125+ Words to Describe Yourself on Job Applications or Dating Apps

Download Article

A list of positive adjectives to use for school, work, or dating

Co-authored by Jules Hirst and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: April 9, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Job Applications

|

College Applications

|

Dating Profiles

|

3-Letter Words

|

Describing Yourself in Interviews

|

Expert Interview

Whether you’re preparing for a job interview, filling out a dating profile, or meeting a new group of people, we're here to help you find the right words to describe yourself. There are plenty of wonderful, positive words you can use to tell others about your personality, attitude, and work ethic. Take a look at these adjectives and see which ones resonate with you!

The Best Adjectives to Describe Yourself

For resumes: Adaptable, driven, and knowledgeable
For college applications: Enthusiastic, hard-working, and passionate
For dating profiles: Honest, kind, and fun

Section 1 of 5:

Words to Describe Yourself for Job Applications

Download Article

Use words that explain how driven you are in the workplace. Going in for a job interview or updating your resume? Describe yourself with words representing how you handle tasks and responsibilities in the workplace. Highlight your skills, experiences, and overall abilities to show where you shine as an employee. The more positive, the better!
- Accomplished
- Adaptable
- Adept
- Analytical
- Attentive
- Calculated
- Collaborative
- Committed
- Communicative
- Creative
- Data-driven
- Detail-oriented
- Devoted
- Diligent
- Diplomatic
- Direct
- Disciplined
- Driven
- Experienced
- Fair
- Flexible
- Hard-working
- Industrious
- Innovative
- Judicious
- Knowledgable
- Meditative
- Meticulous
- Mindful
- Motivated
- Pragmatic
- Precise
- Proactive
- Professional
- Proficient
- Resourceful
- Responsive
- Self-motivated
- Skilled
- Strategic
- Strong
- Thorough
- Traditional
- Qualified
- Versatile

Section 2 of 5:

Words to Describe Yourself for Students & College Applications

Download Article

Define your personality and work ethic with engaging words. Your attitude says a lot about you, so don’t be afraid to showcase it! Impress college scouts by explaining how you approach and handle tough situations. Are you calm and collected or fearless and bold? These words can help highlight your potential and drive for life:
- Ambitious
- Attentive
- Caring
- Cheerful
- Chill
- Determined
- Dynamic
- Enthusiastic
- Entrepreneurial
- Fearless
- Humble
- Inventive
- Loyal
- Joyful
- Open-minded
- Optimistic
- Passionate
- Persistent
- Persuasive
- Philosophical
- Positive
- Practical
- Reliable
- Resilient
- Sensible
- Straightforward
- Studious
- Technological
- Tenacious
- Thoughtful
- Uplifting
- Visionary
- Worldly

Section 3 of 5:

Words to Describe Yourself for Dating Profiles & Icebreakers

Download Article

Open up with words that define who you are to break the ice. These words are a great way to sum up who you are in a matter of seconds! Think of words that showcase your talents and overall zest for life. For inspiration, consider your hobbies and how you approach them. Here are some example words:
- Active
- Adventurous
- Affectionate
- Artistic
- Authentic
- Balanced
- Bright
- Curious
- Capable
- Dependable
- Easygoing
- Energetic
- Extroverted
- Friendly
- Fun
- Generous
- Gentle
- Happy
- Helpful
- Honest
- Imaginative
- Introverted
- Intuitive
- Kind
- Loving
- Mature
- Original
- Pleasant
- Punctual
- Sociable
- Trustworthy
- Understanding
- Vibrant
- Warmhearted
- Wise

Section 4 of 5:

Three-Letter Words to Describe Yourself

Download Article

Keep it simple by describing yourself with only 3 letters. These words may be short, but they pack a serious punch! Use 3-letter adjectives to level up your dating profile or showcase your personality during icebreakers quickly. Here are some examples:
- Apt
- Boy
- Coy
- Dad
- Fab
- Fan
- Fit
- Fun
- Hip
- Hot
- Icy
- Kid
- Mad
- Mom
- Odd
- Old
- Shy
- Sly
- Wry
- Zen

Section 5 of 5:

How to Describe Yourself in Professional Settings

Download Article

1
Be confident. Believe what you say about yourself wholeheartedly! Your confidence in your word choices will show and can impress anyone you’re chatting with.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Avoid bragging about your strengths. You can be confident in your skills and achievements, but be humble about it.
2
Choose uncommon words. Be unique with your selection of words. Choosing words that aren’t used quite as often can help you stand out. So, try using synonyms for popular terms to be more original.
- For example, if you’re confident, use “assertive;” if you’re energetic, use “enthusiastic.”
3
Give clear examples. You may be asked why you believe the words you chose represent you. In your answer, make sure to give clear, concrete examples of when you showed these qualities. This is a great time to bring up previous work experience and roles.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- For instance, say you’re organized. You might dive into a story about how you have found client information at a moment’s notice, thanks to your filing system.
- As another example, maybe you’re a team player. You could explain a time when you had to think outside the box and lead your team to success.
4
Use words in the job description. Prepare for the question “How would you describe yourself?” in an interview by looking over the job’s description. See what the company wants in an employee. Maybe they need someone creative and dedicated. If so, use these qualities in your answer!^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Read the job description carefully. More often than not, employers will list key qualities they’re looking for, even if they’re written between the lines.
- Research the job and the company for more ideas and keywords.
- If you don’t have the qualities specifically listed in the description, that’s okay. Highlight your strengths and transferrable skills.
5
Tie it all together. When an interviewer asks you to tell them about yourself, they’re looking for an answer that describes who you are in relation to the job. So, choose describing words that tie into what you’d be doing in the position. Tell them you have exactly what they need.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

Go to source}
- For example, if the job is in customer service, you may describe yourself as a “people person” who is “flexible.” These adjectives show that you match the company’s need to find someone who can communicate with others and pivot easily.
- As another example, if the company values diversity and collaboration, you might describe yourself as an “open-minded, innovative, team player.”^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
6
Ask others for inspiration. If you can’t think of adjectives to describe yourself, that’s okay! Don’t hesitate to ask your loved ones or even former coworkers for help. See what they believe are your top professional qualities and use them as inspiration.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Make a list of the qualities people say you have and note any common themes. This can help you come up with your own describing words.