How to describe your work ethic in an interview (with example answers)

In a job interview, you probably expect questions about your strengths and weaknesses. But what about your work ethic? An employer may ask about your work ethic to learn whether you have the right aptitude for the job. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to describe your work ethic in an interview. With some preparation, you can deliver a thoughtful answer that shows you’re a reliable, dedicated worker.

Why do employers ask about your work ethic?

Employers ask interview questions about work ethic because they want to know what motivates you. Your work ethic provides insights into your professional drive and determination. Learning about your work ethic helps an employer understand how you might perform in the role.

An employer may also ask questions about your work ethic to assess your fit for the job. For example, if you’re interviewing for a job that requires autonomy, they want to make sure you’re proactive and self-motivated. They may also want to know whether your work ethic matches the company culture.

How to answer the question “describe your work ethic”

The way you discuss your work ethic can show an employer why you’re right for the job. Here are a few tips for how to describe your work ethic in an interview:

1. Choose the right words

What are the best words to describe work ethics? Before the interview, think about some words that accurately describe your work ethic and professional values. Choose three to five qualities that you can mention in your response.

Make sure the qualities you choose relate to the new job. It’s helpful to review the job description and note the adjectives an employer uses to describe the role. For example, if the job listing asks for candidates who are “hardworking” and “dependable,” you can use those words to describe your own work ethic.

2. Use the STAR method

Once you have the words to describe your work ethic, think of an example that proves you embody those qualities. Consider using the STAR method to frame your response. STAR stands for situation, task, action, and result. This method can help you show an employer how you use your work ethic to achieve positive, measurable outcomes.

3. Start with the situation

Begin your answer by describing a real-life situation where your work ethic has helped you in the past. Choose an example that shows how you worked hard to navigate a challenge or solve a problem. Provide details to offer some context, including what led to the situation and when it occurred.

4. Explain your role and tasks

After you’ve outlined the situation, talk about your role. What were you responsible for doing, and what tasks did you need to complete? Explain how your work ethic guided your approach to the situation. If you can, choose a task that shows your ability and willingness to go the extra mile to do a good job.

5. Discuss your actions

Mention the specific steps you took to address the situation. Provide details about how your actions led you to resolve the challenge or problem. Explain how these actions show your commitment to producing quality work.

6. Share the results

Finally, discuss the outcome of the situation. What successful results did you achieve because of your actions? Tie those outcomes to your work ethic. This approach shows an employer how your work ethic may produce similar results in the new role.

Examples of how to describe your work ethic

Use these examples to get inspiration about how to answer “describe your work ethic” in an interview:

Example 1: Commitment to achieving

Here’s an example of showing a willingness to go above and beyond to achieve a goal:

“When it comes to work, I’m extremely dedicated and goal-oriented. For example, at one of my previous jobs, I had to complete a deadline-sensitive writing project for a big client during the holiday season. We were short-staffed, and the client needed the work done before taking off for their vacation. Rather than pushing for an extension, I took it upon myself to complete the project.

I created a detailed content strategy for the client and spent time after work completing the first set of deliverables. I shared them with the client during a live call, obtained their feedback, and made revisions on the very same day. As a result, I was able to complete the project by December 23, and we received a positive response from the client.”

Example 2: Thorough problem solving

This example answer demonstrates how a problem-solving approach can lead to positive outcomes:

“I describe myself as a problem solver with a strong attention to detail. As a systems engineer, I take a pragmatic approach to troubleshooting common issues. My objective is not just to fix the problem, but also to make sure that the customers don’t experience the same issue again.

For this reason, I maintain detailed documentation of the steps I take to resolve errors. After that, I try to recreate the same issue in our software, checking the backend programming and devising the necessary patch to prevent the problem from happening again. Given my expertise in programming, I work closely with the quality assurance team to ensure this solution does not create errors in other areas of the software.”

Example 3: Meaningful impact

In this example, the candidate shares how their work ethic contributes to meaningful results:

“I take pride in my work, and I’m always willing to go the extra mile. I probably picked up this habit from my mother, who was one of the most reputed and well-respected faculty members at my college. I approach each day with positivity and optimism and try to deliver consistent results so that my supervisor and team members can always count on me to get the job done.

My dedication is reflected in the value I add to my company. As an educator for children with special needs, I have helped design a new, interactive teaching method with ClassBoard. It provides parents with better insights into their children’s progress and learning development. The end result has been a steady increase in enrollment rates, an improvement in group participation, and the highest test scores across the district.”

Example 4: Reputation for reliability 

Here’s an example of how a strong work ethic can help to overcome challenges in the workplace:

“I’m extremely reliable at work. As an accountant, my job involves meticulous data entry to produce accurate financial statements. In January, our payroll department was short-staffed, so I volunteered to process payroll transactions for a month. Given my reputation as a reliable individual, the payroll manager immediately accepted my assistance. As a result, we were able to process payroll in a short time span and provide timely disbursement of salaries.”

Example 5: Calm & consistency

This example emphasizes the candidate’s consistency, flexibility, and self-motivation:

“I am consistent and reliable. I thoroughly enjoy my job, and I find it easy to stay positive and motivated. I also feel better after I’ve had a productive day. Even on the days where my work is disrupted, I manage to maintain my calm and work a little extra to make up for the time lost. This way, I meet all of my targets on time.”

Need help with preparing for other tricky interview questions? Check out career.io’s Interview Prep for mock interview questions, helpful insights, and other tools to help you get ready!

Key takeaways

1. An employer may ask you to describe your work ethic in an interview. This question gives you an opportunity to discuss your professional traits and values.

2. When answering this question, use the STAR method. Provide an example of a situation where your work ethic helped you overcome a challenge with positive results.

3. Practice your response before the interview so that you feel comfortable and confident discussing your work ethic in detail.