Do you have an upcoming job interview? Then you might stumble on the “What is your greatest achievement?” or “What is your greatest professional accomplishment?” interview question!
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Hiring managers often ask this question to find out what makes you stand out from the crowd. They are also curious if your greatest achievement can be replicated, hence benefit the new job role. The best way to structure your answer is by using the CARL technique:
Example Answer
Context: “My greatest achievement was during my previous position as a [Job title] at [Company XYZ]. At the time, two of my colleagues were responsible for content management. That includes planning, styling and developing content for [Website]. However, one went on maternity leave, the other resigned unexpectedly and no replacement was hired.
Action: For the time being, I took the initiative and volunteered to take on the role as content manager. I learned how to use Photoshop and Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) by following internal training courses and using online resources. I started with the low hanging fruit and reached out to some of my colleagues at headquarters to assist me with the more complicated tasks.
Result: Although I wasn’t able to finish each and every task on time during those six months, I was able to troubleshoot technical problems, offer advice on maintenance issues and keep [Website] up and running. As a result, I was praised by management and received a contract extension.
Learning: What I’ve learned is that difficult times lead to new opportunities. In this case, my salary increased, I learned new things and I am excited to share my knowledge with new hires. It also boosted my confidence which makes me feel ready to take on an active role in the content management team.”
Interview Question Tips
- Don’t feel like you are coming across as unlikeable or obnoxious when answering this question
- Don’t give a list of possible accomplishments or a long-winded answer because then you’ll come across as someone who is unprepared and undecisive
- Do share a recent and relevant accomplishment (match with the job requirements). This could be a successful presentation, achieving sales targets, take on additional responsibilities etc.