Top 30 Most Common What Makes You Unique Interview Question You Should Prepare For
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Introduction
Preparing for a job interview means anticipating questions about your skills, experience, and fit. One common type of question that often appears is "what makes you unique interview question," or similar variations like "what sets you apart?" These questions are designed to help the interviewer understand your personal brand, assess your self-awareness, and see how you differentiate yourself from other candidates. They are crucial for highlighting your value proposition beyond just listing your qualifications. By practicing how to answer "what makes you unique interview question" and related behavioral and situational questions, you can articulate your strengths, motivations, and how you handle challenges effectively. This guide covers 30 common questions in this category, providing insights and example answers to help you confidently answer "what makes you unique interview question" and shine in your next interview.
What Are What Makes You Unique Interview Question?
"What makes you unique interview question" and similar prompts are open-ended questions designed to explore your individuality as a candidate. They aren't just about listing skills from your resume; they delve into your personality, work style, perspective, and what specific blend of attributes you bring that is distinct. These questions encourage you to reflect on your experiences, identify key traits, and connect them back to the job you're seeking. Essentially, they challenge you to articulate your competitive advantage. Preparing for a "what makes you unique interview question" helps you define your professional identity and communicate it persuasively to potential employers, demonstrating self-awareness and confidence.
Why Do Interviewers Ask What Makes You Unique Interview Question?
Interviewers ask "what makes you unique interview question" for several key reasons. Firstly, it helps them gauge your self-awareness and confidence in articulating your value. Secondly, it's a way to see how well you understand the role and company culture, and how your unique qualities might fit in or contribute positively. Thirdly, with many candidates having similar qualifications, questions like "what makes you unique interview question" allow the interviewer to see what truly differentiates you and makes you memorable. They want to understand your potential impact and how your specific blend of skills and experiences can solve their problems or enhance their team. It's your chance to show genuine passion and personality.
Preview List
What makes you unique?
What are your greatest strengths?
Describe yourself in three words.
Tell me about a time you showed initiative.
What motivates you?
How do you handle working under pressure?
What is your biggest weakness?
Why should we hire you?
What do you think makes a good team player?
Tell me about a time you made a mistake and what you learned.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
How do you prioritize your work?
How do you deal with conflict at work?
Tell me about your leadership style.
How have you demonstrated creativity at work?
What unique skills do you bring to this role?
Describe a time you adapted to change.
What do you value most in a workplace?
How do you stay current in your field?
What career achievement are you most proud of?
How do you handle feedback?
What role do you typically play on a team?
Why do you want this job?
Describe a time you went above and beyond for a client.
How do you manage work-life balance?
Tell me about a time you improved a process.
What makes you passionate about your work?
How do you handle failure?
What unique perspective do you bring?
What questions have I not asked that I should?
1. What makes you unique?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand your self-perception, how you differentiate yourself, and identify qualities you believe make you stand out from others.
How to answer:
Highlight a specific skill combination or perspective that is distinct and relevant to the job, backing it up with a brief example.
Example answer:
"I combine strong analytical skills with creativity, which allows me to solve complex problems innovatively while maintaining data-driven accuracy. In my last role, I developed a marketing strategy using analytics and creative content, increasing engagement by 30%."
2. What are your greatest strengths?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your self-awareness and identify skills or qualities that align with the job requirements and team needs.
How to answer:
Name 2-3 relevant strengths and provide concise examples illustrating how you've applied them effectively in past roles.
Example answer:
"My greatest strengths are my communication skills and my ability to remain calm under pressure. These helped me lead projects successfully and maintain team morale even during tight deadlines, ensuring we met our objectives."
3. Describe yourself in three words.
Why you might get asked this:
To see how concisely you can summarize your key professional traits and if they align with the desired characteristics for the role.
How to answer:
Choose impactful, positive adjectives that are relevant to the job and company culture, reflecting your core professional identity.
Example answer:
"Reliable, innovative, and approachable. Reliable because I consistently deliver, innovative because I seek new solutions, and approachable because I foster collaboration."
4. Tell me about a time you showed initiative.
Why you might get asked this:
To evaluate your proactivity, willingness to go beyond basic duties, and ability to identify and address needs independently.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe a specific instance where you took action without being asked.
Example answer:
"At my previous job, I noticed a gap in customer follow-up that impacted retention. I took the initiative to create a streamlined follow-up process, which boosted customer retention by 15% over six months."
5. What motivates you?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand what drives your performance and enthusiasm, ensuring it aligns with the challenges and rewards of the role and company.
How to answer:
Focus on intrinsic motivators like challenge, learning, impact, or collaboration, connecting them to the nature of the job.
Example answer:
"I am motivated by challenges that require creative problem-solving and continuous learning. This drives me to exceed expectations, grow professionally, and contribute to meaningful outcomes, aligning with this role's demands."
6. How do you handle working under pressure?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your ability to manage stress, maintain performance quality, and stay organized when faced with tight deadlines or high stakes.
How to answer:
Describe your strategies for managing pressure, such as prioritization, organization, or staying focused, perhaps with a brief example.
Example answer:
"I handle pressure by prioritizing tasks effectively and staying meticulously organized. This structured approach helps me focus on delivering quality work efficiently, even under tight deadlines, ensuring tasks are completed accurately."
7. What is your biggest weakness?
Why you might get asked this:
To evaluate your self-awareness and honesty, and see how you approach self-improvement or mitigate areas for development.
How to answer:
Choose a genuine weakness that isn't critical to the job, explain what you are actively doing to improve it, and frame it positively if possible.
Example answer:
"I sometimes overcommit to projects because I’m eager to help colleagues, but I’ve learned to set more realistic boundaries and delegate tasks when appropriate to manage my workload effectively."
8. Why should we hire you?
Why you might get asked this:
This is your chance to summarize your value proposition and directly connect your skills and unique qualities to the specific needs of the role.
How to answer:
Synthesize your relevant skills, experience, and unique attributes, explicitly stating how they benefit the employer and align with the job description.
Example answer:
"You should hire me because I bring a unique blend of skills and experience directly matching your needs, proven by my track record of exceeding goals. I am also a highly collaborative team player, eager to contribute to your team's success."
9. What do you think makes a good team player?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your understanding of teamwork dynamics and identify if your approach to collaboration aligns with their team culture.
How to answer:
Describe key characteristics of effective teamwork, such as communication, support, shared goals, and respect, relating them to your own behavior.
Example answer:
"A good team player listens actively, communicates openly and honestly, and supports others to achieve collective goals. They prioritize team success over individual recognition and build trust."
10. Tell me about a time you made a mistake and what you learned.
Why you might get asked this:
To evaluate your ability to acknowledge errors, take responsibility, learn from failure, and adapt your approach going forward.
How to answer:
Describe a specific, relatively minor mistake, explain the impact, what you learned from it, and how you apply that lesson now.
Example answer:
"I once missed a minor project deadline due to poor time estimation. This taught me the critical importance of proactive communication and rigorous time management. Since then, I use a detailed scheduling system to prevent recurrence."
11. What sets you apart from other candidates?
Why you might get asked this:
Similar to "what makes you unique," this question asks you to articulate your competitive advantage and highlight specific skills or experiences that differentiate you.
How to answer:
Identify 1-2 specific skills, experiences, or personal attributes that are particularly strong or uncommon and relevant to the role.
Example answer:
"My ability to integrate technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills allows me to not only perform technical tasks efficiently but also connect effectively with clients and colleagues, driving both results and positive relationships."
12. How do you prioritize your work?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand your organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, and decision-making process when faced with competing demands.
How to answer:
Explain your method for organizing and ranking tasks (e.g., by urgency, importance, deadline, required effort) and how you stay flexible.
Example answer:
"I assess tasks based on urgency and potential impact, then create a daily or weekly plan using a task management tool. I check in regularly to adjust priorities as new items arise."
13. How do you deal with conflict at work?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your interpersonal skills, ability to navigate difficult situations professionally, and commitment to finding constructive resolutions.
How to answer:
Describe your approach, focusing on calm communication, active listening, understanding perspectives, and working collaboratively toward a solution.
Example answer:
"I address conflicts directly and respectfully, focusing on the issue, not the person. I listen actively to all sides to understand perspectives and work collaboratively to find a solution that benefits the team and goals."
14. Tell me about your leadership style.
Why you might get asked this:
To understand how you guide and motivate others, your approach to decision-making within a team, and whether it fits the company culture.
How to answer:
Describe your general approach (e.g., servant leadership, democratic, coaching) and provide a brief example of it in action.
Example answer:
"I practice a collaborative leadership style, empowering my team by providing clear direction and resources while fostering open communication. My goal is to support them in performing at their best and achieving shared objectives."
15. How have you demonstrated creativity at work?
Why you might get asked this:
To evaluate your ability to think outside the box, innovate, and find novel solutions to problems or improve existing processes.
How to answer:
Provide a specific example where you introduced a new idea, method, or solution that was original and had a positive outcome.
Example answer:
"I demonstrated creativity by developing a new customer feedback survey. By redesigning its format and making it more engaging, I increased response rates by 40%, providing richer insights for the team."
16. What unique skills do you bring to this role?
Why you might get asked this:
To prompt you to articulate specific, potentially uncommon skills or expertise that are highly relevant and add distinct value to the position.
How to answer:
Identify 1-2 technical or soft skills that are particularly strong or less common among candidates and explain how they directly benefit this specific role.
Example answer:
"I bring a rare combination of strong programming skills and extensive customer service experience. This enables me to bridge the gap between technical teams and end-users, ensuring solutions truly meet client needs effectively."
17. Describe a time you adapted to change.
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your flexibility, resilience, and ability to handle transitions smoothly in a dynamic work environment.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method to describe a situation involving change, how you handled it, and the positive outcome or lesson learned.
Example answer:
"When my previous company switched to a new, unfamiliar project management tool, I quickly learned the software through tutorials and practice. I then trained several colleagues, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for the team."
18. What do you value most in a workplace?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand your priorities in a work environment and see if they align with the company's culture, values, and overall philosophy.
How to answer:
Focus on values like collaboration, innovation, transparency, growth, or impact, explaining briefly why they are important to you.
Example answer:
"I value transparency and collaboration most in a workplace. Transparency builds trust, while collaboration fosters diverse ideas and innovation, creating a positive and productive environment where everyone feels heard and valued."
19. How do you stay current in your field?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and staying knowledgeable about industry trends and best practices.
How to answer:
Mention specific activities you engage in, such as reading industry publications, attending conferences, taking courses, or participating in professional networks.
Example answer:
"I stay current by regularly attending industry workshops, completing online courses related to new technologies, and actively engaging with industry forums and professional networks to discuss trends and insights."
20. What career achievement are you most proud of?
Why you might get asked this:
To learn about your definition of success, what kind of impact you value, and see an example of you operating at a high level.
How to answer:
Choose a significant achievement that showcases relevant skills, use the STAR method to describe it, and highlight the positive result.
Example answer:
"I am most proud of leading a cross-functional team to deliver a major product feature two weeks ahead of schedule. This resulted in a 20% increase in user engagement and demonstrated strong teamwork and project management."
21. How do you handle feedback?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your openness to constructive criticism, your ability to learn and grow, and your professional maturity.
How to answer:
Explain that you view feedback as valuable for growth, describe your process for receiving it (listening, asking questions), and mention how you act on it.
Example answer:
"I view feedback as a valuable opportunity to learn and improve. I listen carefully, ask clarifying questions to ensure I understand, and then thoughtfully implement constructive criticism to enhance my performance."
22. What role do you typically play on a team?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand your preferred style of contribution within a group setting and assess how you might fit into their existing team dynamic.
How to answer:
Describe the role you most naturally gravitate towards (e.g., collaborator, problem-solver, organizer, communicator) and why it's effective.
Example answer:
"I often take on the role of a connector and facilitator on a team. I enjoy ensuring clear communication between members, identifying potential roadblocks, and helping everyone stay aligned towards the common goal."
23. Why do you want this job?
Why you might get asked this:
To gauge your interest, evaluate if you understand the role and company, and confirm your motivation is genuinely aligned with the opportunity.
How to answer:
Connect your skills and career goals to the specific requirements of the role and express genuine enthusiasm for the company's mission or work.
Example answer:
"I want this job because it aligns perfectly with my skills in [Skill 1] and [Skill 2], and directly supports my career goal of working on innovative projects in [Industry/Area]. I also deeply admire your company’s commitment to [Company Value]."
24. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a client.
Why you might get asked this:
To evaluate your commitment to customer service, problem-solving skills, and willingness to invest extra effort when needed to ensure satisfaction.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method to describe a situation where you exceeded expectations to help a client, explaining the extra steps you took and the positive outcome.
Example answer:
"A client had a critical system issue just before a major launch. I stayed late, troubleshooting the problem until resolved, even though it was outside my standard duties. This preserved our relationship and led to additional contracts."
25. How do you manage work-life balance?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand your approach to managing stress and preventing burnout, ensuring you can maintain productivity and well-being long-term.
How to answer:
Describe your strategies for managing workload efficiently during work hours and setting boundaries to allow for rest and personal time.
Example answer:
"I manage work-life balance by prioritizing tasks efficiently during the workday and setting clear boundaries, like disconnecting after hours when possible. This helps me maintain productivity without sacrificing personal well-being."
26. Tell me about a time you improved a process.
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your initiative, problem-solving skills, and ability to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements that benefit the team or organization.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method to describe a specific process you improved, explaining the problem, your solution, and the positive results achieved.
Example answer:
"I noticed our manual reporting system was time-consuming and prone to errors. I researched and implemented an automation tool, reducing report generation time significantly and saving the team roughly 10 hours per week."
27. What makes you passionate about your work?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand your intrinsic motivation and genuine interest in the field or type of work, indicating potential for higher engagement and performance.
How to answer:
Focus on aspects of the work that genuinely excite you, such as problem-solving, creating something new, helping others, or continuous learning.
Example answer:
"I'm passionate about my work because I love the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to make a tangible impact. Seeing how my contributions help achieve goals or improve processes is incredibly rewarding."
28. How do you handle failure?
Why you might get asked this:
To assess your resilience, ability to learn from setbacks, and maintain a growth mindset rather than being discouraged by mistakes.
How to answer:
Describe failure as a learning opportunity. Explain your process for analyzing what went wrong, extracting lessons, and applying them moving forward.
Example answer:
"I view failure as a crucial learning opportunity. When something doesn't go as planned, I take time to analyze what went wrong objectively, understand the root cause, learn from it, and apply those lessons to future projects."
29. What unique perspective do you bring?
Why you might get asked this:
To understand how your background, experiences, or way of thinking can contribute fresh ideas, diversity of thought, or new approaches to challenges.
How to answer:
Highlight how your specific background (e.g., varied industries, different roles, unique experiences) shapes your viewpoint and problem-solving approach.
Example answer:
"My diverse background, having worked across different industries like tech and non-profit, allows me to bring a unique perspective to challenges. I can often draw on varied experiences to suggest fresh, cross-disciplinary approaches."
30. What questions have I not asked that I should?
Why you might get asked this:
To test your strategic thinking, understanding of the role/company, and initiative in driving the conversation towards important, unaddressed topics.
How to answer:
Suggest a question that allows you to highlight a relevant strength or experience not yet discussed, or ask about a critical aspect of the role or company you're genuinely curious about.
Example answer:
"You've covered a lot, thank you. Perhaps a question you haven't asked is how my experience in [Specific Area] could directly address your team's current challenge with [Specific Problem]? I'd be happy to elaborate on that."
Other Tips to Prepare for a What Makes You Unique Interview Question
Preparing for questions like "what makes you unique interview question" requires thoughtful self-reflection. Start by reviewing the job description closely. Identify the key skills and qualities the employer seeks. Then, brainstorm specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate those attributes. Think about what coworkers or managers have complimented you on – often, that's what makes you unique. Practice articulating your answers out loud. As career expert Jane Smith says, "Knowing your value is one thing; communicating it clearly under pressure is another." Consider using the Verve AI Interview Copilot (https://vervecopilot.com) to practice answering "what makes you unique interview question" and receive instant feedback on your delivery and content. The Verve AI Interview Copilot can simulate real interview scenarios, helping you refine your responses to a "what makes you unique interview question" and build confidence. Utilizing tools like the Verve AI Interview Copilot can significantly improve your readiness for common and challenging questions alike, including "what makes you unique interview question." Remember to tailor your responses to the specific role and company, showing genuine interest and alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How specific should I be when answering "what makes you unique interview question"?
A1: Be specific enough to provide a clear example or trait, but concise. Avoid generic answers; focus on concrete actions or skills.
Q2: Can I mention personal qualities for "what makes you unique interview question"?
A2: Yes, if they are relevant to the workplace, like resilience, curiosity, or adaptability, and you can link them to professional behavior.
Q3: Is it okay to say my uniqueness is a combination of skills?
A3: Absolutely. Often, the combination of diverse skills (e.g., technical and creative) is what truly makes a candidate unique.
Q4: Should my answer to "what makes you unique interview question" be different for each job?
A4: Yes, you should tailor your answer to highlight the unique qualities most relevant and valuable for that specific role and company culture.
Q5: What if I feel I'm not unique?
A5: Everyone has a unique blend of experiences and perspectives. Focus on a combination of skills or a specific way you approach problems that feels authentic to you.
Q6: How long should my answer be for a question like "what makes you unique interview question"?
A6: Aim for a concise answer, typically 1-2 minutes. Be clear, provide a brief example, and connect it to the job.
