When you’re interviewing for a new job, one of the most important questions the employer will ask is, “What are your strengths?” This question can be tricky to answer, but it’s important to give the interviewer a clear picture of what you’re good at. This article will help you answer this question with confidence.
When answering this interview question, it’s important to be positive. The interviewer is not asking for your weaknesses, so don’t turn that into an answer by trying to explain how you learn from mistakes or how you’re always working to improve yourself. If you relax and are confident in your abilities, it will show through in your answer. When describing yourself, focus on three to five traits that define your skills and accomplishments for this job.
1. Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?
Interviewers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are so that they can get a better understanding of how you will fit in with the company.
Interviewers also want to know what you’re good at so that they can match your skills and abilities to the work requirements for the position. They don’t care about your weaknesses, but if there’s something specific that is relevant to the job, then it might be worth including in an answer.
Finally, interviewers often ask this question because it helps them determine whether or not you’re qualified for the position based on your experience and achievements. This is especially true when dealing with entry-level positions where applicants may not have much work experience yet. It gives them some idea of how well you will do at the job and where your skillset may be lacking.
2. Mistakes People Make
There are a few common mistakes that people make when answering this question. The first mistake is trying to give a general answer that doesn’t specify any strengths related to the job. This can be a fatal error because the interviewer will wonder why you’re not good at anything and why you’re applying for this job.
Another mistake is focusing on weaknesses instead of strengths. Interviewers are not interested in hearing about how you’re always working to improve yourself or learn from your mistakes. They only want to know what you’re good at.
The last mistake people make is being too humble. Don’t be afraid to brag a little bit and talk about your achievements. The interviewer wants to hear what makes you the best candidate for the job, so don’t hold back.
3. How to Answer This Question
If you’re asked this question during an interview, take a few minutes to think about your answers. You may need to do some research on the job and company before you can answer this question with enough clarity. If possible, look through the job description and company website ahead of time so that you don’t waste time in the interview.
There are a few things you can do to make sure your answers about your strengths are clear and concise:
How to Answer:
1. Don’t Overdo it
Saying that you’re great at everything and without weaknesses is a surefire way to make yourself sound like a liar or someone who’s pretty egotistical. You don’t want to diminish your strengths, but it’s better to focus on a few that you’re really proud of. In your answer, try to use specific examples from your background that showcase those qualities. Never brag or boast about yourself, as this will achieve the opposite effect of making you look like a snob and may also damage your credibility.
2. Focus on What You Can Do for the Company
One great way to answer this question is by focusing on what you bring to the table. This will show the interviewer that you understand your strengths and can use them in a professional manner. For example, if you’re applying for a position as a marketing assistant, then talk about how your previous marketing experience makes you qualified to take on the role. If you don’t have any work experience yet, focus on your education and what you can do to help this company grow.
3. Make Sure Your Answer is Relevant
You don’t want to bore the interviewer with a long list of all the things that make you awesome. Focus on your qualities that are relevant to the job. You can talk about your soft skills, which make you a great team member, such as your problem-solving abilities and ability to work well under pressure. This will show the interviewer that you’re dependable and ready to get down to business.
4. Mention Your Accomplishments
The most impressive people have their accomplishments in mind when they describe themselves. Talk about a time when you did something awesome and saved the company money or impressed a client. If there isn’t anything that immediately comes to mind, try to choose two examples from your education and work experience that best illustrate your talents. You can also talk about what you learned from these experiences, so the interviewer knows how you’ve grown as a result.
5. Practice
You should practice your answers before the interview so you can sound natural and confident when it comes to crunch time. It’s even better if you have someone coach you by coming up with the most relevant examples for this question. If you do, be sure to give them feedback on what you think went well and what you could have done better so they can give you the best advice.
There are a lot of different ways to answer this question, but it’s important that your answer is not only relevant to the job for which you’re applying but that it also focuses on your strengths. If you do this, you will make a positive impression and be one step closer to getting the job!
Some Other Tips to Remember:
- Mention your strengths that are relevant to the job.
- Use clear, concise language, so you don’t ramble or come off as defensive.
- Make sure your answer is not too long, or it will bore the interviewer and lose their attention.
- Try not to list everything that makes you strong since this can turn into a negative if you list too many qualities.
- Try to use specific examples that showcase your strengths.
- Don’t forget to say what you’re proud of! This is important, so the interviewer knows it’s something you care about.
- Practice so you can sound confident when it comes time for the interview.
4. Best Answers for “What Are Your Strengths?”
Here are some examples of answers to this question. Notice how each one focuses on the specific skills required for the job while also talking about what makes that skill important or impressive.
“I’m good at assessing the value of various ideas and concepts in order to make decisions related to user experience. I’ve done this at my last three jobs, where I was responsible for leading design teams and coming up with new ideas for products.”
“I’m good at writing well-researched reports that present the evidence to support an argument or conclusion. For example, when I worked as a journalist, one of my tasks was to write an article that supported a particular point of view. I like to do the research and find data to support my arguments.”
“I’m good at managing multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring they don’t interfere with each other. For example, when one of my team members was out for three months on maternity leave, I was able to keep up our weekly meetings and make up for her workload without any hiccups. I like to keep things running smoothly.”
“I’m good at teaching concepts rather than just giving examples. I like to focus on the important information that will help others remember the most important material and ask questions when it’s necessary.”
“I’m good at designing and implementing social media campaigns in order to promote businesses. My last few jobs have involved me coming up with marketing ideas and strategies for various companies.”
“I’m good at planning and organizing resources to accomplish tasks in the most efficient way. For example, when I planned out the schedule of speakers for a conference, I was responsible for coordinating with other employees to make sure everyone’s ideas were incorporated into the final event. This involved me writing emails, making phone calls and taking.
Conclusion
When it comes to the What are your strengths interview questions, preparation is key. Make sure you take the time to think about what qualities make you strong and which ones would be most relevant for the job you’re applying for. If possible, try to give specific examples of when you displayed that strength. Practice answering this question so you can sound natural and confident in an interview setting. Lastly, remember to focus on what makes you proud! This will show the interviewer that you care about your skills and are passionate about your work.
