How to Describe Yourself in a Job Application
In a job application, how you describe yourself can be a deciding factor in whether you move forward in the hiring process. It’s your opportunity to present yourself as the best candidate for the role. However, many job seekers find it difficult to articulate their skills, experience and personality in a concise way that resonates with employers. Whether you're writing a cover letter, heading into a job interview or answering key selection criteria, knowing how to describe yourself effectively is an important skill.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the best strategies for describing yourself in a job application.
Why How You Describe Yourself Matters
Your application is often your first opportunity to make an impression, and how you describe yourself sets the tone for the rest of the hiring process. Employers are looking for candidates who are confident, articulate, and able to showcase their unique value. A strong self-description helps to:
Build credibility: By clearly explaining your experience, you demonstrate your qualifications.
Highlight your fit: It shows how well your skills align with the requirements of the role.
Capture attention: A well-crafted self-description can differentiate you from other applicants.
Use Clear and Concise Language
Employers don’t have time to read long, complicated descriptions. It’s important to be clear and concise. Focus on what matters most—your skills, experience, and what you can offer to the company.
Avoid jargon: While industry-specific terms can be useful, don’t overdo it. Keep your language simple and understandable.
Be direct: Avoid fluff and unnecessary details. Get to the point and highlight your key strengths.
Use active language: Words like ‘managed,’ ‘developed,’ and ‘led’ show that you take initiative and are results-driven.
Tailor Your Self-Description to the Job
Every job is different, and your description of yourself should be tailored to the specific role you're applying for. Research the company and job posting thoroughly, and use that information to customise your self-description.
Match keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to show you’ve read and understood the requirements.
Align your strengths: Identify the qualities the employer is seeking and focus on how your skills align with those needs.
Provide specific examples: Instead of generic statements like ‘I am a good communicator,’ demonstrate your skills by mentioning specific examples from your past experience.
Show How You Add Value
Employers want to know not just what you’ve done, but how you’ve made a difference in your previous roles. When describing yourself, focus on how your contributions have helped companies achieve their goals.
Use the STAR method: Describe your achievements using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight your problem-solving abilities and achievements.
Quantify results: Whenever possible, include numbers or percentages to make your achievements more concrete (e.g., ‘increased sales by 20%’).
Focus on outcomes: Show how your actions led to positive results, whether it’s improving efficiency, increasing sales, or enhancing customer satisfaction.
Highlight Key Strengths and Soft Skills
In addition to technical skills, employers are often looking for key soft skills. These might include leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, or time management. Be sure to mention these when describing yourself.
Provide evidence: Rather than just listing soft skills, provide examples to demonstrate how you’ve used them in the workplace.
Balance hard and soft skills: A combination of both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills makes for a well-rounded candidate.
Be Confident Without Overdoing It
When describing yourself, confidence is essential. Employers want to know that you believe in your abilities and are ready to take on the responsibilities of the role. However, it’s important to strike the right balance between confidence and humility.
Avoid overconfidence: While confidence is crucial, over-exaggerating your accomplishments or abilities can be a turn-off.
Focus on growth: If you’re early in your career, emphasise your eagerness to learn and grow within the role.
Be authentic: Authenticity is important. Employers can spot insincerity, so be true to who you are and what you’ve accomplished.
Address Potential Gaps or Concerns
If there’s something in your background that might raise questions - such as a career gap or a change in industries - address it directly in your self-description. You don’t need to provide an elaborate explanation, but offering context can help alleviate any concerns.
Frame gaps positively: If you’ve taken time off for personal reasons or pursued other interests, show how these experiences have contributed to your growth.
Emphasise transferable skills: If you’re changing careers, focus on the skills you’ve gained that can transfer to your new role.
Show a commitment to learning: If you’ve had gaps in experience, talk about the steps you’ve taken to stay current (e.g. online courses, volunteering, etc.).
Describing yourself effectively in a job application can make all the difference in securing an interview. By using clear and concise language, tailoring your description to the role, highlighting the value you bring, and demonstrating confidence, you’ll position yourself as a strong candidate for the job. In an interview or networking scenario, you will benefit from having a well-prepared ‘elevator pitch’ on yourself – less than 60 seconds. For more tips on how to construct your own elevator pitch, check out this Indeed article: Delivering the Perfect Elevator Pitch (With Examples) | Indeed.com Australia
The way you describe yourself should reflect not just who you are, but also what you can offer the employer. If you're unsure of how to craft the perfect self-description, TLW Resume Services is here to help. We specialise in helping individuals present their best selves in job applications in order to stand out in the job market.
Learn how to describe yourself effectively in job applications with expert tips to showcase your skills, stand out, and secure the role you want. Explore our professional resume writing service for tailored support.