what makes you unique essay job application

36 Smart Answers to “What Makes You Unique?”

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 24, 2023 — 9 minutes to read

Interviewers ask the question “What makes you unique?” to determine how you stand out from other candidates: they want to know what specific qualities, skills, or experiences you possess that will bring success to the position they are filling. This question helps interviewers assess your self-awareness , confidence , and ability to effectively communicate your strengths .

Related: “What Sets You Apart”: Smart Answers

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Identifying Your Unique Qualities

To answer this question:

• Start by reviewing the job description and pinpointing key skills or requirements for the position.
• Identify your own experiences or qualities that align with these key attributes.
• Focus on the aspects of your background, personality, or life experiences that make you uniquely suited for the job.

Emphasize aspects of your experience and skills that align with the position’s requirements, while also highlighting personal or life experiences that set you apart from other candidates.

36 Sample Answers to “What Makes You Unique?”

• When asked, “What makes you unique?” you could reply: “I have a strong ability to identify problems and implement innovative solutions quickly. In my previous job, I was responsible for improving our customer support process, which led to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction. This shows my drive for excellence and my determination to always seek improvements.”
• You might want to mention your enthusiasm as a unique trait: “I am extremely passionate about the work I do, and I bring this energy to every task I undertake. My enthusiasm positively influences my team members, and I have found it helps us achieve our goals more effectively. My passion drives me to consistently perform above expectations.”
• Showcase your accomplishments as a factor that sets you apart: “My unique combination of skills led me to be recognized as the top salesperson at my previous company for three consecutive years. I expertly balance relationship building with a focus on meeting targets to drive growth and ensure success.”
• You could emphasize your adaptability: “I am highly adaptable and can comfortably work in various environments or industry sectors. For example, I have experience in sales, marketing, and customer service, which has provided me with a well-rounded understanding of different business areas.”
• Highlighting your dedication to lifelong learning might impress interviewers: “I’m committed to continually developing my skills and knowledge in my field. I consistently attend conferences, read industry publications, and take courses to stay updated on the latest trends and practices. This commitment allows me to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to my work.”
• Perhaps you want to mention how you balance work and personal life: “I pride myself on maintaining an excellent work-life balance, allowing me to stay focused and productive during work hours but also having time to pursue personal interests and hobbies. This gives me a healthy perspective and positively impacts my overall performance.”
• You could speak to your ability to communicate effectively: “My strong communication skills and ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds make me highly effective in team environments. I have a proven track record of resolving conflicts and fostering collaboration, which makes our team projects successful.”
• Draw attention to your ability as a mentor: “I enjoy mentoring and sharing my knowledge with others, which benefits both my personal growth and the development of my team members. I have a history of empowering and guiding colleagues to help them reach their full potential.”
• Your resourcefulness could be a point of interest: “I am resourceful and creative when faced with challenges or limited resources. This enables me to find unique solutions and operate efficiently, regardless of constraints.”
• Emphasizing your work ethic: “I’m known for my strong work ethic and dedication to always putting forth my best effort. I take pride in consistently delivering high-quality results and have built a reputation as someone my team can rely on to execute tasks on-time and accurately.”
• Showcase your leadership skills: “I have developed strong leadership skills throughout my career, allowing me to effectively guide teams and make strategic decisions. My ability to inspire and motivate those around me helps to cultivate a positive and productive work environment.”
• Or, you could focus on your attention to detail: “My meticulous attention to detail allows me to quickly spot errors and discrepancies that others might miss, ensuring the highest quality of work. This has saved my team considerable time and effort, as well as prevented potential issues.”
• More examples: “My dedication to learning new skills sets me apart. I constantly seek opportunities to improve my expertise and apply that knowledge to my work.”
• “I bring a unique combination of marketing and design experience, which allows me to approach projects with creative and effective strategies.”
• “My bilingual background allows me to communicate seamlessly with diverse teams and clients, ensuring successful collaboration on projects.”
• “I am an avid problem-solver who enjoys tackling complex challenges, and I have a track record of finding innovative solutions that drive success.”
• “My exceptional time-management skills help me juggle multiple tasks without compromising on quality or deadlines, especially when working under pressure.”
• “My strong interpersonal skills have allowed me to create and maintain great working relationships with coworkers and clients, fostering a positive work environment.”
• “I pride myself on being very adaptable, making it easier for me to adjust to new situations, teams, and roles within a company.”
• “As a lifelong volunteer, I bring a strong sense of community and empathy, which has aided me in understanding the unique needs of clients and coworkers.”
• “Through my experience in diverse industries, I gained a well-rounded perspective that allows me to approach tasks and projects from different angles.”
• “As a self-starter, I am proactive in identifying areas for improvement and taking the necessary steps to ensure the success of the team and the company as a whole.”
• “My resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks have allowed me to learn from my mistakes and continuously grow both personally and professionally.”
• “I have a knack for storytelling, which helps me present complex ideas in a compelling way, making it more accessible and engaging for my audience.”
• “ My background in both marketing and data analytics sets me apart from other candidates. This allows me to effectively analyze marketing data while also devising creative strategies for driving customer engagement.”
• “As someone who has worked remotely for several years, I have developed strong communication and time management skills that would make me an asset to this team.”
• “I am fluent in three languages, which makes me an asset in providing customer support to a diverse range of clients.”
• “I am a certified yoga instructor, and I believe in incorporating mindfulness and stress reduction techniques into my work environment, leading to increased productivity and teamwork among colleagues.”
• “I have an extensive background in nonprofit management, which includes grant writing, budgeting, and strategic planning. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to help grow and maintain the financial stability of the organization.”
• “I have a strong track record of building rapport with clients in my previous sales role, consistently exceeding sales targets and receiving high satisfaction ratings.”
• “With a background in both graphic design and writing, I have developed a creative approach to problem-solving that allows me to generate innovative solutions to business challenges.”
• “As a military veteran, I have learned the importance of discipline, teamwork, and adaptability. These traits make me a valuable addition to any team.”
• “I have experience working with both children and adults with special needs, making me uniquely qualified to meet the diverse needs of clients in this occupational therapy role.”
• “In the past, I have taken on several leadership roles, engaging in volunteer work, and mentoring relationships. These experiences have helped me develop strong leadership and communication skills.”
• “Having completed a coding bootcamp, I am skilled in multiple programming languages and have a strong grasp of best practices. This knowledge allows me to quickly adapt and contribute to various projects.”
• “I have a strong background in both technical support and customer service, which enables me to give clients a seamless support experience while effectively troubleshooting and resolving any issues they encounter.”

Personality Traits

Adaptability.

Showcasing your adaptability can help set you apart. When asked “What makes you unique?” consider sharing an example of your ability to adapt quickly to new situations. For example, you could say, “I embrace change in the workplace and am always eager to learn new skills. In my previous role, my team had to switch to remote work unexpectedly, and I quickly became an expert in using remote collaboration tools to keep the team on track.”

Empathy is a valuable trait to demonstrate during an interview. A good answer that highlights empathy could be, “I’ve found that my ability to empathize with others allows me to build strong relationships with team members and clients. I actively listen to their concerns and strive to understand their experiences, which has helped me adapt my communication style to make others feel comfortable.”

Related: Examples of Empathy (and 38 Empathy Statements)

Enthusiasm can make a significant impact on a hiring manager. When answering what makes you unique, use an example that illustrates your excitement about the role, company, or industry. For example, you could say, “I am genuinely enthusiastic about my work and continuously seek opportunities to expand my knowledge. I recently completed a certification course in digital marketing, even though it wasn’t required for my previous position, because I wanted to deepen my expertise.”

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution skills are an essential aspect of effective teamwork. Prove your ability to handle difficult situations by sharing an example from a previous job. For example, “I have a strong ability to mediate conflicts and maintain positive team dynamics. In my last job, two coworkers were disagreeing over a project that was causing delays. I stepped in, listened to their concerns, and facilitated a solution that satisfied both parties and got the project back on track.”

Related: How to Choose a Conflict Management Style? [5 Styles with Examples]

By focusing on adaptability, empathy, enthusiasm, or conflict resolution you’ll demonstrate qualities that a hiring manager is likely to find attractive. Use examples from your experience to showcase these traits, and be confident in presenting yourself as a unique candidate.

Skills and Abilities

Technical skills.

When answering “What makes you unique?” in a job interview, you can highlight your technical skills that set you apart. For example:

• “I have mastered HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and have successfully built several websites from scratch. This experience makes me a strong candidate for web development roles.”
• “I am a certified project manager with a track record of completing projects on time and within budget. This demonstrates my ability to lead a team and ensure success.”
• “My experience with data analysis and visualization tools like Tableau and Excel have allowed me to create impactful reports and make data-driven decisions.”

Soft Skills

You should also emphasize your soft skills which contribute to your uniqueness.

• “I have excellent time-management skills and can juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. I believe this ability allows me to perform well in high-pressure environments.”
• “My communication skills help me effectively convey ideas to colleagues and clients alike. I think this makes me an asset in collaborative projects.”
• “I pride myself on my problem-solving abilities, which enables me to approach complex situations with clarity and determination. This skill helps me excel in challenging roles.”

Try to be specific about the skills and abilities you possess and how they contribute to your uniqueness in the workplace. Providing real-life examples of how you’ve applied those skills in your work history can make your answer more convincing and memorable to the interviewer.

The key to answering this question effectively is to focus on your personal strengths and abilities, providing specific examples that demonstrate how your unique qualities will benefit the company. By doing so, you’ll leave a lasting impression and increase your chances of landing the job. Good luck!

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How To Answer “What Makes You Unique?” (+ Sample Answers)

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/30/2022.

Uniqueness is a bit of a strange concept. When it comes to the formal definition , something is unique when it exists as the sole example, essentially having no equal. So, when the hiring manager asks, “What makes you unique?” it’s not uncommon to struggle a bit.

Luckily, you don’t have to be the sole example of something to answer this question well. If you’re wondering how to answer “what makes you unique,” here’s how to get headed in the right direction.

Why Do They Ask You “Tell Us What Makes You Unique?”

So, why do hiring managers ask you, “What makes you unique?” Is it to throw you off a bit? Well, maybe a little. But there’s actually more to it than that.

First, your answer gives them insights into what you value in yourself. You’re essentially discussing why you believe you’re special, and the traits or capabilities you decide to showcase can give them potent clues about your personality and skills.

Second, they want to see how you manage stress. Talking about yourself in this manner is, admittedly, uncomfortable, and they want to know if you can navigate the challenge.

Finally, the hiring manager is trying to see if you bring an ability or characteristic to the table that they didn’t explicitly request, but could help you, the team, and the company thrive in an unexpected way.

As the minds at the Balance put it, the hiring manager isn’t just looking at your technical qualifications, but at whether you have “something above and beyond what the other candidates offer, showing that you’ll be a strong addition to the company.” They’re after that bit of something extra, as that could help the organization reach new heights.

How to Answer “What Makes You Unique?”

Take a minute and think of all the answers that pop into your head. Are they quirky traits that set you apart from your friends and family? Are they odd habits that you’ve had since childhood that nobody else seems to have? Is it a skill you’ve always wished you could share on late-night television but never gotten the chance?

Okay, now let’s try that question again, but this time, I’m going to run it through the “What the interviewer is actually asking” filter. Are you ready? Here it is:

“What about you makes you the best candidate for this job?”

Rather than figuring out what makes you unique, think about what value you bring to the company. Now, your list might include valuable things like “I’m highly motivated by a challenge” and “I enjoy working with a team to bring a project to completion.”

This question is meant to find out what makes you valuable both as a person and in the workplace…and why those differences set you apart from the other candidates. Remember, an interviewer’s number one job is to find the best candidate for the position they are hiring for, and your job is to prove to them that you’re the perfect candidate!

Remember, this is just one question the hiring manager could ask you in your interview! That’s why we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview.

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Answering “What Makes You Unique” on a Job Application

Your first encounter with this interview question may come when you are filling out a job application. It is not uncommon for a company to ask you something along the lines of, “In 150 characters or fewer, tell us what makes you unique.”

You really don’t need to overthink this. Everything that we’ve said above still applies. If you want to get the maximum benefit from the answer you give, you just need to ensure that you use the allotted characters you have in an economical way.

The hiring managers want clear, concise thoughts, which is why they put a character limit on it in the first place. So, one major thing to avoid is rephrasing the question in any way. You also want to skip filler words that don’t add any real value to the answer.

The most important thing to remember is to try to focus on unique skills that you have that are the most relevant to the position you are interviewing for. Use the following tips to further help with crafting your answer.

Top 5 Tips for “What Makes You Unique”

1. do your homework.

Start with the job listing itself. Look at what skills are required and match those up with the skills you know you have. Make sure when you answer the question that you work those skills into the conversation through examples.

2. Self-Assess

After you’ve gone over the job posting and your related skills, spend some time asking yourself about what sets you apart from other candidates and write those answers down. Come up with a list of skills or traits that you think are unique to you – and make you a valuable addition to the company – that weren’t listed in the job posting.

3. Reference the Past

Share actual examples from your own work history to back up your answers. Make sure your stories are short, concise, and end on a positive note. Share with your hiring manager not only what makes you unique but how you used that uniqueness in a positive, constructive way.

4. It’s Not All About You

Yes, it’s your interview, but really, it’s all about the company and how you can help them. Do your research on the company ahead of time and come up with solid ways your unique skills and talents can benefit them. Yes, getting the job would help you, but ultimately, it’s always about them.

5. Be Unique

Yes, this question is all about how you’re unique, but it’s all too easy to fall into less than unique answers that your interviewer has already heard a million times.

Instead of saying, “I’m a really hard worker,” say, “I’m driven to complete a task, no matter how difficult.” Forgo “I’m a fast learner” in favor of “I really enjoy learning new things and find that it’s easy for me to pick up on required skills.” And skip “I always go above and beyond” and go with “I truly enjoy excelling and pushing myself. I look forward to tasks where I can learn and grow.”

Then, practice ahead of time. That way, your answers sound smooth and confident.

How NOT to Answer This Question

Now that we’ve shown you the best techniques to answer the “What makes you unique” interview question, we thought we’d go over some of the things you definitely need to avoid when facing this question.

1. Oversharing

Yes, the hiring manager really does want to know what makes you unique, but only so far as it applies to the job. Keep your truly personal details private. Remember, they want to know how your unique skills will help the company, not that you spend your weekends dressing your dog up in accurate period costumes and reenacting major historical battles.

2. Being Generic

We touched on this above, but it really does need to be said twice. While it’s tempting to rush through this question simply because it’s not easy to answer, don’t fall back onto bland, boring answers with no example follow-ups.

3. Being Negative

This question isn’t an opportunity for you to trash on the other job seekers who are applying for the position. Don’t use this as a platform to tell the hiring manager why you’re superior to all those other job seekers in the waiting room. Not only will it make you look petty and shallow, but it also won’t win you any points.

4. Don’t Get “Lost”

Keep your answer short, focused, and relevant. Make sure you use targeted words that highlight your skills and then follow those up with a clear example. Don’t ramble on talking about unrelated skills that have nothing to do with the job or the company you’re interviewing for.

5. Don’t Lie

We say this time and time again in these blogs because it’s critical. Be honest! Don’t come up with a unique skill or trait you don’t actually possess just because you think it’ll get you hired. There’s nothing worse than being hired for a job you can’t actually do or talking about a skill you don’t actually have only to get asked to use it. Be honest!

How to Use the Job Description to Find the Best Traits

At this point, you’ve probably got a solid idea about how to answer the “what makes you unique” interview question. However, it’s wise to go a bit further.

While discussing what sets you apart from other candidates in general is fine, relevancy should be the name of the game. You want to consider, “ What makes me unique that’s also something the hiring manager would value?” By doing that, you’re able to identify unique traits that also improve your position as a candidate.

In most cases, the job description is an excellent resource when you want to tailor your answers to the job. What you want to find is tidbits about the type of candidate they’re after. That means looking beyond the must-have hard skills. Instead, you want to consider what unique characteristics allow you to apply those technical abilities better.

Similarly, you want to highlight unique traits that make you adept at navigating a workplace similar to the hiring manager’s company. Again, that makes you a far stronger candidate.

When it’s time to talk about those unique characteristics, don’t just say what you bring to the table. Instead, think about your past jobs and other past experiences, including educational pursuits , hobbies , volunteer work , and more. Then, find examples that demonstrate your unique traits, as showing is always more effective than telling.

If you want to learn more about how to make any of your interview answers ridiculously relevant, check out our Tailoring Method article for more details.

5 Great Sample Answers

To help you come up with your own answers, here are five “what makes you unique” example answers.

For a position that requires a team leader:

SAMPLE ANSWER:

“I’m particularly adept at working with different personalities and finding a way to motivate people. In my last role, I oversaw a project with a diverse team, including one employee that classically struggled with deadlines. Not only was I able to make sure that everyone worked well together, but I also took time to speak with the one challenging employee and determined that positive feedback was a critical part of their success equation. By going the extra mile to comment on their efforts, they were far more engaged, resulting in the project finishing on time and above expectations.”

For a job that requires ongoing education:

“By nature, I’m incredibly curious, and I love a challenge. That’s part of why I initially studied medicine. Conditions can present in numerous ways, and our understanding of the human body continuously shifts. By pursuing a healthcare career, I get to feed my curiosity daily, both when assisting patients with unique presentations and by furthering my knowledge in emerging areas. In my last role, I was traditionally completed by required credits far sooner than my colleagues and often went further, attending conferences and networking to stay on the cutting-edge. That allowed me to bring valuable knowledge back to my workplace, making it easier for us all to remain ahead.”

For a position where you lack direct experience:

“One thing that makes me unique for this role in human resources is my previous experience in the information technology field. I spent nine years working in a networking position, collaborating with colleagues in a range of specialties. When I pivoted and returned to college to get my degree in human resources, many didn’t see the connection. However, I believe this makes me particularly well-suited for a technical recruiter role, as I understand what it takes to thrive in these positions thanks to my previous experience.”

For roles where a strength that’s a weakness for others provides value:

“One capability that I feel is genuinely unique in this field is my skill with public speaking. I’m incredibly comfortable giving presentations, which is why I was selected to lead training activities and showcase project progress during meetings in my last role. Whether it’s a handful of people or hundreds, I have no issue standing up and sharing knowledge and information whenever the need arises.”

For a job where an unconventional degree is beneficial

“One way that I feel I stand out from other sales professionals is actually my education. While it may not seem like a degree in psychology would provide exceptional value, it taught me a lot about why people make certain decisions and what motivates them to buy. In my last role, I was able to convert 22 percent more leads simply because I could quickly adjust my approach based on the potential buyer’s sentiment and perspective. The ability to pivot my language and adjust my strategy to make them not just comfortable but confident yielded results, something that I can continue doing in my next job.”

Putting It All Together

Remember, when you’re answering the dreaded “What makes you unique” interview question, what you’re really answering is “What makes you the best candidate for this job?” Keep your answers memorable, keep them focused and keep them relevant. Make yourself stand out from the herd by showing your value to the company.

And as always, good luck!

FREE : What Makes You Unique PDF Cheat Sheet

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In it you'll get:

• MORE Word-for-word example answers to this tough question
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Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Jeff gillis.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Find a Job You Really Want In

Interviewers love to ask “What makes you unique?” because they are looking to see how you talk about yourself and what unique skills and qualifications you have that set you apart from the crowd.

To help you answer what the interviewers are looking for, we’ll go over how to answer “What makes you unique?”, and provide some what makes you unique sample answers. We will also go over some tips to keep in mind as well as some mistakes to avoid when answering.

Key Takeaways:

When answering “What makes you unique from others?” you need to be prepared, answer with job specifics, and use examples from previous jobs.

When answering the question keep the answer work-related and not something from your personal life.

When hiring managers and recruiters ask this question, they’re most interested in what you bring to the role and why you would be a better choice than another candidate.

How to answer “What makes you unique?”

Example answers to “what makes you unique”, why interviewers ask “what makes you unique”, tips for answering “what makes you unique”, common mistakes to avoid when answering “what makes you unique”, “what makes you unique” faqs, final thoughts.

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When you’re asked “What makes you different, unique, or odd,” you should answer with what makes you a unique hire over your competition for the position. Suddenly, your answer about being able to touch your nose with your tongue seems wildly out of place.

Here is a detailed list of how to answer questions about what makes you unique:

Prepare. You’re doing it now, and that’s going to help you when it comes time to interview. Don’t just prepare your answers, but do some research in preparation, too. Carefully read the job description to determine what qualities are most necessary to succeed in the role.

Be job-specific. Part of your research should be about the company and what they value. You should also learn about the role. If you know they’re a small company and the employees wear a lot of hats (figuratively speaking), then stress how you’re an incredible multitasker and willing to work outside your professional box.

Consider the compliments you’ve received. Think back on the strengths that have served you well in the past and what former supervisors have had to say about your performance. You can also drop the professional bit and just think about what qualities people most appreciate about you. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family for ideas if you’re not sure.

Use examples. What have you done that can illustrate your skills? For example, if you’ve had the opportunity to interview an A-list celebrity, you can use this to show how you did something that made you very nervous but afterward, you learned that we’re all people. It made you a more confident interviewer.

Tie it to work. If your “unique” trait is that you spent a year backpacking across Europe, find a way to tie it to the job you want. Maybe you can explain how you love learning new things and spent a year traveling to immerse yourself in new cultures.

Boring can be perfect. If you think that you’re just not interesting enough, remember the question isn’t about how exciting you are. If you rush home every night to work on a hobby, that’s a wonderful answer. It tells the employer that you’re detail-oriented, passionate, and committed to completing projects.

Here are a few what makes you unique sample answers for different scenarios to help you come up with your own answer:

Tell us something about yourself which makes you special example answer

“I am an avid fly fisherman and have been doing it my whole life. I learned it from my father, and it taught me that attention to detail, patience, and perseverance are important qualities. When things are difficult, I’ve learned to keep my head down and focus like I do when I’m fishing or tying a fly. I can get through and usually catch my fish.” Why it works: This answer does a great job of showing the interviewee as a person. It paints a picture of a solid, well-adjusted person with strong family ties. Then it displays some characteristics that could be crucial for the job at hand.

“I am a marathon runner and triathlete. I love setting big goals for myself and achieving them. I find that these personal challenges help me grow in ways I would never have expected. And the sense of self-satisfaction is incredible.” Why it works: This interviewee doesn’t try to tie their uniqueness to work at all, and yet, it happens on its own.

“I don’t have a college degree, like most people in this position and probably most people you’re hiring. Instead, I have worked my way up from a customer service job to management. I’ve learned the ins and outs of every job along the way, and that’s what makes me an excellent manager. I know this business as few people do.” Why it works: Wow, right? This answers the question perfectly. It is what makes them unique. They turned something that they know doesn’t look great on paper into a huge positive.

“I am a foster parent and am currently fostering two wonderful children. I also have two kids of my own. I’m always busy and often mediating fights, but it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.” Why this works: This managerial candidate shows that they not only can manage on the job but that it’s ingrained in who they are. There’s also a note of genuine compassion in the response. Finally, they love this type of work and choose to have a life in which their skills are put to use on a daily basis.

“I have a degree in archeology but never worked a day in the field after college. I know this sounds odd, and it’s my true passion, but turning it into a job felt like taking the joy out of it. Instead, I use my analytical skills and attention to detail to dig into financial reports.” Why this works: Suddenly, the job of a field auditor for an accounting firm sounds more interesting. Again, taking a point that sounds out of place on paper and turning it into something that makes your candidate outstanding is exactly what this question is designed to do.

“I’m a people person. I thrive in social environments and find that people are naturally drawn to me. This is my happy place.” Why this works: A simple statement might not mean much if the person were applying for a job as a night janitor , but it means a lot for a potential customer service representative or a party planner .

“I was in politics when I was younger. When I was 18, I was elected mayor of my hometown. This made me the youngest mayor ever elected in our state, but I decided politics wasn’t for me. I enjoyed working with people and loved the entire election process. It was the best education I could have given myself at the time. Now, I love to teach others and share my story so they can go for their dreams, no matter their age.” Why this works: Can you guess what position this person is applying for? Yes, they are a teacher , and what an incredible story. Even if they weren’t elected, just the gumption to go after a dream and learn from it is something that can benefit the students in a fresh and novel way.

“What makes you unique?” example answers for specific job opportunities:

“What makes you unique?” for a deadline-driven job example answer

I think my capacity to remain calm in stressful situations is what makes me unique. From my first high-school job flipping burgers to my last job working as an editor for a newspaper, time management has always been an important factor in my work. Past supervisors have commented on my ability to keep a cool head under pressure, which makes my coworkers, as well as any clients present, feel more confident in our ability to get the job done on time.

“What makes you unique?” for a customer-facing job example answer

I’ve been told that my ability to hold conversations with anyone from anywhere is what makes me unique. Whenever I move to a new neighborhood, whether that was in Madrid, Buenos Aires, or right here in San Jose, I make it a point to meet and know my neighbors. I like to be a source of aid for those around me, and it really makes me smile to help someone find a solution.

“What makes you unique?” for a recent college graduate example answer

I believe my ability to adapt to new challenges and experiences has made me unique. I had the ability to study abroad and participate in leadership roles within different organizations. This has taught me to think on my feet and be flexible for any challenge that came my way. My time studying abroad gave me a new global perspective while allowing me to have a better understanding of the interconnectedness and a willingness to embrace diverse perspectives.

Interviewers ask “What makes you unique?” to get an understanding as to why you think you are the best person for the job. They already think you might be a good fit because they’re interviewing you. It’s your job to tell them why you’re the best and quite probably the only person for the job. That means you need to stand out from all of the other applicants they’ve interviewed.

This question is very popular, and it’s quite tricky to answer. That’s why hiring managers ask it. It’s a question that typically throws people off their game a little. You know they’re going to ask about your assets and your faults. But did you expect them to ask what makes you unique?

Quick, off the top of your head, what answer would you give? Is your answer about your personality? Maybe you’ve thought of a strange quirk or an interesting hobby that you have. While those things are great, they’re not what the interviewer is looking for.

This is a personality interview question that can tell them a bit more about you, but it can also tell them what you value about yourself. What you see as something interesting in yourself tells them quite a bit about how you’ll be as an employee and as a coworker.

The best way to answer questions is to think about what you’d want to hear if you were the interviewer and then be as honest as possible . These tips will help you craft your answers and keep you on track when you’re in the job interview :

Be succinct, don’t ramble

Try to answer quickly but don’t interrupt the interviewer

Try to keep answers work-related and not about your personal life

Know what the company wants from its employees and mirror their language

Keep eye contact as much as possible

Watch out for non-verbal nervousness , looking at the ground, shaking legs, etc.

Listen to the question ; don’t anticipate too much

You should avoid saying anything deeply personal or anything negative. Here are some more things you don’t want to say in an interview – even if it is what makes you unique:

Something deeply personal. You don’t want to be too intimate with a potential employer or a hiring manager. You also never want to make someone feel uncomfortable. Just like when you discuss your interests or hobbies outside of work, you should aim to keep things surface-level unless the interviewer probes for more detail.

Don’t be negative. Make your answer as positive as possible. Even if it has to do with a negative event, then explain how it made you better or you overcame it. But really, this is the sort of softball question that doesn’t require you to dive into your weaknesses or mistakes, so take advantage of the opportunity to stress your strengths instead.

Skip the odd human tricks. Your weird party trick might pop into your head first – quickly discard that and move on to something legitimate for the workplace. Save the stupid tricks for the office holiday party.

No show and tell. If your unique answer sounds like a kid giving a show-and-tell presentation – skip it. Remember that all interview answers should be kept fairly brief, and this one is more than most. A few quick sentences are all you need to sketch what makes you a unique candidate.

Nothing. You’ve got to come up with some answer to the question. You can’t just say, “Meh, I’m exactly like everyone else.” You can do better than that, and you know it.

Avoid lying or stretching the truth. If you don’t have anything you think that makes you unique, don’t make something up. It might sound like a good idea at the time but that lie could come back and haunt you.

What are five things that make you unique?

Five things that make you unique are:

Experience. You are the product of many experiences built upon one another, which inevitably makes you unique. This is true for both your external experience in the physical world and your internal experience of your own thoughts and emotions.

Perspective. Based on your life experience, how you view the world is different than everyone else.

Communication. The way you go about communicating with others with have slight characteristics that set you apart from others, such as in the words you choose, how you phrase them, and even in your body language.

Interests. Although you might share interests with others, you have your own unique reasons for having them.

Goals. Similar to interests, you may have shared goals with others, but your goals are specific to your life.

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Be specific with how your values, skills, and experience add up to stand out from other candidates. Your answer should show that you are both highly and uniquely qualified for the job. You want to make the type of impression that sticks in people’s memories long after they have met other candidates.

What are unique professional skills?

Unique professional skills would be anything relevant to the job that other candidates do not have. Some examples of unique professional skills would be:

Fluency in multiple languages.

Certified from accredited institutions.

Advanced or specific technical knowledge.

High-pressure conflict resolution skills.

Diverse interpersonal skills.

How do I figure out what makes me unique?

To figure out what makes you unique, you can:

Keep a journal. A journal will help you track your days. Over time you can begin to notice patterns that define you as a unique individual.

Ask friends and family. Those close to you will have their own thoughts about what makes you unique. Consider giving them an anonymous survey so that they can speak freely.

Imagine what a perfect day looks like for you. This image will reveal certain characteristics specific to you.

Focus on your goals. Your goals will make you unique, so consider what they are.

Reflect on your past. Your past has made you unique. Look back and figure out how your life has been different than everyone else.

How to answer “What makes you unique?” in an interview?

When answering questions about what makes you unique, you should think of the skills and qualifications that help set you apart from other candidates. These skills and qualifications should be job specific and you should relate them to how you would succeed in the job.

The best way to show an interviewer how you are unique is to use examples from your past experiences. This could include compliments you have received or how you succeeded in projects.

Now that you have your “unique” question answer ready – you’re good to go, right? Not a chance. There are a ton of questions you might run into during your interview. It’s good to prepare for all of them equally. Consider your answers to these questions, too:

What sets you apart from other candidates ?

Is there anything else we should know about you ?

What motivates you ?

Why should we hire you instead of somebody else ?

Why do you want this job ?

How would your friends describe you ?

Tell me about yourself ?

U.S. Department of Labor – Interview Tips

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment Interviewing: Seizing the Opportunity and the Job

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Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.

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• What Makes You Unique

How to Answer “What Makes You Unique” (According to 17 Managers and HR Experts)

We asked managers and HR experts their advice on how to effectively answer one of the most common interview questions, “ What makes you unique? “

Table of Contents

The key is to know what makes you different from the rest

Define your authentic self, refer to the job description when attempting to answer this question, demonstrate authenticity, credibility, and passion, focus on what is relevant to the position you’re applying for, try and avoid being too simple or vague, the response we’re expecting depends on the role that you have applied for, share something that may have shaped the person you are today, think about your life journey, state your talents or skills that could further support the company, tell a story about your upbringing, focus on your traits and accomplishments that would set you apart from other candidates, help them visualize what it would be like to have you work for their company, be brutally honest, what makes you different from anyone else in the world, go beyond telling your unique skills and abilities and show them instead, frequently asked questions.

Ron Auerbach, MBA

Career Coach | Author, Think Like an Interviewer: Your Job Hunting Guide to Success

This is really a twist on the interview question, why I should hire you . The key here is what makes you different from the rest.

So many, if not all the applicants, will have the same things as you. But what is it about you, as a person and/or as a professional, separates yourself out from the rest?

Know your competition

This is where a deep self-evaluation is so important and where knowing your competition also comes into play. So knowing how you stack up against them is something that’s necessary, plus knowing your own self.

Perhaps, you have an approach that is unlike or different from how others handle or see things.

Don’t give a standard answer

FYI, there was one time when I was interviewing for a job and got called in for a group interview. One candidate was asked how he’d handle something. He gave the standard answer that most would use. But I had disagreed with what he had said and had another take on the situation. So I provided my logical justification for a completely different approach.

For instance, when I was an undergraduate student in college majoring in economics, I had taken anatomy and physiology through the College of Nursing. I was the one and only business major in the class. So students were primarily nursing and pre-med students. This is something that helps separate me out from others.

Another thing that helps show I’m unique is most business graduates go through the College of Business. I chose to obtain my economics from the College of Liberal Arts. That provided me with a broader education, like having taken art history and astronomy. 

Take a very hard look at yourself

So what’s necessary is taking a very hard and deep look at yourself to identify your skills, personality, experiences, ways of thinking, etc. And knowing your competition and what most, if not all, of them will bring to the table.

Plus, understanding what the employer, hiring manager, or recruiter will be looking for in applicants and new hires. So you want to be very specific here, not general! Details make all the difference and really matter!

Related: How to Get to Know Yourself Better (9 Self-Awareness Questions)

David E. Nielson

CEO, DNA Worldwide, LLC

There are three ways to prepare your answers to this question:

Recognize your values

Identify what you believe in, what your values are, and what is meaningful to you in life. You can then discuss how you align your daily choices and make decisions based on fulfilling YOUR purpose. Describe how you consciously make choices and decisions that align with our purpose.

Related: How to Describe Yourself During a Job Interview (With Examples)

Identify how you differentiate yourself from others

Self-examination and introspection will help you recognize and define your feelings, physical state and belief systems. Demonstrate your conscious intent to be the best you can be based on your individual and unique attributes and how you are consciously working to improve yourself. Know yourself and how you differentiate yourself from others. It’s not vanity or pride, but rather necessity to show up as your authentic self.

Ask others if they think you have some unique qualities

This will boost your self-awareness, whether you are surprised by how someone answered this question or disappointed that no one recognizes anything very unique about you. Then you can revisit a self-assessment to improve how you can differentiate yourself from others.

Show up as your authentic self. Don’t try to be someone else or someone you think others want you to be or think you should be. 

Related: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others (And What to Do Instead)

Chris Chancey

Founder, Amplio Recruiting

Recruiters/hiring managers ask this question not to find out about your one-of-a-kind attributes but rather to evaluate your level of self-awareness and your understanding of the job’s requirement.

As such, the job description is your best reference point when attempting to answer this question. You want to consider the needs of the employer so you can tailor your answer in a way that shows you are the most suitable candidate to help meet these needs.

To answer this question satisfactorily, you need to think about:

• A positive personality trait related to the job e.g. you are a good communicator, you have strong leadership skills, you are patient, empathetic, innovative, creative, etc.
• Your past experience and the transferable skills you acquired that uniquely qualify you for the job.
• Your past professional wins e.g. awards, recognition, and task-related accomplishments in the workplace.

Now, you want to take these pointers and put together an answer that will convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you are a perfect fit for the job. For example, if the role requires you to lead a team of people to facilitate project completion, a possible answer could be:

“ What makes me unique is my strong transformational leadership style, which has helped me to successfully oversee diverse teams. I am capable of setting clear goals, motivating my team to buy into the company’s vision and deliver results, and I set high standards of integrity for my team to emulate.

For instance, in my past role as a senior project manager, I lead a team of 10 employees from different departments and we were able to complete a product launch two weeks before the deadline. The product ended up generating the company $1m in annual revenues. “

In the end, the best answers to this question are those that address the employer’s pain points and demonstrate how your skills and experience can solve these.

Tammy Perkins

Chief People Officer, PacificMarket International

What makes you unique? For me, some of the top answers that come to mind should demonstrate authenticity, credibility, and passion. Being authentic, unique and showing your passion helps you land new opportunities.

• Ultimately, you want to be your authentic self. Show a potential employer how your skills are uniquely differentiated from others, while also sharing your passion, along with supporting work examples and accomplishments. Do all three, and you have a chance to stand out with hiring managers.
• Share your voice and passions. What are your superpowers? Share your knowledge and passions that shape your point of view.
• Your voice is a unique character that differentiates your personal brand. When you let others know what is in your heart and mind, your personal brand and passion will shine through.
• Don’t be a staged house. Self-awareness versus self-promotion is what builds your credibility and differentiates you. Your purpose and differentiation will shine when you are authentic and transparent.
• You want to paint a broad, but authentic picture of your experience and strengths .
• Share examples of how you have learned and transformed. Demonstrate significant learning and growth from your experiences.
• Practice your elevator pitch. Practice answering questions prior to the interview. Be succinct and focused and ask informed questions based on your research.
• Find ways to stand out, not just fit in. What are the attributes that make you stand out? Ultimately you want to show how your skills are uniquely differentiated from others along with supporting work examples and accomplishments.
• Tune into your EQ. Standout professionals earn opportunities because they know their subject matter and industry. Learning to lead, motivate and inspire others requires its own brand of expertise. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a proven indicator for overall success; it fosters better work performance, healthier relationships, and sound stress management. Provide examples of where you have demonstrated EQ.

Beth Cabrera

Executive Vice President, KNF&T Staffing Resources

Focus on something that is applicable to the position you’re applying for or that speaks to your work ethic. Focus on your upbringing – something that has created a strong sense of independence, responsibility, and personal accountability.

For example, a student that has had the opportunity to travel might focus on their ability to book complex travel arrangements and confirm details such as transportation, transfers, and accommodations, all while ensuring that time differences and cultural sensibilities were taken into consideration.

If a particular trip involved staying with a local family, the candidate can highlight how he/she accounted for cultural differences, like researching an appropriate gift for the family or adjusting to how their culture observed time (is on time considered showing up 5 minutes early or 30 minutes late?).

Draw the parallel for your interviewer. A candidate who reveals that they know how to navigate cultural nuances is much more likely to appropriately assimilate and become a long term asset in an organization.

Greg Kuchcik, SPHR

VP of Human Resources, Zeeto.io

When I hear a manager, interviewer, or HR person asks “W hat makes you unique? “, my HR brain translates that into “W hy should we hire you versus the 200 other people that applied? “.

First, I’ll say that often times, I’m most impressed with candidates that ask the question back or in a similar manner. Every candidate should be asking why they should want to work for any given company and make it a two-way interview relationship between supply and demand.

As far as how to answer the question I’m typically looking for it to sync with the specific job. Try and avoid being too simple or vague such as “ I’m a free spirit who’s the soul is the only one of its kind “. Also, try and avoid being too irrelevant to the job such as “ I’m the 5th cousin of Michael Phelps and swam Lake Eerie 34 times. “

Technically all of these things make you unique, but most time the interviewer is looking for job-specific uniqueness. A good answer for a statistician might be something like:

“I majored in mathematics but minored in business. This makes me unique as I not only can relate to the complexity and detail of a statistics role, but I also understand how that relates to bottom line revenue.”

This indeed would be a unique skill that a company would be lucky to have. All-in-all you want to show some creativity and communication skills by being put on the spot with a tricky question yet bring it back to the position you are discussing.

Bernice Quek

HR Manager, Fixwerks

When asked “what makes you unique?” during an interview, the type of response we’re expecting depends on the role that you have applied for.

For instance, if you’re interviewing for a sales role, a salesperson should be able to entice anyone to purchase anything, no matter how mundane the product is. So, you can showcase how you would sell an everyday object such as a pen to us.

If you’re interviewing for a marketing role, you could perhaps pick a campaign that we have done before and tell us how you would have done it differently and what other ideas you can bring to the table as a fresh perspective.

Another thing that would really impress us is when a candidate shows that they’re aware of the key traits they should possess for the roles.

For example, the creative team should be open-minded and quick on their feet. On the other hand, account managers should be able to lead their members in an organized manner while still working collaboratively to encourage growth.

All in all, you should demonstrate that you have done your research regarding your desired role and fully understand what it entails. On top of that, it would be ideal if you’re able to illustrate how you’re fit for the role through examples and actual job experiences.

Cynthia Flynn, Esq.

Managing Partner, Hackler Flynn & Associates

If asked the question “ What makes you unique? ” in a professional setting, do not just recite items on your resume. After all, everyone has a resume – but these often give a one-dimensional view of a person.

Was there something in your childhood or young adult life that inspired you to take a certain path? Did you have mentors who helped you see the world in a different way?

If it is a comfortable subject for you, your family and upbringing can shed light on your motivations and aptitudes. If you worked in your family’s business from a young age, or are the child of immigrants, or traveled or lived all over the world, these experiences can set you apart.

Likewise, if you wish to share them, problems your family faced as you grew up – for example, divorces or bankruptcies – may have shaped the person you are today and motivated you to help others in the same situations.

Along the same lines, hardly anyone goes directly from point A (the dream) to point B (the goal) without encountering setbacks in their career. Some may have even been life-altering or catastrophic. What struggles have you faced? What walls did you run into? When you hit the wall, what did you do? Did you find a different way around? Who helped you, and who did you help along the way?

If you changed direction within your career or changed careers entirely at some point, you can frame this, too, as a strength and a source of individuality.

Finally, what are the reasons why you do what you do? What gets you up in the morning? Who do you hope will benefit from your work? And of course, what is your ultimate goal?

The answers to these questions will set you apart from everyone else, as everyone’s story is different.

Stefan Palios

Founder, PulseBlueprint

The best way to answer this question is in the form of your journey, thinking both about your unique story/qualities as much as ensuring you present it in a way that the listener will get that you are unique.

To get there, ask yourself three questions:

• What are you good at?
• What do you actually want? (Often not the same as what you are good at)
• What does the person asking you if you are a unique need?

The first two questions will help you identify who you are in the space where you have to prove your uniqueness. The third will help you contextualize your answer so that the person listening understands you’re uniqueness. If you don’t have this third part, you could be the most unique person in the world but no one will care if they don’t understand.

Start by offering some initial background information – about the start of your life journey and some background points – contextualized to the reason you are being asked why you are unique.

From there, explaining how your life vision and path intersects perfectly with the opportunity at hand (the one you need to validate your uniqueness for) so the person asking the question can grasp what you’re explaining to them.

Gina Curtis

Career Coach, Employment BOOST

It is extremely important to answer these types of questions after some premeditative thought. Similar to the “ what is your weakness ” question, it is always beneficial to find something unique about yourself that can also be beneficial to the company.

Use examples that show that you are a well-rounded candidate. By stating that your curious nature always leads you to learn new things could show that you are an ambitious candidate or stating that you tend to think outside of the box to find new solutions show that you are innovative and forward thinking.

Yaniv Masjedi

CMO, Nextiva

With this resume question, we’re looking for a candidate to dive deep into their personality. I don’t need to hear what a whiz you are with spreadsheets, or how many words per minute you can type.

Tell me a story about your upbringing: a hardship you faced which forged you into the person you are today, a particularly strong role model you had, etc. If you don’t want to go all the way back into your formative years, how about a cause you volunteer for, or a hobby you just can’t wait to have time off to enjoy.

I want to know that the person I’m hiring has a personality. We want you to be a team member that will enrich our daily lives, just as we hope we’ll do for you. Show us what makes you, you!

Sherry Holub

Creative Director, JV Media Design

The first thing to remember about answering the “ what makes you unique ” question is there is no right answer to that. There are many ways an individual is unique. In reality, no two people are exactly alike, even twins are different. So the very nature of uniqueness is “one of a kind”. You already are one of a kind.

The best way to answer the question of what makes you unique is relative to the who is asking. If a new friend asks you this, your answer may be very different than if a potential employer is asking you this in an interview.

Employers really aren’t going to be interested if your response to unique is that you can roll your tongue! Employers are really looking more for personality traits and accomplishments that would set you apart from other candidates and be a benefit to their company.

Ashton T. Harvey

Creator, The Significant Edge

Over the years of working with startups and service providers helping many of them become market leaders in their industry. I would always start off our discussion with “What makes your idea, product or service different from everyone else in your market?”

This is a very important question to ask if you’re are thinking of starting a company or applying for a job especially if there are currently a lot of players on the field. The one thing you must never become in any industry or company is a commodity!

When this happens you are now competing in a race you don’t want to be trapped in… the infamous race to the bottom. Who can offer the lowest price to get the same service done?

This is why answering the question “What makes you unique” is such a crucial question to understand and answer properly. In an era characterized by massive change and evolution, the name of the game in business is speed and quality.

How fast can you take your customer from point A to B with little effort and the shortest amount of time? Convenience is what you want to aim for when describing what makes you different or unique.

When people hear this question they immediately talk about the features and benefits of what they do… that the resume’s job. Your job now is to help them visualize what it would be like to have you work for their company!

If you follow these simple steps you can land a job anywhere you interview for.

• Evaluate and understand fully what the position entails. What are your key roles? What is it that is expected of you?
• Develop a strategy that you can bring to the table that will help you accomplish the task quicker and simpler. Companies are looking for people are proactive, not reactive. You want to be a person with ideas to make the customer experience better or the process simpler and more effective.
• The job is a “hard” skill and anyone can master a “hard” skill given time. One thing that is very hard to master is interpersonal “soft” skills. The ability to communicate effectively and work well in teams is huge
• Help them visualize what it will be like to have you work for the team. Your personality, attention to detail , and willingness to go above and beyond to support the team for the customer.

Overall the more you prepare ahead of time the simpler it gets to in essence sell yourself to the company. Understand that you are unique no matter what.

Your job is to help people see that through your interactions. Even reading this and other articles will help you create an edge over the competition. Personal development will help you hone those soft skills mentioned earlier.

Nick Glassett

Founder, OriginLeadership

I’ve been in a leadership position where I make the direct hiring decisions for who ends up on my team for 15 years now and have done thousands of interviews, there is always one type of answer that sticks with you, and it’s actually the secret to answering tough and subjective interview questions, such as “ What makes you unique? ”

The secret is to deploy radical candor. Be honest. Brutally honest. That level of authenticity speaks louder than words ever can. It shows why self-confidence and self-awareness are important in determining what makes you unique!

Whatever you do, at all costs, please don’t tell them what you think they want to hear. Some vanilla answer about teamwork will get you nowhere! Tell them the truth!

Sara Abate Rez

Brand Designer, My Personal Brand

The best way to answer “ What Makes You Unique ” is to share how your specific combination of personality, passions, expertise, and challenges make you different from anyone else in the world.

The way in which you approach your work and your method of communication will differ from another person who may have the same skill set. You need to show interest and enthusiasm for the company you hope to work with, along with what ideas and value you could add.

Essentially there needs to be a culture fit between you and the company, which often comes from your unique way of being you.

Lauren Grech

CEO & Co-Founder, LLG Events

I always advise students and young professionals to go beyond telling someone about their unique skills and abilities and show them instead.

This takes an added bit of time, thought and creativity, but it also shows your commitment and desire to contribute to the company.

For example, we shared this advice at a recent meetup we hosted for students and young professionals looking to enter the luxury events industry. We explained how we don’t like to read resumes because we like to see how a person thinks and experience the value they can add to our company.

A week later, one of the students who were interested in an internship with LLG Events approached us with an entire pitch deck about how she would design an event for us. That effort and dedicated piece of work is what made her unique and stand apart.

How can I identify what makes me unique?

Figuring out what makes you unique can be a process of self-reflection and exploration. Here are some strategies to help you uncover your strengths and qualities:

Reflect on your experiences:  Think about your personal and professional past experiences, and identify the skills and strengths you demonstrated in those situations. What were you particularly good at? What challenges did you overcome?

Ask for feedback: Ask colleagues, friends, and family members for feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. Sometimes others can see things in us that we can’t see ourselves.

Take personality assessments:  Personality tests such as Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, and DiSC can provide insight into your natural tendencies and strengths.

Identify your passions:  Think about what you are passionate about and enjoy. Your passions can be a good indicator of your unique qualities and strengths.

Can my unique qualities change depending on the job or industry?

Your unique qualities may vary depending on your job or industry. For example, someone who is very analytical may excel in a data-driven industry but may struggle in a creative field.

It’s essential to identify your unique qualities in the context of your profession or industry ‘to ensure you’re using them effectively. Understanding how to apply your unique attributes in different fields will help you adapt and succeed in various roles and industries.

Can embracing my unique qualities lead to greater job satisfaction?

Yes, embracing your unique qualities can lead to greater job satisfaction. When you can utilize your strengths and qualities in your work, you will likely feel more fulfilled and engaged in your role.

By identifying what makes you unique and seeking out opportunities that allow you to leverage those qualities, you can find meaningful and fulfilling work.

Remember that it’s your unique qualities that make you valuable and successful. That’s why you must find work that allows you to take full advantage of those qualities.

Can knowing my unique qualities help me in salary negotiations or promotions?

Knowing your unique qualities can help with salary negotiations or promotions. When you know your strengths and your unique value to the company, you can better justify why you deserve a higher salary or promotion. Here are some strategies you should consider:

Highlight your achievements:  Use specific examples from your past to show how your unique qualities have contributed to your and the company’s success.

Research industry standards:  Research how similar positions are paid in your industry and use this information to negotiate a fair salary or promotion.

Show your value:  Clearly express your value to the company and how your unique qualities make you a valuable asset.

Be confident:  Don’t be afraid to own your unique qualities and confidently communicate how they’d benefit the company.

Leveraging your unique qualities in negotiations can increase your chances of securing a higher salary or a promotion.

How can I continue to grow and develop my unique qualities over time?

Developing your unique qualities is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and self-reflection. Here are some strategies to help you continue to grow and develop your unique qualities over time:

Seek out new experiences:  Look for opportunities to try new things and have new experiences that will help you develop your unique qualities.

Learn from others:  Collaborate with colleagues, mentors, and friends who share your unique qualities to learn from each other and develop new skills.

Practice self-reflection:  Regularly reflect on your past experiences to identify what worked well and what areas you can improve.

Participate in training and development opportunities:  Attend training sessions and development opportunities that align with your unique qualities and allow you to develop your skills further.

Stay curious:  Stay open-minded and seek new information and experiences that will help you develop your unique qualities.

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20 Best Answers to “What Makes You Unique” Interview Question

This is a common interview question, especially in the second stage of the interview process. The hiring manager will have several job seekers to choose from and wants to select the very best candidate. The best way to demonstrate that you are the ideal candidate is to show your unique skills as they relate to the job role.

Here are 20 example interview answers to “What makes you unique?” that demonstrate the specific skills employers are looking for and show that you are the best person for the job.

5 Tips for Your Answer

• Unique answers stand out. This is your chance to show your best qualities.
• Show you are the kind of person who will be a valuable addition to the company.
• Try to include two to four specific personality traits that will be valuable in the role.
• Prove that you are a good candidate by using specific examples from a previous job.
• Demonstrate soft skills like time management and organizational skills.

5 Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not be afraid to adapt these sample answers to your unique qualities.
• Do not use common skills like “hard worker” or “good team player” without good examples.
• Do not discuss your personal life unless providing examples of transferable skills.
• Don’t forget to base your answers on the job description.
• Don’t forget to have concrete examples prepared for each skill set on your cover letter or resume.

20 Best Example Answers to “What makes you unique?” 

Example #1: catch-all answer for most roles.

My personality is what makes me unique. I am someone who is trustworthy. I take responsibility for my actions and own my mistakes. I am a quick and efficient worker. I never look to cut corners, but I do avoid things that are an unnecessary waste of time. Finally, I am open to change and embrace it with a positive attitude.

Key Takeaways: This is a great way to give a general-purpose answer to this question, and it includes multiple positive personality traits. Try to have an example in mind from your last job for each value as follow-up questions are likely.

Example #2: Eager & Fresh (Entry Level)

My lack of past work experience, coupled with my natural ability to learn quickly and pick up new skills rapidly, makes me an exceptional candidate. This means that I do not have any bad habits to unlearn from previous experience. I am eager to learn and be molded by your company, to develop the necessary experience to thrive in the new role.

Key Takeaways: It is difficult to turn a lack of experience into a positive, but this is an almost perfect answer if you have no prior experience. This answer turns apparent weaknesses into personal unique strengths, and the creativity of the answer shows that you can think outside the box.

Example #3: Experience (Senior & Managerial Roles)

The unique attributes that I will bring to this role are my ability to get the most out of my team and my company-focused mindset. Every decision that I make in my role is considered in relation to the company’s strategic goals. And in my years of experience as a team leader, I have developed my ability to motivate and encourage my team to produce excellent, focused results for the business.

Key Takeaways: This answer is especially good for managers, team leaders, or leadership roles, but can be used for senior non-leadership roles in teams. It is a good answer because it discusses making decisions in alignment with the company’s goals and motivating others to do the same.

Example #4: Customer Communication Skills

My communication skills and unique ability to ethically upsell customers make me an ideal candidate. The first thing that makes me unique is my ability to communicate with all customers in a friendly way, energetic way without overpowering them. I make all customers feel welcome and listen actively to resolve their questions or complaints in a fast and amicable way. I am also constantly looking for ways to help customers by upselling them with products or services that are useful to them and add to their experience.

Key Takeaways: This is a good answer because it highlights communication, which is an important skill for customer service roles. It also shows an awareness of the importance of upselling and increasing sales, and by using the word “ethically,” it subtly shows you are a trustworthy person who has integrity.

Example #5: Refined Sales & Client Relationship Abilities

The three things that make me the best candidate for this sales position are my unique prospecting techniques, my ability to build relationships, and my strong closing techniques. First, I use several creative prospecting methods to generate leads and increase my client list. Second, I always interact with prospective clients with a view to a long-term relationship and generating growing revenue and repeat business. Finally, I am strong, decisive, and skilled in my ability to close sales and generate positive results.

Key Takeaways: This answer discusses the three core skills expected of a salesperson but adds a personal twist to each. Instead of just prospecting, you are creative at prospecting. Instead of just selling, you build long-term relationships for growing repeat business. Instead of just closing, you close decisively and generate results.

Example #6: Planning & Organizational Expertise

The most unique thing about me is my exceptional planning and organizational abilities. In my previous position, my manager often complimented my ability to be consistently more organized than the rest of my team. I am an excellent multi-tasker and can be relied upon to organize, manage and complete many important, competing tasks at the same time. As a result, I was able to get more done to a higher standard and was able to be counted on to deliver results.

Key Takeaways: This answer shows that you are a good fit for administrative and organizational roles. It refers to experience from a previous role, ability to manage time, multi-task, and importantly it politely suggests you will outperform other candidates.

Example #7: A True People Person 

I am an excellent communicator, a great people person, and naturally proficient at social media. These skills make me the ideal candidate because I can effectively communicate my message to people of varied backgrounds and persuasion and account for different audience biases in my messaging.

Second, as a people person, I can naturally get inside the target audience’s head and tailor content to not only catch attention but incite viewer interactions. Finally, my proficiency with social media allows me to do my job quickly, efficiently, and with a high degree of engagement.

Key Takeaways: The important thing for social media and PR is to show that you can get inside the viewers’ minds and influence not just how they think, but also how they respond.

Example #8: Deep Technical Skills

What makes me the best candidate for your job is my unique technical skills. While many people develop skills purely to increase their employability, I have a genuine passion for the industry. This means that I am constantly learning and developing my skills, and my passion has led to a naturally deep, detailed, and specialized knowledge that is usually beyond my peers. I take a lot of pride in my ability to share this knowledge and improve the efficiency, speed, and expertise of any team I am a part of.

Key Takeaways: For technical roles, this answer is ideal because it states that you are more technically capable than other candidates. The last sentence is critical. It shows that you will use your skills to improve the team’s performance and won’t just keep your expertise to yourself.

Example #9: Demonstrated Creativity

My most unique trait is that I am a creative person who can always offer a different perspective on problems. My creative skills have been well developed through past experiences and exposure to diverse cultural and industry backgrounds.

Key Takeaways: Most businesses can benefit from creative minds who can think outside the box and offer alternate points of view. This is a good answer, particularly when applying for startup companies or roles with organizations seeking to innovate.

Example #10: Proactive Problem Solving Capabilities

What makes me unique is that I am a proactive and creative problem solver who takes the initiative to come up with new ideas and novel solutions to problems. I am motivated to solve problems in new ways because of my desire to go above and beyond for the customer, deliver exceptional results for the company, and to drive business innovation forward.

Key Takeaways: This is one of the best answers to use if you are a creative and energetic person who struggles to describe your value to the company. This answer says that you use your ability to think and motivation to always be doing something to benefit the customer and the company.

Example #11: Unwavering Honesty and Ethics

I believe my attributes that are of greatest value to your business are my honest and ethical nature. I am a highly motivated professional who works hard in everything that I do, and I believe in always doing the right thing, even if no one is looking. I would never do anything that would compromise my personal reputation or that of my company. I believe ethics are of utmost importance because an ethical person will work hard to learn anything you need them to learn, but it is very difficult to teach an ethical and positive mindset.

Key Takeaways: This is a very strong answer for most industries and can be a great response for first-time job applicants or anyone who does not have relevant experience, e.g., during a career transition. While applicable to most industries, it is excellent for good employers in financial services, banking, and legal industries due to the nature of their work.

Example #12: A Perfect Match for That Particular Job

What makes me the ideal candidate is that I already possess all of the relevant skills, qualities, and experience required for the job description. This is because, during my job search, I specifically looked for roles that were a match for my skills and abilities.

I also looked during the job application process to make sure that this work environment would match my personality, qualities, and values closely. As a result, I have only applied for this position because I know that I can get up to speed and be a valuable member of the company very quickly if I am hired.

Key Takeaways: If you have searched for jobs that are a specific match for your skills and experiences, then saying this during the job interview is a good idea. If you use this answer, you must deliver it with sincerity and confidence.

Example #13: Business Sense & Skills

One of my most unique traits is my business sense and commercial awareness. This means that I am always aware of how my job and the outcome of my work impact the success of the business. In everything I do, I try to be mindful of what is best for the company and to make decisions that contribute to long-term commercial success. I work diligently, take initiative and go above and beyond in everything that I do for the company and for customers.

Key Takeaways: This answer is particularly unique and unlikely to be given by other candidates. It stands out because it discusses having a sense of commercial awareness and considering decisions and actions that are best for the business.

Example #14: Dedication to Lifelong Learning

My greatest personal strength is my dedication and passion for continuous learning and development. I am aware that to contribute value to the company, I must improve my skills and capabilities. Further, I have several personal goals that I want to achieve in life, and these require that I am successful professionally. Therefore, to improve my professional success, I am committed to keeping ahead of industry trends and changes and using my own time to proactively learn the most relevant and valuable skills for the business.

Key Takeaways: All businesses will find it highly desirable to hire staff who are skilled professionals who continue to grow and develop their skills. This answer discusses continuing to develop yourself professionally in your own time and with a view to what is valuable to the business.

Example #15: Tackles Challenges & Learns from Mistakes

What makes me a unique asset to the company is that I am not afraid of failure. I try to approach all situations realistically and not to over-commit, but I also never shy away from a challenge when it is presented. This, coupled with my honesty and initiative, means that I am always looking for new ways to help the company improve. I embrace the fact that the best way for me to improve myself and increase my value to the company is to learn from my own mistakes.

Key Takeaways: This is a very good answer when used for highly innovative roles. It shows that you will not avoid challenges to protect your ego. However, it is best to avoid an answer like this when dealing with detail-oriented roles such as legal or finance.

Example #16: Optimistic Self-Starter

I am a naturally positive person and a highly motivated “self-starter,” I believe we get back the effort we invest in life. Because I am naturally positive, I excel at remaining upbeat in challenging situations and improving the morale of my team. My high motivation means that I am dependable and always strive to give 110%. Finally, I have a lot of goals and ambitions that I want to achieve both personally and professionally, and I know that to realize these goals, I need to always learn, improve, and deliver my best at all times.

Key Takeaways: Saying you are a motivated self-starter can be cliché if delivered without context. However, this answer is a good example if it is delivered passionately and confidently because it explains what being a motivated self-starter will look like to the company.

Example #17: Showing a History of High Achievement

What sets me apart from other candidates for this position is my history of consistent high achievement. In all my previous roles, I have demonstrated a reliable ability to not only meet but surpass the minimum performance requirements.

You should include a short three or four-sentence example from a previous role where you exceeded expectations. Alternatively, you could include a relevant example of non-work-related achievement where the skill demonstrated is relevant to work.

Key Takeaways: This is a great answer because all companies want to hire people who are high performers. It is important to make this your own answer by including a real and relevant example from a previous role. Try to give an example of a skill required in the job description.

Example #18: Demonstrating a Positive Attitude & Motivated Mindset

I believe that my positive attitude, persistent mindset, and ability to share this positivity and motivation with others make me unique. I am not a blind optimist, but I always look for how I can respond to a situation to get the best result possible. I am also very persistent, and I will never throw in the towel before the bell rings.

In addition, in past roles, I have gained extensive experience sharing my positive view and persistent attitude with others to keep our whole team on track even in trying times.

Key Takeaways: An answer like this is good because it discusses the in-demand soft skills of attitude and mindset. A company can teach most skills required but finding staff who work hard consistently and have a good attitude can be very difficult.

Example #19: Strong Team Player

I have a well-developed ability to not only work in groups but to create a strong team culture and foster teamwork. I am a strong team player, and I thrive in a collaborative environment where everyone is working towards the same goal.

I believe this is an important skill because companies exist as groups of people working together to deliver value for stakeholders. I have always had an ability to positively influence team culture, whether I am a team leader or a junior team member.

Key Takeaways: Being a team player is an important skill in all businesses. This answer is strong because it explains the specific team-related skills that you will bring to the company.

Example #20: Resilient & Ability to Easily Change

My most unique traits are my resilience and ability to adapt to change with ease. I am a very resilient and persistent worker, and I am not easily demotivated or dissuaded. In situations that are challenging and would demotivate many people, I find that I become more motivated to persist and succeed. I become more eager the harder a situation becomes.

When change is required, I don’t resist, I pivot and adapt and find what skills I have that fit the new change, and then I work to quickly build new skills that are suited to the changing work environment.

Key Takeaways: This is a very good answer for two reasons. First, resilience and persistence are desirable, especially as millennials and gen z’s are stereotyped as being entitled and “soft.” Being resilient means you will not quit or give up just because a situation is hard. Second, change is happening more and more in the modern world, and companies need to hire flexible employees who can adapt rather than resist changes when they happen.

The purpose of a question like this in a job interview is to determine if you are the best choice among all of the job candidates. This is a good chance to show off your unique set of skills developed from similar experiences and past roles. Giving a great answer will show that you are the perfect candidate for the role.

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How to Answer the Interview Question “What Makes You Unique?”

You’re in a job interview and the interviewer asks you the question “What makes you unique?” What do you do? Can you tell them about the fact that you are a professional tea taster in your spare time? Or that you like to wake up at 7:02am?

Those are not the types of answers an interviewer is looking for. When an interviewer asks you about what makes you unique, they are looking to learn more about why you, specifically, are a good candidate for this job.

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In other words, the interviewer wants to know more about the skills and experience you have that uniquely qualifies you for the position.

In this article, we’re going to discuss how to answer the interview question “What makes you unique?” We’ll also walk through a few example answers to help you prepare for this question.

Why Interviewers Ask “What Makes You Unique?”

There are a few reasons why this question has become so common in interviews.

First, this question allows an employer to get a better sense of the unique value you bring to the table. If five people have been accepted into an interview who all have comparable skills, for instance, the employer will want to know what they will get by hiring you instead of one of the other candidates. What distinguishes you from others?

This question also gives you an opportunity to discuss the soft skills that you may not have written about in your resume or cover letter. Employers are looking not only for you to have the right background, but also something else—like an extraordinary organizational habit—that will help you do the job effectively.

How to Answer “What Makes You Unique?”

To answer this question effectively, your goal should be to focus on why hiring you is a wise move. So, instead of talking about a unique character trait you have, you should try to anchor your answers to the company and how you can help them achieve their goals.

Here are a few tips you can use to help answer this question:

Tip #1: Think about the company and role

This question is not about listing ways in which you are unique—everyone has their own qualities that nobody else has. Hiring managers ask this question to learn more about what makes you a unique candidate for the job. They want to know what attributes do you have that make you a valuable asset that other people do not have.

The best place to figure out your value proposition—what makes you uniquely valuable—is to read over the job description and ask yourself how you align with its contents. What skills do they mention that are particularly important? Which of those skills do you have?

The more time you spend researching the company and the role, the easier you will find it to match your skills to those on the job description.

Suppose you are applying for a job as an executive assistant, and the job description asks that you have experience working on a team. If this was on the job description, you may want to tell the company about an occasion where you effectively contributed to a team and went above and beyond to help others on the team.

Tip #2: Conduct some internal reflection

Answering this question is easier if you have spent some time reflecting inward. Before the interview, think about what traits you have cultivated in your past work experience that have made you a particularly valuable employee.

Did your organizational skills help you navigate a big challenge in your last job? Have you spent a lot of time working in high-pressure environments? Did this help you build time management skills?

The best answer to this question can be found by looking inward and considering what traits you think set you apart from the crowd. For instance, you may have experience developing new sales processes that you acquired on your last job. This may have allowed you to develop the unique skill of quickly identifying when an internal process is broken, and being proactive in proposing a solution.

Tip #3: Ask other people

Another way to figure out what makes you unique is to ask other people about what they think your strengths are. Go around to co-workers, friends, and anyone else with whom you have had a professional relationship and ask them this question.

By talking with other people about what makes you unique, you’ll be able to get an outside perspective. For instance, if you were a motivated team member in your last job, your former co-workers may be able to give you a few examples of when you were particularly motivated, and how that had a positive impact on the team and business.

In addition, if you have any performance reviews or appraisals on record, you could use them to help you get a better sense of your skills. Are there any skills that have been highlighted in multiple reviews? Can you recall any instances where your manager has applauded you for using a particular approach to solve a problem?

The information you find in performance reviews and appraisals can help you learn even more about how you have added unique value to an organization in the past, which you can use to inform your answer to this interview question.

Tip #4: Use examples

When you are answering this question, you should try to refer to an example or two from your professional working history.

Suppose your unique skill is being dedicated. Instead of saying “I am uniquely dedicated,” you could give an example of a time when you exercised this skill. For instance, if you are a sales manager, you could say “My dedication to the job allowed me to exceed my KPIs for nine months in a row by 5% each month.”

In addition, if you have any statistics you can mention, you should try to fit them into your answer. This is because statistics allow you to quantify your impact on a business, which will make it easier for the hiring manager to interpret the information you have shared.

Tip #5: Practice your response

The question “What makes you unique?” is one that requires a lot of reflection and pondering. It may take you some time to figure out how best to articulate your unique skills, especially if you haven’t thought about this question before.

So, before you go into an interview, take some time to practice how you are going to respond to this question. Write down your response, say it out loud, and see how you can improve it. Or, alternatively, you could ask someone else—like a friend or a co-worker—to give you their thoughts on your answer, which will help you better refine it.

Example Answers to “What Makes You Unique?”

So far, we have discussed a few tips you can follow to answer this interview question. To give you a better sense of how you can approach this question, we have compiled three example answers.

While the traits you may choose to mention in your response to this question will very likely be different, the following examples should give you a good idea of the type of structure you can employ in your answer.

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“What makes me unique is my ability to quickly adapt and learn new skills on the job. This skill was useful in my previous role as a full-stack web developer. Our business decided to shift from using Vue.js to React.js, which I did not know at the time. So, I quickly evaluated what skills I would need to learn, then spent my spare time acquiring those skills so I could be an effective contributor when the transition occurred.”

This is a good answer to the interview question “What makes you unique?” because the candidate has clearly stated their value—adaptability—and backed it up with an example. The candidate also mentioned how they went above and beyond to adapt, which resulted in using their spare time to acquire new skills. This demonstrates a candidate’s dedication to their career, which is a positive trait employers look for.

“My ability to communicate with customers effectively makes me a unique salesperson. In my previous job, I was responsible for managing a roster of important clients. To do so, I liked to develop a personal relationship with each customer, and check in every month even without a prompt, to keep our relationships going. This helped me boost customer retention, and resulted in a number of large orders being placed by existing customers.”

This answer is effective because the candidate gives a clear example of how they have used their communication skills. The candidate talks about how they used their own follow-up practice to help engage clients and discusses the impact this approach had on the two metrics that they were tracking: customer retention and orders.

“I am uniquely organized and enjoy building systems to become more efficient. My previous manager recognized on a number of occasions that my organizational skills have helped the team stay on schedule. For instance, when we were planning an important transition to a new accounting system, my ability to organize our data effectively helped us make the transition on schedule. I was commended by my manager for the work on this project.”

This answer demonstrates that not only is the candidate organized, but also has experience using their skills on an important project. In this answer, the candidate gave a clear example of when they had to use their organizational skills, which will help an interview better understand the candidate’s unique ability to organize.

The question “What makes you unique?” can feel intimidating. Your instinct may be to respond by telling the interviewer about the first peculiar thing you do, but that is not the right way to approach this question.

When you are asked this question, you should respond by talking about the unique strengths and skills you have cultivated that are related to the job for which you are applying. Your response should create a clear link between your skills and the needs of the business.

By following the tips in this article—and by spending some time to introspect on what you think makes you a unique employee—you will be able to craft an answer to this question that effectively demonstrates your value to an interviewer.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

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Why Interviewers Ask “What Makes You Unique?”

Typical mistakes to avoidwhen answering "what makes you unique" question, what to consider when preparing your answer, what makes you unique - how to get it right, what makes you unique - summary of key points, how to answer the interview question: “what makes you unique” (2024 guide).

Updated June 11, 2023

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While all interviewers will have a set of questions specific to the role applied for, there are a few more abstract questions that are popular across the board. “What makes you unique?” is one of these, and it can come up in interviews for a wide range of roles.

It’s a very tricky question to answer on the spot, and thus often catches interviewees off their guard. Follow our tips below to prepare effectively for it and give a winning answer.

When interviewers ask you to tell them what makes you unique, they are trying to delve a little deeper into your character and personality .

They want to find out what skills and qualities you value in yourself – and what you think is important in relation to the job you are applying for.

This question is not really about what makes you truly unique (the interviewer isn’t interested in your unusual party tricks or eccentric habits).

They want to find out what sets you apart from other candidates in terms of the value you could bring to the company .

They may be interviewing a number of candidates with very similar experience and qualifications, so this question helps them to dig deeper into how you distinguish yourself from all the rest.

Interviewers also use this question to find out how creative a candidate is. Abstract questions such as “What makes you unique?” require candidates to think on their feet, and a good answer shows the interviewer that you have creative skills, which are valuable in all kinds of jobs.

Because this is a difficult question to answer well, interviewees often fall into traps when talking about what makes them unique. Below are a few common errors to avoid.

Oversharing . Interviewers want to know about relevant skills and qualities, so keep it professional.

Being too generic . Answers that are bland and do not have specific examples to back them up will not get you far. You want to describe something that truly makes you stand out, and explain how this will make you a valuable addition to the team.

Rambling . Don’t go on and on – keep your answer focused, concise and to the point.

Lying . In the stressful conditions of an interview, it can be tempting to come up with an answer that isn’t strictly true in an attempt to impress the interviewer. You are likely to get found out, so make sure your answer is honest.

Talking yourself out of the job . Be aware of giving an answer that contradicts what the company is looking for. For example, talking about your outgoing personality and love of conversation may not be ideal when interviewing for a role that requires a lot of independent, focused work.

All the traps and mistakes above can be avoided by thinking about the question ahead of the interview and deciding how you will answer it if it does come up.

Below are some tips to help you prepare the best possible answer.

As outlined above, when interviewers ask what makes you unique they are looking for an answer that tells them why you would be an asset to their company, and the best possible candidate for the job. So you need to prepare an answer that tells them this.

The best place to start is with the job description . Go through the skills and experience required to get a thorough understanding of what is required from a candidate.

Then think about what you could bring to the role that other candidates may not. This may be specific experience, or you may have valuable additional skills not mentioned in the job listing.

Remember to always keep it relevant to the position applied for. Employers in different industries will be looking for different characteristics, so your unique ability should be aligned with the qualities needed for the role.

For example, for a management job you might want to demonstrate communication skills , strong leadership or a willingness to take risks. For a job in finance, you might focus on your discretion or your meticulous attention to detail.

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Look back over your past experiences and identify times you were particularly successful at work or were praised by your boss.

Perhaps you resolved an issue with a difficult client or negotiated an impressive deal. Think about what you did in those situations and the attributes you drew on to achieve that success.

You could also consider attractive personality traits that friends or family have recognised in you. Perhaps you are known for keeping calm in a crisis or are good at resolving arguments. Think about ways these attributes could help you to excel in the job.

Don’t get too hung up on the word ‘unique’. You don’t have to give an answer that is completely different from anything the interviewer has ever heard before.

Focus more on showing that you are an especially attractive candidate by telling them something interesting, and relevant, that may not come up at another point in the interview. Some interviewers might even phrase the question this way, asking you to tell them what makes you interesting .

Wherever possible, use specific examples from your work history to illustrate how you have used your unique abilities constructively. These will help to back up your answer, making it more reliable.

Strong examples also make it more likely that your interviewer will remember your answer – and therefore you – when reflecting back on candidates they have seen.

When you have decided on the unique skill you want to talk about, and have come up with some examples to demonstrate it in action, practise delivering your answer so that it sounds fluent, genuine and confident .

What Makes You Unique Sample Answers (2024)

Here we have provided a few sample answers to the question “What Makes You Unique?”.

Remember that these are just for reference. Your own answer should draw on your own personal talents and experience and should be relevant to the job applied for.

For a Job That Requires Working Under Pressure

What makes me unique is that I really enjoy working in a fast-paced atmosphere with lots going on. In my previous role as an account manager, I had a number of clients and would often be working on several projects at once, fielding calls and juggling tasks throughout the day. It could be hectic but I thrived on the adrenaline rush of managing all my responsibilities and delivering results. My manager often remarked on how I never seemed stressed when the pressure was on – instead it made me even more motivated.

For a Job Where You Will Be Working Closely With Clients

I have a natural ability to get along with people that has helped me to stand out in previous roles. Because I empathise well with people from all backgrounds, I’m able to build up a good relationship with clients quickly, understanding what they want and how best to deliver that. My last job involved signing up new customers, often through cold calling. I enjoyed the challenge of having just a few minutes to try and form a rapport. I had a strong success rate and was regularly named top salesperson of the month.

For a Job Where You Will Need to Use Initiative

My unique skill is that I’m creative-minded and that helps me to see things from a different perspective. In a previous job, we had weekly team meetings, which were always held in one of the conference rooms and had begun to feel stale and unproductive. I know my best ideas usually come when I change my surroundings, so I suggested holding occasional team meetings outside the office. My manager agreed to try it and we started meeting in a nearby coffee shop, or the local park when the weather was nice. My manager acknowledged that the meetings became more positive and productive. She thanked me for my suggestion and it became a fixture that once a month we would leave the office for our team meeting.

What Makes You Unique - Follow-Up Questions

The interviewer might ask follow-up questions to “What makes you unique?”, so be prepared to expand further on your answer.

If you have chosen a genuine, interesting and relevant skill or quality, then further questions should not be a problem. If you struggle to answer any of the follow-up questions below, you may need to think again about the answer you have prepared.

“Do You Have Any Unique Qualities That I Don’t Already Know About?”

The interviewer may ask this if they feel that your answer simply reiterates skills or experience that have already been established in your CV, job application or through earlier interview questions. Make sure your answer reveals something interesting about you that goes beyond the basic requirements for the role.

“How Would You Put That Skill or Quality to Use in This Role?”

The interviewer may ask this if your initial answer seems irrelevant, or if you haven’t fully demonstrated how your unique talent would be of benefit. Makes sure you have a few specific workplace examples to back up your answer and show how it would be of value to the employer.

“How Does That Make You the Best Candidate for This Role?”

Again, the interviewer may ask this if they feel your answer is not relevant, or if you haven’t explained fully how the quality you have discussed is of value to the company. Always keep that latter point in mind.

To sum up, here are the main points to remember when asked in an interview what makes you unique:

Focus on what sets you apart from other candidates in terms of your skills or experience.

Keep your answer relevant . Use the job description as a starting point to understand what the employer wants, and how you can add value.

Use specific examples to illustrate how you have used your unique abilities in the workplace.

Don’t be blinded by the word ‘unique’ – the interviewer wants to find out what makes you interesting, not completely off-the-wall.

Practise delivering your answer so it sounds fluent and confident.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Interview Advice / Interview Questions sections.

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MBA Applicants: Find What Makes You Unique

“ There is some sort of magic in the unexpected .” –Anonymous.

Finding suitable examples of what makes you unique  is a daunting task for most MBA applicants. “What makes me special?” and “Why should the admissions committee pick me?” are two questions that hang like a cloud over nearly everyone. Top MBA programs rely heavily on students teaching each other through discussions. The life experiences you share with your classmates should be compelling and beneficial for your peers. So, if you’re struggling to identify your personal X factor , get ready to do some serious introspective work. Self-reflection is an essential part of the business school application process.

Applicants often overlook aspects of their background that seem commonplace to them but would actually set them apart. An easy place to begin is by assessing whether you have any differentiating professional experience. Do you work in a field or industry that typically doesn’t see a lot of MBAs? This could be your entry point.

If you have some significant accomplishments on your resume that aren’t the conventional ones you would find on a program’s incoming stats page, that’s another excellent way to showcase what makes you unique. Just make sure the admissions committee understands your role without using industry jargon.

 Are you curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session  with an SBC Principal Consultant. 

You might have to dig deeper to find things that set you apart if you’re coming from one of the usual feeder industries. Did you work on any high-profile projects that many people—even those outside your industry—would have heard about? Writing a narrative around something like that could be an intriguing option. AdComs love it when applicants can provide a firsthand, insider perspective on topics that have made waves in the business world.

More Ways to Find What Makes You Unique as an MBA Aspirant

Sometimes, you need an outsider to point out actions you may have undervalued. We’ve helped SBC clients realize when they made an impact on their companies that lasted long after they left. Maybe you came up with a new way of doing annual analyst reviews. Or you spearheaded your company’s first DEI initiative. Perhaps you helped your firm increase its footprint in a new geographic area.

These accomplishments are more differentiating than describing an M&A deal you worked on or your average management consulting project. The admissions committee has seen similar stories thousands of times; your job is to tell them something new. Show what else you can bring to the table.

We’ve worked with applicants who are accountants by day but do improv comedy as a hobby. Going against type like that is unexpected…and makes the AdCom sit up and take notice.

Occasionally, what makes you unique is a distinguishing trait or characteristic that your friends or family would say makes you  you . Do people often come to you for advice? Have you been trusted to do something or given a responsibility that people in your position typically don’t do? Maybe you have always come up with crazy ideas that somehow ended up working since you were a little kid. Or it could be as simple as mentoring a summer intern. If you can widen your lens and show a pattern of how you’ve informally mentored others, then boom! Now you have an essay theme.

Thinking About Life Experiences

Personal experiences are an obvious source to mine for uniqueness. Yet we caution you to use good judgment to determine whether the anecdote is appropriate and effective for your MBA application. As we covered in  B-Schooled podcast episode #33 , there’s a fine line between what will differentiate you and what might give the admissions committees pause.

In this episode, host Erika and SBC consultant Lisa , the former director of MBA admissions at Rice University’s Jones School, laid out when it is (and isn’t) a good idea to share deeply personal stories in your MBA essays and interviews.

When thinking about personal stories, check for relevancy by asking whether the incident taught you something or changed you in ways that apply to your MBA candidacy.

A familiar essay topic that MBA aspirants write about is their family’s immigration story. We’ve met many applicants whose parents immigrated to the US with nothing and worked to the bone to give their children a good education. Here’s where we must break the bad news to you. While it may have been the most formative experience of their life, that alone is not a differentiator. And not knowing the difference is what kills many applicants’ chances of admission to a top MBA program.

@stacyblackmanconsulting You are killing your odds of getting admitted if your essay reads like a personal journal. Business school wants structure. #mba #mbaadmissions #hbs #sbcyourfuture ? original sound – ?

The key is being savvy enough to know which stories will truly set you apart. Now let’s go back to that example of the second-generation applicant. If that same person went on to establish a nonprofit for immigrant families that helps children learn English and connects them with services and the community,  that is differentiating . It tells the admissions committee that they saw an opportunity to give back and make the world a better place.

So, what’s left to consider after you’ve sifted through your personal anecdotes, extracurriculars, and professional achievements?

Having a Unique Perspective

B-Schooled host Erika described how having a unique perspective worked in her favor when applying to Harvard Business School. 

“I grew up in Michigan, where everyone I knew worked in some kind of auto manufacturing job,” she shared in  episode 120 . “I wrote an essay about how my dad was an engineer, but all my aunts and uncles were union members on the assembly line. So, I grew up listening to white collar/blue collar, management versus the workers-type debates.” Those observations gave Erika a distinct point of view, which she shared across many classes at HBS.

Remember, the stories you tell in your application, essays, or interview will be the ones the admissions committees picture you sharing with your classmates. So, make sure they are compelling anecdotes that would benefit others. But rest assured; you don’t need to write about some world-changing achievement. It could be something small-scale that you did. Nonetheless, how you tell your story should give the admissions committee everything they need to know about the type of leader you would be.

Finally, try not to get too stressed and enjoy the process. Thinking about what makes you unique can be enlightening—and fun!

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our  All-In Partnership  and  Interview Prep  to  hourly help  with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a  free 15-minute advising session  to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team .

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School Kellogg MBA

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School MBA, the Wharton School

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Asst Director MBA Admissions at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Director MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Minority Admissions, the GSB Diversity Programs, the GSB

Associate Director MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute

Director, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Professional Writer

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) NYU Admissions

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure.  Ashley  holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years,  Ashley  was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...

Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and  ...

A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally.  Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM.  For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...

Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).  In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds.  Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students.  In additio ...

Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years.  Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...

Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.  In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School.  Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...

Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...

Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...

Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications.  She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...

Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.   Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...

Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year.   Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...

Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...

Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team.  During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students.  She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...

Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS).  During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...

Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...

Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director.  Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants.

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Harvard HBS, Wharton and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team: Meet Anthony , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise.

Meet Andrea , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions Marketing at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

You May Also Like

B-Schooled Podcast Episode #146: Standing Out From Your Competition

Differentiate Yourself for MBA Admissions Success

B-schooled podcast episode #120: what makes you unique, b-schooled episode #33: avoid oversharing with the adcom, learn about our all-in service, meet the sbc consulting team.

(323) 934-3936 info@StacyBlackman.com

Latest Blog Post

Admissions advice for mba applicants with disabilities.

Assembling a diverse MBA class is a top priority for most business school admissions officers. In addition to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and socio-economic considerations, MBA applicants with disabilities are also warmly welcomed. ... →

How To Answer The Interview Question: What Makes You Unique

An interview is the perfect opportunity for prospective employers to get to know you better. While your CV is supposed…

An interview is the perfect opportunity for prospective employers to get to know you better. While your CV is supposed to project your accomplishments and highlight the professional you are from the outside, the point of an interview is to understand your attributes and the person you are from the inside.

To achieve this objective, almost all interviews feature a question that’s designed to know you better. A popular interview question you may be asked is “what makes you unique?”.

Such a question doesn’t require you to memorize chunks of data or make on-the-spot deductions. Instead, it requires you to be able to talk about yourself in an appealing and coherent way.

“What Makes You Unique” Interview Question And Its Purpose

Tips to remember, things to avoid, how you can prove your uniqueness, “what makes you unique” sample answer, learn to master the “what makes you unique” answer.

The purpose of the “what makes you unique” question is to figure out what makes you different from others. After sorting through CVs, presentations and portfolios, recruiters end up shortlisting candidates who are similarly matched in terms of their skills and achievements. At this stage, employers look to identify the X-factor that gives one candidate an edge over others. This edge is often obtained by proving yourself as someone who’s unique in their own way. ( https://www.echelon.health )

The interesting part about a question like “what makes you unique” is that it’s inherently subjective. As an interviewee, you have the freedom to craft an answer that’s unlike any other. But doing so is often less about inspiration and more about preparation.

If you want to effectively answer the “what makes you unique” interview question, you may find the following suggestions helpful:

Keep your answer direct and precise

Before the interview, identify two or three areas where you can prove your uniqueness

Try speaking to friends and family beforehand to get an idea of what they think your  “what makes you unique” answer can be

Link your unique qualities with the expected roles and responsibilities of the job you’re being interviewed for

Sometimes, while answering crucial interview questions, it’s more important to know what not to do. Here’s  a list of things you should avoid at all costs while trying to establish your uniqueness:

Try not to sound arrogant or self-indulgent

Stay on course and only talk about what you’ve been asked

Avoid generic statements like “I’m unique because I can work harder than most others”

Steer clear of attributes or skills that have no connection to the job requirements

Demonstrate what makes you different from others with the help of these following ways:

Your Skills

To convince your interviewer that your skill-set is unique, you don’t have to rattle off all your skills in a single breath. What you need to do is tell them why your skills are rare in the market. You should narrate instances when your skills led to meaningful impact, be it at your previous organizations or even during your student days.

Your Personality

“What makes me unique is my personality” is easier said than proved.  Justify this statement by discussing how your personality can make you productive for an organization. Are you someone who can lead or sympathize with others quickly? Do you have an instinct for taking risks or have a great sense of timing? If yes, this is the place to talk about it, without boasting, of course.

Your Experience

Experience doesn’t simply mean working for five years in an industry. Even five days of experience at an internship can teach you something valuable that’s worth remembering for a lifetime. What valuable lessons have you learned in your career or campus that set you apart from the rest? This is the key question you need to answer to show that your experience makes you unique.

Your Shortcomings

Failures are an important learning curve that every organization is aware of. When asked about your uniqueness, don’t shy away from talking about your failures and shortcomings. Far from dimming your profile, they humanize you and make you more relatable. At the same time, make it a point to show how you have grown over time and can be trusted upon to not repeat the same mistakes.

Focusing on what sets you apart, identifying skills and experiences that may not be as common across the board will help you distinguish yourself.

The following is an example of a “what makes you unique” sample answer that’s certain to make a mark on the interviewer:

“What makes me unique is my ability to adapt and to change my opinions when the facts change. I’m extremely receptive to situations and understand that to be successful, I must be prepared to work in different scenarios with different kinds of people. My adaptability helped me increase my organization’s ROI by 5 % within two years at my previous job. It also means that I can work across roles and contribute to your organization in a number of ways without losing the tenacity and the vision that are innate to who I am.”

Proving your uniqueness is challenging not only because it requires preparedness but also because it requires identifying what really makes you unique. Harappa’s Ace The Interview course is here to help you do both through a rigorous series of modules that simulate interview questions and provide insightful personal analysis. Through frameworks such as PAM (Purpose, Audience and Message) , you’ll not only discover what makes you unique but also find the best possible means to express it.

Explore topics such as General  HR Interview Questions , How To Improve  Interviewing Skills , How to Answer “ What Is Your Dream Job “, “ What Is Your Greatest Achievement ” & How to Prepare for a  Mock Interview  from Harappa Diaries and ace your next interview.

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10 Best Sample Answers to “Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company?”

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10 Best Sample Answers to “Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company?” was originally published on WikiJob.

If you’ve been invited to an interview, you can expect to be asked some variation of the question, “Why do you want to work in our company?”. People often dismiss this as a trick question, or assume that the interviewer is only looking to hear how great the company is. Yet it is arguably the most significant question an interviewer can ask you.

It is also extremely difficult to answer well. This article will outline exactly what your interviewer is looking for, typical mistakes candidates make, how to prepare your answer and similar versions of the question.

Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company? – What Is the Interviewer Really Asking?

When you are faced with the question ‘Why do you want to work in our company?’ you may feel overwhelmed. However, your interviewer isn’t going to ask you to recite all of their industry awards from memory. Nor do they want you to feed them empty compliments.

The interview is about you. Your interviewer wants to know:

• Why you are perfect for the role
• What motivated you to apply
• How you will fit into the company’s culture
• Whether you understand the company’s strategy and commercial goals
• Whether you are likely to stay at the company for a long time

You need to structure your answer in two parts:

• Why do you want this particular job?
• Why do you want to work at this particular company?

We will unpick these questions below, but first, let’s look at some example answers from job experts:

Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company Sample Answers

Use the below examples to help you pull together your own answer. Remember to structure your answer in two parts, and bear the above points in mind.

Example Answer 1

I applied for the position of E-commerce Marketing Assistant because I am looking to kick-start my career in digital marketing.

As a graduate specialising in digital marketing, I have expertise in promoting online brand awareness.

Whilst at university, I volunteered for a charity by promoting regular bake sales. I used social media to garner attention and boost sales. In fact, our Students’ Initiative raised the highest amount for the charity in four years.

I want to work for [company] because I am interested in your product, a meal plan subscription service. As a keen foodie who is always too busy to cook, I have an in-depth understanding of your target audience.

Why this answer is good:

• They linked their skills and interests to the job role.
• They understood the company’s product and explained why they want to work for this particular company.
• They backed up their answer with examples.

Example Answer 2

Two years ago I spent six weeks volunteering with disabled children in Vietnam. This inspired me to train as a teacher because I firmly believe that education is a right every child deserves.

I want to start my Post-Qualification Employment at this school because it has an excellent reputation for ensuring no child is left behind. You have an outstanding Special Educational Needs policy and the teachers here are passionate about encouraging every student to reach their individual potential. This is all reflected in your annual performance scores.

• They explained their reasons for wanting the position and backed this up with examples.
• They gave reasons for admiring the school and demonstrated they share the same values.
• They have done their research by mentioning specific policies.

Example Answer 3

I am drawn to this position of Media Sales Assistant because I am interested in the marketing side of medicine. My degree is in medical biochemistry, so I am knowledgeable about the medical industry and the principles of ethics that are relevant to medical advertising.

I want to work here because [company] has an impressive reputation for working with the major medical journals, and you offer an excellent opportunity to develop expertise within the medical advertising sector.

I understand [company] is looking to grow its client base. I am a very sociable person so I would love communicating daily with clients and building new client relationships.

• They linked their skills to the job role.
• They outlined why they are interested in the position.
• They stated why they want to work for this company in particular.

Example Answer 4

Ever since I was a small child, I have loved math. I was the kid in school who would ask for extra math homework and I used this passion to help guide my choice when it came to exams and college choices.

Now that I am fully qualified as an accountant, I am hoping to direct my passions in a way that is beneficial to others. I feel that your company and this junior position will be the best ways for me to grow in knowledge about the industry as well as enable me to launch a successful career.

• The background information indicates that this is a long-term passion of yours and something you are very interested in
• States qualifications
• Talks about growing within the company which indicates long-term plans

Example Answer 5

When I was a teenager, my dog got really sick. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for visits to the vet, so I researched and studied everything that I could to help improve the situation.

Through my research and actions, my dog eventually got better. This inspired me to study to become a vet and I am passionate about providing affordable and free veterinary care to people who desperately want to provide for their animals but are unable to.

I feel that your service here at the shelter is exactly what I am looking for to help provide treatment to as many animals as possible.

• Talks about strengths such as the ability to use initiative
• Shows the potential employer that you have researched them before your interview

Example Answer 6

Every step of the way throughout my career, I have known how important it is to learn from people who have more experience and expertise than I do. This is why, when I began looking to take the next step in my career, I researched your company.

What you do here, in terms of marketing, is bigger than anything I have tackled before. It is also the logical next step for me. Your reputation for nurturing and building up individuals to help them find and grow their strengths is exactly what attracted me to the role.

• The background shows that you are willing to learn and grow as a person and an employee
• Shows that you have researched the employer
• Talks about what attracted you to the role and how you think this will help you as an employee and an individual

Example Answer 7

I have been a doctor within a hospital setting for several years now. Although I have loved treating patients and the atmosphere that a hospital setting brings, I feel that it is time for a challenge.

I feel that moving into general practice will provide a wider variety of patients and help me to maintain the level of patient care that I want to provide.

This particular practice is well known for patient satisfaction and I feel that I would be a valuable member of the team.

• It talks about your background and expertise
• It states what it is that you hope to gain through your new role
• It talks about what you can bring to the position

Example Answer 8

Your company is well known in the business world for its ability to nurture individuals and help them to reach their full potential. It is especially well-known for helping those who may not have had the opportunity to attend university and gain formal qualifications. This is why I think that I would be a good fit here.

Although I don’t have all of the formal qualifications, I have worked to expand my knowledge and create a foundation in this area. I feel that I can lend my skills well to this role and the nurturing environment will help me to improve across all areas.

• It shows the employer that you have researched their company and understand their values
• By talking about the things that you have taught yourself, you are showing that you are motivated and keen to learn new skills
• You are explaining how you feel that a role within the company could be beneficial to you.

Example Answer 9

I am passionate about providing a customer service experience that leaves the customer smiling and means that they are more likely to return.

This store, in particular, is widely recognized for its exceptional customer service. I feel that our values are similar and this is an environment I would be very happy working in.

• It talks about your strengths
• It speaks about how your values align with those of the company
• It paints the company in a positive light
• It talks about how you can have a positive impact on the company

Example Answer 10

I have been watching this company for quite a while now, admiring the work that you do and keeping an eye on changes in the industry. You always seem to be ahead of the curve, so I have used your work as inspiration to keep me motivated.

Everything that I have learned so far has been self-taught and when I saw that you had a vacancy available I knew that I had to apply. I feel that I would fit well with the work ethic and values here, adding my personal style to the team dynamic.

More than anything, working here would be a dream and a culmination of years of quietly watching from the sidelines.

• It shows that you have had an interest in the company for a while and understand what it is that they do
• It talks about how the values of the company have already helped you in the past and how you would anticipate this to carry on in the future
• It shows that you have been waiting for an opportunity to join the company

How to Prepare for the Question “Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company?”

Now you know how not to answer, it’s time to prepare your best response to ‘Why do you want to work here?’. Here are some tips:

1. Think About Why You Want This Job in Particular

Research the role and figure out why it interests you. Think about how the job description matches your skill set, ambitions and what you genuinely like most about the business.

For example, some of these may apply:

• The responsibilities of the role align with your personal interests. Ensure you can link what interests you about the job role to specific examples. For example, if you are applying for the role of Editorial Assistant at Love Knitting Magazine, you could mention that you are a prolific knitter and you edited a student magazine at university.
• Opportunities for progression. For example, internal qualifications, networking opportunities or management training schemes.
• You want to work in a professional, team-oriented environment which values collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• You love analytical and logical problem-solving.

Example answers related to why you want the job:

• “I want to work here because this organization’s values align with my own. I’m impressed with the work you do to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care. I believe that this is a place where I can make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare field while also growing and developing my skills.”
• “This role is an excellent fit for my skills and experience. I am confident that I have the necessary technical skills and knowledge required for the role, and I’m excited about the opportunity to take on new challenges and responsibilities.”
• “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with a team of highly skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals. From my research on this organization, I can see that you place a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, and I believe that this is an environment where I can thrive and make a positive contribution.”

2. Think About Your Career Goals and How They Align With the Company’s

A short-term career goal might be to gain more experience in customer service. Whereas a long-term goal might be to aspire to a management position. Make sure your career goal is relevant to the job role.

Here are some examples of how you can link your career goals with the company’s objectives:

• For the role of Product Designer – The company makes a product which has inspired you to enter the industry and your career goal is to design similar products.
• For the role of Healthcare Assistant – You are passionate about providing exceptional healthcare and you always aspire to improve your level of care. This is also a value prioritised by the company.
• For the role of Private Client Paralegal – You value developing close professional relationships with clients and your goal is to build a legal career in private client work.

Example answers related to your career goals:

• “I want to work here because I believe this company is at the forefront of innovation in the industry, and I’m passionate about being a part of a team that’s shaping the future of healthcare. This aligns with my career goal of continuously learning and growing while contributing to an organization’s success.”
• “I’m excited about this opportunity because I believe that working for this company will help me achieve my career goal of becoming an expert in my field. The company’s reputation for providing high-quality care and emphasis on continuous learning aligns with my personal and professional goals.”
• “I’m eager to work for this company because I believe it offers excellent career development opportunities. My career goal is to advance into a leadership role, and I know that this company has a track record of promoting from within and investing in their employees’ growth.”

3. Think About Why You Want to Work at This Company in Particular

Make sure you read the company’s website and any news articles you can find. A company’s blog can also be useful, since it will list important projects the company has worked on and focus on topics which are of value to the company.

If you have any connections within your network who have worked with the company, it’s also a good idea to speak with them to find out more about the company from someone who has experienced it first-hand.

Some other ideas to think about when undertaking your research are:

• Why you admire the company – Is it a front-runner in developing a ground-breaking software? Or is it one of the only companies in the country which specialises in aviation law? Make sure your reasons are specific to demonstrate you have done your research.
• Has the company undertaken any projects that particularly interest you, and why? – As well as the company’s blog, check whether they have listed any case studies on their website which provide more insight into the work they do.
• Can you identify the company’s short and long-term objectives? – A short-term objective might be to reward employees who volunteer for the company’s corporate social responsibility programme. A long-term objective might be a target for the number of annual employee hours dedicated to corporate social responsibility.
• What are the company’s values? – For example, a bank might foster a culture of sustainable lending. Or a healthcare organisation might promote their staff’s caring and attentive approach to their work.

Example answers related to the company:

• “I’m excited about working for this company because of its excellent reputation in the industry. I believe that working for a well-respected and established organization will give me access to opportunities and experiences that will help me grow my career.”
• “I’m passionate about the company’s mission to improve patient outcomes and provide high-quality care. This is a purpose that resonates with me, and I’m eager to be a part of a team that’s making a positive impact on people’s lives.”
• “I want to work here because I’ve heard great things about the company culture and the supportive work environment. I believe that working in a positive and collaborative atmosphere will allow me to perform at my best and contribute meaningfully to the team.”

Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company? – Five Typical Mistakes Candidates Make

Before delving into how you answer the ‘Why do you want to work here?’ question, here is some advice on how not to approach it.

Most interviewers will not appreciate a humorous answer. It makes you appear insincere or suggests that you don’t know how to answer the question.

I’m only here for the money.

You look like you could use my help.

2. Ambiguity

The interviewer doesn’t want to hear vague compliments about how their company “looks really cool”. Ambiguous answers will indicate that you haven’t done any research on the organisation or thought about why you want the job at all.

I just think the work looks fun.

3. Not Relating Your Answer to the Job or Company

It is surprising how often candidates forget to mention the job they are applying for altogether.

I liked your website.

You have bean-bag chairs in the break area, which is a nice touch.

4. Being Too Honest

Even if you’re just here for the money, don’t confess this to your interviewer. Never lie, but keep your answer focused on the job role and why you would be a great addition to the company.

I need to pay the rent somehow.

This isn’t my dream job, but it seems tolerable.

5. Saying You Don’t Know

If you cannot come up with a single reason why the company should hire you, they probably won’t.

“Why Do You Want to Work in Our Company” Similar Questions: How They Are Different

There are many variations of the ‘Why do you want to work here?’ question that you may be asked at interview. Here are some examples of similar questions which ask the same thing:

• “Why do you want this job?”
• “What are you looking for in your next job?”
• “Why did you apply for this position?”

However, make sure you listen carefully to the question you are being asked; some will require a different answer than you first expect. Never repeat a pre-prepared response without listening carefully to the question. For example:

“What qualities can you bring to this role?”

This question differs because it focuses less on what you personally think about the role. Instead, talk about your specific achievements and how you can apply your skills to the job.

Example answer:

As well as my ability to manage and administer pension claims, I have a unique background in data management and analysis.

For example, in my previous role, I was part of a project recording and analysing the causes of delayed pension payments. This led to the implementation of improved payment administration policies. I will be looking for opportunities to use my skills within this role.

This answer is good because the candidate has specified a unique skill which will set them apart from the other candidates and backed it up with an example.

“Why should we hire you?”

This question is used to single out the very best of the qualified candidates. We have a whole article about this one question .

The interviewer wants to know:

• Whether you will do the job better than everybody else.
• Whether you will fit into the company’s culture.

It differs from the ‘Why do you want to work here?’ question because it is less about your personal interest in the job and more about what you can do for the company.

Come up with at least three reasons you stand out from the crowd. For example:

• You have experience in this industry;
• Your past achievements demonstrate a proven track record;
• You have relevant awards;
• You have relevant qualifications or further education;
• Your soft skills (such as communication skills) are especially strong (and proven);
• You have specific technical skills (such as knowledge of certain programming languages).

I have over 8 years of experience working with clients to deliver successful projects. As part of this, I have developed great relationships with my clients and other team members.

This contributes to my ability to manage teams and get results. Last year I led a team that won an industry award for a national project.

“How are you a good fit for this company?”

This question differs because it focuses on your understanding of the company’s culture and what skills you can contribute.

Ensure you research the company and its values. Think about how your own goals and values coincide. Then answer the question by:

• Describing your interpretation of the company’s culture.
• Explaining how you fit into that culture (including specific examples).

Here are some ideas to think about when interpreting the company’s culture:

• Does the company value collaboration?
• Does the company value internal progression?
• Are there any mentoring schemes?
• What is the company’s attitude to work/life balance?

I love that [company] promotes supportive attitudes in its employees. At my current job, we also have a culture of support, especially when a tight deadline is coming up.

For example, I recently worked two weeks’ overtime to help a colleague compile the civil disclosure for a massive fraud case.

I love how stimulating and exciting that kind of work can be. Therefore, I think I will fit in well within your team where everyone comes together to work to similar tight deadlines.

Final Thoughts

Preparing to answer interview questions can be daunting, but follow the advice in this article and you will arrive at your interview prepared to impress. Remember:

• Research the company and the position thoroughly.
• Structure your answer in two parts: first, outline why you want the job. Then outline why you want to work at the company.
• Be enthusiastic and back up all your reasons for wanting the job with specific examples.