DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS! (How to ANSWER this Tricky Interview Question!)

Summary

In this video, viewers are given expert advice on how to answer the common but tricky interview question, 'Describe yourself in three words.' The speaker emphasizes the importance of standing out by avoiding overused terms like 'professional' and 'hardworking.' Instead, they suggest 12 unique, positive adjectives such as 'industrious,' 'resilient,' and 'self-motivated.' The video also offers three example answers to demonstrate how to structure a strong response, ensuring candidates can convey their strengths and how they’ll contribute to the company effectively. A must-watch for anyone preparing for job interviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Describe yourself in three words' interview question assesses how well candidates understand their strengths and how they will contribute to the company.
• 😀 Avoid common responses like 'professional', 'team player', and 'hard-working', as these words are overused and don’t help you stand out.
• 😀 It's important to align your answer with words that demonstrate value to the company and reflect traits that are essential for the role you're applying for.
• 😀 Words like 'industrious', 'diligent', 'self-motivated', and 'resilient' can impress hiring managers by showing you're proactive and reliable.
• 😀 Being 'industrious' suggests you are hard-working and always looking for ways to improve, even when tasks are not directly assigned.
• 😀 'Diligent' shows you are detail-oriented, able to work with minimal supervision, and consistently meet high standards of quality.
• 😀 'Self-motivated' implies that you require little direction, take initiative, and are enthusiastic about your work.
• 😀 'Energetic' conveys positivity and drive, which can make you a high performer in fast-paced or target-driven environments.
• 😀 'Resilient' is an excellent word to use as it demonstrates your ability to remain calm under pressure and persevere through challenges.
• 😀 The key to answering the question effectively is to provide an example of how each word you choose applies to your role and benefits the company.
• 😀 After listing strong descriptive words, choose three that best align with your skills and the job you're applying for to create a compelling and personalized answer.

Q & A

Why do hiring managers ask the question 'Describe yourself in three words' during an interview?

Hiring managers ask this question to assess your self-awareness and understand how you perceive your strengths. It also helps them evaluate how well you can communicate your qualities and how they might benefit the company in the role you're applying for.

What should you avoid when answering 'Describe yourself in three words'?

You should avoid using generic words like 'professional,' 'hardworking,' or 'team player,' as these are likely to be used by other candidates. Instead, focus on more specific qualities that demonstrate your unique strengths.

What is the importance of tailoring your response to the role you're applying for?

Tailoring your response ensures that the qualities you highlight are relevant to the job you're applying for. This approach shows that you understand the role and how your skills will contribute to the company's success.

Can you provide examples of strong words to use when describing yourself in an interview?

Some strong words to use are 'industrious,' 'diligent,' 'self-motivated,' 'energetic,' 'resilient,' 'personable,' 'loyal,' 'data-driven,' 'cooperative,' 'high-achiever,' 'results-driven,' and 'resourceful.' These words convey positive qualities that hiring managers appreciate.

What is the significance of providing examples when answering this question?

Providing examples helps substantiate your claims and gives the interviewer a clearer picture of how you've demonstrated these qualities in real-life situations. It makes your response more credible and impactful.

Why is it important to choose words that resonate positively with hiring managers?

Choosing words that resonate positively with hiring managers ensures your qualities align with what the company values. Positive descriptors such as 'resilient' and 'data-driven' show that you have traits that are beneficial to the role and the company.

What does it mean to be 'industrious' in a workplace context?

'Industrious' refers to being hard-working, proactive, and always seeking ways to improve. An industrious person doesn't wait for instructions but looks for opportunities to contribute and overcome challenges independently.

What does it mean to be 'self-motivated' and why is it valued by employers?

'Self-motivated' means that you don’t require constant supervision or encouragement to complete tasks. Employers value this trait because it shows initiative, drive, and the ability to work independently, which leads to higher productivity.

How can using the word 'trustworthy' in an interview benefit a candidate?

'Trustworthy' indicates that you are dependable and can be relied upon to meet deadlines and fulfill responsibilities. It also implies that you will represent the company well when interacting with clients or colleagues, which is highly valued by employers.

How can you demonstrate 'results-driven' qualities during an interview?

To demonstrate being 'results-driven,' you can share examples of how you consistently meet or exceed goals, how you approach challenges with a plan to achieve measurable outcomes, and how you contribute to the overall success of previous projects or roles.