When interviewers ask you to describe yourself, you have a chance to make a good impression by articulating your strongest traits. If you choose the right words, you can highlight your skills and abilities without sounding arrogant or unnecessarily boastful. The key is to pick adjectives that genuinely describe you, but be sure to consider the context of your answer. If you use words that are inappropriate or overstated, they will quickly cause you to lose credibility.
The question of “who are you?” echoes through Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, as the Caterpillar persistently asks Alice. In a job interview, the question serves three purposes: it helps the interviewer understand your background and experience; it gives an indication of how you might fit into a company’s culture; and it shows whether or not you are committed to the role.
If you aren’t well prepared for this question, it is easy to answer by listing your strengths and qualities in an overly general way. However, you also risk sounding insincere and narcissistic.
To avoid both of these pitfalls, think about how you would answer this question in the specific context of the interview and the type of role you are pursuing. For example, if you are applying for a leadership position, you should focus on adjectives that emphasize your ability to manage projects and teams. On the other hand, if you are seeking a creative role, you should emphasize your artistic talents and ability to think outside the box.
Regardless of the role you are pursuing, there are some adjectives that are always appropriate to use. These include:
Analytical: Highlights your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Detail-oriented: Shows your ability to pay attention to details and achieve high-quality outcomes. Dedicated: Demonstrates your commitment to the organization and its goals.
Learner: Reflects your desire to continue learning and improve yourself. Resilient: Shows your ability to adapt to changing conditions. Resourceful: Shows your ability to come up with creative solutions.
Plural you can also be used in an informal manner to refer to any group of people, regardless of sex or gender. This is a popular form of expression among young people.
In addition to these common words, there are many others that you can incorporate into your description of yourself depending on the situation. For instance, you can use the word you guys in a group of friends or coworkers to show that you are friendly and inclusive. You can also use the word you all the time to emphasize your loyalty to a project or team. This is especially useful in an environment where it is important to work together for success. You can even use you to convey your personal interests or hobbies if they are relevant to the conversation. For example, you could mention that you enjoy spending time with your family or playing sports.