Elena shifted in her chair as the hiring manager leaned forward with a curious smile. “What book best describes you?” The question landed out of nowhere. She had prepared for salary negotiations, technical tests, even tricky behavioral questions – but she never imagined she’d need to link her personality to a piece of literature during a marketing coordinator interview.
As someone who has sat on both sides of the interview table, I can tell you exactly how to approach this creative – and surprisingly revealing – question with confidence and authenticity. It isn’t a situational interview question or behavioral interview question, I must remind you.
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Why employers ask “What book best describes you”?
This isn’t just a quirky icebreaker. Hiring managers use this question to see beyond your resume and get a sense of your self-awareness, values, and communication style. They want to know how you see yourself—and whether you can express that in a way that’s both thoughtful and engaging. It is different from when they asked you common questions like: “How would you describe yourself?” or “What is your biggest strength?”
It’s a subtle test of your ability to make connections, tell a story, and reveal your personality—things that standard interview questions often miss.
From my own recruiting experience across different industries, I’ve seen about 15% of interviewers use this question, especially in creative fields, leadership roles, and jobs where strong communication skills are a must. Employers value candidates who can think on their feet and respond in a way that feels both natural and insightful.
Variations of “What book best describes you?”
Interviewers may reword the question to reach the same goal, understanding your personality and self-perception. Here are a few common variations:
- If you were a book, what would the title be?
- What’s a book that really resonates with your personality?
- Which literary character do you most identify with?
- What book has shaped who you are today?
- If someone wanted to understand you, what book would you recommend?
- Which book best reflects your values and approach to life?
- What’s a book that captures your essence?
- If you could be any book on a shelf, which would you choose?
- What book would your colleagues say describes you best?
- Which book title could be your personal motto?
How to answer “What book best describes you”?
The best answers connect a book’s themes, characters, or messages to your professional strengths and personal values. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
Step 1: Pick a book you genuinely connect with. Choose something you’ve actually read so you can speak about it naturally. Don’t just pick a title because it sounds impressive—authenticity is far more memorable.
Step 2: Find clear connections between the book and you. Look at the main character’s traits, the book’s central themes, or the author’s message, and see how they align with how you approach work and life.
Step 3: Use a simple structure.
- State the book title.
- Give a short description of it.
- Explain the parallels between the book and your qualities.
Step 4: Relate it to the job. Show how the traits you’ve highlighted would help you succeed in the role you’re applying for. Think of it like answering “Tell me about yourself” in an interview.
Step 5: Keep it short and professional. Aim for 60–90 seconds—just enough to make a strong impression without turning it into a book review.
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Here’s how I would answer this question, while grabbing ice from the best countertop ice maker, putting in my drink:
“The book that best describes me is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. While it’s a business book, its message mirrors my approach to problem-solving and growth. Just as the book emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation, I focus on testing ideas, gathering feedback, and improving quickly rather than waiting for perfect conditions. In my recruiting career, I’ve refined my candidate assessment methods by learning from hiring results and feedback from managers and new hires. The book’s idea that failures are simply data points resonates deeply with me—I see setbacks as lessons that help me improve, not obstacles that stop me.”
Why this works: It shows self-awareness, connects personal philosophy to professional behavior, and highlights universally valuable qualities: adaptability, ongoing improvement, and resilience. The key is to pick a book that honestly reflects you and frames you as the right fit for the role.