15 Ways to Describe

Yourself in an Interview

By Ken Sundheim • March 6, 2013

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“How would you describe yourself?”

It’s an interview question you should
anticipate and practice so you can put
your best foot forward.

s (https://twitter.com/share?
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b In just about every interview, the interviewer
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subject=15%20Ways%20to%20Describe%20Yourself%20in%20an%20Interview&body=%E2%8
asks the question, “How would you describe
search%2F15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview%2F%3Futm_source%3Demail%26utm
yourself?” While this is something that should be
anticipated and practiced, many job seekers
overlook the importance of this question and fail to
take the time to formulate the right answers.

Moreover, when describing ourselves, we should

approach our answers in an honest, candid manner.
Even though some answers are laid out below,
always ensure that you phrase these in our own
words; authenticity is important.

To better give you some guidance, here are 15

ways to describe yourself for your next interview:

“I would say I’m…”

1. “Someone who has high expectations for my
results. I am confident in my ability to produce, and
while I prepare for the worst, I do the work
 necessary to tilt the odds so that the best will
happen.”

2. “Someone who wants to be judged by individual

performance and rewarded for my efforts based on
my ability to execute.”

3. “Someone who wants to work for a successful

company with strong leadership and vision, one
that recognizes and rewards performers.”

4. “Someone who is consistently growing

(http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2013/01/29/how-
to-avoid-being-replaced-by-a-clone-at-work/) and
takes the time to continue learning even though it’s
not a direct requirement of the job. I find that many
times, my professional growth is based on what I
study, both directly and indirectly related to work.”

5. “Someone who is modest, hard-working and

consistently sets firm goals for myself. Then, once
I’ve defined my benchmarks, I take the necessary
steps to achieve those milestones.”

6. “Someone who aims to keep lines of

communication open and is concerned with clients’
needs—consistently asking questions to uncover
the what the client truly wants and then making
sure I’m able to meet those requirements.”

7. “Someone who thinks positively and can execute

difficult tasks. I’m not an individual who needs to be
micromanaged. Rather, when given a specific task, I
can figure out the best ways to solve the problem
(http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2011/12/20/what-
every-employer-wants-a-problem-solver-with-a-
can-do-attitude/) in an autonomous manner.”

8. “Someone who is able to control a situation

rather than allow a situation to control me.”

9. “Someone who has an unwavering resolve. I am

determined to do well in my job and have a
successful career, as well as to make the company I
work for more competitive.”

10. “Someone with a need to produce results. I am

the type of person who meets challenges head-on
s (https://twitter.com/share? rather than sweeping them under the rug and
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f (https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brazen.com%2Fblog%2Farchive%2Fjob-search%2F15-ways-
hoping they go away. While I’m an optimistic
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j person, I am also realistic about the current
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to-describe-yourself-in-an- situation and how satisfactory or unsatisfactory it
h describe-yourself-in-an-
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is.”
b
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11. “Someone who has been able to not only meet
k (mailto:? my employers’ expectations, but has consistently
exceeded those markers.”
subject=15%20Ways%20to%20Describe%20Yourself%20in%20an%20Interview&body=%E2%80%9CHow%20would%20you%20describ
search%2F15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview%2F%3Futm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3
12. “Someone who takes responsibility for their
actions
(http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/12/10/what-
to-do-when-you-screw-up-royally/) when things go
wrong. I don’t look for outside forces to blame;
rather, I’m someone who looks at what I can
improve upon the next time around. Pointing
fingers solves nothing.”

13. “Someone who demonstrates an unwavering

resolve to do whatever must be done to produce
the best long-term results, no matter how difficult.”
14. “Someone who is committed to building
something larger and puts aside personal gain for
the well-being of the group.”

15. “Someone who is mature, candid and believes in

integrity. Every day I work to improve myself and
my skills—that’s part of becoming better at what I
do.”

How would you describe yourself in an interview?

Ken Sundheim is the CEO of KAS Placement

Recruitment (http://www.kasplacement.com), an
executive search firm specializing in sales and
marketing staffing throughout the U.S.

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Should You Pursue a
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Career in Recruiting?
(http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-
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pursue-a-career-in-
recruiting/)

17 Comments

Career Coach, alisonelissa.com

(http://www.alisonelissa.com/)
March 7, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41744)

This is a really helpful list. I could see someone

drawing a blank on knowing what kind of language
to use to answer this question, but your article
would definitely help them get started with some
ideas.
Allen
March 8, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41745)

truely very helpful information

h23
March 8, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41746)

I can’t help but think that although these answers

sound good, they’re actually the exact opposite of
what is truly desired in many corporate
environments. The irony is that you can’t actually
say what they would really truly want because it
would sound awful : “I would say that willing to
instantly forget all integrity and drop whatever I am
doing to focus on short-term superficial goals in
response to poorly considered requests from my
boss or anybody who has higher rank.”

Ken Sundheim
March 12, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41748)

Lol.

Karen J
(http://curvesnangles.wordpress.com/)
April 17, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41749)

You are applying at the wrong companies!

Unless “…willing to forget all integrity…(etc)”

honestly describes you, ditch that interview as
soon as you can tell that’s what they’re looking
for. You will be miserable if you *do* get the job.

Weekend Reads |
(http://humblefoodie.com/2013/03/09/weekend-
reads-2/)
March 9, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41747)

[…] sites to my attention: Brazen Careerist and

Career Girl Network. This week, the BC blog
published 15 Ways to Describe Yourself in an
Interview- responses to the classic this-isn’t-a-
question-but-I’m-judging-your-answer prompt […]
lxhxr
August 20, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41750)

or…. Just Use DescribeMe…..

https://describeme.net (https://describeme.net)

paul jose
September 16, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41751)

thanks for sharing with us this information i really

need it.

Hotel in indore (http://www.hotelapnapalace.com/)

beeba .s.raj
September 18, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41752)

must say that it had given me a better idea to start…

with…thanks a lot

Why looking good is a big, fat road to

nowhere | Stuckaholic
(http://www.stuckaholic.com/2013/10/16/why-
looking-good-is-a-big-fat-road-to-
nowhere/)
October 16, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41753)

[…] kicked off the interview asking her about

herself. She listed all her work accomplishments,
emphasizing her great expertise and knowledge.
She was […]

lira_gelogo
November 29, 2013 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41754)

thanks god nka tulong tong 15 ways to describe

yourself other interview

Athena
February 22, 2014 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41755)

Wow this is bad

Athena
 February 22, 2014 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-4175

» Most Common Job-Interview Question

Still Produces Deer-in-the-Headlights
Reactions
(http://blog.quintcareers.com/most-
common-job-interview-question-still-
produces-deer-in-headlights-reactions/)
March 17, 2014 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41757)

[…] 15 Ways to Describe Yourself in an Interview,

by Ken Sundheim […]

15 Ways to Describe Yourself in an

Interview | ...
(http://www.scoop.it/t/technology-
education-in-
secondary/p/4023003590/2014/06/16/15-
ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-
interview)
June 15, 2014 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41758)

[…] “How would you describe yourself?” It’s an

interview question you should anticipate and
practice so you can put your best foot forward.  […]

How To Describe Yourself In An

Interview | Hubsly
(http://www.hubsly.com/2014/08/26/how-
to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/)
August 26, 2014 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41759)

[…] of a good quality that you have when you are

describing yourself for the interview. If you are
detail oriented, mention that in your description.
Then provide an example of what you […]

BILAL HASSAN KHAN

(http://www.brazencareerist.com/blog/2013/03/06/15-
ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-
interview/)
May 12, 2015 (http://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/15-ways-to-describe-yourself-in-an-interview/#comment-41760)

Very Helpful and gives u a good idea that how to

express according to your qualities

Comments are closed.

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