The words you use to describe yourself make a huge difference—in your interview responses, on your resume, in your college application, and even in your social media profiles. They can help you set yourself apart from other candidates and show employers why they should hire or work with you. But how do you choose the right words? This article explores what qualities and skills to highlight, how to avoid overused phrases, and how to tailor your description to the job.
Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?
When interviewers ask you to describe yourself, they’re looking for clues about your personality, how you see yourself as a professional, and how well you might fit into their company culture. It’s also an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to prepare for your interview and understand the company and role.
As a result, it’s important to research the organization and the role ahead of time, so you can create a list of the most appropriate qualities and skills to highlight when answering this question. Your list should include hard skills (such as specific technology or knowledge), soft skills (such as teamwork or communication), and personal characteristics, like integrity or resilience.
When describing yourself, it’s helpful to focus on your strengths and how you’ve been successful in the past. It’s also useful to avoid using generic, overused words, like “hardworking” or “team player,” which can be perceived as cliché and not very meaningful. Instead, try to find more descriptive and unique adjectives that paint a more detailed picture of your qualities.
For example, if you’re highlighting your ability to be innovative and find new ways to solve problems, mention a recent project in which you created a novel solution that improved efficiency or saved the company money. You can also provide examples of times when you were dependable or deadline-driven to demonstrate that you’ll be committed to the role and the company for the long term.
Ultimately, interviewers want to know that you’re a good fit for the role. This means that you’re committed to their organization and will continue to develop and grow in the position. In addition, you’re a team player who will be collaborative and effective in working with other employees. Interviewers will be wowed if you’re able to showcase these qualities during the interview. This will give them confidence that you’re the right candidate for the job.