It’s not just how you present yourself, through your behavior or your appearance. It’s what you say and how you express yourself that will change your result. In this article, you’ll find 30 words to use in an interview and a simple formula to prove each one.
First of all, your preparation makes all the difference. So in this article, I’ll help you with several suggestions, in three steps.
Ask two people you trust: “What 3 words would you use to describe me?” Write down those 6 words and think about whether you would add any others.
Was there a word you didn’t expect? Pay attention to it. According to the Johari Window (Luft and Ingham, 1955), others see our strengths before we do. That surprise word may be a strength you haven’t noticed yet.
To answer with confidence, you need to understand your skills and see yourself in a positive way.
What if someone asks you:
That’s a lot of questions, right? I agree with you. But they are essential to understanding how to present yourself. Now, if you prepare, there are some skills you can use to answer each of these questions. Compare them with the words you got in Step 1.
How do you work? You can answer, “I’m…” reliable, organized, hardworking, detail-oriented, resourceful, adaptable.
How do you think? You can answer, “I’m…” curious, creative, analytical, a quick learner, a problem-solver, open-minded.
How do you treat people? You can answer, “I’m…” kind, patient, respectful, empathetic, supportive, a good listener.
How do you lead? You can answer, “I’m…” responsible, confident, proactive, calm under pressure, motivated, fair.
How do you communicate? You can answer, “I’m…” clear, friendly, positive, persuasive, honest, outgoing.
But be careful: don’t use all of them! Choose one or two words for each question that are really true for you. A list of adjectives doesn’t convince a recruiter. An example does. In a national survey, 78% of college students said they were very good at communication, but only 54% of employers agreed (NACE, 2024–25). What closes that gap is proof.
Did that help?
Now you have the words. But how do you use them in an interview? I have a formula for you: word + example = result.
Have you ever been in a situation like this? I have. I used to be anxious and only wanted to talk about my own ideas. But since I learned to be a good listener, I can better hear what people need. The result is that I help them more effectively and close more deals.
See it now? I told you my situation, gave you an example and showed you the result. And here’s the interesting part: other people noticed what a good listener I am before I did. That’s the Johari Window in real life.
Now look at how a student can use the same formula:
“My coach would say I’m reliable. I haven’t missed a practice in two seasons, and this year she trusted me to open the gym on Saturdays.”
Write your sentence: “People say I’m ___. For example, ___. Because of that, ___.” Then say it out loud three times. The next time someone asks you to describe yourself, you’ll be ready. And in “Your 30-Second Pitch,” you’ll use these same words to introduce yourself.
This article is part of a series of four, one for each VW Academy bookmark:
Want to practice with me? VW Academy runs workshops for high school students on interviews, resumes and workplace skills. See our programs.
Parents: talk to us about bringing these exercises to your teen’s school.
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