“What are your strengths?” is one of the most frequently asked questions during the interview. Many candidates, especially those who have not prepared for the interview beforehand, find it difficult to respond to this in a job interview. Some candidates struggle to answer this question as they are unaware of their own strengths. They lack self-awareness and hence are unsure of their own strengths.
The interviewer asks such questions to make sure you are a good fit for the company, and to see how well you have researched for the job. They want to ensure that your strengths align with the company’s needs and that you have the qualities, skills, and experience that will set you apart from the competition.
It is very important for one to keep a check on their tone while trying to sell their strengths off. You do not want to sound braggy unless you are asked to, and neither should you resort to being self-deprecating. A good confident tone should be your friend in such scenarios, which will come only through mock interviews.
A good response to this question will show how your biggest strength, or a combination of strengths, can make you a valuable asset to the company. It is vital that you take out time to practice for interview as it will help you in building your confidence. When responding, be sure to mention your abilities in relation to the job description. It’s a good idea to use instances from previous jobs to demonstrate how your skills helped you perform well in the workplace.
Now, let us go through some ways you can answer such questions.
Talking about your experience: Use examples from your previous workplace and/or life to briefly explain to the interviewer how you were able to overcome a problem and how you can be a terrific fit for the company.
Highlighting your communication and interpersonal skills:
If you look at the most crucial talents a person needs for any career, interpersonal skills will be at the top of the list. Because no organization in 2021 believes in working in silos, interpersonal skills are vital. That is why you must possess the necessary skills in order to converse and socialize with others.
The ability to adapt to change:Is one of the most important strengths in today’s world. We often hear how people face difficulty in adjusting to a different environment. Interviewers are looking for candidates who can fit in easily.
Technical know-how: Having the right skill-set and qualifications for a job are necessary. You can highlight them by talking about your academic and/or professional certificates, you have worked hard to achieve.