How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Strength?”

When participating in a job interview, there’s a good chance you’ll come across many of the same common interview questions. With so much practice, it’s easy for job seekers to answer the standard questions like “What is your greatest strength?”

“Instead of thinking up interesting, thought-provoking questions, they resort to prosaic questions, like “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” The good news for job hunters is that these questions are relatively easy to answer.” –Jack Kelly, Forbes

Companies want to learn the type of value you’ll bring to the organization, so it makes sense they’d want to know your best qualities. Don’t just point out generic traits like timeliness or irrelevant ones like how high you can jump. Break through to the heart of the question and dive at your greatest, most relevant strengths by considering these points.

Be prepared

You don’t want to be on the spot listing things you think you might be good at aimlessly. Because this is such a frequently asked question, you’ll want to take the time to actually know your strengths and practice answering the question.

Job Hunt’s Susan P. Joyce says to start by asking yourself the question along with asking people you trust the same question. Self-scouting is always a great way to come up with a list of prepared answers, but asking others is a great way to find things you may have missed.

Once you have a list of your best strengths in mind, you can practice your answer using the following points to build confident and impressive answers. Consider doing a mock interview or working with a mentor to practice.

“Outline your speaking points in advance and practice them until you’re comfortable with your response. Having an idea of what you’re going to say before your interview will help your answer sound polished and natural.” -Jamie Birt, Indeed

Focus on the job description

Not every strength will be the absolute best option for every job opportunity. Even when you’re looking for a specific title, different companies will have different needs, and you might need to pull the right tool from your utility belt.

Make sure to do a deep review of the job description. You’ll get a good idea of what the company really needs right away, according to Joel Schwartzberg. With their biggest needs being directly identified, you can tailor your answer easily. Just like we’ve said to utilize keywords in your resume, be sure to circle back to these keywords when answering the question.

“There’s no need to guess what superstar qualities they’re looking for — it’s all there in black and white. Look for the attributes listed under the “preferred qualifications” or “required skills” section of the job description.” –Joel Schwartzberg

Think in terms of skills

You’re probably good at a lot of things, but not all of them are what a company is looking for when they ask this question. Simply always being on time or knowing how to talk to people isn’t quite enough. Using the job description as a starting point, think of what specific skills are needed in this role, and how can you use them.

Soft skills are important in every role, so think of your strengths in terms of tangible skills. The Muse’s Lily Zhang says to really consider what skills you’ll need to excel in this role and to frame your strengths in this way. If you’ll be interacting with clients or customers, discussing your communication skills is wise, while if you’re going to be in a fast-paced environment, you might discuss your ability to multitask and prioritize.

Being able to frame your strengths in a specific and tangible manner will be more effective than simply saying what you think you’re good at.

Use examples

Of course, you can’t just expect hiring managers to take your word at face value. I could say “I am the finest writer in all of human history,” but no one would believe it without proof. That’s why you want to support your strengths by showing your potential employer how you’ve used them in the past.

Forbes’ Jack Kelly says to once again find the best use for your skills at that organization and show how you’ve utilized them in the past. If you’re a creative type, you might show off a portfolio. You can show how you exceeded monthly sales quotas. If you’ve saved the company money, you can show your interviewer how you did so.

“As mentioned, you have to be focused and specific while answering the question. You should play with facts and figures while answering this question. If you do so, the answer will appear more genuine and hence more impressive.” –Rakesh Ghumatkar, LinkedIn

The more specific you can be, the easier it is for the interviewer to see you’ve put your strengths into action in the past and can use them to add value to the organization.

Wrap up

By doing some preparations before the interview, you can be ready to tackle this common interview question. Have a good understanding of your skills, know how to relate them to the job at hand, use specific examples, and express confidence and you’ll successfully convey that your strengths will bring value to the organization.

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Reasons Why Might Not Be Getting Hired After An Interview

Sometimes, even if you have the right experience and qualifications for a job, you still might not get offers despite landing the interview. Matching the job requirements can take you far, but they aren’t the only aspect of landing the job.

Assuming you’ve made appropriate changes to your resume, application materials, and social media profiles, it might be your interpersonal and interviewing skills preventing you from getting the offer. Do some self-scouting and consider if these reasons apply to you.

Your interview skills need work

Your resume gives employers a taste of what you’ve done and what you can do, but it’s up to you to reinforce that during your interview. You can have all of the qualifications in the world but won’t get the job if you aren’t persuasive. And don’t forget that your personality is just as important as your skills. Hiring managers are looking for good team fits that they’d enjoy working with.

We’ve previously covered some ways to stand out during your interview, but don’t skim on the basics, either! Keyede Erinfolami reminds us to practice active listening, intentional body language, storytelling, small talk, and researching the company beforehand. The more preparation you do, the more confident and interested you’ll appear.

You’re desperate

Not every job you apply for will be your dream job. You’ll occasionally need to accept a job to build the skills to advance your career or to simply pay the bills, and the job market isn’t kind. But even if you really need the job, you don’t want to appear desperate. Just like in dating, desperation is a major turn-off for hiring managers.

“If you make it seem like hiring you is a big favor, the interviewer is likely to pass over you for someone who frames it as something that would benefit them and the company.” -Sara McCord

You might really need the job or you’re thrilled about the company, but try to downplay it a bit. Zippia’s Maddie Lloyd suggests talking about what you like about the company and including the ways you think you can help them. Your job during the interview is to show that you can provide value to the organization rather than just being a fan.

You don’t seem passionate

While it’s good to not appear desperate, don’t go so far in the other direction that you appear disinterested in the role. Looking detached won’t impress anyone, and the manager will look for someone that does appear interested.

“Employers can sense if excitement for a position isn’t quite there. Skills can be taught, but employers desire to see passion and enthusiasm when considering applicants.” –Indeed

Small things like showing up late, not making eye contact, and giving quick answers to questions may make you seem disinterested even if you are.

Ashley Stahl says to avoid getting to that point by finding things to be excited about when you’re researching the company. See if their mission statement meshes with your goals, find a project you’d be interested in, and come up with some enthusiastic questions. This will help pump you up for the interview as well as provide excellent talking points.

You’re boring

Unfortunately, even if you abide by the aforementioned tenets, you still might get passed over. You may feel okay about your interview and think your skills might make up for any interview gaps, but the truth is that if a hiring manager finds you to be boring, you likely won’t get the job.

The modern job search involves a ton of candidates, and if you aren’t standing out, you may be forgotten. The Muse’s Jeremy Schifeling says the ideal candidate is someone capable of doing the job and being someone people want to be around—“warm and competent.”

Try practicing your conversational skills with a friend and make an attempt to be genuine. If you can find a way to connect with the interviewer in an earnest way, you’ll stand out in their memory. Little connections can go a long way.

Wrap up

The skills to thrive in an interview aren’t necessarily the ones you need to do your dream job well, but you need to master these soft skills to get that job! Consider how you approach your interviews, take additional steps to practice, and adopt the right attitude and you’ll find better offers coming your way.

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How To Create A Post-Interview Thank You Note

During a job search, there are a plethora of little details a candidate can make that can lead to landing the job or being rejected. Perhaps one of the easiest—and most forgotten—tasks a job seeker can do is to send a “thank you” note after their interview.

In fact, ZipRecruiter CEO Ian Siegel called not sending a thank you note the No. 1 mistake job seekers make. Taking the time to send a note of gratitude shows that you’re truly interested in the job and willing to go the extra mile. If a hiring manager is between two candidates, the thank you note could be the deciding factor. If you’re looking to craft the perfect thank you note, consider the following tenets.

Send it soon

While you don’t need to send your note the second you leave the interview, it’s best to do it quickly while the interview is still fresh in your interviewers’ minds and while you remember key points you’d like to address.

Sending one too quickly risks your note looking canned or generic, but you should strive to send it within 24 hours after your interview, writes Upwork’s Sean Cope. Indeed says that 24-48 hours is acceptable, adding you want to do it quickly but to make sure you carefully craft your note. Context is important as well. If your interview was at the end of the day on a Friday, waiting until Monday to make sure it doesn’t get lost in the weekend shuffle is fine.

Send it to everyone you spoke with

You want your thank you note to be as personable as possible, so if you had more than one interviewer, make sure they each get their own note.

“Remember If you are talking to 3 or 4 people in an interview it is crucial to make a good impression with each one. A thank-you note goes a long way towards this step.” –Apollo Technical

If you can add a personal anecdote specific to each interviewer, thank will make your response much more genuine, show that you’re a good listener, and prove that you’re willing to put in a little extra work. Christopher Littlefield adds to make sure every name is spelled correctly and to address each person by the name they introduced themselves to you.

Be brief

A good thank you note doesn’t need to be long. If you are clear and can address your points quickly, the note should only be around 300 words or so.

Ian Segal says that if you address the following points with one or two sentences each, you’ll be covering the necessary ground:

  • Thank your interviewer for their time
  • Reiterate your interest in the role
  • Mention a detail you learned about them or their experience
  • Remind them why you’re the right candidate for the job

“Your follow-up is not the place to add all the things you wish you had highlighted in your interview,” –Lourdes Olvera-Marshall

Be specific

When answering the above prompts, make sure that your responses are as specific to the job and interview as possible. Sending a thank you note is good, but if that letter sounds generic or scripted, it won’t come off as sincere.

How can you make your note sound personal? MasterClass says to include something you learned about the workplace culture, something you discussed during your questions, or new insights about the job. Tying it back to something you discussed shows that you’re a good listener and that what you discussed really stuck with you.

“If there was an anecdote or a shared interest that both you and the interviewer seemed to connect over, you may briefly nod to that in your email, but only if it feels natural and appropriate.” –Deborah Acosta

Add value

While you don’t want to rehash your entire interview and cover things you forgot, you do want to point out the value you’d bring to the position and to reiterate your sincere interest in the role.

JobHero suggests that you elaborate on something you discussed in that interview, such as adding a suggestion or an idea that can highlight the skills you’d bring to the position. That’s why being specific can help—you can add to the points you’ve discussed with tangible ideas to show your knowledge and passion.

Be sure to actually directly thank the interviewer as well!

Wrap up

If you’ve embraced these tips, you’ll have created a brief but value-loaded note to your interviewers in a timely manner. Crafting the perfect thank you note only requires a little bit of time, and you can even have a template to work off of to save you even more time. But that little extra time will be noticed after your next interview!

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Surprising Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Interviews

There’s a larger need for highly-qualified applicants than ever before thanks to the Great Resignation, new and emerging technology, and the rise in remote work. So with all of these open positions available, why aren’t you getting interviews?

Whether it’s due to a mistake on your part, a need to reframe how you present yourself, or aspects outside of your control, there are dozens of reasons why you might not be contacted for the role you seek. We’ll take a gander at some of the most frequent causes and offer suggestions on how to pivot where we can!

Making basic mistakes

Even the most thorough person is capable of making basic mistakes. This is especially true if you’ve been at the grind for so long that your eyes start to gloss over things.

Typos and grammatical mistakes on your resume or cover letter are obvious culprits, but they aren’t the only innocuous mistakes you could be making.

FlexJobs’ Jennifer Parris says to make sure you’re submitting your application correctly. A company may want your resume emailed or they may want you to apply through their website, for example. Make sure you’re following the directions you’re given to the letter.

Focusing on the wrong things

Your resume might be error-free, but it is presenting you in the best light?

A common mistake many job seekers make is only listing their basic responsibilities rather than highlighting the things they’ve accomplished. Your resume isn’t a permanent record—it’s a marketing tool.

“Using numbers to quantify your achievements is an excellent way to impress a potential employer.” –Alison Doyle

Forbes’ Adunola Adeshola says to focus your resume on the right results. Keep your resume bullets focused on the role you’re aiming for and paint a picture of what you’ll bring to the table as you try to set yourself apart from the competition.

Your qualifications

Even the best resumes might fall short if an employer doesn’t feel you have the right experience. It’s good to be ambitious and apply for jobs that may seem out of reach—job descriptions are mostly a wish list. But you can’t be surprised if a company chooses someone they believe to be more qualified.

The flip side may also be true—you may be overqualified for the role at hand, leaving a hiring manager questioning why you’re applying for the position. Be sure to read the job description carefully and truly understand what the company is looking for. If it’s a job you want, and a job you think you’re truly up to the task, make sure to use the right keywords to highlight your experience and properly convey your story in your cover letter.

Quantity over quality

It might make sense to cast a wide net in your search, but if you’re throwing out low-quality bait everywhere, you won’t get bites.

“A tailored resume does a better job of showing the recruiter exactly how you are qualified for the job. Doing this extra work shows you’re careful enough to do your due diligence.” –Hannah Morgan

Job seekers will often rely on online job boards for most of their search. While helpful, these tools should only be about 20% of your effort, writes Biron Clark. It’s hard to stand out when you’re sending a mass-market document everywhere. Instead, focus your efforts on tailoring your resume to the jobs you really want and focus other energy on networking and directly applying with appealing companies.

Your online presence

Let’s say your resume is a good fit for an organization and gets the attention of a hiring manager. When they do further research, what will they see? If your social media presence is unsavory, you might get rejected no matter how qualified you are.

It’s easier than ever before for a company to research you online. Hannah Morgan reminds us that as an employee of a company, you’ll be part of its brand. If the hiring manager finds anything unprofessional or offensive on your personal sites, you could miss out on the job. Be sure to curate your online persona before applying!

Outside factors

If you’ve followed all of the above advice, you’ll still find you aren’t getting an interview for every job you apply to. The truth is that no matter how qualified you may be, there are always outside factors preventing you from getting interviewed that have nothing to do with you.

Indeed lists a company’s needs changing as their number one reason you might not hear back. A role might no longer be needed, be expanded upon, or be filled internally. Someone may have referred someone in their network. You might have applied when the search was winding down. Or they simply may have been wowed by another candidate. In these cases, all you can do is move on and focus elsewhere.

Wrap up

With so many openings out there, it may seem surprising you aren’t getting the interviews you want. But there’s a ton of competition out there, and you need to do your best to stand out. Take a little extra time to rethink your approach, tweak your online profiles, and remind yourself that a lack of interviews may not be a reflection on yourself.

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Don’t Make These Costly First Interview Mistakes!

You can never take a first impression for granted, especially in an interview! When you’re being judged compared to your peers, every little fact can make or break your chances of getting the job. Even the smallest mistake can be costly.

You always want to stand out in an interview—just make sure it’s for a good reason! We’ll analyze some of the most frequent mistakes job seekers make in the quest for a new career. Commit these penalties at your own peril!

Arriving late

This is an obvious one, but you should make sure you’re able to be on time for your interview. Outside circumstances obviously happen, but account for potential hiccups by making extra time. It’s the best practice to arrive a few minutes early anyway. Make sure to research the proper route to the physical location, or make sure all distractions are accounted for if it’s a phone or video interview. Appearing unprepared is a great way to not get the job.

Not researching the organization

Speaking of a lack of preparation, if your early questions for your interviewer consist of “what does this company do?” or “what do you do here?” you’ve just shown your hand that you didn’t do prior research.

PushFar states “what do you know about our company?” as one of the most common questions you’ll be asked by an interviewer. While they may have their own spiel to give you about their organization, they’ll expect you to have done some research. Going into the interview blind gives an impression of a lack of interest and drive, and they may think you don’t care about the position.

We always recommend doing your prior research before getting to your interview, in fact, you should do this research before even applying to see if it’s a place you want to work for. Sophia Bernazzani says you can prove you’ve done your homework by asking questions related to the interviewer and their accomplishments.

“”I read that you helped launch a new product last year. How was that experience?”

Ask a question that shows you’ve done your research – and starts an interesting discussion.” -Sophia Bernazzani

In a similar vein, avoid saying “I don’t know” to any questions you’re asked. This shows not only a lack of preparation but creativity as well. Even if the question is tough, ask for a moment to gather your thoughts and at least try to come up with something.

Saying “It’s on my resume.”

When applying for jobs, needing to retype information easily found on your resume is a chore, and not every website has adapted to a modern job search. But when an interviewer asks about your past experiences, don’t refer them to your resume in a tiff. There’s a reason they are asking, and it doesn’t have to do with them not doing their research!

“If a recruiter is asking you about a certain skill, don’t reference your resume, and instead use it as your moment to shine.” –Nando Rodriguez, Ogilvy & Mather

Forbes’ Jack Kelly discusses that many job seekers will get offended and assume the interviewer isn’t prepared, but this isn’t the case. The interviewer wants to hear you communicate your skills and accomplishments and ideally relate them to how you’ll use them in this new position. They want to gauge your social skills and see how you articulate your abilities in person.

Letting the conversation become too casual

We’ve said that when an interview turns conversational, that’s usually a good time. Being able to connect with the hiring manager and prove you’ll be a good cultural fit is great, but recall that you’re still in an interview. Don’t mistake of letting things become too casual.

It’s never good to start dropping swears in an interview setting, even if the hiring manager does, reminds Sophia Bernazzani. Stay alert even when things take a personal turn, and make sure you won’t say anything you’ll regret just because you feel comfortable in the moment.

“You are less likely to use unprofessional language during an interview when you slow down, take your time to think about your response and focus on speaking clearly.” –Indeed

Badmouthing previous employers

This is a point we stress often, but it’s never a good idea to bash your previous employer, even if your last job was the actual worst. Think of it like dating—no one ever wants to hear their date talk about their ex the entire time.

The Muse says to at least focus on something you learned at your previous job while keeping a neutral or positive tone. While the interviewer will definitely ask about your previous job, they care most about what you can do for them. Focus on the future, not the past!

Wrap up

Even if some of these tips seem obvious, it can be easy to let a mistake slip in the heat of the moment. The more preparation you accomplish, the less likely you are to commit one of these errors. Self-awareness is at the heart of a good interview, and understanding the pitfalls other job seekers commonly make can help you avoid their unfortunate path.

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