How to Answer, “What’s Your Greatest Strength” During a Job Interview

In every job interview, you will likely be asked, “What is your greatest strength?” Because this is a common question, and one that seems innocuous, many candidates fail to prepare for it. However, take time to prepare an answer to this question because landing the job is all about showcasing your strengths against the needs the hiring manager has prioritized for the role. Use these tips to craft an effective answer for your next interview.

Choose Relevant Strengths

You may be tempted to fire off a litany of your skills to paint the picture that you are the best person for the job, but the key to answering this question is to focus on quality rather than a list of buzzwords. If the hiring manager asks for several strengths, focus on no more than three. If she asked for one strength, focus on the most important strength for the job.

Think strategically when answering, referring back to the job description for clues. If a position requires customer interaction, communication and relationship-building skills are probably important. If the environment is high pressure and fast paced, a skill like multitasking or an attribute like flexibility would be ideal.

Prepare an Example of Your Greatest Strength in Action

It’s not enough to simply name a skill or adjective that describes your best strength. You need to provide “evidence” to support your claim. Prepare a concise anecdote that illustrates your strength in action and provided real value to your team. Choose your story wisely, because this is your time to shine.

Relate the Strength to the Job

Finally, you want to tie your answer back to the job you are interviewing for. You want to make it as easy as possible for the hiring manager to see you are the ideal candidate, and you can do that by making direct connections from your strength to their open job.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The best way to nail the answer to the strengths question is to prepare ahead of time and practice. Before the interview, study the job posting one more time and determine your most relevant strengths. Choose one or two, and then practice telling your concise anecdote and connecting the dots back to the new job. With a little bit of advanced preparation, you can make a great impression with your answer.

Are You Looking for New Job Opportunities?

If you are seeking new job opportunities and you want to put an expert in your corner, talk to the recruiters at Employment Professionals Canada. We will help you find a job that aligns with your strengths, and we will help you showcase those strengths throughout the hiring process. Browse our current openings to apply online or contact us directly to learn more.