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What to say when an interviewer says, 'Describe yourself in 3 words' ?

You want to present yourself as a seasoned, well-rounded candidate for a job, so describing yourself to an interviewer in just three words may be a challenge.

Nevertheless, it's an interview question you're likely to encounter.

"Hiring managers don't ask you to describe yourself to get to know you better," bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch tells CNBC Make It. "That's what your resume, recommendations and interviews are for. No, they ask to evaluate if you're authentic and self-aware."

To deliver the perfect response, Welch advises job-seekers to follow these three steps:

1. Describe how your mind works

Welch says employers are deeply interested in how you think and operate, and you should use one of your three words to accurately capture that.

She recommends using words like "conceptual," "creative," "curious," "analytical" or "methodical" to describe your thought process.

One of the biggest mistakes candidates can make in this situation is using business jargon. For example, Welch says phrases like "results-driven" or "customer-focused" rarely move the conversation in the direction that an interviewer wants it to go.

Learn more | cnbc.com