When you want to describe your personality
Here are some adjectives to use to show your potential boss why you are a great person to work with and you will fit in well with their existing team:
- Easy-going: a relaxed person who is easy to get along with
- Hard-working: someone who works well and isn’t lazy
- Committed: a person who is loyal to a project or person
- Trustworthy: someone who you can rely on
- Honest: someone who tells the truth
- Focused: someone who is not easily distracted
- Methodical: a person who pays attention to details and works in a logical way
- Proactive: someone who takes steps to complete tasks without supervision
Example: I’m (easy-going), or I’m a/an easy-going person/employee/worker.
If you’d like to add punch, use an intensifier like very, extremely, really. (“I’m very trustworthy,” “I’m an extremely focused employee.”)
Describing your strengths
The interviewer will also want to know what you are good at. Why? Because the job you’re applying for requires certain skills – so now’s the moment to describe what you can do well!
Some positive traits and skills managers look for include:
- Organization
- The ability to multitask
- Perform to a deadline
- Solve problems
- Communicate well
- Work in an international environment and with people from all over the world
- Speak foreign languages
- Enthusiasm
For example: I’m good at/I’m skilled at multitasking/working under pressure/working to a deadline, or My strength is/are my ability to problem solve/be enthusiastic/speak fluent English etc.
Describing your experience
Depending on the sort of job you are applying for, your education background may also be important to highlight. Here are some phrases to use:
- I have five years’ experience as a waitress/in retail/as a teacher
- I worked in retail for seven years and was promoted to manager in my second year
- I studied at the University of Queensland
- I worked for Anderson and Assoc. as a lawyer
Be ready to go through and explain the main points in your CV. Use the opportunity to elaborate on what’s on your CV and give more details.
Describing your goals for the future and why you want this job
If you want to gain experience in your field, learn a particular skill, believe you are a great fit for the company or particularly respect them in their industry. For example:
I’m looking to further my skills as a ……………..
- I’m want to further my career technician, in administration/as an administrator, in retail/as a branch manager
- I believe your company is an important player in its industry
- I feel my skills set is a perfect fit for your team and I can contribute by…
It’s very important to emphasize the last point – your interviewer will want to be convinced that you really want the role. Don’t overdo it, of course, but do make sure you make this point clear.
