Useful tips
We have collected detailed material for you on how to describe yourself correctly in a resume to attract HR's attention.
We guarantee that you will hear this question when you come to an interview: “How would you describe yourself?”
Read also: How to pass any interview and get a job – step by step instructions
For an unprepared candidate, this seemingly banal question will cause a stupor. This will be followed by attempts to recall unique appropriate words to describe yourself in a better light. This should be done in a matter of seconds before the HR manager loses interest…
So what's the best way to describe yourself at work?
The best way to show yourself is to give concrete examples of what you did at your last jobs and what results you got. If you need to describe your personality traits, these should be traits that will set you apart from other candidates.
Before being invited to an interview, you must write your resume. And this is already a great training for your self-description skills. When you write a CV, you think carefully about your words, add something, delete something for what you don't need.
But any description, whether it's on a resume or in a live meeting, is never an easy task. You may randomly choose adjectives or phrases that are not important, positive, or professional to the interviewer. Or start chatting incessantly when you're asked to describe yourself in just a few words.
But don't worry, we'll train you in this article!
Let's consider:
How to describe yourself profitably: 3 main rules
Examples of how to describe myself in different situations
Sample answers for resumes and interviews
Words you can't use to describe yourself
How to describe yourself profitably in your resume and interview: 3 main rules
Rule #1: Know Your Audience
To identify the most profitable words to use to describe it, consider what your goal is and who you are addressing. Are you describing yourself to apply for a job or introduce yourself to recruiting social media? Each scenario has a specific audience, so you should use different words when describing yourself.
Read also: How to answer interview questions to get a job – detailed recommendations
For resumes and cover letters, use words that highlight your skills and accomplishments.
During interviews, you may be asked to provide brief or detailed information about yourself. Or sometimes you might be asked to describe yourself in one word, three, or five.
First, pay attention to the question and answer exactly the one that is being asked. Before you start speaking, consider what skill/trait is most desirable for this position. Start with a short sentence that shows you have this skill.
And on social media, in order to attract recruiters, it's better to describe yourself clearly about your professional qualities and the career direction that interests you. Choose words that demonstrate your professionalism and ability, and weave in common skills and personality traits that are considered essential to your career.
Rule # 2: Know how you want to present yourself
Once you're clear about who you're writing to, consider how to present yourself effectively. For example, if you're interviewing for an IT engineer role, you can focus on your problem-solving skills and your ability to work under stressful conditions. And give us a real case study.
Or, if you want to demonstrate your leadership skills, choose words like: strategic thinking, ability to motivate and build teamwork, experience in solving difficulties in communication, result-oriented work.
To present yourself as a creative thinker, try to include these phrases in your answer: the ability to generate ideas, an unbiased attitude towards others' creativity, monitoring new trends in the industry, a versatile approach to the task.
Rule # 3: Different words can leave different impressions
Be careful when choosing adjectives to describe yourself, because many words can have the same meaning but give different impressions. For example, “ambitious” and “aggressive” can be used to describe someone who wants to achieve great things. But the word “aggressive” can give the wrong impression in certain situations.
Focus on the impression, not just the meaning the word creates. Learn as much as you can about the company you're applying to beforehand — to learn about the company's culture, rules, and decide what words are safe to use when you're describing yourself.
The right words to describe yourself in different situations when looking for a job
Just like doing the right thing at the right time, you also need to choose the best way to describe yourself in a given situation.
We have prepared lists of words that will be useful to you in three job search scenarios: when writing a resume, at an interview, or when filling out a profile on recruitment sites.
Be sure to remember the most important rule — think about what qualities a potential employer wants to see in this place. If this is a job that involves clarity of actions, knowledge of technical issues, etc., then the employer is unlikely to be interested in knowing about your esoteric interests and your propensity for psychology. But in customer service or on the helpline, such qualities will be very useful. Therefore, this table is primarily needed to find the right words that will make a strong impression on those who are looking for exactly these qualities.
How to describe yourself at work when writing a resume or coming to an interview
Adaptable
I adequately assess risks
Ambitious
Determined
Disciplined
Dynamic
Energetic
Enthusiast
The same predisposition to individual and team work
Stress-resistant
Independent
Unbiased
Motivated
Objective
Trustworthy
Loyal
Attentive
A thorough look at the details
Resourceful
Versatile personality
Deep immersion in tasks
Communicative
Creative approach to tasks
Practical mindset (analytical, etc.)
The ability to think outside the box
Strategic thinking
Diplomacy
The ability to stay calm
Good listener
Good sense of humour
Critical thinking
Humanitarian mindset
The ability to understand people perfectly
The capacity for compassion
Ability to work on several tasks at the same time
Ability to set priorities
Open to new ideas
Creative storyteller
Talent for learning languages
Level of proficiency in… language — C2
Strict adherence to deadlines
The ability to self-organize (organization)
Experienced software user
Strong leadership skills
Ability to learn new topics on your own (quickly understand new topics)
Continuous improvement of professional skills
Emergency Solver
The ability to keep a cool mind when you need to make a quick decision
I quickly adapt to the team
The ability to cooperate
Enthusiasm
Workaholic, an opportunity to work extra time to achieve goals
Proactive
Team player
Responsible
Organized
The words used in the resume should be effective and succinct; there is no need to write huge sheets of text, as a recruiter usually does not stay too long on one resume. Use numbers and clear statistics wherever possible. They can help the recruiter measure your abilities and achievements.
There are plenty of examples of how to write a resume, but they all have sections that are mandatory. For example, experience, skills, personal qualities.
Is there a difference between CV (Curriculum Vitae), resume and portfolio?
Yes, your CV is your short biography with a focus on professional life. It contains information about your marital status, education, hobbies, etc.
A resume is a summary of your professional achievements and abilities. You can include a track record and create it so you can see how you have progressed through your career.
Creative professions have another type of professional document — a portfolio. It mainly includes examples of the most significant works. Biographical information is usually not provided, and professional life is described very briefly.
By the way, work experience is a great topic for describing yourself in a very attractive and extensive way. For example, when describing your experience in data collection and processing, you can note “a thorough approach to detail” and tell us which programs you are a confident user of.
When you come to an interview, be prepared for unexpected personal questions. Keep a cheat sheet to quickly find your way around.
Examples of how to describe yourself in a few sentences when coming to an interview
Situation: “Describe your main (professional) quality”
The answer is:
I would say I'm a great team player. I feel very comfortable working with people and I always bring new, unexpected perspectives and positive energy to the team. I also understand the dynamics of team work and can organize the process to ensure uninterrupted performance and achievement of goals. As a Digital Marketing specialist, I often collaborate with people both on team projects and with individual specialists and skillfully communicate with everyone.
Look, when you're asked to define yourself with one quality, you're not just naming that quality, but also providing evidence and clear examples that you have that valuable attribute.
Situation: What are three qualities that describe you?
The answer is:
The first word I would use to describe myself is curiosity. I love exploring the world and new things, especially technology. That's why I've decided to pursue a career in IT. I'm also pretty flexible and adaptable. I can easily multitask even when the task flow is out of my control. Finally, I take a resolute and adequate approach to any task and I don't give up so easily.
Keep in mind — don't describe yourself with three words that contradict each other. For example, it makes no sense to say that you are stress-resistant and at the same time emotional and take team tasks to heart. Moreover, choose the three characteristics that are most valuable in the exact position you are applying for.
Situation: Describe yourself in five words
The answer is:
If I have to describe myself in five words, I would say that I am an enthusiast at what I do, pay great attention to detail, am motivated to achieve results, and pay equal tribute to the practical and creative approach to problem solving. I don't mind even staying in the office after work to get things done because it's in my best interest.
In this case, there is no need to explain each of your qualities and provide them with examples, but the conclusion still does not hurt.
Note that when interviewers ask questions that require short answers, this means they don't have much time. Therefore, keep in mind a concise and succinct answer.
And finally, here are taboo words that will significantly lower your bar in the eyes of a potential employer.
Words you can't use to describe yourself
Avoid them when talking about yourself.
1. Common features
Most candidates usually choose the following words:
Peaceful
Careful
Ethical
Hard-working
Honest
Intelligent
Patient
Punctual
Serious
Of course, these features are pretty good in everyday life. But they are too general for the employer. They will not help you show yourself as a unique specialist who stands out from the rest of the candidates.
2. Negative characteristics
It's always great to be honest and stay true to yourself, but don't speak negatively about yourself (and your former employers). You may appear to be a toxic person you don't want to deal with. Some words on the list do not have a negative meaning, but they still look unprofitable for the candidate
Aggressive
Calm (like indifferent)
Introvert
Fast
Candid
Perfectionist
I'm not afraid to take risks
Direct
Stubborn
The dreamer
Family-oriented
Sociable
Generous
Religious
Some words, such as demonstrating your religious or political beliefs, will tell the employer that it will be difficult to work with you.
Now that you have a list of words for your resume, here are some things that will help you stand out as the best candidate:
Stay honest, be positive, be yourself.
Describe yourself in professional terms and specify what will be useful for the position you are applying for.
Compare your answer to your desired job description.
Good luck with your job search!