10+ Words to Describe Yourself (Interviews Tips)

Most job seekers find interviews to be a difficult and nerve-wracking experience. After all, you are under pressure to make a good impression and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job. However, one way to help ease your nerves and increase your chances of landing the job is to prepare for difficult job interview questions.

While you can't predict every question that will be asked, you can anticipate some of the most common ones. For example, you may be asked to describe yourself. So, it’s smart to have a small collection of positive words that describe you well and show you off in your best light—bonus points if they aren’t overused and are directly relevant to the job.

Here are 10+ powerful words to describe yourself that interviewers are sure to love.

1. Communicative

Communication is one of the most highly valued skills by most employers, so this is a shrewd word to use. It suggests that you’re a people person and that you are effective at disseminating information.

Being communicative also shows that you care about connecting with your clients and coworkers, and you are intelligent enough to do so clearly and professionally. Plus, you can segue this into concrete examples of how you used your communication skills to problem solve.

2. Driven

Being driven proves that you are in it to win it. This word communicates that you are motivated and determined to succeed. It also shows that you are not afraid of challenges. It also provides the subtext that you're self-motivated and you don’t need to be micromanaged to provide results.

Additionally, when you describe yourself as driven, you're indicating that you're the type of person who is always looking for ways to improve and grow. It also conveys a sense of forward momentum, which is sure to impress your interviewer and employers.

3. Meticulous

This word hints at your attention to detail, your precision, your organizational skills, your ability to prioritize, and the fact that you hate letting anything slip through any cracks. It can also be an indication that you will be a good fit for a company that values quality and precision.

Additionally, it suggests that you are organized and capable of taking care of complex tasks. All of these qualities are highly valued by hiring managers.

4. Reliable

When you’re reliable, you are in it for the team. You realize that your work is part of an ecosystem of other people’s projects and you don’t let anybody down. You’re not late for work, or for meetings. You can be relied upon to do your job, do it well, and deliver whatever needs to be done.

Synonymous with “Reliable'', “Consistent” or “accountable” are also good words to describe yourself in a job interview.

5. Impactful

This word communicates that you are not only competent but also that you can make a positive difference in your workplace. When you describe yourself as impactful, you are showing that you are confident in your ability to make a positive impact on your work and the world around you.

This word shows you don’t just make promises; you get results. So go ahead and say what a difference you made at your last gig.

6. Persistent

Being persistent means that you are willing to work hard and see things through, even when things get tough. You don’t quit until the job is done (and done well). What’s more, you’ll get the project done on time. You’ll put in the extra work until the solution is found. This conveys that you’re “results-oriented,” as well.

Furthermore, being persistent shows that you are capable of taking on new challenges and learning from your mistakes. This is a critical soft skill to have in any workplace, and it will help you to make a good impression on potential employers.

7. Flexible

Interviewers are always looking for candidates who are able to adapt to change and who are comfortable with ambiguity. By describing yourself as flexible, you're indicating that you're someone who is adaptable and able to roll with the punches.

When you describe yourself as flexible, you're also indicating that you're open to new ideas and willing to try new things. This shows that you're not only open-minded, but also that you're willing to put in the work to learn new things. You’re able to adapt to challenging circumstances and find a work-around that no one else can see.

8. Team player

When you are able to work effectively as part of a team, it shows that you are able to communicate and cooperate with others. Additionally, it shows that you are able to take direction and work towards common goals. These are all qualities that employers value in their employees. 

This type of words to describe yourself not only shows that you're willing to work well with others, but also that you're able to see the bigger picture and work towards common goals.

9. Curious

In today's workplace, employers are increasingly looking for candidates who are not only knowledgeable but also curious and open to learning new things. By describing yourself as curious, you are sending the signal that you are exactly the kind of employee they are looking for.

In addition to showing that you're open-minded, describing yourself as curious demonstrates that you have a growth mindset. This means that you believe your skills and abilities can be developed through effort and experience.

10. Resourceful

Resourcefulness is all about being able to solve problems and get things done, even in difficult or challenging situations. It's a quality that impresses employers and demonstrates that you're the kind of person who can handle anything that comes your way.

Additionally, being resourceful sets you apart from candidates who simply follow instructions and who don't have the ability to think outside the box.

11. Professional

This simple word communicates a lot about your work ethic, values, and attitude. It shows that you take your career seriously and that you're looking for a position where you can grow and thrive.

Additionally, describing yourself as professional signals to the interviewer that you are competent and capable, and that you take your career seriously.

12. Confident

When it comes to acing interviews and the job, confidence is key. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who are sure of themselves and their abilities, and who will be able to take on the challenges of the job.

Being confident shows that you are sure of your abilities and that you believe in your ability to succeed. This kind of positive self-belief can be contagious, and it shows that you are comfortable in your own skin and that you are not afraid to sell yourself.

Ace Your Interviews

The words you choose to describe yourself can strongly impact your interview. However, you can boost your confidence and increase your chances of impressing the interviewer by being prepared with a list of professional words to describe yourself.

Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced professional, the job search process can be daunting. TheJobNetwork is a job search board and blog that can help you ace your interview and job search process. So if you're ready to take your career to the next level, check out TheJobNetwork today.