8 Real Life Examples "What makes you unique" in an Interview
What makes you unique? I'm sure this is a question that has been asked in 98% of interviews since the beginning of time.
It's cliche but used as a catch-all question to see what makes you stand out from other applicants.
What can you say about yourself that employers might not otherwise know or be able to discern based on your resume? To help you prepare this answer consider the following:
- Assets the employers find valuable: Review the job description for role responsibilities as well as required and desired skills, qualities, experience and qualifications.
- Ways you've been successful in previous roles: Reflect on past accomplishments and list the qualities that helped you achieve them.
- Traits or skills you've been praised for: Consider your strengths and qualities commonly recognized by previous employers or coworkers.
Here we prepared some samples for you.
Multitask and adapt to changing circumstances
I think what makes me unique is my ability to multitask and adapt to changing circumstances.
In my previous roles, I've always been able to do a lot of different things at once, and that's helped me succeed in a variety of different scenarios.
I also think that I'm pretty good at working under pressure—when there's a deadline coming up and everyone else is panicking, I'm usually just focused on getting it done.
Team player
I'm a team player. I've worked on teams in the past, and I know how to work with others to find solutions. I'm always looking for ways to improve efficiency and make things easier for my coworkers.
I'm also flexible. My previous employers have always told me that they appreciate how easily I can adapt to change. When something new comes along, I don't get frustrated or discouraged—I just figure out how it works and start using it!
My friends have always said that I am an excellent communicator, so I think it's safe to say this is another trait that makes me unique!
Strong work ethic
I think what makes me unique is my ability to work well with others. I have a strong work ethic, and I'm willing to go the extra mile for my employer.
I've been successful in previous roles because of my willingness to help out wherever needed, and because of my dedication to the company's goals and values.
I've been praised for being an excellent team player, and for being able to take on new tasks without hesitation.
Quick learner
I think what makes me unique is that I'm a quick learner. I've never been afraid to ask questions, and I can always find the answers to whatever question pops into my head. I love learning new things and being able to apply them to my current role.
I know that sounds like something everyone says when they're looking for a new job, but it's true! One of the things that makes me feel most confident about my ability to succeed in this position is that I have had a lot of success in previous roles where
I've had to learn new things quickly and apply them immediately—like when I was working at [company name] as an intern, or when I was working at [company name again] as an analyst, or even when I was just starting out as a student at [university].
Take on a task and get it done
I think what makes me unique is my ability to take on a task and get it done. I love being in a role where I can make things happen, and I don't like to wait around for someone else to do it for me.
In my previous roles, I've been able to work with my team members to turn around projects that were falling behind schedule and help them see how they could be more efficient with their time.
When I worked as a project manager at [company name], one of the things that I really enjoyed was having the opportunity to train new employees in our software platform. It's always fun to see someone learn something new!
I'm very detail-oriented, so when we had an issue with one of our vendors, it was my responsibility to ensure that every single detail was taken care of before we closed out the project with them.
Self-directed and motivated
I think what makes me unique is my ability to be self-directed and motivated. In previous roles, I'm always been someone who takes initiative and is able to work independently.
This is important because it allows me to be successful at a job without needing constant supervision or feedback from my manager.
A lot of experience
I think what makes me unique is that I have a lot of experience with [name of the industry]. I've been working in this field for about five years, and I've worked with a wide range of clients.
This means that I'm skilled at adapting to new projects, which is something that will be really valuable in the role you're looking to fill.
I also think that my ability to work on my own initiative is an asset that will help me in this role.
In my previous roles, I've had lots of freedom to do what I need to do, and as a result, I've been able to take on some very challenging tasks—tasks that require an abundance of creativity or resourcefulness.
Team player, responsibility and accountability
I think what makes me unique is my ability to be a team player, but also to take on responsibility and accountability for what needs to get done.
I'm excited about the opportunity to help you solve your problems, and I know that's something that's going to come up in this role.