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Good Interview Questions

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What Are Your Strengths?

This is one of those good interview questions that is always on an employer's list of top 10 interview questions.

While you are answering this question, these are the real questions going through the mind of the hiring manager:

  • What makes you stand out from other candidates?
  • Do you express yourself with confidence and enthusiasm?
  • Will you fit into our company culture?
  • Are your strengths what we need to solve our problems?
People sometimes struggle with good interview questions like this for 2 reasons:

1. They feel like they're bragging about themselves.

2. They tell the employer what they want to hear...and sound like everyone else: team player, hard worker, quick learner, good communicator.

Try and come up with 5 or 6 strengths that are quantifiable and unique to you. Be a little creative with this so you clearly stand out. See the chart below to help you brainstorm.

And... be prepared to prove your strengths by sharing a real situation, if asked. For example, let's say you tell your interviewer that you are a creative person.

A skilled interviewer will quickly follow up with: "Give me an example of a time when you were creative."


Example of a good interview answer:

As a district sales manager for XYZ motorcycles, I was responsible for 25 independent retailers in a 5 state territory. I knew a lot about my competition in open markets, but I knew very little about my competitors in areas where I had strong retailers. This became a problem if I lost a major retailer, as it could take several months to find a replacement. So I made it a point to meet all my competing retailers at trade shows and other industry events. Eventually a mutual trust and respect was established, making it easier to close an open territory if one of our retailers switched brands.


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Here is a checklist of 109 qualities and positive character traits to help jog your memory. Select 5-6 strengths that best describe you.

Remember: Keep your answer to this interview question short...30 seconds is about right. Provide more information if they probe further.

Always be prepared to share a situation that demonstrates these strengths whenever you are asked good interview questions like:

What are your greatest strengths?

Ability to work with othersGlobal experienceProductive
AccurateGlobal thinkerProfessional
AmbitiousGoal orientedProficient
AnalyticalGood judgementProfit oriented
Business senseGratefulProgressive
Caring natureGratitudeQuick learner
CheerfulHard workingRelationship builder
Clear thinkerHelpfulResourceful
Common senseHonestRespectful
Communicate wellIndustriousResponsible
ConciseInnovativeResults oriented
ConfidentInsightfulRisk taker
ConscientiousIntuitiveSelf sufficient
Cost-consciousKnowledgeableSense of adventure
CreativeLeaderSense of humor
DecisiveLearn quicklySense of urgency
DedicatedLogicalService oriented
DependableLoyalSkillful
Detail orientedMeticulousSocial
DeterminedMotivatedStable
DiligentNegotiation skillsSuccessful
DiplomaticOpen mindedSystematic
DisciplinedOptimisticTactful
DrivenOrganizedTake initiative
EfficientPatientTeachable
EndurancePerceptiveTeacher
EnergeticPersistentTeam builder
EnterprisingPersonal driveTenacious
EnthusiasticPersuasiveThorough
EntrepreneurialPioneeringTolerant
Fair mindedPositiveTrustworthy
FlexiblePracticalUnderstanding
ForgivingPragmaticVersatile
ForesightedPreparedVision
FriendlyProactiveWilling
GenerousProblem solverWritten skills

If you can't pass this short quiz...cancel your job interview.

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