What are your strengths? Why is this question asked? The question shows whether you are aware of your strengths and whether you can use them effectively. The employer also checks whether you know your value.
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How do I respond?
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In answering this question, you need to focus on your qualities and skills that relate directly to the desired position. For example, it would be appropriate for the designer to mention creative abilities and good imagination, the accountant – about attentiveness and accuracy.
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Your greatest strength is what they need.
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Do not choose something that is insignificant to the job or employer, such as how good you are in sudoku (unless it says in the job description that being good at sudoku is mandatory).
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Focus on the following:
You have many strengths, but choose the one that will be most useful. Is your experience in a particular skill? Is it your ability to turn low-performance teams into high-performance teams? Share something that will make them think they should hire you.
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In answering questions about your strengths, focus on the key to success in the job you’re interviewing. Don’t be too modest. It’s important to make hiring managers aware of your qualifications.
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Before you go for an interview, find out which candidate the employer is looking for. The interviewer only cares about one thing: how your strengths relate to the requirements of the vacancy and help you perform tasks in your new job. Therefore, if you want to arouse the interest of the interlocutor, the easiest way is to focus his attention on the competencies that are important for the position you are applying for.
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It is necessary to formulate strengths, based on the description of the vacancy, as a starting point. Then use these criteria to correlate them with your skills and results similar to those you would like a potential employer to see.
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How to do this?
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From the job description – To compile a list of key strengths, you need to analyze the vacancy you were invited to for an interview. Write out 5 basic requirements from the vacancy and make a list of items, comparing these requirements with your education and experience.
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The list of strengths may include:
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Experience – company direction, knowledge of industry markets, working with key clients, responsibilities, projects, results.
Education – appropriate qualifications (higher education diploma, certificates, internships, courses, etc.).
Professional skills – team management, planning, budgeting, project management, negotiation, sales skills, etc.
Technical skills – knowledge of programs, technologies, etc.
Foreign languages are the level of proficiency.
Personal qualities: analytical abilities, logical thinking, initiative, creativity, etc.
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There are two approaches to answering the question about strengths.
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1. Subjective response is based on personal characteristics, knowledge, assumptions, emotions. There are no facts, examples or results in such a response.
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Ideal for:
Graduates/students;
Candidates with little work experience (1-3 years);
candidates with experience in process-oriented activities rather than results.
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An example of a subjective answer to the question: What are your strengths?
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Product manager
I know how to create the right, useful and convenient products: I write code, make a design, conduct analysis. I’m a person who can be fully trusted with a solution. You get a product manager and a great developer who likes to write code and stay on the pulse of technology. I think through all the little things, easily understand the most difficult problems, conduct detailed analysis, try to improve every aspect. That’s why I do everything efficiently and quickly from the beginning.
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2. Objective response, based on professional skills, facts, examples, achievements. There is no emotional component to such an answer.
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Ideal for:
Candidates with experience in results-oriented activities rather than process;
candidates who hold managerial positions in any field.
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An example of an objective answer to the question: What are your strengths?
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Product manager
I have been working in the industry for over 10 years. I deeply understand the cloud services market, including knowledge of core products and technologies. I have a higher technical education, an MBA in IT Product Management, and I have a PMP certificate. I have dual expertise: technical – product development and sales experience – sales development. I have a lot of experience managing the work of cross-functional teams: engineers, architects, developers, testers, analysts, marketers, financiers, lawyers. Experience with major customers in retail: X5, Auchan Group, etc., in telecom: Airtel, Vodafone etc. Experience with technology partners and integrators: Microsoft, HP, IBM, Huawei, Adobe. I speak fluent English.
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Example of response for candidates without work experience
Instead of worrying about what you’re doing badly, play on your strengths.
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Trade representative
I know how to focus on the needs of the buyer. I know how to monitor the activities of competitors and consumers in order to develop an assortment matrix and a planogram for a particular network taking into account the portrait of the buyer. I know how to communicate with people and it is easy to find common ground. Analytical mindset will help me to conduct sales analysis, make a calculation of the effectiveness of the contract and promo shares, make the correct forecast for sales. I know how to define and prioritize tasks, plan my work according to the importance of tasks. Ambitious in setting goals, I strive to achieve high results.
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When you talk about your strengths in an interview, it is essential to take this opportunity to demonstrate that you are the perfect candidate for this position, for the team and the company.
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It is recommended that you read the job description carefully and learn as much as possible about the company’s activities and culture. Read various pages on the company’s website, take a look at its social networks and stay up to date with recent announcements. Identify one of your most relevant strengths and how it will help you contribute. Then you have to make the connection inevitable. Indeed, each answer should help you see how you can solve a problem, how to help the company achieve its goals through your strengths.
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On the other hand, you can’t go too far. You must not come to seem impetuous, too full of yourself. Give a confident and honest assessment that justifies your skills, but don’t let yourself be hyperbole.
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As a general guideline: the 10 most desirable traits that all employers would like to see in their employees are:
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1. A proven track record … especially if your performance matches the employer’s greatest wishes and needs.
2. Intelligence … sense of management.
3. Honesty … Integrity… a decent human being.
4. Fit the company culture … someone to feel comfortable with … a team player who joins the interlocutor’s team.
5. Positive attitude … sense of humour.
6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication … willingness to put the proverbial step on top of it in order to achieve excellence.
8. Target determination … clear objectives..a leader
9. Enthusiasm … high level of motivation.
10.Trust
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What are your weaknesses?
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