In an interview, it's not only important to highlight your skills and qualifications - you also need to demonstrate your strengths. To do this, you can use strength-based interview questions.
These are questions that focus on what you're good at, rather than what you've done in the past. Here are 15 examples of strength-based interview questions, plus example answers. Use these to help you prepare for your next job interview.
Strength-based interview questions are a type of job interview question that focus on an individual's strengths, rather than asking questions about their skills or experience. These questions are designed to help determine if the applicant has the relevant skills and aptitudes necessary to perform the job well.
Strength-based interviews aim towards understanding how people can contribute based on their unique abilities, and make it easier for employers to spot potential talent.
Preparing for interview questions can be intimidating, but there are some simple steps you can take to help maximise your chances of success.
Strength-based questions ask you to focus on your areas of competence and improvement. This is an effective way of gaining insight into a person’s abilities and their potential for succeeding in a job or team. Here are 15 examples of strength-based questions and how to answer them:
My motivation comes from the satisfaction of knowing that I've done a good job. It's always rewarding to see my work positively impact others, and this drives me to continue pushing myself to do better.
I prefer to start a task because it's energising and exciting. It gives me the opportunity to brainstorm and come up with creative solutions to any problems I may encounter.
I find deadlines to be motivating because they provide structure and a sense of urgency. Knowing that I have a deadline helps me stay focused and prioritise the tasks at hand.
I enjoy the challenge of problem-solving and finding solutions for difficult issues. It's also very rewarding to see my ideas come to life.
I tend to take on the role of project manager, as I'm well-versed in planning and organising tasks. I also enjoy delegating tasks to others, while offering my guidance and support throughout the process.
I believe that my combination of experience, skills and attitude sets me apart from other candidates. I have a strong track record of success, and I'm passionate about leveraging my expertise to bring positive results.
I would start by offering support and encouragement. I think it's important to let them know that they are not alone and to provide guidance on how to prioritise their tasks. From there, I'd be happy to help out with any of the tasks or offer advice as needed.
I'm passionate about this job because I'm excited to contribute my skills and experience to help the team succeed. Additionally, I'm eager to learn new things and take on challenges that will push me out of my comfort zone.
I typically handle stressful situations by remaining calm and focusing on finding a solution. In the past, I have found that I can get overwhelmed. To tackle this, I've learned some relaxation techniques and project management skills that help me to get back on track and not allow stress to get the better of me.
I define success on a project as achieving the desired outcome. This could be in terms of meeting deadlines, staying within budget, or even exceeding customer expectations. Success to me also means that I have contributed my skills and knowledge in a meaningful way to bring about a positive result.
Although I didn’t study this for my degree, I took a short course in economics at university and found it to be quite fascinating, as it provided me with a deeper understanding of how the world works.
I prefer to get started early. I find that I'm most productive in the morning, and this allows me to make the most of my time and energy. Working late can be beneficial as well, but I typically like to have some downtime in the evenings for rest and relaxation.
Yes, I do think I am good at managing my time. Through experience, I have developed effective strategies for organising tasks and setting realistic deadlines. Also, I'm generally quite disciplined with my schedule and able to stay on track even when things get busy.
My biggest work accomplishment is the successful launch of a new product. I was responsible for developing the strategy and overseeing its implementation, which involved managing a large team of people from different departments and ensuring that everything stayed on track.
I have found that setting short-term goals and breaking down tasks into smaller chunks helps me stay motivated. Additionally, I try to take regular breaks throughout the day and reward myself for a job well done.
If you want to ace your next job interview, be prepared to answer strength-based questions. These are questions designed to assess your past performance in order to gauge how you will perform in the future.
While they may seem daunting at first, there are ways to prepare for them. By familiarising yourself with common examples and thinking about how you would answer them, you can go into your next interview feeling confident and ready to impress.
