How to Answer the Question “Describe Yourself in Three Words” During an Interview

The Question of Questions: “Describe Yourself in Three Words”

“Describe yourself in three words” is the question of all questions in a job interview. It’s that moment when you have the chance to stand out from other candidates, to show that you are truly interested in the company and the role being offered.

This simple and common question can reveal a lot about you: how well you understand the company you’re applying to, how committed you are to the interview, and how you’ll work once hired.

Mistakes to Avoid

When asked “Describe yourself in three words,” it’s easy to fall into some traps.

Don’t make the same mistakes Owen did here. 😂 Let’s look at the main mistakes to avoid:

1. Creating a Fake Avatar

If you try to paint a picture of yourself that doesn’t match reality, the interviewer will likely notice. Saying things that are blatantly untrue will not earn you points. 🙅♀️

2. Being Generic

Phrases like “I’m enthusiastic, a hard worker, a workaholic” have been heard a thousand times and don’t add anything meaningful about you or how you could contribute to the company. 🙅

‍‍3. Describing Traits Not Useful to the Company

You might be really creative, but if the role requires precision and organization, this strength may not be the one to focus on. It’s essential to align your strengths with the needs of the role. You don’t need to describe every aspect of your personal character. 🙅♂️

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What HR Wants to Know When They Ask “Describe Yourself in Three Words”

Whether they realize it or not, HR wants to know one thing and one thing only: how you can be useful to the company.

Prepare in Advance to Show How You Can Be Useful

The job interview starts as soon as you send in your resume. From that moment on, you need to begin preparing by studying the company, the industry, and the job title you applied for. When you get to the interview and are asked to describe yourself in three words, you need to have your answers ready, but they should be:

1. Fit for the Company: Every company has its own culture and values. Try to understand what they are and think about how you can align yourself with them.

2. Fit for the Job Title: What does the role require? What characteristics could make a difference? Align your answer with the expectations of the role.

3. Reflective of Your Real Traits: Don’t say you’re super productive if you actually struggle with procrastination. Be authentic and communicate what you can truly offer to the company.

Words to Avoid

I won’t tell you exactly which words to choose to answer “Describe yourself in three words,” as the right answer varies from context to context.

But I can tell you which words to avoid. Here’s a list of 13 words to avoid:

1. Enthusiastic
2. Perfectionist
3. Hard worker
4. Workaholic
5. Multitasker
6. Friendly
7. Positive
8. Tireless
9. Dynamic
10. Versatile
11. Flexible
12. Ambitious
13. Determined

These qualities may be useful to a company as extras, but during the interview, you need to answer in a way that demonstrates you’re the right fit for a specific job. Stick to that.‍