{"id":13476,"date":"2020-04-30T08:00:21","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T12:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/?p=13476"},"modified":"2024-05-07T18:40:56","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T22:40:56","slug":"interview-question-how-would-your-co-workers-describe-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/telecommuting-job-search-help\/interview-question-how-would-your-co-workers-describe-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview Question: How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated May 2024<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you know what your coworkers think of you? In this article, we help you reflect on your workplace interactions, so you can honestly tell interviewers how your colleagues and managers likely perceive your personality and performance.\u00a0If you’re worried about answering the interview question, “How would your coworkers describe you?” you’ll find strategies here that, when put into practice, will ease your nerves about this line of inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Interviews help recruiters and employers evaluate your skills, knowledge, work experience, and personality. Though many interview questions are standard and direct, others may be worded carefully to extract additional information without you realizing you\u2019re providing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, when interviewers ask, \u201cWhy did you leave your last job?\u201d they\u2019re not trying to get the scoop on all the horrible things that another company did or how poorly you were treated. Instead, they\u2019re evaluating your reaction to your last position and how you perceive your situation. Therefore, your response provides insight into your professionalism and emotional maturity. (It might also tell interviewers what you\u2019d be willing to say about their<\/em> company if you were to leave.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we tackle another common question that interviewers ask to learn additional information about you: How would your coworkers describe you?<\/em> This question is another way of saying, \u201cTell me a little bit about yourself.\u201d However, when you\u2019re asked to describe yourself from your<\/em> point of view, you may only give a depiction of the person you want the interviewers to see. By asking you to describe yourself from other people\u2019s<\/em> points of view, you\u2019re held more accountable for the authenticity of your answers. Therefore, you can\u2019t brag about all your strengths when you know your coworkers won\u2019t back you up. Here’s how you can address this question both strategically and honestly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Overcoming job interview anxiety is critical to giving your future employer an accurate picture of your potential<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Before the Interview: Prep for Answering ‘How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?’<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s never too early to prepare for an interview. Therefore, spend some time reflecting on how others perceive you so that you can speak smoothly without over-inflating or undervaluing yourself. Remember that interviewers want to evaluate your self-awareness, humility, confidence, and representation of others. Plus, if they contact your professional references, they may compare your references\u2019 comments against yours to validate your accuracy and honesty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interviewers also want to gauge how well you communicate and if your personality and work style matches the company and team culture. \u201cPeople want to work with people they like, and who like them in return,\u201d says Inc.<\/em> contributing editor, Jeff Haden<\/a>. So, you want to show your character and provide examples of what it\u2019s like to work with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Consider Your Strengths<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think about your personal and professional characteristics. What are your strengths? Are your coworkers aware of such strengths? For instance, if you always show up to meetings on time and reply to emails promptly, your coworkers would probably say that you are punctual and responsive. As another example, if you frequently lend a hand when coworkers or customers struggle, your colleagues and managers would probably say that you are helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Keep Track of Conversations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Recall conversations with coworkers or managers in which you received acknowledgement or feedback. Scroll through old emails, Slack messages, and reports for clues on how others label you and what they highlight about your work. You can incorporate a few direct quotes into your interview response to avoid making assumptions or coming up with your own statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Consult Performance Reviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever had a formal employee performance review? If so, you can use it as official validation of your strengths and how managers perceive you. Compare the review to your self-assessment to gauge your level of awareness and accuracy. Also, compare the review to previous conversations or emails and look for alignment or evidence of improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Ask for Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have no idea what current or past colleagues might think of you, then it\u2019s time to ask for feedback. Email or call a few trusted professional references for a brief, honest assessment of your workplace characteristics. If you don\u2019t want your current employer to know that you\u2019re searching for a new job, you may need to avoid asking anyone related to your current position. Also, avoid asking family members and friends, since they may not have experience working with you in a professional environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An overview of the STAR Method and 7 tips for effectively using it in your next interview<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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5. Check Your Resume<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you land an interview after submitting your resume, then review your bullet points to ensure your interview responses are consistent. Pick two or three items from your work history section, if applicable, and think about any acknowledgments or conversations surrounding each item. For example, if you helped your division increase quarterly sales, try to remember comments from colleagues and customers during that time to directly relate your traits to your work output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Reference the Job Post<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as you tailor your resume to the job description, you can also turn to the job post for insight into what the employer or interviewer values. If the post states that the company seeks someone who can adapt quickly to change, then be sure to include statements on how your coworkers likely perceive your resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Ask for LinkedIn Endorsements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LinkedIn endorsements give interviewers a snapshot of your best qualities and provide credibility to your claims. Therefore, ask colleagues and other individuals in your professional network to endorse you on LinkedIn. You might even ask a couple managers or individuals with impressive titles to write short recommendations as testimonials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s easy to get carried away with endorsements to where they no longer add value to your profile. Some experts recommend<\/a> limiting the number of endorsements to target essential skills most commonly listed in job postings. That way, you can increase the volume of endorsements for each skill, instead of spreading yourself too thin to get noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. Prepare a Few Scripts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you finish brainstorming and collecting information, write a few original scripts as baseline responses. Practice your scripts until they feel natural. You don\u2019t have to recite them word-for-word during the interview, but keep them handy so you can quickly glance at them for reference. Here are a few examples of scripts to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Script Examples for Answering ‘How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?’<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On communication:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My coworkers would likely say I speak professionally but make people feel at ease with a bit of humor and friendliness. They may even say that I have an upbeat personality and focus on the positives, even when things go wrong. I\u2019ve been known to diffuse tense conversations and avoid conflict simply by steering the mood and tone with more positive and calm speech.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On being adaptable:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My coworkers would probably say I\u2019m reliable and adaptable, especially in times of crisis. There were many times when our team would get last-minute tasks or changes that we\u2019d have to complete on top of our regular work. Although I expressed my concerns and felt stressed during those situations, I did my very best and responded promptly. My managers thanked me a lot after and recognized my effort.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On responding to negativity:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes we\u2019d receive calls from angry customers and would have to help them troubleshoot and resolve a problem. It\u2019s easy to let situations like that get to you and affect your whole day, even when you fix the issue. My coworkers often commended me for keeping a positive attitude and handling the calls professionally.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice that each script provides specific scenarios, how you felt or responded in each situation, and how coworkers perceived your actions. Construct a few statements of your own and be sure to include factual information with an emphasis on how others reacted to your communication, decisions, and outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn to shift your mindset mindset, particularly as it pertains to professional anxiety and imposter syndrome<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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During the Interview: Confidently Answering ‘How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?’<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter how well you prepare, it\u2019s normal to feel anxious during an interview. To help calm your nerves, take a deep breath while the interviewer asks a question, then pause briefly before answering. A quick pause may help your brain get organized so that you speak as intended. During your response, make sure you touch on at least one of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n