The Most Powerful Words to Use During Your Interview

Powerful Job Interview Words
Photo:

 Image by Melissa Ling. © The Balance 2019

The words you use during an interview can make a big difference. Consider the difference between these two responses: 

  • "I helped brainstorm ideas for campaigns."
  • "I generated ideas that were used in award-winning, successful campaigns." 

Both answers are reasonable.  But where one conveys significant accomplishments and makes a strong, positive impression, the other response is a bit bland and forgettable.

Let's dig in to see why the second response is more powerful. To start, the word "helped" (which is seen in the first response) is vague. To an interviewer, this could mean that you presented a list of powerful ideas—but it could also signify that you were a near-silent participant on a conference call to discuss the campaign. The second option uses a more active verb—a person generating ideas is deeply involved in the project. Plus, powerful adjectives are added; not only did you come up with ideas, but they were good ones!

Note

Your words during an interview convey an impression of you and your abilities. Make it a positive one.

As you practice for your next interview, keep word choice in mind. Here are five broad types of words and phrases to integrate into your interview answers. 

Passion

Female chef tasting food from saucepan in commercial kitchen
Zero Creatives / Getty Images

One of the things interviewers try to uncover is if you're just going to show up and do the job, or if you care about your work. Will you go above and beyond your job description, or just tick off boxes?

People who are passionate and interested can further a company in unexpected, positive ways. They're good for morale, and also for a company's bottom line. Using these words and phrases shows that you aren't a clock-watcher and that you're highly engaged with your work:

  • Energized
  • Enthusiastic
  • Interested
  • Love
  • Motivated
  • Priority
  • Win

Tip: How to Answer "What Are You Passionate About?"

Responsibility

Woman discussing ideas and strategy in studio office
FangXiaNuo / Getty Images

During an interview, it's always good to demonstrate that you're responsible—you want to show interviewers that if you're set to a task, you'll not only accomplish it, but you'll complete it on time and meet the established standards. Try using these words and phrases to convey responsibility:

  • Accomplish
  • Coordinate
  • Detail-oriented
  • Effective
  • Efficient
  • Maintained
  • Met the deadline
  • On time
  • Organize
  • Practical
  • Prepare
  • Provide
  • Reorganize
  • Responsible
  • Results; Results-oriented
  • Satisfied the client's requests
  • Solution
  • Support
  • Team player
  • Leadership

Tip: Using phrases such as "I can" or "I will" in response to interview questions also conveys a can-do attitude, and indicates that you'll hit the ground running if hired. 

Leadership

Businesswoman leading meeting
Hero Images / Getty Images

Are you interviewing for a leadership role? If so, it's particularly important to use strong, active verbs. Show how you've led teams and projects, and take ownership of any results and accomplishments from throughout your career. Try using these words to convey your leadership strengths: 

  • Accelerate
  • Accomplish
  • As a result of my actions...
  • Build
  • Coordinate
  • Deliver
  • Develop
  • I handled that by…
  • Initiative
  • Innovative
  • Negotiated
  • Plan
  • Resolve
  • Supervise

Industry Buzzwords and Jargon

Team meeting with whiteboard
Cecilie_Arcurs / Getty Images

Each industry comes with its own buzzwords. When you're outside of the field, this jargon can be off-putting—like a code keeping you from following the conversation. But if you're in the know, and the jargon is familiar, using it during conversations is a bit like a secret handshake—it lets interviewers know you understand the industry.

To use jargon, of course, you'll have to understand it, so if you're new to an industry or field, read up on familiarize yourself with it. Follow people in the industry on Twitter, connect with them on LinkedIn, and seek out relevant blogs and videos. 

Words Reflecting Company Values

Businessman in discussion with colleague
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Want to show a company you're a good fit? Mirror the words the company uses to describe itself. Very likely, these same catchphrases are used frequently in internal communications and company-wide meetings.

Even if interviewers don't consciously realize that you're reflecting their own words back, it'll make a subtle, positive impression. Examine the language on the company's "About Me" page on their website, on social media pages, and within the job advertisement.

You can also choose synonyms to avoid sounding too much like you've memorized the company's own copy. This will help interviewers know that you understand what they're looking for. 

How to Use Powerful Words During Job Interviews

Employee being interviewed by a panel of interviewers
Daniel Laflor / Getty Images

This isn't the SATs—no need to memorize a long list of words using flashcards! Instead, as you practice your responses to common interview questions, keep an ear out for your verb choices. Do "help" and "assist" keep coming up? Opt for more powerful verbs instead. Choose strong descriptive words and phrases, too. A project can be a success or it can be "award winning"; it can perform well or "result in 25% jump in sales." 

And keep in mind that the best words to use in your answer depends on what kind of role you're after. If you're applying for a job as an assistant, for instance, you'll want to incorporate lots of words that show you're responsible and get results (and focus less on words that emphasize your leadership abilities).

Keep in mind that it's not only during interviews that word choice matter—opt for powerful action words in your resume as well.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles