Photo by Karly Santiago on Unsplash
For some of us, talking about ourselves comes pretty easy.
However, it doesn't come naturally for everyone—especially when it comes to using flattering and empowering language to describe ourselves. Why does it feel so difficult to speak kindly about ourselves in job interviews or while networking?
Knowing how to speak about yourself confidently is crucial in a professional setting. Confidence enhances your ability to communicate effectively, shapes how others perceive you, and increases the opportunities that come your way.
Whether you're networking, interviewing for a job, or presenting ideas to colleagues, the ability to speak confidently about yourself can make a lasting impression. Employers and colleagues are more likely to value and invest in individuals who speak confidently and positively about themselves.
Table of Contents
- The 10 Best Words to Describe Yourself as an Employee
- How to Speak About Yourself
- Unprofessional Words to Avoid Using in an Interview
- The Best Words to Use to Describe Yourself in a Resume or Cover Letter
- How to Talk About Yourself in an Interview
- How to Talk About Yourself in a Networking Setting
The 10 Best Words to Describe Yourself as an Employee
Before we share a whole lot of great adjectives to infuse into your resume, cover letter, and interview, we're going to profile the ten words every interviewer or hiring manager would love to hear, regardless of the job at hand.
For example, some hiring managers will love to hear that you're an independent worker, but others might prefer you to expand on your collaborative qualities.
The next ten adjectives are the words that can apply to most every job—and most every working environment.
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Accountable
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Attentive
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Communicative
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Empathetic
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Committed
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Motivated
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Professional
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Dependable
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Intuitive
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Trustworthy
How to Speak About Yourself
Learning how to describe yourself in writing and when speaking about yourself can be extremely difficult. How do you strike that perfect "Goldilocks" balance of sharing just enough? Can you describe your best successes without seeming overconfident?
The following tips will help you to describe yourself in any circumstance in a way that’s personalized for you. Learn how to dazzle anyone while speaking about you, your talents, your values, and your vision for the future.
1. Be Self-Aware
Know your audience when speaking about yourself. Be sensitive to what you share and how you share it, depending on your company. Self-awareness describes an individual’s ability to communicate their own strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and growth mindset.
When talking about yourself, especially in a job interview or networking setting, keep your accomplishments and achievements relevant to the discussion at hand. In a professional setting, keep your language professional and respectful.
Sometimes humor is a hot topic in professional settings. Can you use humor in a job interview? Is it okay to crack a joke to break the ice? Use your judgment in these cases. If your sense of humor is one of your best qualities and you can use it to lighten the mood, go for it respectfully.
Avoid any derogatory or potentially offensive jokes. If you don't feel that you can differentiate offensive humor from lighthearted humor, leave the jokes at home.
2. Ask Questions: Don't Only Talk About Yourself
To build off our first tip to keep your self-awareness front of mind, make sure you're also asking questions.
Even if you're in an informational interview, a job interview setting, or other circumstances that require you to share about yourself, ensure that you are also asking questions, too.
3. Have Your Three Best Qualities in Mind
In interviews and networking settings, it can feel overwhelming to have a list of words, accomplishments, or key points that you're dying to share! Edit yours down to your three most important talents, personality traits, or concrete examples of success.
Think of these three qualities as your own keywords.
Examples:
- A project where your leadership skills solved huge problems
- Examples of your creativity
- How your broad-minded thinking helped you to advance your career in a new direction
- How your work style fits perfectly in certain environments
4. Always Advocate for Yourself
If you're reading an article on how to speak about yourself, then it's likely that you've found yourself stuck before. Make sure you compile positive adjectives, soft skills, and life experiences that make you unique.
Use your opportunity to speak about yourself as the chance to show why you're a passionate person. Advocate for yourself, your skills, and your career story.
5. Avoid Undermining Language
Don't use negative language when describing yourself (or anyone else, for that matter!) when choosing the right words to make a great first impression. Additionally, avoid undermining your own successes. It's a bad habit to undercut our own accomplishments in the interest of appearing humble and down to earth.
Unprofessional Words to Avoid Using in an Interview
Before we dive into the strongest words and adjectives to use in different interactions, let's weed out the words you don't want to use in your resume, your LinkedIn profile, or when speaking about yourself in general.
Negative Words to Avoid in Interview Settings
- Hate
- Annoying
- Terrible
- Awful
- Dumb
- Horrible
- Stupid
- Idiot
- ...Four-letter words (You know the ones)
Basically, find ways to keep things positive, especially when meeting others for the first time. If you're pressed to discuss difficult situations, try to use words that reframe situations with a more positive light.
For example: Suppose you are interviewing for a new job because you do, in fact, hate your toxic, micromanager boss. Instead of word vomiting "I hate my toxic micromanager boss," try something more constructive. You can reframe your career move positively by saying, "I am looking for an opportunity to work in a more independent, self-starter environment, where I can let my talents shine and grow."
The Best Words to Use to Describe Yourself in a Resume or Cover Letter
In the past, we have tackled some of the most over-used resume buzzwords. While you don't need to strike these words from your resume or cover letters, it's great to have alternatives—especially words that feel more suited to your personality, work, or experience.
Remember that your resume and cover letter don't need to be bland and boring documents. Whenever possible, use your creativity and personal voice to breathe life into resumes and cover letters.
Positive Words to Describe Yourself in Your Resume or Cover Letter
- Adventurous
- Affectionate
- Ambitious
- Attentive
- Bright
- Cheerful
- Chill
- Clever
- Considerate
- Courageous
- Determined
- Disciplined
- Dynamic
- Easygoing
- Energetic
- Enthusiastic
- Extroverted
- Exuberant
- Fearless
- Flexible
- Friendly
- Funny
- Generous
- Gentle
- Genuine
- Happy
- Hard-working
- Helpful
- Honest
- Independent
- Intelligent
- Introverted
- Intuitive
- Joyful
- Kind
- Loyal
- Modest
- Motivated
- Open-minded
- Optimistic
- Passionate
- Patient
- Persistent
- Practical
- Reliable
- Resourceful
- Romantic
- Self-confident
- Sensitive
- Sincere
- Sociable
- Straightforward
- Sympathetic
- Tenacious
- Thoughtful
- Tough
- Truthful
- Understanding
- Versatile
- Warmhearted
- Witty
How to Talk About Yourself in an Interview
We have all read the articles detailing the most common job interview questions. Any interviewee has encountered questions about their strengths and weaknesses, where they see themselves in five years, or why this job is right for them.
When speaking about yourself in an interview setting, definitely use some of the words listed above—without repeating your resume summary to a job interviewer.
Our favorite hack is to refer to a job posting right before an interview. Highlight the skills, experience, and competencies mentioned in the job description and relate them to your own career—past, present, and future!
How to Talk About Yourself in a Networking Setting
While many of the words we've profiled also apply to a networking setting, there's one huge difference to note.
In face-to-face networking conversations, impress your company with your skills and achievements, but always leave room to continue the conversation. Here are our best tips to keep the conversation flowing when speaking to someone in person (or, you know, via Zoom!).
Avoid one-word answers. While you may be asked yes or no questions, always try to add context. Instead of saying "Yes," add colorful details whenever possible.
Ask follow-up questions. After answering questions about you (e.g., "I started managing social media because I loved growing my own presence, and I thought it seemed like the perfect career path for my talents. How about you?)
Ask open-ended questions. This will also ensure you don't get one-word answers and allows the conversation to flow naturally.
