How Do You Answer 'What Is Your Greatest Strength' During Interview

Hey there, job seekers! So, you're in an interview, and the big question comes up: "What's your greatest strength?" 

Don't panic! It's a chance to shine and show off your skills and accomplishments. But if you're like me and feel a bit awkward talking about yourself, this question can be tricky.

Here's the deal: You want to strike a balance between being confident and not coming off as a bragger. 

How do you do that? Well, prepare in advance! 

Think about your strengths and achievements, and have a good answer ready. That way, you can impress the hiring manager and leave a positive impression. 

You might be wondering why interviewers love to throw this question at you. Well, they're not trying to trip you up; they want to see if your strengths match the job and company. 

So, let's dive into some tips on how to answer this question like a pro!

"What are your greatest strengths?" 

Have you ever wondered why interviewers like to ask the classic question, "What are your greatest strengths?" Well, it's not just to see if you're good at everything. 

They want you to tell them about the stuff you're naturally good at, the things that will make you shine in the role. It's also a test of how well you know yourself and understand what's required for the job.

But here's the thing: interviewers don't always ask this question in the same way. 

They might throw a curveball and ask something like, "What makes you stand out from the other candidates?" or "Why are you the best fit for this job?" 

So, it's a good idea to have a solid answer prepared for this type of question, no matter how they phrase it. That way, you'll always be ready to talk about what you bring to the table.

How to answer 'What is your greatest strength?"

Here's a simple guide to help you answer this question effectively:

Choose a strength that aligns with the job requirements

1. Think about the job

Start by thinking about the specific job you're applying for. What skills and qualities are most important for this role? For instance, if you're applying for a job as an accounting clerk, your strong graphic design skills might not be relevant, but your attention to detail could be a great fit.

2. Identify your strengths

Reflect on your own strengths. What are you really good at? Maybe it's your ability to stay organized, your problem-solving skills, or your excellent communication.

3. Match your strength

Once you've pinpointed your strength, connect it to the job. Explain how your strength is beneficial for the role. For example, if your strength is attention to detail, you can say it's crucial for accurate financial record keeping, which is a significant part of an accounting clerk's responsibilities.

4. Share an example

To make your answer even more convincing, share a brief example of how your strength has been useful in a previous job or situation. It could be a specific project where your attention to detail prevented costly errors or delays.

5. Stay confident and concise

Be confident in your response and keep it concise. You don't need a long-winded explanation. A few sentences that clearly connect your strength to the job will do the trick.

Here's an example response:

"My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I've always been meticulous in my work, which I believe is crucial for an accounting clerk. In my previous role at Company XYZ, this strength was particularly valuable. I was responsible for reconciling financial statements, and because of my keen attention to detail, I was able to identify and rectify discrepancies before they became significant issues. This not only ensured the accuracy of our financial records but also prevented costly errors and potential audits. I'm confident that my strong attention to detail will make me a valuable asset in maintaining precise financial records here as well."

Here's an example of a simple way: 

"I'm really good at paying close attention to details. I've always been super careful in my work, which is super important for an accounting job. In my last job at Company XYZ, this skill was a big help. I was in charge of making sure our financial records matched up, and because I was so careful, I caught and fixed mistakes before they became big problems. This kept our financial records accurate and saved us from costly errors and audits. I'm sure my attention to detail will be a big help here too."

Remember, the key is to choose a strength that aligns with the job requirements and to provide concrete examples that demonstrate your ability to apply this strength effectively.

Find a few strengths

When you're asked about your greatest strength in a job interview, it's good to have more than one strength up your sleeve. 

Sometimes, interviewers might want just one answer, but others could be interested in a few. So, pick your "greatest" strength and have two to three others in mind just in case. 

This way, you'll be ready for any kind of interview, whether they want to hear about one skill or a few.

You can say something like:

"Well, my greatest strength is my excellent communication skills. I'm really good at listening to customers' concerns and providing clear and helpful solutions. But in addition to that, I'm also quite organized, which helps me keep track of customer requests efficiently. Furthermore, I'm a quick learner, so I can adapt to new systems and procedures easily. So, I'd say my top strength is communication, but I also have strong organizational and adaptability skills that come in handy when helping customers effectively."

In this example, you've identified your "greatest" strength as communication but also shared two more strengths: organization and adaptability, just in case the interviewer wants to hear about multiple strengths. 

This way, you're well-prepared for any variation of the question.

Outline your character-based strengths

Your greatest strength isn't just about your technical skills; it's also about your character-based strengths. These are the qualities that make you a great team member and employee.

Instead of just listing off your strengths, give concrete examples. For instance, if you're great at interpersonal communication, talk about a time when your communication skills helped resolve a conflict at work.

For Example: "One of my greatest strengths is my perceptiveness. I've always had a natural ability to pick up on changes in people's emotions by noticing body language or facial expressions. This is something that's served me well over the past two years in a leadership position. When I was promoted to manager, the sales department was facing high turnover. I was able to identify when my team members were angry, frustrated or stressed out, and address the problem on the spot. To date, my team has the lowest turnover of any sales team in the company."

Example in a simple way : I'm really good at understanding how people feel. I can tell when someone's happy, sad, or mad by looking at their face and body language. This helps me a lot in my job as a manager. When I became a manager, lots of people were quitting their jobs in the sales department. I could see when my team was upset or stressed, and I fixed the issues right away. Now, my team has the fewest people leaving compared to any other team in the company.

 Make sure your strength aligns with the job you're applying for. If you're going for a problem-solving role, discuss how your strong problem-solving skills have been an asset in your previous positions.

Don't just say what you think the interviewer wants to hear. Be honest about your strengths and how they've played a role in your professional journey.