Always be prepared to answer this popular interview question.

You're sitting opposite a poker-faced interviewer. You've already covered the basic questions, and now they're looking to dig deeper. After reviewing their notes, they look up at you, pause for a second, and then say, “Pick three words to describe yourself.” It may sound like an innocent enough question, but your answer will tell them everything they need to know. Preparation is everything. 

Here's how you can answer “describe yourself” during an interview like a real pro. 

Why do interviewers ask this question?

Interviewers will often ask you to choose three words to describe yourself. How to answer it can be challenging. However, the first step here is to understand why you're being asked this question. That way, you'll know how to best choose the words for a winning answer. 

When an interviewer utters these words, it should come as no surprise that they are trying to learn more about how you see yourself. Your answer will give interviewers an idea of how well you'll fit into the company and role. 

Each word that you think describes you is a reflection of you as a professional - it's all about how you see yourself working with others and the personal brand you convey. Your ability to answer the question well also speaks to your level of self-awareness, which employers highly value. 

Related reading: What is a personal brand? And how do you show it off in an interview?

Additional variations of the “describe yourself” interview question

It's true that a common way interviewers often ask you to describe yourself is by asking you to pick three words to describe yourself. That said, there are several other variations of this interview questions you might hear, including: 

  • What three adjectives would someone else use to describe you?

  • How would you describe yourself?

  • What are three adjectives you'd use to describe yourself?

  • What words come to your mind when you think about yourself?

  • Tell me about yourself.

  • How would you describe your personality?

  • What are your most important traits?

  • Describe yourself in as few words as possible. 

  • Describe yourself in 3 words. 

  • Can you tell me something interesting about yourself?

  • How would your coworkers describe you?

  • How would your manager or supervisor describe you?

If you're asked to describe yourself during an interview without being given directions as to how many words to use, a good rule of thumb is to go with three adjectives. If you provide only one adjective, you're missing an opportunity to showcase how well you'd fit the position. More than that, on the other hand, could make your response long-winded and lose its impact. 

Related reading: What Is a Behavioral Interview? And How to Prepare for One

Three words to describe yourself: how to answer it

When confronted with how to describe yourself in an interview, the last thing you want to do is stumble over your words and come across as someone who's unclear or lacks confidence. When you hear the question, simply take a deep breath and compose yourself. 

Choosing the characteristics to describe yourself doesn't have to be difficult. Fortunately, we have you covered when it comes to this one. You can use the following tips to help you to tackle this interview question: 

1. Consider the company

You don't want to use a one-size-fits-all approach here. When you're answering this common interview question, you should consider the company, including its values and culture. Back while you were applying for the position, you should have done some research into this by looking at the company's website and social media pages to get a good sense of the company culture. 

Refer to what you found to give you some insight into what the hiring team is looking for in candidates, and draw upon that knowledge when it comes to developing your answer to the “describe yourself” interview question. 

For example, if you notice that the company values diversity, innovation, and collaboration, you might use words like open-minded, innovative, and team player to describe yourself. 

2. Review the job description

Similar to looking into the company, carefully review the job description of the position you're interviewing for. As you do, make note of the qualities the employer is seeking. Are they looking for someone who is innovative? Dedicated? A leader? Creative? This information will guide your word choices to answer the question. 

2. Think about the qualities you have 

What qualities are you bringing to the table? That's what the interviewer is asking you here. Before you head to the interview, you should have considered your answer, using the information you have about the company and the job description as your guide. 

It may be useful to write down around 10 to 15 professional traits that you have in the form of adjectives. From that list, whittle things down to the top three words that you feel best describe you as they pertain to and align with the job description. 

3. Ask others for input

If you're struggling to choose your top three words, ask others for input. Ask your friends, former coworkers, current colleagues, and family members what they believe your top three professional qualities are. 

As you compile all of the input you receive, make a note of common themes that come up and compare them to your own list of words. From there, choose the top three words you feel best about and also fit what the employer is seeking. 

4. Explain each of your responses 

When you've chosen three words to describe yourself for your interview, the next step is to elaborate on them. It's all well and good to simply state the words and say that you have them. That's step one. But you need to explain why you believe that you have these traits by giving examples that help to highlight how you apply them. 

If possible, you should give some professional context to each of the words that you've picked. For instance, you could relate the fact that you are creative to your position as a senior graphic designer or the fact that you are a leader to a time when you successfully led a project to completion.  

5. Be genuine and not arrogant

It goes without saying that you should be honest. While you're drafting the three words that describe you, make sure that you embody them. Saying that you're a leader when you know that's not the case is a mistake. Interviewers can often tell when an interviewee isn't being authentic. 

You might also be asked some follow-up questions about your initial answer that will end up being difficult to respond to if you weren't being honest in the first place. 

You also want to avoid coming across as egotistical. Yes, you need to toot your own horn, but don't exaggerate your talents for the sake of it. Be confident without being arrogant. 

6. Personalize your responses

You want your answer to be professional, though you don't want them to sound robotic or scripted. Answering how to describe yourself during an interview gives you a chance to highlight your personality and that you're more than just what you do at work. 

Take the opportunity to discuss interests, hobbies, and activities you participate in outside of work as they relate to the words you use to describe yourself. That said, be sure the activities you share are work-appropriate and still present you in a professional manner. 

7. Be brief and concise

When describing yourself or answering any interview questions, for that matter, your answers should be brief, complete, and quickly get to the point. No interviewer wants or has the time to hear a candidate's life story. Avoid being long-winded or rambling on. 

8. Keep it positive 

When you're asked to describe yourself in an interview, the last thing an interviewer expects to hear is a list of negative qualities about yourself. Be sure to focus on positive attributes when answering this question.  

9. Pay attention to your body language

Your body language can say a lot about you during any conversation, especially during an interview where you're in the spotlight. When describing yourself, the goal is for you to convey a healthy level of confidence and excellent self-awareness. 

You want to ensure your body language aligns with someone with these qualities and who believes in what they say about themselves. Be open, maintain good posture, and make eye contact when responding. Also, smile, remain positive, and uphold a professional and pleasant demeanor. 

Related reading: Body Language Tips for Your Next Interview

Positive words to describe yourself in an interview

Need some inspiration coming up with three words to describe yourself that will wow employers? Here's over 50 to help you get started: 

  • Adaptable

  • Agile

  • Analytical

  • Careful

  • Caring 

  • Collaborative

  • Communicative

  • Compassionate 

  • Confident

  • Consistent

  • Creative

  • Dependable

  • Detail-oriented

  • Direct

  • Disciplined

  • Driven

  • Dynamic

  • Empathetic

  • Engaged

  • Fair

  • Flexible

  • Hard-working

  • Helpful

  • Honest

  • Independent

  • Innovative

  • Inspiring

  • Integritous

  • Intelligent

  • Knowledgeable

  • Leader

  • Loyal

  • Mature

  • Meticulous

  • Motivated

  • Observant

  • Open-minded

  • Organized

  • Outgoing

  • Passionate

  • Patient

  • People person

  • Perpetual learner

  • Persuasive

  • Precise

  • Proactive

  • Professional

  • Purposeful 

  • Reliable

  • Resourceful

  • Responsible

  • Results-oriented 

  • Selective

  • Self-starter

  • Subject matter expert

  • Team player

  • Thorough

  • Timely

  • Trustworthy

  • Versatile

Related reading: 100+ Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview

Examples of how you can describe yourself in interviews

Now that you have a clear idea of how to answer the question, let's take a look at some answers. As we've mentioned, you need to tailor your response to both the company and the position for which you're applying. Here are some example responses that incorporate three words to describe yourself for inspiration:

Example 1

“I'd describe myself as creative, hard-working, and adaptable. As a UX designer, I'm constantly coming up with creative solutions to make the user experience as smooth as possible. I enjoy the challenge and have become adept at thinking outside the box. I'm used to working in fast-paced environments where workflows can change at a moment's notice, and so I have learned to adapt quickly. I also pride myself on my hard work and dedication to any given project.”

Why it works: Creativity brings about new ideas and innovation and is a pivotal part of many roles. Employers appreciate this quality in employees and those with a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to the often changing landscape of business. In this response, the candidate concisely and directly tied their qualities to their professional experience.

Example 2

“I'm organized, collaborative, and communicative. Over the years, I've held numerous leadership roles in which I've honed these skills. Since I tend to oversee others, I'm highly skilled at organizing schedules and general time management. I try to encourage the best in team members through honest and open communication. I would say having a clear line of communication has allowed me to effortlessly collaborate with others.”

Why it works: In five brief sentences, the candidate not only emphasized three essential qualities for many candidates – being organized, collaborative, and communicative – but also highlighted leadership, honesty, and timeliness. They also explained how these qualities are applied when working with others.

Example 3

“First up, I would say that I am driven. I've worked in graphic design for five years now and am keen to make it to a senior position in the coming five years. Secondly, I am curious. Whenever I'm working on a project, I take an inquisitive approach to creating the most original yet appropriate images for the job. Finally, I am approachable. I've been working in small, close-knit teams for my entire career and can easily work with other professionals.”

Why it works: This candidate did a great job of highlighting one adjective at a time, immediately followed by an example to back it up. They also described three qualities – being driven, curious, and approachable – that are highly valued in the graphic design arena. 

Example 4

“If I had to pick three adjectives to describe me, they would have to be confident, passionate, and observant. I've been working in the finance sector for more than 10 years and am confident in the decisions and advice I have to offer. I've always had a knack for numbers, and my enthusiasm and passion for this industry have pushed me to gain additional training. Lastly, I have a keen eye for detail and always ensure I am thorough in my work.” 

Why it works: In this response, the candidate shares three adjectives that, combined, showcase necessary traits for the finance sector and traits that show they would fit well in a culture that supports those who exude enthusiasm and passion for their work and values professional growth and development. They also expand on how they apply these traits to do well and meet the needs of their work. 

Example 5

“The three words that describe me are helpful, patient, and professional. As a customer service advisor, I am always eager to support customers' needs to the best of my ability. At times, this can be challenging - especially when explaining complex matters - which is why I exercise patience and understanding. I have previously been commended for my high levels of professionalism which I maintain regardless of how stressful the situation is.”

Why it works: In addition to highlighting qualities necessary for success in customer service, this candidate concisely shares specific examples of how these qualities are applied and support their work. Through their descriptions of how they apply these qualities, they also wisely took the opportunity to emphasize their ability to work well under challenging circumstances and stress, which is vital in the customer service field. 

Related reading: How to Answer “What Are Your Weaknesses?” in an Interview

Start preparing for your interview today

The “describe yourself in three words” question can throw candidates. However, with a little thought, you can give an intelligent answer that will wow potential employers. Within this guide, we've taken a look at how to best approach this question, along with examples. If you're in the process of applying for jobs, why not start thinking about your answer now? It's never too early to begin preparing and practicing. 

Ready for your next interview? If you're looking for a way to give yourself a competitive edge, book a session with one of our coaches at TopInterview. Armed with the advice of an expert coach, you may have a better chance of getting hired faster than ever. 

This article was originally written by Charlotte Grainger. It has been updated by Ronda Suder.

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