There are no right or wrong answers in an HR Interview. However, over the years, we have developed some clear do\’s and don\’ts that you should be careful about. Ultimately, it\’s about getting selected, but there are many occasions when it\’s important not to get rejected during the interview process.
In our series of articles on Interview Questions, here is one that is common, and of course, critical.
What is your greatest strength?
By asking this question, the interview the interview wants to know why you’re the best applicant for the position. The question indicates that the interviewer wants to see your confidence and positive attitude – your bright side.
The Interviewer doesn\’t want to hear cliched answers such as \”I am hardworking and committed to work\”.
Then there are simple one-line answers such as \”I am a positive person and I take responsibility of the work\” which are okay but will often fail to make an impact. But such answers mean that you have scored a single and given the strike to the other batsman on an easy full toss which you could have hit for a six. Your answer should reflect how your strengths align with the needs of the company and your skills. Also, you need to provide relevant examples of your strengths.
Here are some examples of answers that will help you hit the ball outside the boundary rope.
Example 1
I have a very strong work ethic and time management skills. When I am working on a project, I ensure that I complete the project ahead of time without compromising on the quality. Last year, I earned a bonus for completing three projects (or specify an example) ahead of time which saved costs as well.
Example 2 [Marketing Assistant role]
I have extremely strong writing skills. Having worked as the editor of my college magazine for 2 years, I have a strong attention to detail when it comes to my writing and editing content. I have also written for a variety of publications, so I know how to shape my writing style to fit the task and audience. As a marketing assistant, I will be able to effectively write and edit press releases, and update web content with accuracy and ease.
Example 3 [Fresher]
I believe that one of my biggest strengths is my ability to stay positive during the hardest of times. There have been many occasions when my positive attitude helped me manage tough situations better. For example, during the preparation of our college fest, the guest artist refused to arrive the day before the event. While it could affect our event, I steered the students council to with the event managers and finalise a guest at the last moment. The event turned out to be pretty good.