Using the right words to describe yourself is of great importance in a professional setting, where your goal is to present yourself in a favourable light, but not too arrogant. Using adequate wording can help demonstrate your skills and experiences and illustrate your work ethic and personality.
In this article, we will dive into WORDS. What words should you use when describing yourself in various situations and different professional environments? Why are some words important?
You’ll also learn what words not to use when describing yourself. We will offer you valuable tips for choosing the perfect language for various interview scenes.
First impressions are always important, but more so in an interview, so using the right words to effectively describe yourself during an interview or in a job application can be the thing that helps you get the job you are after. Hiring managers want to know your most important traits and whether you fit the company culture.
It’s crucial to use positive wording to define your strengths while being in an interview. Make sure you adapt and link your skills to the prospective job, and elaborate on each adjective you use to describe yourself and your professional background.
Planning and thinking about specific terms before your interview can be helpful. This way you will answer questions quickly like “tell me about yourself” or “use five words to describe yourself”.
Related: the STAR method for answering hard interview questions.
You may find it hard to describe yourself in front of someone who sees you for the first time. So it’s worth determining how to make a good first impression, especially with a hiring manager. You don’t have to be too humble, but also not arrogant. Try to stay positive and use the best words that capture your qualities.
Here is a list of 80+ positive words that can be used to describe yourself in any situation:
Describing your professional attitude facilitates the hiring manager’s job in knowing how you interact with others in the workplace. Below you will find a list of 25 words you can use to define your work attitude:
When discussing your professional experience, using descriptive words is essential. Here is a list of words that should be used while interviewing and describing your past work experience:
Here is a list of powerful adjectives you should use when communicating in an interview. Such impactful words aim to express extra insights about your qualities, characteristics, or attributes, so be aware of them and use them to your advantage.
A well-written resume is key to making a good first impression on the interviewer/hiring manager and securing yourself a place in the seat of a potential candidate. Here is a special tip: ensure you have a short resume profile at the top so the recruiter can get an idea about you immediately.
Adapt your resume introduction to the job you’re applying for and use great adjectives that describe your achievements.
Here’s a list of great adjectives to describe yourself on a resume:
A cover letter is more personal than a resume, so it’s your chance to highlight your personality and the fit for the role. Below you will find a list of words you can use to describe who you are and why you’re the best candidate:
We have discussed many words you can and should use to describe yourself, but knowing which wordsto avoid during recruitment is just as important.
For example, you should never describe yourself as “incredible”, “amazing”, or a “marketing wizard”. These are not terms for a business environment, because you can come across as being arrogant or out of touch.
Interviewers and hiring managers won’t appreciate hearing the word “perfect” because this adjective can imply that you feel you don’t have flaws and therefore you don’t need to improve. You may give the impression of someone hard to work with and immature.
Also, remember not to use vague and generic adjectives, which are not supported by results and achievements.
Here is a list of words to avoid when describing yourself:
During a job interview, the interviewer or hiring manager tries to find as much information as they can about you, such as how your traits match the job you're applying for, how your personality aligns with the company’s culture, and how you see yourself.
But they will formulate these questions differently, for example:
If you fail to give a solid answer to any of these questions, you may miss your chance.
So here are a few tips on how to create the perfect answer:
Still, what words should you use in your dialogue with your future employer? No problem. We share four additional elements that would be valuable when choosing and using these powerful words.
Display confidence
Body language is key during an interview. Remember to keep eye contact with your interviewer and use a strong vocal tone to express your ideas. Share your results and skills confidently to demonstrate your fit for the job and convey to the hiring manager that you can meet and exceed their expectations.
Choose interesting words
Selecting unique words can be the key to standing out from several potential candidates. Avoid general, vague terms that fail to describe your work ethic and professional timeline. Make sure you find synonyms for overused words to keep your wording original.
Provide examples
It’s not enough to use descriptive words; you need to offer clear examples of how your qualities made an impact during your previous roles. Explain how your virtues helped a co-worker or the organization as a whole.
Match the wording
While preparing for an interview, review your resume and cover letter, focusing on the words you have used to describe yourself. Remember and reuse them in the interview to describe your traits and professional history.
The language you use to describe yourself should be as closely aligned as possible with the specific role or industry you’re looking for, so review the job description and adopt the words used in your description to match them.
If you’re going to be a marketing pro, you must keep up with the technology and upcoming trends.
Here is a list of words you can use for this industry:
If you work within the Human Resources field, or handle administrative duties, describe your abilities to keep teams together and support their daily activities. Here are some essential words to use if you work in this industry:
Succeeding in the business world means having leadership skills and being innovative and analytical. Here is a list of words you should use if your area of work is business and management:
While technology is key in finance, you also need specific traits to help you thrive. Here are some words you can use when describing yourself if you’re a professional in this industry:
IT and software professionals must be tech-savvy, analytical, and innovative.
People working in the field of finance should be:
It’s never easy to work in education, since you need a lot of patience and skills to teach your students.
Here is a list of adequate words to describe yourself if you work in education:
How would you describe yourself?
It’s not easy, but balance is key. Make sure you come across as confident, but not arrogant. Use assertive language and focus on your value, but avoid using general and vague terms.
Describe yourself in 3 words
If the interviewer asks you this, keep in mind the following tips:
Prepare a list of adjectives at home and pick the three most important ones.
Choose the three that speak about you professionally and as a brand.
Explain for each one of them how the quality can help you for the job you’re applying for.
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This would be all!
Hopefully, you are all set to go into your following interview and nail the job you dream about!
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