hard skills that can be easily measured, leadership skills are soft skills that need context to understand and appreciate. Here are the key terms you can use to describe your leadership style:

• Visionary
• Authoritative
• Supportive
• Collaborative
• Goal-oriented
• Empathetic
• Charismatic
• Strategic
• Hands-on
• Results-driven
• Inspiring
• Trustworthy
• Clear communicator
• Decisive
• Delegator
• Accountable
• Mentor
• Servant leader
• Consensus-builder
• Innovative thinker

Words to describe yourself in job interviews

Recruiters design job interview questions to filter job seekers. They identify those with specific skills and competencies that qualify them for the position they are applying for. Use this section to guide you in choosing the right words to describe yourself in job interviews.

Your strengths are a good way to measure if you’re the right fit for a role or a company. When describing your strengths, support them with results. For example, highlight your confidence this way: “I have used my confidence as a public speaker to make successful pitches to top stakeholders.”

Here are words to describe your strengths:

• Confident
• Resourceful
• Analytical
• Dependable
• Results-oriented
• Motivated
• Organised
• Communicative
• Positive
• Detail-oriented

When your recruiter asks you to describe your weaknesses, it can feel like a trap. Don’t worry; this is an excellent opportunity to show authenticity and self-awareness. Be honest about your shortcomings. Show how you’ve addressed these weaknesses. 

Always end by noting what you are doing to improve yourself. You can put things this way: “I can be impatient when I want a project to move along. I’ve learned to listen to my teammates, however, to discover where they might need support.” 

Here are some words to describe your weaknesses:

• Impatient
• Overly critical
• Indecisive
• Perfectionist
• Shy
• Poor listener
• Disorganized
• Inflexible
• Easily distracted
• Sensitive

When describing your accomplishments, support your adjectives with actual results. Concrete examples give potential employers a good picture of how you achieve your goals. 

You can say it this way: “While working in this company, I invented an award-winning gadget that enabled people working from home to do their chores better.” Again, be ready to provide more specific details when asked.

Here are words to describe your accomplishments:

• Innovative
• Successful
• Productive
• Efficient
• Award-winning
• Impactful
• Recognized
• Growth-driven
• Influential
• Transformational

Leadership skills can be a crucial factor in a role. This can be true even for non-leadership positions. There could be promotions waiting for you down the road! 

There are many ways to talk about your leadership style, whether or not you have experience in a leadership role. 

For example, you can say, “My charismatic character helped me establish rapport with my teammates, and made it easy for me to get their support in making Project X happen.” 

Here are words to describe your leadership style:

• Visionary
• Authoritative
• Supportive
• Collaborative
• Goal-oriented
• Empathetic
• Charismatic
• Strategic
• Hands-on
• Results-driven

When asked about your teamwork skills, you’ll want to discuss how your traits positively affected your team and produced good results. 

Here’s an example: “I was very supportive of my teammates when we worked on this project. I helped my colleague figure out a new process, enabling us to surpass our monthly targets.”

Here are words to describe your teamwork skills:

• Collaborative
• Supportive
• Communicative
• Empathetic
• Dependable
• Accountable
• Respectful
• Engaging
• Encouraging
• Cooperative

Words to describe yourself in resumés and cover letters

Adding a cover letter along with your resumé can help your job application stand out. Use powerful words in your cover letter to show potential employers what you can bring to their company. Feel free to use these adjectives to set your resumé apart from the others.

Words to describe your work experience

Recruiters want to hire someone who can contribute positively to their company’s work environment. When you describe your previous work experience in your cover letter, they can see if you are a good match for their culture. 

You can say this, for example: “I led an impactful campaign that championed diversity in the workplace.”

• Diverse
• Relevant
• Extensive
• Successful
• Impactful
• Productive
• Challenging
• Rewarding
• Collaborative
• Leadership-oriented

Words to describe your career goals

Goals change, but your character sets you up for success. Show consistency in reaching different goals by describing the traits that helped you achieve them.

You can say: “I am proud of leading a project that had a transformative effect on indigenous communities.”

• Ambitious
• Visionary
• Challenging
• Transformative
• Rewarding
• Growth-driven
• Purposeful
• Passionate
• Impactful
• Influential

Words to describe your motivation

While your skills and qualifications can assure your employer that you can get the job done, your motivation sets the stage for how you accomplish your tasks. Describe your motivations in your resumé or cover letter.

Give your recruiter deeper insight into what drives you and how this can impact your work and teammates. For example: “I am a hands-on and empathetic manager who understands what my team is going through when launching a new project.”

• Visionary
• Authoritative
• Supportive
• Collaborative
• Goal-oriented
• Empathetic
• Charismatic
• Strategic
• Hands-on
• Results-driven

Words to describe yourself in performance reviews

Another great avenue for self-description is through performance reviews. Self-evaluations are an opportunity to show self-awareness and champion your career growth.

Words to describe your contributions to the company

Showcase the value of your contributions by using appropriate words to describe the result of your efforts. Impress your manager by supporting your statements with data and numbers. 

For example: “I worked on a successful campaign that drove sales up by 50%.”

• Impactful
• Successful
• Innovative
• Resourceful
• Collaborative
• Goal-oriented
• Productive
• Efficient
• Recognised
• Transformational

Words to describe your ability to meet goals and deadlines

Your ability to meet goals and deadlines makes you a valuable team member. Make sure your manager knows how well you do your job with these words. 

You can say: “I am proactive when it comes to finding gaps in the workflow and proposing solutions to deliver results on time.”

• Punctual
• Efficient
• Organised
• Reliable
• Proactive
• Focused
• Results-driven
• Productive
• Goal-oriented
• Committed

Words to describe your ability to work with others

Make your performance review shine by highlighting your teamwork skills. With the right words, you can show how your ability to work with others helped in the favourable outcome of a project.

For example: “I demonstrated that I was dependable and supportive when I covered for my colleague who encountered personal problems while working on Project X.”

• Collaborative
• Supportive
• Respectful
• Engaging
• Encouraging
• Cooperative
• Communicative
• Empathetic
• Dependable
• Accountable

Words to describe your communication skills

Communicating effectively has become one of the most valued skills in the job market today. Showcase your communication skills like a pro in your performance review. 

You can say: “I created concise and persuasive presentations that helped our team win X number of pitches this past season.”

• Clear
• Concise
• Persuasive
• Empathetic
• Active listener
• Responsive
• Assertive
• Diplomatic
• Open-minded
• Confident
• Respectful

Words to describe your attitude

A worker with a good, positive attitude is always an asset to a company. All the talent and technical skill in the world may be useless if a worker has a negative attitude towards the job as well as towards colleagues. 

Use good adjectives like these to describe how you maintain a positive outlook at work:

• Kind
• Considerate
• Pleasant
• Cheerful
• Positive
• Open
• Cooperative
• Understanding
• Patient
• Open-minded

Words to describe yourself when networking

When networking, you must master the elevator pitch. Networking events involve a lot of people talking to each other for a few seconds before moving on to the next person. Make sure you have a brief, concise description of your personality and goals on hand. 

Words to describe your professional image

Your professional image speaks for you before you even get the chance to describe it. As Harvard Business School professor Laura Morgan Roberts says, “If you aren't managing your own professional image, others are.

Put your definition of yourself in your own hands by looking, dressing, and behaving the way you want others to see you. Embody these adjectives when you speak about your image. You can say: “I am experienced in dealing with difficult negotiations.”

• Polished
• Confident
• Trustworthy
• Reputable
• Professional
• Knowledgeable
• Experienced
• Respectful
• Positive
• Influential

Words to describe your networking abilities

When it comes to networking, it’s not just about who you know. It’s what you have achieved by making connections. Use the following adjectives to describe the results of your networking abilities. For example: “I remain open-minded in working with people who have radical ideas.”

• Resourceful
• Engaging
• Collaborative
• Confident
• Professional
• Active
• Open-minded
• Creative
• Persuasive
• Strategic

Words to describe your ability to collaborate

Finding the right people to collaborate with is proof positive of your networking skills. Tell good stories about successful collaborations using these adjectives. For example: “I know dependable people who can work with me on your project.”

• Supportive
• Engaging
• Respectful
• Encouraging
• Cooperative
• Communicative
• Empathetic
• Dependable
• Accountable
• Open-minded

Words to describe yourself on social media

Harvard Business Reviews says 82% of employees think that social media can improve work relationships, and 60% believe social media supports decision-making processes. Make sure your social media profiles are geared to impress by writing a bio that does you justice.

Words to describe your personal brand

Aim to describe your personal brand in one to 3 sentences. The best descriptions can function as a tagline for making a brand statement. For example: “I have a curiosity for unique and relevant campaigns.”

• Unique
• Authentic
• Memorable
• Relevant
• Consistent
• Differentiated
• Professional
• Trustworthy
• Credible
• Influential

Words to describe your communication style

People have different communication styles, and one style is not necessarily better than another. What is your communication style? Get to know yourself better by taking a communication style quiz.

Your style of communication represents your personal brand and determines which clients and projects are the best fit for you. Once you figure out your communication style, find the right adjectives to describe it. 

For example, you can call yourself an “empathetic creative” or a “collaborative marketer.”

• Assertive
• Collaborative
• Persuasive
• Empathetic
• Engaging
• Respectful
• Clear
• Direct
• Confident
• Professional

Words to describe your online presence

Your online presence can make or break people’s impression of you.  Make sure to use comprehensive adjectives that represent who you are across all your web interactions. 

For example: “I am active on Twitter when it comes to causes I care about.”

• Active
• Engaging
• Professional
• Authentic
• Consistent
• Innovative
• Relevant
• Influential
• Trustworthy
• Credible

Words to describe your ability to engage with your audience

What makes you interesting? What makes people want to listen to you? What traits do you have that allow you to produce results? 

Here are some words to show how you engage with your audience. You can say: “I like having authentic conversations with my followers.” 

• Engaging
• Authentic
• Empathetic
• Responsive
• Supportive
• Collaborative
• Persuasive
• Innovative
• Creative
• Memorable

Tips for choosing the right words

There are many, many words you can choose from to describe yourself in any situation. It’s not a good idea to pick out any adjectives you fancy without thinking about what they mean, however. Here are some tips to bear in mind, whatever the platform or medium you are describing yourself in.

• Go for action words. Words like “supportive” or “cooperative” point to activities you can actually engage in.
• Avoid unclear descriptions. Describing yourself as “tolerant” is more specific than simply claiming you’re “nice.” A “good worker” is desirable. A “proactive worker,” however, gives the employer a more precise picture of what you mean.
• Go easy on the superlatives. Other than making you seem arrogant, describing yourself as “amazing” or “wonderful” is difficult to quantify.
• When possible, use adjectives that can be measured or illustrated. If you call yourself “innovative,” be ready to show the employer why. Talk about how you adapted a new and different approach to a project or presentation to back up your claim. If you say you’re “active” on social media, be prepared to show the interviewer your 10 Facebook posts in one week if they ask.

Summary

The words you use to describe yourself are crucial in building yourself up for potential employers and expanding your network. Knowing the best words to describe your remarkable traits in the right scenarios can help boost your self-esteem and do wonders for your career. 

Positive self-talk is a powerful tool for professionals. Be mindful in using the adjectives in this article to describe yourself and see how they affect your bearing and confidence. 

Ideally, your self-description will give people a complete picture of the value you bring to the table without going into detail about your work experience. Just focus on your character and its impact on the people around you. 

As the Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates said, “Know thyself.” Self-awareness and the ability to express yourself with the right words are the best ingredients for impressing anyone in any situation.

Have you used these words to write winning descriptions on your resumé? Start by creating or updating your profile on JobStreet. Get timely Career Advice and find your dream job by downloading the JobStreet app on the App Store or Google Play.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What are some common mistakes to avoid when describing oneself in a job interview?
   ⁠The most common mistakes to avoid when describing oneself in a job interview are exaggerating descriptions, downplaying your capabilities, mentioning unnecessary negative details, and being unprepared.
   ⁠
2. How can I tailor my self-description to a specific job posting?
   ⁠Know the traits needed for a specific role. Choose adjectives that describe how you delivered results that would bring value to the position.
   ⁠
3. What are some good resources to improve my self-description skills?
   ⁠You can browse through this article to find the best words that describe you. Practise using them in different situations.
   ⁠
   ⁠You can also take personality tests such as the MBTI or Strengths Finder. These help you learn more about yourself and the traits that describe you.
   ⁠
4. How can I use my self-description to stand out in a crowded job market?
   ⁠Many job seekers have similar skills and characteristics as you. Make your descriptions unique by choosing words that truly describe who you are and what you stand for. Highlight the value of these traits in the work you do.
   ⁠
5. How can I balance being authentic and portraying myself in a positive light?
   ⁠While it’s good to always put your best foot forward, make sure that you are not overpromising or exaggerating. Be honest and candid, recognize your strengths and weaknesses, but don’t sell yourself short.
   ⁠
   ⁠You are the best judge of your character. Use that as a guide in creating a self-description that is authentic and highlights your best qualities.