When you’re asked to describe yourself, the adjectives you choose matter a lot. They can help employers understand if your qualifications match the job’s requirements, and they can also communicate your personal brand. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about the words you use when answering interview questions, writing your resume or college application, and even in online profiles and dating apps.
To help you come up with adjectives that best represent you, think of the qualities and characteristics that your friends, family, coworkers, and mentors admire about you. Then, look up the meanings of each word to find the ones that best reflect your values and strengths. You can even go as far as asking your peers what they think of you and how they’d describe you.
Using adjectives that genuinely capture your personality and beliefs is the best way to ensure that you’re communicating what makes you unique. However, there are certain adjectives that should be avoided because they’re overused and can sound cliched. For example, the adjective “hard-working” can be used by just about anyone, and it doesn’t necessarily tell an employer anything about your abilities or work ethic.
It’s also important to avoid overused, general adjectives like “innovative,” “sympathetic,” or “creative.” While they may be accurate descriptions of you, they’ll probably leave a less-than-fantastic impression on an interviewer. Using overly-familiar adjectives can make you seem generic and unoriginal, which can cost you an opportunity for a great job or an internship.
Interviewers ask you to describe yourself primarily to see whether your qualities align with the job’s requirements and culture. However, they may also want to get a sense of your overall persona and how you fit in with the company’s existing team and community.