How to Answer “What is Your Greatest Personal Achievement?” in a Job Interview

When it comes to job interviews, one of the most common questions you might encounter is, “What is your greatest personal achievement?” It’s a tricky question because it can be challenging to talk about yourself without coming off as boastful. However, if you answer well, this question can be an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and impress your potential employer.

In this article, we’ll discuss some tips and tricks to help you answer this question in a job interview successfully.

1. Understand the question

Before you can answer the question, it’s essential to understand what the interviewer is looking for. The question isn’t asking for your greatest achievement overall; it’s asking for your greatest personal achievement. Therefore, you’ll need to select an achievement that is personal to you, not necessarily something related to your work.

2. Choose an achievement that is relevant to the job

Although the question is about a personal achievement, it’s also vital to choose one that is relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a sales role, for example, you might want to discuss a significant sale you closed, while if you’re applying for a teaching position, you might talk about a successful classroom project you led.

3. Talk about the process

When you’re discussing your achievement, it’s not enough to mention what you accomplished. You also need to share the steps you took to get there. Did you encounter any challenges? How did you overcome them? By explaining the process, you’ll give the interviewer insight into your problem-solving skills and work ethic.

4. Be specific

When you’re discussing your achievement, it’s important to be specific. Instead of saying, “I increased sales by a lot,” give an exact number. When you’re specific, you’ll demonstrate that you pay attention to details and have a good memory for important statistics.

5. Show humility

It’s essential to show humility when you’re discussing your achievement. It’s easy to come off as arrogant when you’re talking about something you’re proud of, but by acknowledging the contributions of others and showing gratitude, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a team player.

6. Practice your answer

Finally, it’s essential to practice your answer to this question before your interview. You don’t want your answer to come off as scripted, but you also don’t want to be caught off guard. By preparing your answer in advance, you’ll be able to deliver it confidently and thoughtfully.

In conclusion, answering the question, “What is your greatest personal achievement?” is a chance to show off your skills and impress your potential employer. By understanding the question, choosing an achievement that is relevant to the job, talking about the process, being specific, showing humility, and practicing your answer, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle this question in your next job interview.