Can What Makes You Unique Be The Key To Landing Your Dream Opportunity

Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
In today's competitive landscape, whether you're vying for a new job, applying to college, or trying to close a deal, simply meeting the basic qualifications often isn't enough. Decision-makers are looking for something more – that special quality that sets you apart from the crowd. This is where understanding and articulating what makes you unique becomes your most powerful asset. It's not just about listing skills; it's about showcasing your distinct value proposition, often referred to as your Unique Selling Point (USP) in professional settings. This blog post will guide you through identifying, crafting, and leveraging what makes you unique to stand out in high-stakes communication scenarios.
What exactly is what makes you unique in a professional context?
At its core, what makes you unique is your personal Unique Selling Point (USP). It's the distinct blend of your skills, experiences, personality traits, values, and perspectives that differentiate you from others with similar qualifications [^1][^3]. It's not a single attribute but a combination that creates a specific kind of professional or individual. Think of it as your personal brand – the promise of value you bring to a situation. Examples of what makes you unique could range from a rare technical skill combined with strong leadership, exceptional adaptability in challenging environments, a deep understanding of a niche market, or a unique personal journey that shaped your resilience and perspective [^1][^2]. Understanding this unique blend is the first step in effectively communicating your value.
Why is highlighting what makes you unique crucial for success?
Interviewers, admissions officers, and potential clients all face a similar challenge: choosing from a pool of seemingly qualified candidates or options. What makes you unique provides them with a clear reason to choose you [^2][^3]. It moves beyond a checklist of requirements and speaks to the specific problems they need solved or the specific culture they are building. By demonstrating what makes you unique, you show that you offer value that is not easily replicated, proving your potential for impact and showcasing your fit beyond just your resume or application [^2][^5]. In short, it transforms you from just another candidate into the ideal candidate who brings something special to the table.
What common hurdles prevent showcasing what makes you unique?
Identifying and articulating what makes you unique isn't always easy. Many people struggle with pinpointing what truly sets them apart, often feeling like their experiences or skills are too similar to others [^4]. There's also a common fear of sounding boastful or arrogant when talking about your strengths [^4]. Another significant challenge is tailoring your uniqueness to different contexts – what makes you unique for a tech role might need to be framed differently for a leadership position or a college application. Finally, many fall back on generic, unsubstantiated claims like "I'm a hard worker" without providing concrete proof, which fails to highlight genuine uniqueness [^4]. Overcoming these hurdles requires self-reflection, practice, and strategic thinking.
How do you uncover and define what makes you unique?
Why have you been chosen for past roles or opportunities?
What contributions have you made that had the biggest impact?
What do colleagues, mentors, or supervisors consistently praise about you?
What skills, experiences, or perspectives do you possess that others in your field might lack? [^1][^4]
Discovering what makes you unique requires introspection and potentially external feedback. Start by asking yourself reflective questions:
Consider your journey – challenges overcome, lessons learned, unusual paths taken. Make a list of your key strengths, achievements, and experiences, then look for patterns and connections that align with the specific role or opportunity you're pursuing [^4]. Often, what makes you unique lies at the intersection of your skills, passions, and experiences.
How can you clearly communicate what makes you unique?
Once you've identified what makes you unique, the next step is to articulate it effectively. Your answer must be specific and concrete, backed by examples and achievements, not just vague claims [^4][^5]. Highlight strengths directly relevant to the role or institution – show how your unique qualities solve their problems or add value [^1][^5]. Always relate your uniqueness back to the job description or the specific context you are in. Practice crafting concise stories that illustrate your points [^1]. Instead of saying, "I'm adaptable," tell a brief story about a time you successfully navigated a significant, unexpected challenge. Sample effective answers often combine a core trait (e.g., communication skills, problem-solving) with a specific result or situation [^4].
How do you adapt what makes you unique for different situations?
The way you present what makes you unique should be tailored to your audience and the specific context:
Job Interviews: Emphasize how your unique combination of skills and experience directly addresses the company's needs and culture. Focus on past impact and specific achievements that demonstrate your value proposition [^1][^5].
Sales Calls: Position your uniqueness as an advantage for the client. Highlight how your specific expertise, understanding of their industry, or unique approach makes you a knowledgeable, reliable partner who can truly meet their needs [^1].
College Interviews: Showcase your unique values, perspectives, adaptability, and how your experiences would enrich the campus community. Focus on personal growth, leadership potential, and how you contribute to a diverse environment [^1].
Researching the company, institution, or client is crucial for tailoring your message effectively [^1].
What practical tips help you prepare and use what makes you unique?
Practice Storytelling: Develop concise, compelling stories (like the STAR method) that illustrate your unique qualities and achievements [^1].
Research Thoroughly: Understand the specific needs and values of the employer, institution, or client so you can tailor your USP [^1].
Use Confident, Natural Language: Avoid jargon or overused buzzwords. Be authentic [^1].
Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of saying you're a great problem-solver, describe a problem you uniquely solved.
Ask Questions: Prepare questions that show you've thought about their challenges and hint at how your unique skills can help [^1].
Get Feedback: Rehearse your answer with mentors or peers and ask for honest feedback on how you articulate your uniqueness [^1].
Putting what makes you unique into practice requires preparation:
By investing time in defining, refining, and practicing your narrative around what makes you unique, you equip yourself to make a lasting and positive impression in any professional conversation.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With what makes you unique
Preparing to articulate what makes you unique effectively for interviews can be challenging. Verve AI Interview Copilot is designed to help you identify, refine, and practice your unique value proposition. The Verve AI Interview Copilot provides AI-powered coaching and feedback, helping you articulate what makes you unique by practicing responses to common behavioral questions and receiving instant analysis on clarity, confidence, and relevance. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to explore different ways to phrase what makes you unique and ensure your examples are specific and impactful, helping you prepare confidently to showcase what makes you unique in your next interview. Visit https://vervecopilot.com to learn more.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what makes you unique
Q: Is "hard worker" enough for what makes you unique?
A: No, it's too generic. Back it up with specific examples of how your work ethic led to unique results.
Q: How do I avoid sounding arrogant talking about what makes you unique?
A: Focus on how your unique traits benefit others or solve problems, using humble, factual language.
Q: Can what makes you unique be something non-work related?
A: Yes, if it shaped valuable traits like resilience, perspective, or specific skills relevant to the role.
Q: How specific should my answer for what makes you unique be?
A: Very specific. Use concrete examples and quantifiable results whenever possible.
Q: Does my what makes you unique change for different jobs?
A: Your core uniqueness stays similar, but you should tailor how you present it to align with each specific job's needs.
[^1]: https://criterionasia.com/standing-out-in-interviews-with-unique-selling-points/
[^2]: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-makes-you-unique
[^3]: https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/usp-the-guiding-light-for-your-interview/
[^4]: https://resumegenius.com/blog/interview/what-makes-you-unique
[^5]: https://canadian-resume-service.com/interviews/share-your-unique-selling-point-during-the-job-interview/