Here’s advice on how to answer interview questions about your strengths, examples of the best answers, and what—and what not—to say when you respond.
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
The main reason interviewers ask this question is to identify whether your strengths align with the needs of the company and the job’s responsibilities. The company wants to learn whether you’re a good fit for the role you’re interviewing for. The goal of the interviewer is to make a match between your credentials and the skills needed to succeed in the job. Your response will help the employer decide whether or not you are the strongest applicant for the position. That means if you’re applying for an accounting job, it’s not helpful to highlight that your strength lies in event organization. It’s important to show the interviewer that you have the qualities the employer is seeking. There are certain strengths that all employers seek in the candidates they hire, such as dedication, time management, and work ethic. Others will be specific to the job and the company. For example, a customer service representative will need conflict resolution skills and patience.
How To Answer, “What is Your Greatest Strength?”
How should you answer questions about your strengths? The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience you have that directly correlate with the job you are applying for. Be prepared to answer by making a list of the criteria mentioned in the job posting and then:
List your skills that match those the employer is seeking. This list can include education or training, soft skills, hard skills, or past work experiences. Narrow down your list to three to five particularly strong skills. Next to each skill, note an example of how you have applied that strength in the past.
This will prepare you for when the employer asks you to elaborate on a particular strength, and you’ll be able to share examples with the interviewer. When you answer, you will be sharing strengths that match the qualifications the company is seeking. Also incorporate these power words, which help to make a good impression, into your responses. The more closely your skills match the stated job requirements, the more likely you’ll be to get a second interview or a job offer.
Examples of the Best Answers
Review these examples of the best answers to questions about your strengths but be sure to tailor your responses to your credentials and the job requirements. Why It Works: Sharing an example of how your strengths contribute to job success is a good strategy. It shows the hiring manager why you’re qualified. Why It Works: This response shows how the candidate’s flexibility, strengths, and accomplishments can be used in a variety of ways. Why It Works: If you can share quantifiable information that validates your strengths, it will help the interviewer understand how much you have to offer and the kind of value you can add. Why It Works: This response highlights several strengths and shows the interviewer why those attributes are essential for success in the job. Why It Works: This answer works well because it shows strengths in action. It provides details on two different projects, including what was involved, as well as the outcomes.
Tips for Giving the Best Response
Prepare a response. Creating a list of your strengths (as they relate to the job) will help you to answer this question with confidence. Discuss your key strengths. Stay focused on a couple of key strengths that relate directly to the position and the company. A focused, relevant answer with one or two examples will impress your interviewer. Share what you have to offer. Keep your answer to the point and focused on the attributes you will bring to the job and the company. Your goal is to sell the company on why you’re the person they should hire.
What Not To Say
This is not the time to be humble. While you don’t want to exaggerate your strengths, you should be comfortable articulating what makes you an ideal candidate. On the other hand, you do not want to answer this question with a laundry list of vague strengths. And neither do you want to seem boastful or arrogant. As with any interview answer, it’s best not to ramble or speak for an eternity. Here are examples of answers that you shouldn’t give:
I am probably the most gifted applicant you will ever meet. Everyone says that I am extremely intelligent, hard-working, and a fabulous communicator.My greatest strengths are writing, project management, quantitative research, event planning, budget development, and social media.I’m a talented musician, the life of the party, and a great joke-teller. I roll with the punches and don’t take defeats too seriously.I should tell you about the time when our fraternity was under pressure. The president had mismanaged some money, and a lot of the brothers had gotten into trouble for hazing and partying too much. The dean called all the officers into her office, and they had a hearing about all our transgressions. I took over the leadership and turned things around, and we are now a well-respected fraternity with no problems.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
What is your greatest weakness? How did your strengths help your job performance? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What can you do better for us than the other candidates?
