How to answer the “What Are Your Strengths” interview question
We’ve all been there. You’re sat in a room with a bunch of people you’ve never met before, trying to impress them with your professional prowess. Your palms may be sweating but you feel like you’ve answered their direct questions pretty well so far. You know the company, you know how your skills match what they’re looking for. It’s going ok! But then out it comes. THAT question.
“What would you say are your strengths?”
Your mind goes blank. You can’t stop thinking about how many compliments you after doing the running man on the dance floor at your cousin’s wedding. Or how you can stick out your tongue and touch your own nose. But that’s probably not what they mean. Unless the job you’re going for is REALLY niche.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help. This question really isn’t as difficult as you think. Take a breath and remember, they’ve asked you to come for an interview, so there’s already something about you that they’re impressed with! From their perspective, you’ve got potential. They just need to know more about why they should hire you over anyone else and what you can bring to their team.
So how do you nail your answer?
Firstly, before you even enter an interview room (or video call), take the time to identify your strengths and then practice talking about them. Out loud, ideally. That way, you’ll be prepared when it comes up. Because it probably will, in some form or other.
Here are with three main points to get you started:
1. Brainstorm
Banish that pesky negative voice in your head, repeat three times “I am brilliant”, and then brainstorm a list of your strengths. Enlist the help of family or friends. You could even ask a colleague, providing you trust them to not go blabbing round the office that you’re trying to leave. Aim for at least 10, but write down everything that comes to mind. You can edit the list later. If you’re having trouble with work-related strengths, bring in a friend to help – they often see you more clearly than you
These might include:
Your experience: Have you got a proven track record in a particular marketing discipline or experience with the latest software everyone’s talking about? Did you once work for a ‘big name’ in the industry or have years of experience with a particular product?
Your talents: Whether it’s multiple languages, pitching to clients, SEO, omnichannel marketing, organising events … the possibilities are endless. And if you’re multi-talented (you impressive devil), pick out the strengths that best match the job you’re interviewing for.
Your soft skills: Are you a brilliant negotiator or team morale booster? Are you unflappable in every situation, no matter how fraught? Did you once persuade a tricky client to double their retainer? Soft skills are really useful to an employer because they show how you’ll fit in with their team.
Your education/training: Unless you’re just leaving school, it’s unlikely anyone will care very much that you got a C in GCSE History. But if you have relevant training or qualifications related to the role, make sure you mention it. Degrees, CIM certifications, training courses etc.
2. Focus
Narrow your list down to the five or six strengths you’re most comfortable talking about. You may not need to talk about them all in one interview, but it’s good to have options.
Remember to be specific. Don’t just say you have “people skills”. Let’s face it, that could mean you’re a very successful flirt or that you’ve been able to charm your Gran into giving you extra biscuits since the age of 5. What sort of people skills? Why is that useful? Equally, if 90% of your friends could claim the same strength, it’s probably best to keep digging. You don’t want to come across as bland and forgettable. At worst, it could raise a red flag. After all, who wants to hire someone who’s main strength is being pleasant? Meh.
3. Prepare
Ok so now you have a list of specific strengths you’re confident talking about. Now you need to develop at least one example that backs up each one.
Be careful to not ramble on for too long. Be concise and explain exactly why this strength would be an asset to your interviewer’s team. If you can back your chat up by explaining a specific scenario in which you used your strength or skill to overcome a problem, you’re in with a good chance of impressing the interviewer.
Ok, so you’ve done all that prep about how fabulous you are and then the interviewer doesn’t ask the question. Don’t panic. Keep an ear out for open questions that effectively ask the same thing. Like, why should we hire you or why are you the best person for this job?
You can tweak your prepared answers to fit the question. Remember, your main goal for every interview is to walk in and communicate your most relevant strengths and skills, so if you’re not asked directly about them, find ways to share your examples.
Looking for more interview tips and hints? Check out our other blogs.
