The Best Words to Use to Describe Yourself in an Interview

Oyewole Folarin loves writing greeting-card messages and helping others find the words they need for life's special moments.

Positive Words for Describing Yourself in a Job Interview

So, your cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae (CV) have impressed the recruiter at a job you're hoping to land. You've been scheduled for an interview. But do you know the right words to say when you actually meet the interviewer? Here's a list of positive adjectives you should use to describe yourself in a job interview.

Being able to identify some positive adjectives that accurately describe you is very important for passing a job interview successfully. For a job applicant, the most difficult part is figuring out a list of positive descriptive words that best describe their personality.

If you have any other positive descriptive words, please put them in the comments box so you can help other readers, as well.

Positive Adjectives That Start With A, B, C

Adjectives That Start With D, E, F

Adjectives That Start With G, H, I

Adjectives That Start With K, L, M

Adjectives That Start With N, O, P

Adjectives That Start With R, S, T

Adjectives That Start With U, V, W

Other Useful Descriptive Words and Phrases to Use in an Interview

Positive Words to Use When Applying for a Leadership Position

Positive Descriptions to Use for an Entry-Level Position

Words to Avoid During a Job Interview

If you have any positive descriptive words which someone can use in a job interview, simply suggest them by leaving a comment below. Also, don’t forget to bookmark this list because you might need them for future reference when you're invited for an interview.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: Is there any words to describe myself that start with the letter Y?

Answer: Here are few descriptive words you might find helpful: yearnful, youthful, yeomanly, yieldable, youngish, youngling.

© 2011 Oyewole Folarin

Comments

John on January 27, 2016:

I was really amaze to those collections of words.It is really helpful,two thumbs up!

Frank Slovenec from San Francisco, CA on June 14, 2012:

I have hired 100's of people one the years in business. I wish they would have had this advice. An interviewee honestly presenting their strengths in good words is important and memorable. The other piece is knowing the interviewer and the culture of the company so the interviewee is using the right words to describe their strengths. Well done

Oyewole Folarin (author) from Lagos on June 11, 2012:

Hi Jpcmc, thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your comment.

JP Carlos from Quezon CIty, Phlippines on June 10, 2012:

More than just knowing the words, it's really important to use them in the proper context. I've read resumes that have been drenched with too many adjectives that they lose their appeal. Also, I'm not a huge fan of too many fancy words to describe one's self. Of course these key words and adjectives provide an applicant with a host of alternative words to use. But in the end, using them properly is what counts.

Oyewole Folarin (author) from Lagos on May 18, 2012:

@rfmoran, thanks for stopping by.

Russ Moran - The Write Stuff from Long Island, New York on May 18, 2012:

Excellent Hub on an important issue for anyone planning an interview.

Guanta on June 13, 2011:

Thank you incomeguru, this is an excellent list. I am now retired but I can stil use these words to describe who I am when. Excellent work!

Sage Williams on May 31, 2011:

Most helpful hub, love the collection of words that you have chosen. You did an awesome job on this hub. Voted UP! Thanks for sharing.

Sage

Maria Jordan from Jeffersonville PA on May 31, 2011:

I find this to be overall very helpful and informative.

However, I must say that I have conducted quite a few interviews in my experience. They are for professional Nursing positions, just to give a background.

I would be extremely turned off if a candidate were to tell me that their strengths were: romantic,splendid, smiling, obedient,funny, nice, placid... I believe we need to determine the setting we are in before making a response. Using phrases like a good sense of humor, ability to get along with all personality styles, compassionate can say the same things in a more polished manner.

This is a great article to get us thinking about how to present ourselves in a more positive light, as we all have strengths.

Voted UP & USEFUL- thank you.

Sandy Mertens from Wisconsin, USA on May 30, 2011:

Very positive words to use in an interview.

Wesman Todd Shaw from Kaufman, Texas on May 29, 2011:

You know - words are very, very powerful. An observant person can often get TONS of information about someone from little things that they say online or in print.

I really wish I were a master body language interpreter - kinda like that character on the tv show "The Mentalist."

Excellent advice here - I know you are right. I'm pretty guilty of negativity describing myself. I tend to try to disarm people by being self deprecating, and giving whoever I'm talking to the "feel good" from it. I wonder how much I am affected by my own techniques though.

In the end, and I'm looking for the word, maybe "team mate" (two words) works well for me. I have the ability to like most everyone. If for instance, you are someone that most people don't like, then I'd be the guy that spoke well of you, and brought up your positive characteristics in conversation. I'm sort of an underdog supporter. I'm pretty certain that if I'd met Ted Bundy, then I'd have probably thought that he was a great guy - but lots of folks thought that.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on May 28, 2011:

Great hub, very helpful. Your lists of words is outstanding. Thank you.

Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on May 28, 2011:

Outstanding collection of words! I'm impressed! Thank you for the hub!

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on May 28, 2011:

Wish I had known when I was looking for work.

psychicdog.net on May 28, 2011:

Great positive - a lot of good words here. Thanks