You’re in a job interview and you’re asked, “What are your strengths?

This interview question is quite common and straightforward for people who are prepared. Knowing your strengths over time through due process gives you the confidence to answer with the conviction and passion that will leave the right impression with the panelist’s. Transferable skills is an area most people overlook. In situations where you may not have direct experience for the position being applied for you should demonstrate “transferable” skills that will enable you to succeed in the position. The principles of leadership , people management, discipline, and execution are similar across industries. Always highlight your strengths no matter how insignificant you may think it is.

It's important to answer this question in a way that highlights your best qualities and demonstrates how you can benefit the company. It's best to focus on qualities that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Lastly give an example of a time when you used that quality to achieve a successful outcome.

- Pick 2-3 key strengths to focus on rather than listing everything. - Choose strengths that align with the role and company you're interviewing for. - Provide specific examples that demonstrate each strength. - Frame strengths positively. Say you "take initiative" rather than "work well independently." - Consider strengths in soft skills like communication as well as hard skills like technical abilities. This is important! - Prepare strength-based answers in advance but deliver them conversationally. - Be honest and authentic. Don't claim strengths you don't possess just because they sound good. - After sharing your strengths, you can pivot to how you complement them with other skills on your team.

This is one of the important questions frequently posed, especially to junior to mid-level engineers, and I recognize its significance in assessing candidates' capabilities. In a job interview, when asked about my strengths, I would highlight my strong problem-solving skills, adaptability to diverse situations, effective communication abilities, and my ability to work well both independently and collaboratively in a team. Additionally, I would emphasize my dedication to continuous learning and my passion for delivering high-quality results.

I personally found it extremely valuable to do a Gallup Strength Finder assessment. Often we are not aware of our strengths, because we take them for granted and an external input could help us to understand deeper our strength and capitalize on them.

If building relationships is your core competency then you can respond as follows: “My potential is probably my ability to build strong relationships with my stakeholders. I love meeting and getting to know new people so I always approach each new account as a scope to make a new work friend. By asking questions about my contacts and actively listening to their answers, I am normally able to create a strong rapport and I credit these relationships with my 90% renewal rate. I have even had contacts from customers move to different organizations and then request to work with me again".

Select strengths relevant to the role, focusing on abilities that showcase your capability and potential to excel within the organization. Emphasize skills that underscore your people management capabilities, like communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence. As a CTO, you understand the value of presenting examples that not only reflect technical proficiency but also demonstrate your ability to lead, motivate, and navigate complex team dynamics. These qualities highlight your readiness to contribute significantly, fostering a collaborative environment and driving innovation. Tailoring your strengths to the company's needs shows your strategic approach to leadership and problem-solving.

It is always very helpful to write down your success stories at work to have some realistic examples of your talents and achievements. Reflect on how your strengths and talents contributed to your success.

When selecting strengths for an interview, focus on those most relevant to the role. For a managerial position, emphasize people management skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership. For instance, if applying for a project manager role, highlight your ability to lead diverse teams, facilitate effective communication, and resolve conflicts. Tailoring your strengths to the job showcases your suitability and potential contribution to the organization's success.

When you create a list of your strengths, we should include? everything- work experiences, school accomplishments, volunteer work, hobbies, CSR-work, extracurricular activities, how you handled a difficult situation, and so on. Always list the higher weightage to the less weightage.

The STAR method structures responses to highlight your strengths effectively. It involves describing a Situation, outlining a Task, detailing the Actions taken, and showcasing the Results achieved. This approach not only presents your strengths clearly but also supports them with concrete examples. For instance, as a CTO, applying the STAR method could involve recounting a situation where innovative solutions were required, the goal set for the team, the strategic decisions you made, and the successful outcome that followed. This demonstrates not just technical skills but also leadership, problem-solving, and the ability to drive positive change. It's an effective way to communicate your value and impact in a memorable and structured manner

The STAR method, comprising Situation, Task, Action, and Result, is an effective framework for answering questions about strengths. Firstly, describe the situation or problem you encountered. Then, outline the task or goal you aimed to achieve. Next, detail the actions you took, emphasizing your strengths. Finally, summarize the outcome, showcasing the impact of your actions. Utilizing this method demonstrates problem-solving and decision-making abilities credibly.

Here's an example using the STAR method: Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we faced a critical deadline for a client deliverable. Task: My task was to ensure the project was completed on time while maintaining quality standards. Action: I organized daily stand-up meetings, allocated tasks based on team members' strengths, and implemented a streamlined communication system. Result: The project was not only delivered on schedule but exceeded client expectations, showcasing my strengths in team coordination, effective communication, and task prioritization.

I prefer using the START method that adds a moment of reflection at the end: what are your Takeaways from the experience? After sharing the outcome, briefly review your learnings, what mistakes you made and what you will do different next time. This reflection moment will show your thoughtful approach and your ability and willingness to learn from your experiences.

A simpler way to go about it is to use the CAR method: 1/ Context: show simply what they need to know to understand your strengths 2/ Action: what you did to precisely get there (use "I" instead of "we") 3/ Results: what were the tangible results of your actions in both quality & quantity. BONUS: if you had to do it all over again, what would you change?

Por lo general, respondo a esa pregunta indicando mis fortalezas y un ejemplo de ellas en mi experiencia laboral o mis logros, siempre resaltando el aprendizaje que tuve para llegar ahí, lo cual es una manera de mostrar humildad y a la vez, capacidad de crecimiento. Porque recuerda: no siempre hemos sabido lo que sabemos ahora.

When discussing your strengths, balance confidence with humility. Confidence showcases your abilities without exaggeration, while humility acknowledges your areas for growth. For example, as a CTO, you might express confidence in leading successful projects and innovations, yet also be open about your continuous learning in emerging technologies. This approach not only presents a realistic view of your capabilities but also demonstrates your respect for teamwork and eagerness for professional development. Being confident and humble helps create an authentic impression, underscoring your leadership qualities and potential to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments.

Practice is necessary to learn how to use the right key phrases and the right body language during an interview. Avoid overusing "I" during an interview. ... Discuss other team members during an interview. ... Let your resume or your proposal do the talking. ... Discuss your own faults. ... Remember your body language.

Confidence in your abilities is key, but humility keeps you grounded. A seasoned leader advises balancing the two by acknowledging team efforts and learning experiences. This approach demonstrates not only your strengths but also your ability to work in and contribute to a team.

Here's an example: I am confident in my ability to lead and motivate teams, as demonstrated in my previous role where I successfully managed a cross-functional team to achieve project milestones. While I take pride in my organizational and communication skills, I remain humble by continuously seeking feedback and identifying areas for personal development. I recognize the collaborative efforts of my team members and value their contributions, understanding that success is a collective achievement. This balance of confidence and humility has been crucial in my professional growth, and I am eager to bring this mindset to contribute effectively as a people manager.

When interviewing for a new role and asked for your strengths, this is a great opportunity to showcase what’s missing when you’re not in the room. How do bring your experiences, passions, and perspective to the table? And more specifically, how can your unique superpowers help them solve their unique business challenges.

There are 4 key things to cover: 1) Identify skills you possess that match the job requirements, such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, or attention to detail. Emphasize how these strengths can help you succeed in the job and add value to the organization. 2) Give examples of how your strengths have helped you in previous roles. Share stories that demonstrate your abilities and accomplishments in a clear and concise way. 3)Highlight your personal strengths, particularly traits that have helped you in your career such as resilience, adaptability, optimism, or collaboration. 4) While it's important to describe your strengths, it's also important to be humble. Don't exaggerate or come across as arrogant.

Always be prepared to discuss how your strengths can address the company's challenges or contribute to its goals. Leaders know that showing how your skills can solve problems or add value is crucial. Additionally, continuous learning and adaptability are also strengths in themselves; show that you are someone who evolves and grows with challenges.

It is crucial to prioritize ongoing learning and development to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving professional landscape. Embracing a growth mindset, seeking feedback, and actively engaging in continuous improvement initiatives can propel your career forward and enhance your impact as a leader.