The words you use to describe yourself can have a huge impact on your career. From your college application personal statement or essay to job interview answers, you can find yourself in a host of situations where you need to pick the right adjectives to express your qualities. When asked to describe yourself, you can showcase your strengths and personality and leave hiring managers with a positive impression of you.
Whether it’s your resume, college application or dating profile, the words you choose to use to describe yourself can be the difference between getting an interview and missing out on the opportunity. You can use this list of adjectives to help you select the best words to describe yourself in any situation.
Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?
Hiring managers often ask the question, “How would you describe yourself?” during interviews to see if your skills and experiences match their company culture. They also want to see if you’re articulate and confident when explaining your personality and character.
If you’re well-prepared for your interview, it can be easy to answer this question by choosing the right adjectives to describe yourself. The goal is to give a comprehensive and accurate overview of your qualities, character, and personality while maintaining a professional tone.
When choosing the words you’ll use to describe yourself, avoid common clichés that can make you sound generic and uninteresting. Words like hard-working, team player and responsible can be overused, making them lose their impact. Instead, look for more descriptive adjectives that show you have a unique skill set or background that sets you apart from other candidates.
What Is the Difference Between You and U?
In English, there is no formal distinction between you and u. You is a contraction of the Latin word te, which became ye in Middle English before losing its distinction as an intimate or formal pronoun. In modern English, the use of te and thee continues in informal and polite speech, but you is more commonly used for all purposes, including subjects, objects, and indirect objects.
There are some marked plural forms of you, such as y’all, you-uns and youse, though none have become standard in American English. Y’all is most common in the South Midland and Southern United States, while you-uns is more commonly found in North American nonstandard dialects. Youse, which is the result of you + ones, is less common but can still be heard in some urban areas.
To choose the best words to use to describe yourself, consider your background, education and professional experience. Think about your personality, values and character. Highlight your talents, skills and achievements that you are proud of. For example, you might include that you are resourceful, creative and effective at problem-solving. You might also mention a unique aspect of your background such as your military service or unusual career path that has given you a broad perspective on many different aspects of the business world.