TRAPS: What are your greatest strengths? This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don’t have to come across as egotistical or arrogant. Nor is this a time to be humble.
BEST ANSWER:
You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer’s greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.
Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements.
Remember RATE as you talk about your strengths:
- Relevant: the strengths must be relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Accurate: always speak the truth. Share what is truly your strengths and not what the interviewer wants to hear.
- To the point: don’t use buzzwords like “good organizational skills”, instead say “good time management skills” or “good at prioritizing”.
- Engaging: every story you tell must make you stand apart from the crowd of candidates the interviewer has been meeting since morning.
You should have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30 AM. Then, once you uncover your interviewer’s greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up.
As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:
1. A proven track record as an achiever…especially if your achievements match up with your employer’s greatest wants and needs.
2. Intelligence…management “savvy”.
3. Honesty…integrity…a decent human being.
4. Good fit with corporate culture…someone to feel comfortable with…a team player who meshes well with interviewer’s team.
5. Likeability…positive attitude…sense of humor.
6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication…willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness of purpose…clear goals.
9. Enthusiasm…high level of motivation.
10. Confident…healthy…leader.
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