Choose a recent accomplishment relevant to the job and career, showcasing qualities the company seeks.
Employers LOVE to ask questions about your greatest professional achievement or accomplishment... and they expect a detailed example or story in the job interview, so you need to be prepared.
From my years in the recruitment field, I've seen what makes an answer to "What is your greatest achievement?" stand out.
So, in this article, I'm going to show you how to answer this interview question, with example answers, and more.
Highlights
* Research the specific needs of the company and job and pick a relevant professional achievement that shows you possess the exact qualities the company is seeking.
* Use the STAR method to structure your response and talk about real results and data whenever possible.
* Be prepared for follow-up questions.
Why Do Interviewers Ask "What Is Your Greatest Achievement?"
From a recruiter's perspective, interviewers ask behavioral questions like "What's your greatest professional achievement" to gain a well-rounded understanding of a candidate.
It's a strategic approach designed to show employers:
* How you respond to stress
* Your standards for success
* If you are a high-achiever
* How you approach challenges
* How your values might align with theirs
* Your goal-drive
* Your level of professionalism
Margaret Buj, author of Land That Job, points out:
"What we're trying to understand through these questions is how motivated the candidate is to perform both on the job and within the company."
How to Choose Your Greatest Achievement for Interviews
Follow these steps to determine what type of achievement you should share in the job interview:
1. Pick an accomplishment that's as recent as possible, and somewhat relevant to this job and career
You should pick an accomplishment that has happened recently in your career and demonstrates that you're a great job candidate for the position that you want now.
If your most impressive accomplishment was five years ago, you can still use it. But I'd encourage you to think about whether you have a similar accomplishment from the past one to two years, perhaps in your last job.
Hiring managers tend to appreciate recent work experience more than distant experience.
2. Pick a professional achievement even if employers don't specifically ask for one
Sometimes employers will ask for your greatest professional achievement, and sometimes they'll leave it open to interpretation and simply say, "What is your greatest achievement?" No matter how they phrase the question, keep your answer focused on a professional achievement.
This is because employers typically favor candidates who can demonstrate success in their professional lives since this suggests a proven track record of industry-relevant accomplishments.
By focusing on professional achievements, you showcase your commitment to your career and ability to deliver results that could be beneficial to the potential employer, setting a clear and relevant context for your capabilities.
Example Professional Achievements
* Increased sales or revenue
* Improved efficiency or productivity
* Launched or grew a new initiative
* Solved a complex problem
* Mentored or trained others
* Exceeded goals or targets
* Received awards or recognition
* Published work or presented at conferences
If you have no professional achievements
If you're job searching with no work experience, then your academic experience is the closest thing you have. In this case, you should give an example of your greatest achievement from a class project, academic studies, or internship.
Example Achievements
* Presented research findings at a conference or published a paper in a scholarly journal
* Graduated with honors or received academic awards
* Organized a successful fundraising event
* Held a leadership position in a student organization
* Successfully completed a demanding volunteer project
* First in your family to graduate with a degree
Tips on How to Answer: "What Is Your Greatest Achievement?"
From my time in the industry, I know 'What is your greatest achievement?' can make or break an interview. Here are my best tips for a standout response:
1. Use the STAR Method
When answering any behavioral interview questions such as this, it's best to organize your response with the STAR Method, which is short for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
This is a way to structure your answer to ensure hiring managers can follow your story and to make sure you don't get sidetracked when explaining the achievement.
* Situation: You start by explaining the general situation. Were you in a previous job? Which role? How long ago did this happen?
* Task: Explain your specific responsibility or goal within that situation. What were you tasked with achieving?
* Action: Detail the specific initiatives you took to address the challenge.
* Result: Emphasize the positive outcome of your actions. Quantify your impact whenever possible.
That's the best way to explain your greatest accomplishments to ensure that you don't give a long-winded answer that's too confusing to follow.
PRO TIP
When explaining the result, show exactly what you achieved and why it was a significant accomplishment. How did it help you? How did it help your team or your employer at the time?
2. Tailor Your Answer to the Job
To truly impress the interviewer, adapt your answer to fit the specific job description and company culture.
Identify the key skills and experience the company is looking for, and choose an achievement that showcases how you possess those specific qualities.
By tailoring your response to the specific needs of the company and job, you'll show the interviewer that you've done your research and understand how your achievements translate into value for them.
EXPERT ADVICE
Dr. Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES
Tech & Interview Career Coach
caffeinatedkyle.com
How do I select and frame my greatest achievements for interviews?
Before selecting which achievements to share during your interview, review the job posting for clues on how to frame your responses. You want to use the position to shape how you share your accomplishments, not the other way around. If you led a large team in executing a first-of-its-kind digital product launch, the aspects of the accomplishment you focus on will vary depending on whether you're targeting an individual contributor or management role, digital or physical product position, etc.
3. Be Confident
Interview questions that require you to brag about yourself aren't easy, but you need to be ready to sound confident and show off your accomplishment. This isn't the time to be humble or timid.
When employers ask, "What is your greatest professional achievement?" they want you to sound passionate, proud, and confident. So think about a great professional achievement that you'd be genuinely excited to talk about. That's the best way to make sure you have the right level of energy when giving your answer.
4. Practice Your Answer
Nothing comes out perfect the first time - so make sure to practice a few times! Go over the key points you want to share, and make sure you can explain the story clearly and concisely. Aim for 60-90 seconds.
Note: I don't recommend memorizing word-for-word. That's a good way to panic in the interview, forget a piece, and make a mistake. Instead, I'd think of your story as a series of key points to talk about (the STAR method is useful here) and make sure you can remember to hit each point and transition smoothly between them.
"Tell Me Your Proudest Accomplishment or Greatest Achievement" Example Answers
Now that you have a general idea of what to do when you answer these questions about your proudest accomplishments/achievements, let's look at some example answers for different industries:
Tech
"In my previous role as a software developer at Nexxus Technologies, our team was tasked with developing a new feature for our flagship product.
My responsibility was to lead the backend development and ensure seamless integration with existing systems. I conducted thorough research, collaborated closely with the frontend team, and implemented an efficient API.
As a result of my efforts, our product's performance increased by 40%, leading to higher user satisfaction and a 20% increase in customer retention. I believe my experience in optimizing backend systems aligns well with the emphasis on performance and customer satisfaction at ApexAI."
Healthcare
"During my time as a registered nurse at Evergreen Valley Hospital, I encountered a challenging case of a patient with complex medical conditions requiring coordinated care.
I organized interdisciplinary meetings, ensured clear communication among team members, and provided emotional support to the patient and family. Through effective collaboration and compassionate care, we successfully stabilized the patient's condition, improved their quality of life, and received heartfelt appreciation from the patient's family for our dedicated support.
My ability to provide comprehensive care and foster positive patient outcomes could contribute significantly to the patient-centered approach at Bayside Medical Center."
Finance
"As a financial analyst at DEF Investments, I was entrusted with analyzing investment opportunities and optimizing portfolio performance. I conducted in-depth financial analysis, identified underperforming assets, and recommended strategic reallocation of funds based on market trends and risk assessment.
By implementing the proposed portfolio restructuring, I achieved a 15% increase in overall returns for the client, surpassing their investment objectives and strengthening the company's reputation for delivering exceptional financial expertise.
I am confident that my track record in delivering strong returns and strategic financial planning aligns with the goals of maximizing profitability and minimizing risk at Northgate Financial Group."
Hospitality
"As a hospitality manager at EFG Resort, I faced the challenge of improving guest satisfaction scores and increasing revenue in our food and beverage department.
I conducted market research, collaborated with chefs to create a diverse and appealing menu, implemented streamlined workflows, and provided ongoing training and feedback to the staff. Through these efforts, we saw a significant increase in guest satisfaction scores by 25% and a 20% rise in revenue within four months, positioning EFG Resort as a top culinary destination in the region.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise in enhancing guest experiences and driving revenue growth to Serenity Bay Resort to further elevate its reputation in the hospitality industry."
Education
"As a teacher at GHI High School, I encountered a group of struggling students in my mathematics class who were falling behind in their coursework. I implemented personalized teaching strategies, conducted extra tutoring sessions, and provided additional resources to cater to diverse learning needs.
Through dedicated support and tailored interventions, all the students showed remarkable improvement, with an average grade increase of two letter grades by the end of the semester.
I am passionate about fostering academic success and believe my commitment to student growth would be a valuable asset to Central City Academy's mission of providing quality education and empowering students to reach their full potential."
Follow-Up Questions
"What Is Your Greatest Achievement?" isn't just a question that the interviewer asks and then moves on from. So don't panic if they ask for more details or continue with related follow-up questions.
If you hear a follow-up question like, "Oh, tell me more about ___," it's a sign you gave a great answer. That's why the interviewer wants to know more.
So, when you prepare for your interview, you should think about the questions they're most likely to ask you AFTER you share your biggest achievement. What piece of the story are employers likely to want more information about? What might they not understand the first time you tell it?
If you follow the steps outlined in the article, you'll have a great answer any time an employer asks, "What is your greatest achievement?" and other similar interview questions.
