What Makes You Unique? – Answer the interview question.
Whereas each interviewer will have a set of questions related to the position being looked after, a few more general abstract questions are asked repeatedly. One of these is “What makes you unique?” The question can ask in interviews for various roles.
Because it’s so difficult to answer on the spot, interviewees frequently get caught off guard. Please pay attention to the advice we’ve provided below to answer it successfully and effectively.
Why Employers Ask “What Makes You Unique?”
Interviewers attempt to learn more about your character and personality when they ask you to describe what makes you unique. They want to know what you consider significant in the position you are applying for and the talents and traits you value in yourself.
The interviewer is not very interested in your unusual party tricks or odd habits. Therefore this question is not actually about what makes you truly unique. They are interested in learning what makes you stand out from other applicants regarding the potential value you could provide to the business.
This question helps them delve deeper into how you set yourself apart from the competition because they may be interviewing several individuals with very similar experiences and credentials.
Interviewers also use this question to evaluate a candidate’s level of creativity. A solid response to an abstract question like “What makes you unique?” indicates to the interviewer that you have creative skills, which are essential in many kinds of employment.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Interviewees frequently get caught in traps while discussing what makes them unique because providing a positive reply to this question is challenging. Here are some frequent mistakes to avoid.
- Oversharing. Keep it professional; interviewers want to know about your pertinent abilities and traits.
- Being very general. You won’t get very far with generic answers or responses without examples. You want to highlight something unique about yourself and explain how this will help you contribute significantly to the team.
- Rambling. Keep your answer focused, short, and to the point rather than confusing.
- Lying. It can be tempting to give an answer that isn’t entirely truthful under the pressure of an interview to impress the interviewer. Make sure your answer is genuine because you’ll probably be exposed.
- Self-talking oneself out of a position. Be careful not to provide a response that deviates from what the business seeks. When applying for a job that necessitates a lot of autonomous, focused work, for example, talking about your gregarious nature and love of conversation may not be the best move.
Considering the question before the interview and planning your answer, you can avoid all the pitfalls and errors mentioned above.
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Here are some pointers to assist you in crafting the best possible answer.
What to Think About When Preparing Your Answer
As was said above, when interviewers ask what makes you unique, they are looking for an answer that explains why you would be a benefit to their business and the most qualified applicant for the position. You must therefore prepare a response that informs them of this.
The job description is the ideal place to begin. To fully comprehend what is expected of a candidate, go over the skills and experience required.
Next, consider what you may bring to the position that other applicants might not. You might have specific experience in this area or necessary extra abilities not listed in the job description.
Always keep it relevant to the position you’re applying for. Your particular skill should complement the traits required for the job because employers in various industries will have varied requirements.
For example, you might wish to display outstanding leadership, risk-taking propensity, or good communication abilities for a managerial position. You might emphasise caution or precise attention to detail while applying for a job in finance.
How to Do It Correctly
Consider your past experiences and note instances when you were incredibly productive at work or received praise from your supervisor.
You might have reached a compromise with a challenging client or a successful agreement. Think about the actions you took and character traits you drew from to succeed in those circumstances.
You may also think of appealing personality features that your loved ones or friends have noticed about you. Perhaps you have a reputation for remaining composed under pressure or mediating disputes. Consider how these qualities might enable you to succeed in your career.
Don’t stress the word “unique.” You are not required to provide an answer wholly unrelated to anything the interviewer has ever heard.
By telling them something fascinating and pertinent that might not come up at another point in the interview, emphasise demonstrating why you are a desirable prospect. Some interviewers may even ask you to describe what makes you interested in this manner.
Wherever possible, give examples from your professional past to show how you successfully applied your unique talents. These will support your answer and strengthen its credibility.
Strong examples also increase the likelihood that when the interviewer thinks back on what the candidates have seen, they will remember your answer and, consequently, you.
Once you’ve chosen the unique ability you want to discuss and have thought of some examples to show it in action, practise giving your response so that it comes out as fluid, genuine, and confident.
Examples of Intense Answers
Here are a few examples of responses to the query, “What Makes You Unique?” Just keep in mind that these are for reference only. Your answer should be based on your unique skills and expertise and should be pertinent to the position you’re applying for.
For a Job Requiring Pressured Work
What sets me apart is that I thrive working in a busy environment with lots going on.
I had a lot of clients in my prior position as an account manager, and I frequently worked on multiple projects at once while taking calls and juggling chores all day. Although it may be chaotic, I loved the adrenaline rush of handling all of my duties and producing results.
When the pressure was on, I didn’t seem stressed; instead, it only served to push me more, as my manager frequently noted.
For a Job That Requires Close Client Collaboration
I naturally get along with people, which has given me an advantage in prior employment. I can immediately build a strong relationship with clients by learning what they want and how to satisfy them best because I relate well to people from various backgrounds.
My previous position required recruiting new clients, frequently by making cold calls. I relished the challenge of trying to establish a rapport in only a few minutes. I often received the title of best salesperson of the month and had a high success rate.
For a Job That Will Require Initiative
Because I have a creative mind, I can look at things from a different angle, which is my unique talent.
We used to have weekly team meetings at work, but they started to feel repetitive and unproductive because they were usually conducted in a conference room. I suggested occasionally hosting team meetings outside of the office because I am aware that my best ideas typically occur when I am in a different environment.
My manager decided to try it, so we began to meet in a nearby coffee shop or, if the weather was fine, the local park. My boss remarked that the meetings improved and were more fruitful. She complimented me on the idea, and it soon became a regular practice for us to leave the office once a month for our team meeting.
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