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Dating back in history, the best way to rapidly but correctly use words to describe yourself courtesy of your best qualities is seen to be an elevator pitch.
These pitches are a few, brief and concise words you will say to your interviewer about yourself when you are allowed limited time to describe your qualities.
The elevator pitch was traditionally designed to be used in a job-related circumstance.
Now, in modern times, be it a site where you get to connect with dates, friends or as an entrepreneur who promotes a product or renders services, there are several situations where you need to make people get a clearer picture of who you are.
Considering circumstances of the social media platform, it’s not always necessary to use full sentences as expected but a few words or less.
It is great when you make use of powerful and compelling words to describe yourself. It could be a compelling adjective or noun to talk more about who you are.
With how important and relevant effective self-description has become, nowadays, most people have taken it upon themselves to create a brand of their own describing themselves as well as the product or services they are trying to promote and market.
It is acceptable to admit that the brand describes the person behind the product or services, while your target audience or the site you describe yourself on, determines which adjectives work best.
Words used to describe yourself on a social media platform like LinkedIn will vary when it comes to describing yourself on another social platform like an online dating site since they serve different purposes.
Although, you may find it convenient introducing yourself before someone new as the wild and crazy life of the party even though it is inappropriate to mention same in your job search documents such as your resume or cover letter.
Read on, as we cite different scenarios and the appropriate words for each. Ensure to use your best judgement as each section could further be broken down.
Take for example, a job interview for a sales associate position may allow for use of gregarious and persuasive words while a job interview for a librarian may allow for describing yourself with more conservative words.
Furthermore, do you know that describing yourself in three words might not be as easy as it sounds and might even get trickier than you think when narrowing them down?
This carefully tailored guide will furnish insight on how you can effectively describe yourself in just three words and what perfect words to use.
Our list of 450+ words to describe yourself is not just any given list; we’ve categorized them into specific sections to enable you get the most appropriate words to describe yourself in any situation.
These lists can help you access the right words to describe yourself especially in situations where you need to answer the popular interview question “Tell me about yourself?”
We’ve got you covered in every way. Whether you need to choose from words that describes you as an honest person, words that makes you stand out on your college application or words to describe you, enough to make you look fun and attractive for your online dating profile too.
Abiding by our proven strategies irrespective of the situation will help you give a unique impression and help you with the ability to list out the best qualities about yourself.
In your entire career, you may accept requests to describe yourself and your contributions to a workplace.
Understanding how to effectively communicate your best qualities could help you earn opportunities, succeed interviews and advertise yourself to new professional contacts.
Most times, selecting words to describe yourself can serve as an enablement to expand your vocabulary and study your options so you can emphasize your value to potential hiring managers.
As we advance in this article, we hope to outline simple ways you can use words to describe yourself, while discussing key strategies for your success.
So, the next time you have to describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you, you will be ready with a whole lot of motivating new words and synonyms to describe yourself with.
Let’s dive in!
Below are key steps to consider when choosing words to describe yourself in your job search:
Whenever you are describing yourself to a new potential employer, first and foremost is for you to list out your important traits.
Think about the time you invested in making a positive impact on your colleagues, clients or company and consider what helped you to do so.
For example, if you developed an idea for a guerilla marketing campaign that boosts sales by 10% at your previous job, you might use terms like clever or innovative as words to describe yourself.
When you find accurate words to describe yourself by mirroring the qualities mentioned in the job description, it will be advantageous to you as hiring managers won’t think twice in granting you the job role.
Study the job description carefully and mark the descriptive words. For example, numerous hiring managers seek candidates who are fast learners, possess a good sense of humor or have teamwork spirit.
To a very large extent this amiable insight of reviewing job description can inform your choices when choosing words to describe yourself.
When applying for jobs, you might intend to outstand and segregate yourself from other candidates.
Instead of using generic terms like “excellent” or “successful” when describing yourself, you can think of words that are related to your skill set.
You may decide to use a resource like a dictionary to find specific, descriptive words that may help distinguish you from other candidates.
Maybe you are uncertain on how to convey your personality and work ethics, then you can call on your colleagues to seek assistance.
You can inquire from your supervisor, peers or friends about how best they can describe you, while you write down their responses.
Their responses might be of benefit to you in developing an all-encompassing description of yourself especially when it comes from people who know you both personally and at work.
If you find it difficult to approach people directly, then you can reflect on positive feedback you have gathered from your past managers and colleagues.
In some cases, hiring managers or people within your network may ask that you describe yourself. Note that the words you use may define their notion about you.
It’s really important to focus on your positive traits when describing yourself as this can boost your chances of securing an interview or getting recommended ahead for a new opportunity.
Let words that have a positive connotation be your target.
During an interview, when asked by an interviewer to describe your weaknesses, do consider how you can reframe a negative trait into positive.
You could discuss the positive side of your weaknesses or possibly explain how you have learned to overcome it.
For example, instead of describing yourself as ”controlling” you could share how you enjoy working independently.
Also, express appreciation for the ease and perspective that can come up especially when you schedule tasks to others.
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Before you start customizing your resume for a specific job, you are expected to choose the right descriptive words that could help you attract the attention of a hiring manager.
It’s better to use words of your own than copying the language used in the job description so as to help develop a vocabulary of meaningful words which might be profitable to you.
When you are describing yourself on your resume, focus on indicating the most important qualities mentioned in the job posting while being sincere about your abilities.
Your resume ensures getting you ready for an interview, so using the right language can be helpful to capture your ability to successfully carry out the core functions of the job.
Words that imply a positive outcome like “resourceful” “meticulous” and “data-driven” may be profitable depending on the position you are gunning for.
The following are examples of powerful adjectival words to describe yourself on a resume:
| Creative Diligent Dependable Tech-savvy Forward-thinking Energetic Results-oriented Personable Award-winning Strategic Expert Ambitious Collaborative Honest Organized Accomplished Accountable Achiever Active Powerful Practical Precise Proactive Productive Professional Proficient Quick Patient People person Adaptable Balanced | Candid Cheerful Collaborative Compassionate Competent Confident Conscientious Consistent Cooperative Data-driven Detail-oriented Diplomatic Eager Efficient Emotional Emotionally intelligent Skilled Skillful Sociable Strategic Team player Thoughtful Tireless Unconventional Personable Positive Entrepreneurial Ethical Exciting Experienced Expert | Bold Flexible Forgiving Gregarious Incredible Independent Industrious Initiator Inventive Knowledgeable Leader Logical Mediator Meticulous Motivated Organized Original Outgoing Particular Resourceful Responsive Self-assured Self-starter Persistent |
| Won Led Delivered Achieved Supported | Designed Executed Managed Assisted Collaborated | Optimized Oversaw Educated |
| Dreamer Go-getter Trend-setter Do-gooder Thrill-seeker Instagram-addict Husband Girlboss Speaker Influencer Activist Sporty Animal-lover Strategist Visionary Blogger Bookworm Active Foodie | Sweet Spiritual Fun-loving Wife Family-oriented Adviser Social butterfly Fashionista Coach Protective Advocate Positive Disney-lover Self-funded Connoisseur Aficionado Self-made Fearless Artsy | Outdoorsy Health nut Entrepreneur Funny Outspoken Musical Motivated Explorer Vibrant One-of-a-kind Wise Chatty |
As your resume reflects the most important parts of your background, a cover letter also allows you to describe yourself and qualifications on a deeper level.
Remember to balance yourself with the company’s value and culture when describing yourself and contributions in a cover letter.
Have an in-depth study of the organization and understand more about the type of people they like to work with and then share on what makes you think you can work in such job environment.
For example, if the company’s website indicates a playful copy, bold colors and discusses the benefits of collaboration within the office work environment, this makes it appropriate to describe yourself as a “charismatic team player.”
Your cover letter also offers you the opportunity to prove your claims with more proofs. Be reminded to add data that enhances your chosen words.
When describing yourself as “impactful,” for example, it might help to express positive outcome of your work such as facilitating an increase in sales leads.
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Below are some descriptive words to describe yourself in a cover letter:
| Persistent Authentic Fun-loving Innovative Inquisitive Upbeat Deadline-driven Confident Methodical Communicative Optimistic Passionate Self-reliant Analytical Independent Devoted Driven Creative Thorough Passionate Team player Motivated Focused Dedicated | Proactive Ambitious Resourceful Conscientious Focused Self-starter Structured Patient Problem-solver Go-getter Detail-oriented Methodical Organized Eager People-person Positive Inventive Observant Self-aware Reliable Flexible Helpful Persistent Leader | Self-motivated Charismatic Bilingual Original Unique Confident Tenacious Straightforward Perfectionist Hard-working Innovative Detailed Analytical Efficient Steadfast Punctual |
| Funny Romantic Trustworthy Bubbly Affectionate Adventurous Thoughtful Loyal Fun-loving Fit Kind Homebody Sweet Happy Silly | Confident Honest Spontaneous Optimistic Outgoing Ambitious Wino Lighthearted Honest Smart Social Charming Outdoorsy Sexy Animal-lover | Career-driven Warm Easy-going Passionate Respectful |
In most interviews, prospective employers tend to ask candidates to describe themselves in three words.
If an interviewer requests you choosing three words to describe yourself, they might want to know what your thoughts are about yourself in brief.
Numerous employers may decide to employ candidates who are confident, self-aware and honest, therefore choosing the appropriate words could help you succeed in your interview.
As you decide to select the three words to describe yourself, try anecdotes, data or examples. Be keen on professional words that reflects the value you can add to a team.
You can make your response as wide as possible by prioritizing variety.
For example, a single word could speak to your ethics and professional values, another could describe your personality while the third could characterize the quality of your work.
Try making a list of words you feel describes you and consider different pairings until you discover a set that compliments each other effectively.
The stakes might be higher but the same rules from above apply, which requires that you stay positive and honest. The only difference now is for you to be more specific.
If the hiring manager asks this question, what they are trying to assess about you is whether you have the personality and the skills required to excel in three jobs.
The only way to nail this job interview question is to stay relevant and provide proof. Though if the words you used to describe yourself are not relevant to the job, you stand a risk of missing out as the human resources manager won’t be impressed.
Normally, any job seeker can claim to be creative and hardworking but there’s need to follow up the words with examples of how you demonstrate that quality.
For example, let’s say a nurse is seeking a job at a hospital and the interviewer asks “what are three words to describe yourself?” Below is the example that misses the mark.
It is wrong to reply an interviewer this way:
“I’m reliable, cheerful, and …
shy.”
By this time, the human resources manager might be waiting for a follow-up that never comes as the pause in the reply becomes awkward.
On the contrary, there’s nothing wrong with being shy, but shyness is irrelevant to the position at hand.
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Okay, how can we improve the above response to the question; what are 3 words to describe yourself?
Example:
“Let’s see. I’m reliable—I was so consistent in updating patient’s charts that I was promoted to a position responsible for training new hires. I’m very cheerful—Studies show that positivity can have a huge effect on patient recovery times, so I smile often and crack jokes whenever the time is right. And I’m energetic—In my last position at a long-term care facility, I was single-handedly caring for up to 15 patients per shift. That required me to move fast while still paying attention to small details.”
Wow—Now that’s an answer. Highly relevant, honest, solid work experience and with evidence to back it all up.
Let’s see how this works through another example. Say you’re applying to be a teacher and you’re asked “what are three words to describe yourself?”
Here’s how NOT to go about it:
Wrong Answer:
“I am creative, competitive,
and tenacious.”
Now, there’s nothing technically wrong with these adjectives; however, the answer isn’t the best for two main reasons:
Without backing it up, the recruiter can’t be assertive. Here’s a more interview-friendly way to answer this question:
Correct Answer:
“To begin with, I am creative – in my last school, I came up with a SAT exam preparation technique that raised the graduating class’s success rate by more than 30%. I am helpful, both to my students and colleagues – I often stay after class to clarify any questions students may have and I fill in for other teachers whenever I can. Finally, I am very passionate about my work and my students. I’ve been in the field for over 10 years, and I plan on sticking with it for as long as I can.”
| Flexible Level-headed Quick-thinking Artistic Open-minded Decisive Progressive Conscientious Bold Transparent Responsive Loyal Consistent Enthusiastic People-person Empathetic Attentive Ambitious Analytical Caring Committed Cooperative Devoted Diplomatic Experienced Extroverted Focused Good listener Hardworking Helpful Insightful Innovative Methodical Meticulous Motivated | Objective Observant Organized Persevering Persuasive Proactive Problem solver Productive Professional Proficient Resourceful Results-oriented Disciplined Team player Thorough Tireless Trustworthy Sociable Skilled Strategic Systematic Assertive Attentive Broad-minded Committed Confident Conscientious Creative Customer-oriented Direct Dynamic Friendly Hard-working Honest Imaginative | Innovative Mature Methodical Motivated Objective Observant Persistent Realistic Reliable Resourceful Respectful Responsible Sociable Tenacious Thorough Traditional Trustworthy Unconventional Unique |
The majority of college applications require that you submit a personal statement. One key way to promote yourself and prove the reason why you are the worthy candidate for a certain program is via a personal statement.
This is unlike motivational letters where you are expected to give a concrete explanation about your academic objectives. Personal statement is vital such that it allows a gap for creativity.
Here, you can get more expressive and personal with the words to describe yourself as opposed to your resume or job interview.
As a college undergraduate candidate, you are expected to list out your key strengths and show what makes you indispensable.
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| Adaptable Detail-oriented Independent Accomplished Athletic Courageous Daring Artistic Goal-oriented Extroverted Dedicated Loyal Imaginative Motivated Resilient Productive Sincere | Social butterfly Studious Self-disciplined Authentic Advocate Adaptable Collaborative Compassionate Open-minded Unique Curious Enthusiastic Honest Generous Fearless Musical Self-reliant | Responsible Positive Outdoorsy Scholarly Irreplaceable Confident Genuine Inspired Diligent Supportive Detailed Respectful Focused Committed Brave Down-to-earth |
| Friendly Courageous Youthful Cheerful Sarcastic Adventurous Caring Sensitive Spunky Silly Whimsical Brave | Bright Chill Feisty Kind-hearted Impulsive Positive Quiet Upbeat Sassy Witty Clumsy Cool | Talkative Charismatic Dream-chaser Busy-bee Rebel Sweet Kindhearted Quirky Extra Glamorous |
| Adaptable Affectionate Aggressive Agreeable Amiable Amusing Attractive Broad-Minded Calm Careful Charming Communicative Compassionate Competitive Confident Conscientious Courteous Creative Curious Decisive Dedicated Detailed Determined Diplomatic Discreet Dynamic Easygoing Easy-Going Energetic Enthusiastic Exuberant Facilitator Faithful Fast Fearless Flexible | Focused Formal Frank Generous Gentle Genuine Good Gregarious Hard-Working Honest Humorous Imaginative Impartial Independent Insightful Intellectual Intuitive Inventive Kind Knowledgeable Logical Loving Loyal Neat Nice Open-Minded Optimistic Passionate Patient Perceptive Personable Persuasive Philosophical Pioneering Placid Polite | Political Powerful Practical Pro-Active Rational Reliable Reserved Resourceful Responsible Self-Confident Self-Disciplined Self-Reliant Sensible Sincere Skilled Sociable Solid Straightforward Thoughtful Tidy Tough Trustworthy Unassuming Versatile Visionary Warmhearted Willing |
| Animated Hilarious Amusing Comical Gleeful Humorous Waggish Laugh-worthy Chucklesome Silly Merry Farcical Goofbal | Jokester Facetious Witty Playful Clownish Ludicrous Cheesy Jokey Rich Prankster Mirthful Trickster Wacky | Good-humored Risible Off-the-wall Rib-tickling Goofy Droll Uproarious Entertaining |
“I am a hardworking, creative and efficient person. I have a positive perspective and can work well with others. I am always ready to learn new things, and I am never afraid to try something new.”
This is one great way to describe yourself. What are some other ways you could describe yourself?
This section will cover the words that you should use to represent yourself. These words are often used in resumes and cover letters, so these words should be chosen carefully.
| Smart Beautiful Kind Cheerful Loving Likable Considerate Trustworthy Thoughtful Motivated Whimsical Brave | Bright Chill Fearless Joyous Kind-hearted Crafty Positive Clever Upbeat Spirited Witty Sincere | Cool Classy Charismatic Dreamer Go-getter Admirable Sweet Entertaining Laid-back Adventurous Glamorous |
While it’s sometimes tough trying to describe yourself in a few words to get a hiring manager’s attention, it’s worth spending some time strategizing how you can make a great first impression because once formed, first bad impressions are hard to create a conviction.
Irrespective of the situation, the aim is to stay upbeat and positive when describing yourself.
Now is not the time for humility as the best words to describe yourself will be those that honestly capture your positive qualities.
As far as your job search documents are concerned, you won’t be asked directly to find three words to describe yourself. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t care about the adjectives you choose to give a brief description of yourself.
Your resume speaks for you before you are even selected for an interview. So, your choice of words to describe yourself therein is visibly more important.
Note that it’s not enough to just fill your resume with adjectives here and there and then call it a day. It is expected of you to find the accurate way to market yourself.
In this section, you will be guarded on how to describe yourself the right way using the right words.
Very importantly, your resume profile is the first place to add the right words to describe yourself. Be it via a resume summary or a resume objective, you will need to fix at least one strong adjective to describe yourself and make a good and lasting impression.
If you must know, it is pretty essential, considering that most recruiters or hiring managers spend an average of 15 seconds glancing through a resume. You can now see how first impression matters?
Be rest assured that plugging in some words to describe yourself on resume won’t cut it same as with the interview. Make sure you choose words or adjectives that are most relevant to your job.
Secondly, be reminded to always back up your claims with cited examples or achievements in this case.
Let’s assume that you are a fresh college graduate applying as a Communications Assistant, your resume objective/summary would look something like this:
“Hard-working and passionate college graduate looking to apply up-to-date skills and strategies as a Communications Assistant at the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. Possesses 1+ years of practical experience as an intern at the Mayor’s Communications Office.”
Even if you’re a seasoned professional with many achievements to show, you’ll need an adjective to describe yourself. In such a case, your resume summary would look something like this:
“Task-driven professional with experience in data entry, customer service, and reception. Able to perform accurate and efficient entry of data into administrative software. Driven to attain both the long and short-term goals of a people-driven organization”
Here are some more adjectives to choose from in order to describe yourself:
| Accomplished Accountable Achiever Active Adaptable Adventurous Affectionate Aggressive Agreeable Ambitious Amiable Amicable Amusing Analytical Artistic Assertive Attentive Balanced Bold Brave Broad-minded Calm Candid Careful Caring Charming Cheerful Collaborative Committed Communicative Compassionate Competent Competitive Confident Conscientious Consistent Cooperative Courageous Courteous Creative Curious Customer-oriented Data-driven Decisive Dedicated Detailed Detail-oriented Determined Devoted Diplomatic Direct Disciplined Discreet Dynamic Eager Easy-Going Efficient Emotional Emotionally intelligent Energetic Enthusiastic Entrepreneurial Ethical | Exciting Experienced Expert Extroverted Exuberant Facilitator Faithful Fast Productive Fearless Flexible Focused Forgiving Formal Frank Friendly Generous Gentle Genuine Good Good listener Gregarious Hardworking Hard-working Helpful Honest Humorous Imaginative Impartial Incredible Independent Industrious Initiator Innovative Insightful Intellectual Intuitive Inventive Kind Knowledgeable Leader Logical Loving Loyal Mature Mediator Methodical Meticulous Motivated Neat Nice Objective Observant Open-Minded Optimistic Organized Original Outgoing Particular Passionate Patient People person Perceptive | Persevering Persistent Personable Persuasive Philosophical Pioneering Placid Polite Political Positive Powerful Practical Precise Proactive Pro-Active Problem solver Professional Proficient Quick Quiet Rational Realistic Reliable Reserved Resourceful Respectful Responsible Responsive Results-oriented Self-assured Self-Confident Self-Disciplined Self-Reliant Self-starter Sensible Sensitive Sincere Skilled Skillful Sociable Solid Straightforward Strategic Systematic Team player Tenacious Thorough Thoughtful Tidy Tireless Tough Traditional Trustworthy Unassuming Unconventional Unique Versatile Visionary Warmhearted Willing Witty |
| Jovial Astute Noble Fantasist | Fervent Unruffled Serene Valiant | Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Colorful |
In the professional context as you can imagine, there are words you should restrain from using to describe yourself.
It’s not like these adjectives that describe you are quite absurd; however, they might not cause a reaction as expected when you use them out of context. What are we insinuating?
Consider the following example; imagine using these words to describe yourself in a job interview:
What will you have me say? Let’s take this for instance;
“I’m amazing, funny and
unique”
If you observe very well, it will be more edifying if a colleague or anyone for that matter described you this way.
Addressing yourself as amazing in the presence of recruiters might be a bit too outrageous without really saying anything at all.
Here’s a list of our top 7 words NOT to describe yourself (outside of your friends’ circle):
| Amazing Awesome Funny | Honest Humble Intelligent | Unique |
And that’s a wrap! We hope that by now you’re equipped with many more words to describe yourself.
Let’s go over some of the main points we covered in the article:
At this junction, we believe you are more than enlightened and ready to now take a mind-blowing step towards advancing your career using the right words to describe yourself in various styles and fashion.
Best interview wishes! You are ambitious, confident, resourceful and without any doubt, you will do great.
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Copyright © 2023, ceomichaelhr.com.
All rights reserved.
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