what is your greatest accomplishment
Action. The Bottom Line on The Biggest Achievement Interview Question. While this project wasnt revolutionary, Im proud of it because I learned [skill or concept you learned that relates to the job]. For more help preparing for your interview, check out some of our other articles below: Corissa is a Career Advisor and Staff Writer at Resume Genius, where she loves equipping others with the tools they need to pursue their dreams. Applying for a position with numerous qualifications? Shows how the project was successful in the end. 2. They will be looking at your response to see if you have the skills and experience necessary to do the job. 1. Its always better to have a recent story versus one from ten years ago, especially if the skills you display are no longer relevant to the modern work youll be doing. Since I had led similar projects before, I offered to help get it finished. And if not, what made it an outlier? The restaurant was completely packed 90%+ of the time, and we barely had any breathing room., Task We had to be very efficient at work to make sure that we wouldnt get overwhelmed., Action - The most important part of making this work was being proactive. Sometimes, the hardest problem youll face in answering this question wont be coming up with a single answer: Itll be choosing between several different ones. I was part of a small team assigned to redesigning the agency website in hopes of attracting new regional clients.". A great answer includes a real accomplishment thats free of BS, includes a specific example, and is concise in a way that entices engagement from the interviewer. "So far, my greatest accomplishment was organizing a food drive at my high school. Answering the interview question 'what is your greatest accomplishment?' So make sure you think about your proudest accomplishments and rehearse giving specific examples so you will be ready to nail this question during the interview process. See the Best Places to Work 2023! ACTION: I started working toward this goal in high school and took any job that was a skill match, no matter how much I hated it. Mastering a new skill. The accomplishment that Im most proud of is how rapidly I was promoted to the team lead position for our sales team. In my previous position as a sales representative, our team produced at lower levels than in other regions. B) "My greatest accomplishment is graduating in the top 3% of my class of over 2,000 students last year, with a GPA of 3.88". In my first job out of college, I was tasked with managing a companys social media channels. A: Action The actions you took alone or your specific contribution as part of a team to obtain the objective. What that means is, the interviewer wants to understand your past performance, and how you handle specific situations (for example, under pressure). The restaurant was completely packed 90%+ of the time, and we barely had any breathing room. The first step when handling such what is your proudest accomplishment question is to give a good thought about it. While finding an accomplishment thats relevant to what the company is looking for is an important first step, how you structure your story is also something you should consider. In my previous role as a health-focused restaurant manager, customers always complained about food having ingredients they did not eat and not knowing about it until they tasted it. In addition to showcasing their strengths, a job seeker should be effective in mirroring a companys core values and fitting in with the company culture in their answer to this behavioral interview question. Utilize the STAR Method, Situation Describe the situation in your personal life or professional career that led to the achievement; Task talk about the task you had to do to accomplish the achievement; Action describe the actions you implemented to achieve the accomplishment; Results discuss the results. Applying for an academic role or have substantial teaching experience to list on your CV? If youre a mid-level professional, you should have several accomplishments to choose from. 1. Be specific in details, but make it short and to the point. Job seekers are often haunted by lies, so its best to avoid them altogether. If you find it difficult to think of specific accomplishments, consider times that youve been recognized for your work. The materials we had for training werent very relevant or helpful for their duties, and we had received only 19% positive reviews from new hires who completed the training. Let them know you are curious because you want their help in answering this interview question. When Have You Made A Split Second Decision? The STAR translates to Situation, Task, Action, and Resolution. It's a reflection of my hard work and discipline, as well as my ability to work well with others on group projects while also shining on independent work. My consistency and effort were rewarded with a promotion after just four months. The company had instilled fines for that, but certain employees still came in late regardless of multiple fines. But at a job interview, your job is to be anything but humble. Trying to be funny - For example: " My greatest achievement was when I managed to get to work on time for once. . Have you ever failed to meet a clients expectations? My greatest accomplishment was finishing college at the top of my class while holding a full-time job. The best way to answer this job interview question is by incorporating a great achievement that includes a work ethic that mirrors the companys culture. New graduate interviewing for an entry-level marketing job -. I was diagnosed with a hip impingement and torn labrum after dealing with months of pain during the travel softball season. To make the best possible impression, follow these two steps: While your interviewer might be impressed by the first prize trophy you won in your countys Best Cherry Pie Contest, you should choose another example unless youre applying for a baking position. I wanted to ensure our prospects and leads would feel understood, knowing our sales team cared about their success. You dont want to be scrambling to remember a story at the last second. The employees have spoken. For example, if theres a big focus on customer service in the role youre interviewing for, you might select a story that showcases your people skills over your technical abilities. My scholarship only covered half of the tuition, and my family was unable to support me financially. Answering What is your greatest achievement in an interview can be intimidating. can be challenging, regardless of where you are in your professional career. Whether or not you have such an incident which you consider to be the greatest achievement in your life up till that point, be honest about it. Using this method, you talk about the situation or problem you were facing, the task or role you played within the situation, the action you took to solve the problem, and the result you achieved. Organizing a successful charity event. Our professional builder will do the hard work for you. RESULTS: Our client was so happy at the end of the project that he decided to give us another contract and refer two more clients to the company. Looking for a job-winning customer service resume you could use as inspiration? While finding an accomplishment that's relevant to what the company is looking for is an important first step, how you structure your story is also something you should consider. Look for actions you took that made it possible for you to be in the position to interview for this job. 1. This question is a behavioral interview question. No matter how you frame up your answer to this sometimes tricky question, you should have a prepared answer to maximize an opportunity to showcase why youre a good fit. SITUATION: One of my greatest achievements at work was wearing numerous hats and working long hours to achieve a huge goal. The STAR method allows you to frame your answer in a way that shows what you did, how you did it, and what happened as a result of your efforts. Resume, CV and Cover Letter Writing Expert, Why Interviewers Ask What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?, How to Pick the Perfect Answer with the STAR Method, 3+ Whats Your Greatest accomplishment Sample Answers, What is Your Greatest Accomplishment Sample Answer for Mid-Level Professionals, What is Your Greatest accomplishment Sample Answer for Fresh Graduates, What is Your Greatest accomplishment Sample Answer for the Service Industry, graduated college with not much work experience, 35+ Interview Questions and Answers [Full List], 19+ STAR Interview Questions - Complete List, 10+ Situational Interview Questions & Answers [Complete List], How to Ace Interviews with the STAR Method, Why interviewers ask the What is your greatest achievement? job interview question, How to reply with the perfect answer using the STAR method, 3+ What is your greatest achievement sample answers. R: Result Was the outcome successful? However, in the end, we completed the project a day in advance and the client was thrilled with the end result. At the beginning of the summer, I created a very strict shift schedule, which we adhered to 100%. Dont hold back here include even small achievements. Check the job listing to see what skills the company is looking for in a candidate, and tailor your answer accordingly. Beating sales targets. Choose a career achievement even if they don't specifically ask for it. Your greatest accomplishment is a significant event or achievement that you are proud of and that has had a meaningful impact on your life. Then work on building out the supporting examples for these accomplishments. We went from in use losses to enhanced revenue. Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable guides and the latest job-hunt tips and tricks. When I took on the position, turnover was high and our cost-to-fill was skyrocketing. So, I didnt really have a lot of instructions. Business Recovery. Because of my poor test grade, the amount of time I studied more than doubled, which made me a . What is your greatest achievement? The, To structure your answer, we recommend using the. If you're applying for a job as an accountant and your greatest achievement is baking the best cake ever at your office party, you're not making the cut. Read the job description closely. Get a sense of the candidate's nursing skills and experience. Mistakes continued, even after teaching the waitresses all of the receipts so they could explain the ingredients clearly to the guest. ACTION: I was still new to the job and had no car, so I could not stay late in the office for safety purposes. However, you could refer to school, volunteering or even your hobbies, so long as you demonstrate transferable skills and prove you are the best person for the job. Way to Answer "what was your greatest achievement?" interview question. When an interviewer asks you about your greatest accomplishment, one of the things they are trying to understand is what motivates you into action. At my current job as a fifth-grade teacher, my greatest accomplishments always involve watching my students achieve something. First, when an interviewer asks, "What is your greatest achievement?" they're really asking for your greatest professional (or academic) accomplishment. Just kidding, my real greatest achievement is. Answer (1 of 6): While working for the chemistry necessary in the Human Genome project I have synthesized the most difficult fluorescent base in the project, in a contest with a group of PhD chemists. I really wanted the blog to work, and even though I used to share the link to my contacts on Whatsapp and followers on Instagram, it was still underperforming. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc, How to Answer 'What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment? In addition, your great achievement can show how well you communicate and display your creativity, leadership skills, and other useful skills that the job requires. If you're success-oriented and if you've gone above and beyond in your work. My greatest accomplishment was developing a formal training program for the sales team in our last company. Set your story up with a brief description of the situation that led to your accomplishment. "My greatest accomplishment was completing my bachelor's degree in 3 years or Graduate Degree in 2 years while pursuing an example (Business Degree), being a single parent, and working full-time. All rights reserved. I noticed that we hadnt secured any new donors for a while. '. Monday to Friday, 8AM 12AM (Midnight) and Saturdays and Sundays, 10AM 6PM EDT (866) 215-9048. While asking about your greatest achievement may seem like an intense question, its not as intimidating once you understand the interviewers motivation. My experience taught me time management, habits and prioritization. I was very passionate about these Olympiad exams. Your qualifications: Some accomplishments help employers establish . Dont make anyone else look bad in your story; just talk about a time you were really proud of something impressive you did. Dont go negative. Find the example below that best mirrors what stage you are at in your career, and consider how youd adjust it to describe your biggest achievement. When asked about your greatest accomplishment in an interview, take the opportunity to share a story that highlights your skills, work ethic, and determination. So now that you know what an employer is looking for with this question, how do you go about answering it in a way that makes you look like a good candidate? Be clear in your description and avoid any vague generalizations. It could be from a previous job, volunteer position, or another event. I wanted to improve, and a lot of the other employees were often too busy to help me out. Example Answer #1 - For Entry-Level worker. Chances are youll have several good stories to choose from, and they might all be comparable in terms of their impressiveness. We were losing customers and getting brutal reviews online. This way, you are sure to construct the best answer and help the recruiter take notice of your specific skills and abilities. What is your greatest accomplishment in life so far?#minecraftshorts #AskReddit #youtubeshort #short #AskReddit The way to best accomplish this is by using the STAR method. Yes, this has been tested. How did you ensure that you would meet your objective? 3. Situation - My biggest achievement was during my internship as a customer support representative at Company X. I was the first custom support intern there, so I didnt have a lot to go off of and had to learn a lot by myself. Obviously the most important thing about the accomplishment to you was the way that it affected your own life, but an interviewer is going to be wondering how youre going to benefit them and their own company in the future. Action - I decided to start learning as much as I could about our product (a social media automation tool) by talking with the other employees when I could, and reading up on everything I could get my hands on that was related to the product. Mentoring a coworker or fellow student. Your goal is to convince the interviewer that you're the right candidate for the job. The finance team of my organization was struggling with a project involving our . For example, if your greatest achievement is 100% customer retention, the values behind this accomplishment can be humility and service. If thats not possible which it often isnt at this level you can still pick something that impacts others. Out of the 4 months I spent there, 3 of them were a total nightmare. I knew automating the process would make things easier and help us close more sales. I had to pick a charity, find workers to run the donation table, organize shifts, advertise around the area, and coordinate a drop off time with the . Ideally, the greatest accomplishment you answer with should be from the last two to three years. All Rights Reserved. ACTION: I decided to actively look for answers on why my blog was not growing by talking to experts in the field and researching techniques for growing my audience. "What is your greatest professional achievement" Answer example "My greatest achievement at my last company was when I designed and implemented a loyalty card scheme for customers. Get ideas from our in-house career coaches. Ensure your greatest accomplishment is work-related or demonstrates skills which can be directly applied in the workplace. Says a lot about the candidates values (i.e. Heres what your greatest achievement might sound like. Learn why employers ask this question, how you can answer, and some sample answers that can be useful as you craft your own response. Thinking through a relevant response to this question prior to an interview can help you answer promptly and with confidence if the hiring manager does ask about your accomplishments. This one is career-relevant and has a dollar value attached. Learn every detail about making a resume. First of all, I was incredibly lucky in my life. Well get you started with a brief template to give you an idea of how to organize your answer: My team achieved our goal of [goal your team was working toward]. 30 Life Accomplishments You Want to Remember. Find out what they're saying. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was persevering and thriving following an injury. Because of this experience, next time I run into this challenge, Ill be able to use my newfound abilities with [skill or concept].. SITUATION: My greatest achievement was being promoted through self-motivation and learning. As with all behavioral interview questions, use the star method: Situation. RESULTS: As a result, our food tastes better, and positive online reviews increased threefold. There were times that I had to put in 18-hour days to get everything done. Personal Accomplishment as a Doctor. Result. Women at Cambridge. In this article we break down what interviewers want to hear when they ask you about your greatest achievement, and how to answer this question the right way. But what do you say? I learned a lot through teaching 2.Satisfaction through satisfying students and their parents 3.Respect through dedication in quality of work I believe that my greatest achievement as a teacher is being a wholesome person. Here are some techniques to answer questions about your greatest accomplishments: Start off by telling the interviewer a story. Top 10 Best Example Answers When a Hiring Manager Asks What Is Your Greatest Achievement?, Sample Answer 2 Continuous Learning Professional Achievement, Sample Answer 3 Side Hustle Personal Achievement, Sample Answer 4 Paying For College Myself Achievement, Sample Answer 5 Persevering Through Injury Achievement, Sample Answer 6 Living Abroad Greatest Personal Achievement, Sample Answer 7 Management Achievement at Work, Sample Answer 8 Building Back After Loss Achievement, Sample Answer 9 Overcoming Bad Online Reviews Achievement, Sample Answer 10 Understaffed Project at Work Biggest Achievement, Tips To Improve Your Answer To What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?, What Not To Say or Do When Answering What Is Your Greatest Achievement?. How to answer "What is your greatest accomplishment?" Be respectful of your current, or previous, employer's "confidential" information. In my last position, I negotiated with a new supplier to lower the cost of the raw materials we purchased to make our products. Regardless of how true it is, I dont really have any greatest accomplishments is just bad optics all around. Describe the situation and in which context it happened. So, I mobilized my fellow interns and created a new campaign targeting donors under 35. Check out our professional templates. 1st Answer Example. Additionally, ask friends, family, and former coworkers for their opinion. I was a topper in subjects like engineering mathematics and applied mechanics in my bath. In my last job I helped my employer to increase the yearly sales volume by 20%, in two consecutive years. Interviewers ask this question to gain insight into your proven work and what achievements you view as most valuable and important. Looking For More Information About Common Interview Questions? "What is your greatest accomplishment?" is one of the most common job interview questions, but particularly for someone fresh out of college or high school it can be daunting to answer.We'll cover why interviewers ask about your greatest accomplishment, provide tips for giving the best answer, and tie it all together with a few . E.g. Beating sales targets. The following are common types of accomplishments followed by a few more specific examples. SITUATION: My greatest achievement was paying for college myself. ACTION: I endured painful physical therapy and light walking for the first three months. It's something you're proud of and shows what you're capable of. Youll leave out details, or worse, forget your best stories. 2. is a common behavioral interview question, so be sure to practice your answer ahead of time. It may seem to be a simple question, but asking "what is your greatest achievement?" is a clever way for interviewers to examine your personality, work ethic, and suitability for the job. What was your role in the situation? When answered properly, youll be able to share what you value most, demonstrate your work ethic, and showcase why youre the best person for the job. When the interviewer asks you this question, they want to know what you are most proud of as a nurse. By the end of the year, his reading scores had gone up by over 15%, but the real accomplishment for me was getting him interested in learning something that had previously frustrated him. They expect to hear about an accomplishment from your education, volunteerism, or part-time work. The company promoted me from a mid-level position and tasked me with improving retention and recruitment. When describing the outcome, if possible, mention numbers and quantifiable facts. There can be a time and a place for humour in a job interview, but it is not when . A realization of your values or goals. Write about the moments in your life when you felt the proudest, such as when you finished a marathon or were congratulated by your boss. While academics is the basic scale of measuring success for students, what they do and learn beyond their textbooks also plays a vital role in forming their personal attributes. TASK: I had to try something different to gain more awareness, or else my blog would not grow. However, I decided to find a way to get to the office at least four hours before opening to pull in my weight and help with the extra work. First, I decided to create a document of the Frequently Asked Questions I was getting, for personal use. I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment, as it . Scholarships or grants. When I left that role, 97% of new hires gave positive reviews for the training program. It was tiring at times, but I scheduled pretty much everything I had to do in my personal calendar. Its relevant to a fresh graduate who might not have a lot of. I also set up in-person meetings with three donors who had expressed interest but had not donated. Recently graduated college with not much work experience to speak of? I lost everything in a fire two years ago, and it couldnt have come at a worse time as I was also supporting a sick family member and was trying to finish my degree. If you can stand out with an answer that ties your qualifications and skills directly to the job description, you can get a lot done with this answer. A challenging process. Running your first marathon. "What is your greatest accomplishment?" is one of the most common job interview questions, but particularly for someone fresh out of college or high school it can be daunting to answer.. We'll cover why interviewers ask about your greatest accomplishment, provide tips for giving the best answer, and tie it all together with a few sample answers. His parents called to tell me that they had never seen him excited to do homework before, especially when it involved reading. RESULTS: We took a month to find the right suppliers and implement the plan, but after that, lunches were less than 30 minutes, and work output was never affected again.