How to answer what is your greatest strength?
You are in the middle of an interview. You just finished telling the interviewer about yourself, and they ask you “what is your greatest…
You are in the middle of an interview. You just finished telling the interviewer about yourself, and they ask you “what is your greatest strength?” You think to yourself…” well, I am good at a lot of things, but what should I focus on”? You start thinking about all of the things you could talk about. You’re a great “team player”. You are a great “communicator” All these buzzwords flood your mind, but you still don’t know what you should say!
What is your greatest strength? It is one of the most commonly asked interview questions out there. It seems like an easy question, but it can’t be overlooked. It’s very important that you nail this one.
In this article, we will cover:
Why do interviewers ask what is your greatest strength?
How should you answer what is your greatest strength?
Sample answer for what is your greatest strength?
Why do interviewers ask “what is your greatest strength”?
When you’re asked about your greatest strength, it seems like an easy question. “Okay, just talk about something I’m good at. That’s easy! I am good at a lot of things!” I’m sure you are but, you need to focus on your strengths that complement the job you are applying for. For example, if the job description says that “communication” is a critical skill, then you should focus on how you are a good communicator. This is one of the reasons interviewers ask this question, they want to make sure you did your homework and learned about the skills critical to the job. Here are a few bullets about why interviewers ask this.
Test if you did your research-Did you research the job you are applying for? Did you read the job description? Are you going to answer this question in a way that highlights a strength that compliments the skills emphasized in the job description?
Test your confidence -Are you confident in your strengths? Are you able to communicate your strengths concisely?
How should I answer “what is your greatest strength”?
Everyone has a lot of strengths, but you need to highlight the strength that is most compatible with the job description.
Identify critical skills to the job — Read the job description and identify the skills that are critical to the job. An even better way to do this is by contacting someone at the company and asking them what they think the most important skills are to the job you are applying for. For help on how to draft a cold email to send to someone at the company, check out The best cold email
State what your strength is- Now that you know which skills are critical to the job, pick which one you are most good at and focus on that. For example, one of my greatest strengths is my ability to communicate effectively.
Support your statement with personal experience -Support your claim with an example. Look back at your work history and personal experiences and identify a time where you were a great communicator. For example, a time I demonstrated great communication skills was when___.
Sample answer
“ I read the job description and noticed communication is a critical skill for the job. Additionally, based on a few conversations I had with *people you contacted who work at the company you are interviewing for*, they also told me how important it is to be a great communicator. My greatest strength is that I am able to communicate effectively and efficiently. 2 years ago, I managed the development of an iOS app called myNapkn. I was responsible for managing a team of 3 developers located in Moscow, Russia. I needed to communicate with the team regularly to ensure the app was developed by the deadline. Despite a communication barrier and a sizeable time difference, I was able to communicate key objectives and deadlines which led to completing the app prior to the deadline.”
For more examples visit What Are Your Strengths for an Interview? [Greatest Examples]