Young millennials and Gen-Zs often struggle to talk earnestly about their qualities. In the age of the internet and all its self-deprecating jokes, as well as having parents that grew up with the sentiment that pride is improper, it can be difficult to undo the tendency to downplay our strengths. But if you’re in a job interview, you’re not there to be humble. Sure, don’t brag, but you do want to align yourself with the company’s values and needs as much as you can.
One of the 20 most common interview questions is “What are your greatest strengths?” which can be a daunting question to consider. Here are some tips on how you can approach a response!
Firstly, as with any job interview, it is vital to have some knowledge about the company and the role you’re applying for. And if you’ve applied for the job and scored an interview, then clearly both you and the employer believe you have at least some of the skills and qualities required for the job.
When you know what the workplace is looking for, you can align your strengths and skills with the job requirements.
For example, a marketing company is looking for a copywriter with experience in editing who has a positive attitude. You are in the job interview for this position and the interviewer asks what your greatest strengths are. You could say:
✏️ Example Answer
One of my greatest strengths is my positive attitude. I am always eager to learn new things and I persevere if it takes me a little while to learn them. I want to enjoy my work and I understand that a big part of that is bringing a good attitude and an open mind to the workplace. On a less personal level, I pride myself on my thorough understanding of the English language, which includes a broad vocabulary and knowledge in grammar and punctuation. |
Another quick tip is to link your strengths to items on your resume; if you have stated that one of your jobs helped develop your conflict resolution, for example, you can elaborate more on that experience to show your potential employers that you have good communication and problem solving skills.
Confidence is your greatest ally. Don’t be afraid to talk about your achievements and how they will make you a stellar candidate for the job!
See more common graduate interview questions and how to answer them here.