The need for hiring managers to select a candidate will likely require them to interview multiple candidates, and during those interviews, it is very important for the hiring managers to know more about what makes an individual unique compared with the other candidates. Therefore, if an individual candidate cannot provide an impressive, confident response regarding what makes him or her unique, that individual candidate may lose the opportunity of being hired.
This guide provides you with the strategies and sample answers derived from my own recruiting experience and from the shared experiences of many successful career coaches through which to articulate your unique strengths.
Highlights
Take a look at the past experiences you’ve had and try to identify those characteristics that make you different from everyone else and relate those characteristics to the specific position for which you’re applying.
Also, make sure that you are aware of what the company does and what the role you are applying for entails. Personalize your answer so that the employer can see how those unique characteristics or experiences would benefit them and their company.
When possible, provide specific examples of past success you had due to your unique qualities in various positions or projects you’ve completed.
Understanding the Question: Why Recruiters Ask ‘What Makes You Unique?
“What makes you unique?” isn’t a trick interview question, and there isn’t one right answer.
Hiring managers often ask this question to:
The aim here is to get you talking about what you bring to the company.
There may be something the hiring manager doesn’t know about you. They want to learn a bit more than what’s on your resume. Maybe you have a unique ability or soft skills that other candidates are missing.
Whether or not you’re hired into the company, answering the question will let you demonstrate to potential employers that you know what the job requires, as well as how your experiences match with those requirements.
Your reply demonstrates to potential employers where you’ve been and what direction you’re headed, as well as how your unique abilities fit into their role. It also provides a view of your character, and the manner in which you communicate will help to differentiate yourself from all other individuals applying for the same job.
Pre-Interview Preparation: Expert Tips for Answering ‘What Makes You Unique?
Mentioning specific technical & hard skills or soft skills, along with other personal characteristics or experiences that make you an outstanding candidate and different from other applicants for the same position is also acceptable.
Read the answers below to help you become fully prepared for the upcoming interview.
