What makes you unique is not what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s the combination of your skills, talents, and passions that give you a spark—something no one else has. Finding your spark can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort to cultivate positive traits that will serve you in life and at work.
Interviewers ask questions like “How would your friends describe you?” to get a better sense of non-career-related personality traits. However, it’s important to answer this question in a professional way that relates back to the job description.
The right answer to this question will help hiring managers and other employees see how your skills and personality traits can contribute to the company’s success. It should also show the interviewer that you are confident in your abilities. The wrong answer, on the other hand, may come across as arrogant or unprepared.
Employers want to hire people who will bring value and results to their organization. For example, if a job description lists “results-driven” as an important attribute, you’ll need to provide examples of how your previous achievements reflected this quality. Likewise, if the position requires a high level of interpersonal communication, you’ll need to talk about how your ability to listen and empathize with others has led to successful outcomes.
Similarly, interviewers are looking for a clear understanding of how you approach challenges and failures. Do you tend to beat yourself up over setbacks, or do you learn from them and move forward? Your answer to this question can demonstrate how you will respond to unforeseen circumstances in the workplace.
You’ll also want to think about how you’ve developed certain personal qualities over time. For instance, you might have a strong sense of integrity that has helped you make ethical decisions in the past. Alternatively, you might have an outgoing personality that allows you to build relationships with others easily.
It’s also helpful to consider the qualities you have that have made you a good employee in the past. If you were able to remain calm and focused during a difficult project, it’s likely that your bosses have appreciated these attributes in you. Lastly, it’s a good idea to have a few “what makes you unique” examples prepared in advance. This will allow you to recite them during your interview without being nervous and will impress the interviewer.
Using these what makes you unique examples will help you stand out from other candidates and impress the hiring manager in the process. It’s essential to be honest and relate your positive personality traits back to the job description, but using real-life examples will enliven dull, single-adjective answers. The interviewer will also be impressed by your confidence in describing your strengths. So go ahead and start practicing! Then, when the big day comes, you’ll be ready with a perfect response. Good luck!