“What is your biggest strength?!”
This should be an easy job interview question to answer. In theory – we all know why we are great. But answering this question in a job interview? Answering it in a way that will align with the job and better yet – get you the job?! That’s another story. This is how to answer “what is your biggest strength” during a job interview.
When interviewing for a job, I would always recommend practicing your questions in advance. You can probably guess the 2-5 questions you’ll definitely be asked (this being one of them), so literally, practice saying these out loud before going into your interview. You’ll come off so much more polished then!
Remember, Why An Interviewer Is Asking This Question
If an interviewer is asking this question, they want to get to know YOU. They want to understand what you could add to the role – what value you could bring. That means, that before you go in for a job interview – you need to understand what the role requires (and what value you might be able to bring to the job).
They also want to know how you view yourself and what you think your strongest attributes are.
RELATED READ: How To Answer “Why Should We Hire You” During A Job Interview
How To Answer, “What Is Your Biggest Strength” During A Job Interview
Brainstorm Your Strengths
Before you go into any job interview, try and brainstorm what a few of your strengths are. This could be a soft skill, like being a fast learner, or transferrable skill, like problem-solving. Understanding your biggest strengths is a job in itself. If you are debating between a few strengths (because for my #girlboss, I know you have several) – pick the one you have the most examples for.
Try writing down your strengths and practicing what you would say as your answer. This will be an awesome exercise that will prepare you for a job interview.
Understand How Your Strengths Align With The Job
Before you go into a job interview, you should always read over the job description. In almost all job descriptions, they’ll list the skills they want someone to have. Try and understand what type of skills the company wants you to have – do they mention problem-solving type skills over the over? Do they say you’ll need to be a fast learner?
Because you likely have several skills to choose from, pick one that aligns what is required in the role.
Find Examples Of How You’ve Used This Strength In the Past
Practice giving a few examples of how you’ve used this strength. If you are going to say problem-solving, then find an example or two of how you’ve solved a problem. You want to make this part brief but mention it as well.
You can use the STAR formula: situation, task, action result – and share your example this way.
Share How You Can Use This Strength With The Job
Make it easy for the job interviewer could picture you in the job. You want to make the connection for them so they don’t have to do it themselves, how could this strength make you even more badass in the role?!
Ask The Question: Would Someone With This Ability Bring Value to The Role?
I personally love finding a moment to check in during a job interview. If someone asks you this question, you can check-in and say – would someone who is strong with this skill be strong in the role? You can even ask, how else can I bring value to this role?
What Not To Say When Asked “What Is Your Biggest Strength”
Skills That Aren’t Relevant
Don’t say a skill that’s totally off-base or irrelevant to the job while answering this question. If the job doesn’t require talking to other people – don’t say that you are good at quickly getting along with others. Get it?
Something That Could Be Perceived As a Weakness
Don’t share anything that could be perceived as less than positive. A great example of this is words like being a “perfectionist” – that’s something that potentially has a negative connotation. Instead of calling yourself a perfectionist and this is your strength – say, that you are hard worker, or you get things done to the best of your ability!
Sharing A Strength That Isn’t True
I always believe in being honest in a job interview. There’s no point in lying – it will just start you off in a weird way once you have the job. Make sure you share your biggest strength as something that is actually true!
Now go ahead and crush your interview! If you have more questions about this particular interview question – comment below. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
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