You have to be smart and on top of your game when you're about to answer interview questions. It's a tricky place to be where the question you have been asked is supposed to be answered in a precise and confident way. Something that appeals to the interviewers and stays relevant to you and your professional skills.
One of the most common job interview questions is “What is your greatest strength?”.
This question can be tricky to answer because you want to make sure that you are highlighting your strengths in a way that is relevant to the job you are interviewing for. In this blog post, we will discuss how to answer this question and provide some tips on how to stand out from the competition.
If you nail this part of the interview, you can deliver an amazing impression of yourself, and who knows, it may help you in landing the job! Today you will learn the little tips and tricks that you can always keep up your sleeve for moments like these and look confident while using them!
So, without further ado, let's dive right in!
Answering the question, "What is your greatest strength?"
What are your greatest strengths, how well do you think you are trained for this job, would you need the training to get started, and do you think you can meet our daily requirements; these are some of the most common interview questions that you will be facing when being questioned for a prospective job.
To be prepared for them is your best bet! Today we discuss how to prepare for the question, "what is your greatest strength?".
When you are asked questions about a job that you applied for, the interviewer wants to know what kind of an employee you will be. They want to know if you have the skills and strengths required for the job, and they also want to know how well you would fit in with their company culture. Answering the question “what is your greatest strength?” can help the interviewer understand all of these things about you.
Honest relevancy
Your answer to this question should be honest, but it should also be relevant to the job you are being questioned about. For example, if you are applying for a job as a marketing manager, then highlighting your creative streak would be a good idea. On the other hand, if you are applying for a job as an accountant, then highlighting your attention to detail would be a better choice.
Back up your claims!
Once you have decided which of your strengths is most relevant to the job, you need to make sure that you can back up your claims with examples. The best way to do this is to think of a time when you had to use this strength in your previous job.
For example, if you are claiming that you are a great problem solver, then tell the interviewer about a time when you had to solve a difficult problem at work.
Be realistic!
Introducing a problem and giving a realistic solution on how you will tackle it, resolving the issue, and suggesting improvements is a great way to leave a lasting impression. That is your moment to shine and show that you are not only knowledgeable but also confident in your abilities. If you stay realistic and honest, the people will appreciate it and remember you for your answer.
Ending statement
Remember, the question “what is your greatest strength?” is an opportunity for you to sell yourself to the interviewer. So, make sure that you take advantage of it! Here you have to come up with and say something that the employer can remember you by. Something that will make them think, "This is the person we want to hire!"
Prepare what you will say ahead of time
You should always be prepared for your questioning session and you can do that by going over the most common interview questions asked ensuring you have an answer for them. For the question at hand, it is best to sit down and think about your strengths, and then choose one that you think would be most relevant to the job you applied for. Once you have decided on your strength, make sure that you can back it up with a specific example.
While there are a lot of questions that you may not be expecting, this one, in particular, is something you can think over and come up with a cookie-cutter answer with all the bells and whistles. If you think you can wing it and say a few things about yourself without preparing then that's great. But preparation is still your best bet!
Different strengths to talk about
Analytical skills
This strength allows you to see patterns and trends in data, which can help make decisions. Data and trend analysis is a key area that should be strong. And if you have what it takes to handle it properly, letting your employer know about it as a strength of yours is a great idea; it is something they can benefit from directly.
If you are given a situation to analyse and give solutions about, do not hesitate to take your time, analyse it properly and come up with a sound and foolproof solution.
Communication skills
Communication skills are considered a universal requirement; they allow you to effectively communicate with others, which is important in any job. If you are a social butterfly, you can put it to good use here. If you can easily get along with people, your employer will be highly attracted to it; however, make sure you don't come off as someone who is excessively talkative as that can be seen as a potential problem. Being communicative and good at delivering your messages is a great strength to talk about!
Creativity
This strength allows you to come up with new ideas, which is important in jobs that require problem-solving. Being creative can allow you the freedom to come up with unique ways to present this strength. You can truly impress the employer with this one!
As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do to come up with a brilliant way to answer interview questions like "What is your greatest strength?".
If you made it to the end of this article, we believe you are more than ready to start prepping for your next interview!
For answers to commonly asked questions, please visit the FAQs section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 tips for prepping for an interview?
The four tips for prepping for an interview are:
Do your research: learn about the company, the position you applied for, and your interviewer.
Practice, practice, practice: role play with a friend or family member, so you're comfortable with answering questions out loud. Questioning and answering your questions in front of a mirror is equally effective. It lets you have a better idea of your facial expressions.
Prepare to talk about your weaknesses: we all have them, so come up with a way to spin them into a positive.
Think of examples to back up your claims: when the interviewer asks you about your strengths, have specific examples ready to share.
What are the most common interview questions asked in an interview?
The most common interview questions are:
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Why do you want this job?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
How would you describe your work style?
Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
What are your salary requirements?
Do you have any questions for me?
How do you end an interview?
When you end an interview, be sure to shake the interviewer's hand and thank them for their time. Then, follow up with a thank-you note or email within 24-48 hours.
Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash
