When one dives into every interview invitation, it is challenging in many aspects, and one of those would be whether to focus on self-promotion or practice humility to avoid being seen as too arrogant or proud. When faced with interview questions like “How would you describe yourself?” or “How would your manager and colleagues describe you?” striking the right balance is critical. You want to highlight your strengths without appearing boastful or arrogant.
Take note that interviewers are focused on who is really the right fit for the position they are interviewing for. That said, these individuals are keen to get a sense of your interpersonal skills and personality traits overall. It’s best that you ensure that your responses fit in with current employees and the company’s culture.
At the end of the day, the interview is your opportunity to sway the person who will hire you. It is a known fact that job seekers who can “sell” themselves effectively leave a great impression and eventually get hired. Now, the answer interview question is, what must one do?
As fortune deemed it, there are interview questions that will allow you to market yourself! There will most likely be an answer interview question that will go about this way: “How would your immediate manager and colleague describe you?” This is your ample opportunity to recall those commendations and good (or even great) comments those people have shared with you, so take the wheel and drive! Talk about your positive attributes!
Presenting your persona as a team member and team player in a multifaceted manner can tap the perspectives of your interviewer. You can use feedback during performance reviews, insights from colleagues and interactions with them while at work, remembering situations that created impactful results, or even making ripples wherein you shone. These are strong examples of what you can build on during an interview where that answer interview question would be asked. It may sound simple, but there are more ways to deliver this much better, so get ready to take note of the essential things to remember.
- Take inspiration or notes from a performance review
To respond effectively to the question, “How would your boss describe you?” consider taking inspiration from the language used in a recent performance review. By using that specific source, you can confidently present your positive attributes, such as being “trustworthy, dedicated, and creative,” without feeling awkward or inauthentic. The last thing you want to show on your face is cringe because you are not telling the truth.
You also want to paint the interviewer a bigger picture for context regarding your tasks to fill the gaps in your answer. Remember how you and your peers provide feedback to each other because this strategy may come across as applicable if you are ever asked how it is done.
Example answers:
“So, I had my annual review in March, and my manager gave me a pretty cool compliment. She said I’m one of those who’s not afraid to jump into the deep end and tackle tough problems head-on. I guess it’s because I do a lot of on-site tasks, and when things hit the fan, I’ll try and fix it myself before tossing it back over the fence to the rest of the team. I think she likes that about me.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve consistently received positive feedback in performance reviews regarding my ability to consider individual preferences and create contingencies for unexpected situations. In my current role, managing travel arrangements for multiple executives, their continual expressions of appreciation demonstrate their satisfaction with my attention to detail. I ascertain their preferred airline seats and stay updated on flight schedules to swiftly provide alternative options in case of unforeseen delays, ensuring their travel experiences are as seamless as possible.”
- Share three positive traits and provide specific examples of each
Being asked about your strengths can be challenging, so it’s best to be ready for on-the-spot questions such as what we’re talking about right now. To set yourself up for success, consider identifying three positive traits you possess that contribute to your workplace. Adding another layer to these traits, like providing brief examples to illustrate each, would amplify your answer interview even more! You could even anticipate an answer interview question from your interviewer like, “How would your boss describe you in three words?” or something along those lines.
Example answers:
“As a team member, colleagues would describe me as thoughtful, as I’m known as the one who’s got a sharp memory and organized work hygiene because I get to greet everyone on their birthday. I like making people feel special, and one way of doing that is by taking note of my teammates’ birthdays in my work calendar so I can create simple birthday greetings to send on their special day. Moving on, my dedication and reliability have also been evident as I consistently deliver significant projects to completion. Furthermore, my expertise in audience development has been recognized by my manager, who frequently seeks my assistance when a few of my teammates or even other members of the account struggle to engage their audience. Consequently, I have gradually assumed more responsibilities in this area, significantly contributing to the company’s success.”
“I think my manager can best describe me as engaging. Just last year, I got the highest score amongst all the trainers in our team. I’m known to be a fast learner because I usually volunteer when a new training program needs to be studied and delivered. She might also call me meticulous because I always pointed out grammar errors in our new presentation slides. She now makes it a point to send me the slides to check for issues before sharing them with the team.”
- Present LinkedIn recommendations from former workmates
If you lack access to your previous performance reviews, fret not. Another valuable resource for gaining insights is professional reviews from platforms like LinkedIn. However, it is crucial to ensure that your former teammates and colleagues are comfortable providing you with a review. As with any reference, remember to include context about the reviewer, including who they are, the timeframe of your collaboration, and the nature of your working relationship before referencing the review.
Example answers:
“As described in a recent LinkedIn review, a former Google colleague praised my laser focus and dedication to delivering high-level projects with the utmost quality. My authoritative voice, which sets my work apart from others, was also recognized as a key strength because it commands proper respect and following.”
“Throughout my professional career, I have demonstrated a robust aptitude for effective project management. I can naturally organize, plan, and execute complex projects while adhering to strict deadlines and meeting project objectives. In addition to my project management prowess, I am an ardent advocate of collaborative teamwork. I believe that a team’s collective wisdom and diverse perspectives can lead to innovative solutions and outstanding results. I possess a talent for fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where team members feel empowered to contribute ideas and work together seamlessly towards a common goal.”
- Emphasize team dynamics
One thing you want to avoid when answering the question “How would your manager and colleagues describe you?” is forgetting about working in a team and how strong you were as a team member. Instead of rattling off a list of adjectives about yourself, discuss how you contributed consistently to team cohesion and productivity in your current role.
Example answer:
“In the workplace, my teammates would describe me as a champion of collaboration. Fostering an environment where teamwork and open communication thrive is my passion; I encourage this among them as much as possible. How do I do it? I actively initiate team-building exercises and facilitate inclusive discussions during meetings with the permission of my direct manager, of course! Ensuring that all voices are heard and valued is always a great practice because this builds confidence towards you and the people you directly or indirectly work with.”
- Highlight leadership traits
Even if you’re not yet in a managerial role, it is best recommended that you shine the spotlight on your leadership skills. This doesn’t mean you brag about it, but it’s best to be specific when you add this bit and answer interview question being tackled in this blog. When you highlight your leadership traits and capabilities, you will stand out to employers without sounding like a show-off because word choice and situational positioning matter.
Example answer:
“My teammates and colleagues view me as someone who is proactive in taking initiative and who also leads by example. I like to walk the talk and show results when I take on little projects, and by doing so, I’ve been confidently entrusted to lead small teams when new projects need to be rolled out, which displays my ability to transfer knowledge, motivate, and guide my team members effectively and without doubt.”
Demonstrating versatility by presenting yourself in different aspects exhibits a comprehensive grasp of your professional identity. When asked this to answer interview question in an interview, embrace it as an opportunity to showcase your desired traits and attributes in a manner that will no less than favor you. This strategy provides an excellent opportunity to present your capabilities, allowing you to highlight your strengths effectively.
Want us to hone your skills so you can give the best responses to a number of challenging questions? Reach out to us at www.interview-expert.com or call us at 859-572-4499, and we will make every effort to ensure that you succeed!
