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Interviews are all about presenting your absolute best self. If you have one coming up, there are pretty good chances that you’ll be asked about your greatest strengths. We usually have cliché responses like ‘I’m a hard worker’ or ‘I’m passionate about what I do’. This question might seem introspective but the interviewer wants to know how your soft skills, personality, achievements, and experiences make you the best candidate for the role.
Let’s delve deep to learn the secret behind the answer to “What’s your greatest strength?”
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Why do interviewers ask "What is your Greatest Strength"?
The recruiter is curious if you have the right skills for the job, they want to discover if you are familiar with your own strengths and how they match with the job description. They are not only focusing on your technical skills but the recruiter is inquisitive about your soft skills too.
You can’t just say ‘I’m very empathetic’; the interviewer is also looking for examples or situations where you have proved your distinct and impressive skills.
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How to Address Your Strengths?
This might be a simple question but one of the biggest opportunities to prove yourself. Here are some tips that can help you in structuring your answer:
[fs-toc-omit]1. List down your strengths before the interview
Whenever you’ll search for interview questions, this will be among the top five so it’s always better to prepare beforehand instead of thinking and taking time during the interview. List down your top strengths that are relevant to the job and back up each of them with an example as it will make it sound more realistic.
Are you applying for a job that requires creativity as a strength? You can talk about originality, open-mindedness, flexibility, and detail-oriented.
[fs-toc-omit]2. Provide real examples
Talk about situations that you have actually experienced. If you give a fictional example, it will never reflect originality and will not be relatable. The more details you provide in your example, the better it will become.
[fs-toc-omit]3. Use a formulaic approach
To convince the recruiter that you are the most deserving one, you have to effectively demonstrate your qualities. Once you have picked your strength, divide it into three parts to give it a structure: :
- State your strength
- Provide an example where you used your strength
- What kind of impact it had on others
[fs-toc-omit]4. Be humble with your words
You want to flatter yourself but not to the point where you are bragging about your skills. Share your examples in a positive tone with facts that prove how well you have implemented the skill.
[fs-toc-omit]5. Be confident
Interviewers love candidates who are confident, as they project an aura of capability and confidence, thus giving them the impression that you are the right one. While talking about your strength, sit up straight, make eye contact, and put a smile on your face.
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Mistakes to Avoid
[fs-toc-omit]1. Creating fake scenarios
You can create an impactful scenario to showcase your skills, but recruiters are smart enough to catch a lie. Always enter the interview room, with two or three examples of your strength and make sure that your answer is genuine.
[fs-toc-omit]2. Providing long answers
When discussing your strengths, it is important to consider the time factor. If you continue to ramble about your skills for 20 minutes, the interviewer will lose track. It is better to keep your answer concise and focused. You can utilize the STAR technique to provide a structured flow to your response.
[fs-toc-omit]3. Being too vague
The interviewer will not be convinced if you simply tell him, "You're good with X tool." It doesn't carry much weight without explaining how you are proficient with it and providing examples. You need to communicate what you are skilled at and then back it up with facts to prove yourself.
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'What Is Your Greatest Strength' Answer Samples
Looking for more information on how to answer this question, here are the samples:
[fs-toc-omit]Example # 1
My greatest strength as a UX designer lies in my ability to empathize with users and stakeholders. During my recent project, I delved deep into the motivations, goals, and emotions of our users, I believe that by placing empathy at the core of the design process, we can create products that truly make a difference in people's lives.
Why it works: In addition to highlighting your strength, you’ve provided concrete evidence by giving an example and discussing the specific factors you considered.
[fs-toc-omit]Example # 2
I'm a skilled sales representative with over 8 years of experience. In my previous role as a sales manager at XYZ Company, I consistently surpassed quarterly sales targets by an average of 20%. I achieved this by implementing innovative sales strategies, motivating my team to perform at their best, and nurturing strong relationships with key clients.
Why it works: You’re providing quantifiable information which makes your strengths stand out.
[fs-toc-omit]Example # 3
As a content writer, my ability to adapt my writing style to different target audiences is one of my strongest assets. I believe that effective communication lies in tailoring content to resonate with specific readers, and I excel in creating engaging and persuasive copy that connects with diverse audiences. In addition to my adaptability, my research skills, attention to detail, and creativity also contributes to the success of any content writing project.
Why it works: This response points out several other strengths you’re good at and explains why those skills are important for your role.
Remember, it's not all about making an impression on others or checking off a list of desirable qualities. It's about acknowledging that our strengths are a product of our experiences, hard work, and commitment. So, the next time you're faced with this question, don't be afraid to speak from your heart and share the essence of what truly makes you unique.
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