Man in a shirt and tie holding a paper with a question mark over his face.

How to answer - What is your greatest strength?

Jan 27, 2021. By Admin

“What is your greatest strength?” is a question which you can expect at most interviews, while it may sound easy, but it is also one of the most important question, the answer to which could make or break your interview. The idea behind asking this question is to know if your strengths are in sync with the requirements of the organization and the position for which you are applying.
When you are asked this question, it is important that you discuss only things that will make you suitable for the specific role that you are being interviewed and sets you apart from the rest of the applicants. It becomes important to show the interviewer that you have the qualities the employer is seeking in the applicant.

How to answer this question

The best way to answer this question is to describe the skills and experience that you have which is in sync with the position you are applying for. Answer by making a list of the qualifications mentioned in the job posting and preparing your answers in sync. This list can include educational qualification, technical skills, or work experience in the past. Pick the best and narrow the list to 3 to 5 notably strong skills.
Validate each of these skills with an example of how you have used that strength in the past to drive results. This will ensure that you are not caught off-guard when the interviewer asks you to elaborate on a particular strength. When you answer, you will be sharing strengths that match the requirement that the organization is seeking. Also ensure that you include power words that help make a good impression into your responses.
The closer a match you are, the more likely you are to get selected.

Some of the Best Answers

We’ve listed a few answers that you may use for reference and customize your answers according to your skills and the requisites for the position.
  • I have a strong work ethic. When I’m working on a project, I don’t look at just meeting the deadlines, but prefer to complete the project well ahead of time. Last quarter, I earned a special award for completing my customer reports one week ahead of time.
  • I have exceptional writing skills. Having worked a copy editor for 10 years, I come with a strong attention to detail. I have also written for a variety of publishers, so I have the ability to shape my writing style to fit the reader base. As a marketing executive, I can effectively write and edit press releases and update web content with accuracy and ease.
  • I am a skilled salesman with over five years’ experience in this field. I have consistently exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I’ve also been awarded performance bonus each year since I started with my present employer.
  • I’ve gained excellent customer service skills through my 10 years of experience as a customer service associate and I am now in a position to resolve what could be termed as difficult situations or irate customers. Over a period of time, I’ve learned to effectively understand and resolve customer issues with ease. At the same time, I also have strong communication skills, which helps me work well with the internal and external customers. I am recognized for being an effective team member with a talent for delivering effective presentations.

Never use these answers

An interview is not a place to be humble. When you do not want to exaggerate your skills, you should be comfortable presenting what makes you an ideal applicant. On the other hand, you do not want to answer this question with a laundry list of irrelevant strengths. Ensure that you stay focused on a couple of key skills that you carry that can directly relate to the position that you are applying for and the organization.
A focused, relevant answer with one or two examples will impress any interviewer. Ensure that you have a mention of these on your resume and highlight the same as well.

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