eGigHow to answer “Describe yourself in three words”
A quick test of self-awareness and how you think on your feet. The words you choose show what you value.
How to answer
- Choose three words that suit the job, not just nice adjectives.
- Add a one-line example for each.
- Keep it short; it is meant to be a quick answer.
Sample answers
Use these as a starting point. Swap in your own experience and numbers, and practise saying your answer out loud.
Organised, reliable and calm. Organised because I plan my week every Monday; reliable because in three years I have never missed a filing deadline; and calm because I stay steady when several urgent requests come in at once.
Persistent, friendly and goal-driven. I follow up until I get a clear answer, I build good relationships with customers, and I track my numbers every week against my target.
Curious, practical and collaborative. I always look for new ideas, but I design things that can be built on time and budget, and I enjoy working closely with writers and developers.
Mistakes to avoid
- Clichés with no example, such as “hard-working, honest, punctual”.
- Words that do not suit the job.
- Choosing more than three.
Practise for your job
Mock interviews with the questions employers ask for each job, a 2-minute timer and model answers.