HOW TO DESCRIBE YOU	
How To Describe You (page 1 of 2)	
During a job interview, the manager may ask you to describe your personality — to find out if 
your personality fits the job.  For example, people who enjoy crowds of people will be a good 
fit for a busy retail sales job, and people who do not enjoy crowds of people may be a good fit 
for an electrician job where the worker usually works alone.
The manager may ask you to describe your personality with the following questions:  
How would other people describe you?  How would you describe your personality?  
Your answer needs to fits the job for which you are applying. Here are SAMPLE ANSWERS:
#1  (Describe you) I have good human relation skills.  (Because) I enjoy meeting and working 
with different  types of people.  I am a good listener.  I can like to help people work as a team.
#2  (Describe you) I am creative.  (Because) I like to plan events and design decorations.  I would enjoy an 
opportunity to keep the store's products organized and beautifully displayed on the shelves.
#3  (Describe you) I am an organized person. (Because) I like to pay attention to the steps 
in doing a job to make sure the job is done right, and done on time.
#4  (Describe you).  I am a problem solver.  (Because) I enjoy troubleshooting (finding) 
problems and finding solutions.  I enjoy workig with other people on finding the best 
way to do something.
#5  (Describe you) I am a positive and cheerful person.  (Because) I enjoy helping people.   
I like to be on time every day.  I enjoy learning new job duties.
#6  (Describe you) I can teach others, and I am a good listener, too.  (Because) I enjoy     
explaining how computers work to other students in the computer lab where I am a teacher's aide.        
I would like to help customers understand how the store's products work.  
Here is a list of personality trait words.  Which words describe your personality?
Accurate (do things correctly)
Adaptable (can change for different situations)
Adventurous (enjoy doing new things)
Ambitious (want to succeed)
Approachable (people want to talk to me)
Articulate  (can explain myself to other people)
Calm (can think under pressure)
Cheerful (help make positive work environment)
Competitive (like to work under pressure)
Cooperative (get along with others)	
Courteous or polite (treat all people with respect)
Creative  (can think of helpful ideas)
Decisive  (can make decisions)
Dependable (go to work if scheduled)
Diligent (always work my hardest)
Efficient (work quickly and accurately)
Energetic  (have lots of energy to do job)
Enthusiastic (put energy into projects)
Focused (keep actions towards goal)
Friendly  (can get along with all people)

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	How To Describe You (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. During an interview, why may you be asked to 
describe your personality?
2.  What people may be a good fit for: 
  a) busy retail job?  b) electrician job?
3.  What 2 questions may the manager ask to get 
you to describe your personality? 
4.  Give one example person #1 said to explain 
"good human relation skills."  (after because)
5.  Write down one example person #2 said to 
  explain "creative."  (after because)
6.  Write down one example person #3 said to 
  explained "organized."  (after because)
7.  Write down one example of what person #5 said 
to explain "positive and cheerful."  (Because)
8.  List one example of what person #6 said to 
explain "I can teach others, and I am a good 
listener." (after Because)
9.  Write down the definition of these words:
  a) Accurate.  b) Ambitious.  c) Calm.  
  d) Polite.  e) Dependable.  f) Enthusiastic.  
  g) Intuitive.  h) Organized.  i) Persistent.    
j) Positive.  k) Reliable.  l) Team worker.
10. With what may managers ask you to follow up  your answers?
11.  Be ready to give examples from what 2 places?
12. What did the person say to give an example of:
   "I am punctual"?
13. What did the person say to give an example of:
   "I am a team worker"?
14. What did the person say to give an example of:
   "I am responsible"?
NOW IT IS YOUR TURN --
15. List 5 personality trait words that describe you!
16. For each of the 5 words — 
  a) Write down a sentence to "describe you"
  using that word.  
  b) Then, write down a sentence to 
  explain "because" for that word.
  Follow sample answers #1 to #6 on 
	 the	first	page	of	this	lesson.
17. Think of things to say if asked:  
  "Describe a time when you used 
  that trait at school or on a job."  
Honest (have integrity - do not lie, cheat, steal)
Independent  (need little direction)
Inquisitive (like to ask questions)
Insightful (can see reasons behind events)
Intuitive (can sense when there is problem)
Leader (can get people working together)
Learner  (enjoy learning new things)
Meticulous (pay attention to details)
Open minded (take criticism well)
Organized  (neat, tidy, follow schedule)
Outgoing (not afraid to talk/ask questions)
Patient (can calmly deal with delays/problems)
Perceptive  (can understand situations and people)
Persistent (keep trying until succeed)
Persuasive (talkative, a natural salesperson)
Positive  (good attitude)
Problem solver  (like to analyze and fix problems)
Punctual (good time management skills) Reliable
 (have good attendance)
Resilient (can bounce back after setbacks/failures)
Resourceful (search to find different solutions) 
Responsible (follow rules and dependable)
Self-starter (does task without being told)
Team worker (work well with others)
Managers may ask you to follow up your answer — 
by describing a time you used that personality trait 
at two places — at school OR on a job.  Be ready to 
give an example from your school or work experi -
ence.  For example, "I am punctual because I earned 
a Good Attendance Award at school."  
"I am a team worker because 
I am a member of the tennis team 
(or Business Club)." 
"I am responsible because I 
completed my volunteer job
assignment with an A grade."