To make the best possible impression, follow these two steps: While your interviewer might be impressed by the first prize trophy you won in your countys Best Cherry Pie Contest, you should choose another example unless youre applying for a baking position. When asked about your greatest accomplishment in an interview, take the opportunity to share a story that highlights your skills, work ethic, and determination. If you want to become successful in life, you must help yourself first. So if you feel like you dont have any good answers to this question because you havent been working long enough, youre going to have to get a little creative. ACTION: I endured painful physical therapy and light walking for the first three months. That way, they can frame their answers in a way that is helpful. 'My greatest achievement' examples could include: Giving a great presentation at work. Lets start with the basics: whats the point of this job interview question? How do you answer what are your key achievements? When a recruiter or hiring manager asks you about your greatest accomplishment, they really want to know three main things: Your work ethic. In only four months, we were achieving 50-80% above our chosen goals. Sample Answer 6 - Living Abroad Greatest Personal Achievement. Task: "As a senior member of the team, I was tasked with being both the content strategist and the overall project manager. By asking this question, the hiring manager can see if your accomplishments and work ethic aligns with the needs of the organization. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc, How to Answer 'What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment? Summary of How To Answer What Is Your Biggest Achievement? Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. My greatest accomplishment was finishing college at the top of my class while holding a full-time job. I knew automating the process would make things easier and help us close more sales. A change in your condition or outlook. A: Action The actions you took alone or your specific contribution as part of a team to obtain the objective. Choose something that is as modern as possible and somewhat relevant to that job. I asked team members what features they wanted and needed and discussed budgeting with my higher-ups. Entry-Level College Grad. A year later, we had increased our close rate by 26% and our renewal rate by 17%. What is your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest accomplishment could be like Gennifer's, Morgan's or Asha's or it could be completely different. Its easy to get carried away talking about your proudest accomplishment. Talking about your own achievements can be pretty uncomfortable for some were taught not to brag from an early age. If you're success-oriented and if you've gone above and beyond in your work. Situation: "My greatest accomplishment was when I was a content leader at a local design agency. The company was taking a loss every time we entered a new market. Pick one that highlights how you can benefit the employer. R [RESULTS] What were the results of what you did? Why Interviewers Ask "What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?" Let's start with the basics: what's the point of this job interview question? This candidate describes initiative, organization, and insight into the teams needs. During the first 6 months of the launch we saw increases in revenue of 19%, which was the biggest increase the company had ever seen during a 6-month period. This question is a behavioral interview question. Best answers to "what is your greatest accomplishment". At my current job as a fifth-grade teacher, my greatest accomplishments always involve watching my students achieve something. Choose anything that is as recent as feasible and at least tangentially related to this position or your career. SITUATION: My greatest achievement was being promoted through self-motivation and learning. Task: I decided to experiment with new ways to promote it in-store. 2. When answering questions about your accomplishments, you need to highlight and elaborate your successes. I learned a lot through teaching 2.Satisfaction through satisfying students and their parents 3.Respect through dedication in quality of work I believe that my greatest achievement as a teacher is being a wholesome person. Boost your application with an effective cover letter. Answering this common behavioral question about your greatest professional achievement is a great way to show you are the best candidate for the role. Even though . Shows resourcefulness, teamwork, and leadership qualities. Answering What is your greatest achievement in an interview can be intimidating. Win over hiring managers with our expert tips. ResumeGenius.com is owned and operated by Sonaga Tech Limited, Hamilton, Zweigniederlassung Luzern with offices in Luzern Switzerland. Additionally, ask friends, family, and former coworkers for their opinion. Topic Ideas for Writing the Greatest Accomplishment Essay. Use the STAR method. To answer this question effectively, choose the accomplishment that best demonstrates the relevant skills and qualifications needed in the role youre applying for. The basics of a great response. As with all behavioral interview questions, choosing a relevant example and using the STAR . If you dont think you have any accomplishments, self-reflect and ask others for help. ". I started making short, funny videos around the office, showing what we did as a company while humanizing the brand. Making a resume is easy with the right tool. I would get to the office at 5 am by hitching a ride on one of my neighbors cars and managed to work extra four hours each day for a month. Then work on building out the supporting examples for these accomplishments. Using this method, you talk about the situation or problem you were facing, the task or role you played within the situation, the action you took to solve the problem, and the result you achieved. Remember, the interviewer called you knowing this might be your first job interview. Moving out of your parents' house. I really wanted the blog to work, and even though I used to share the link to my contacts on Whatsapp and followers on Instagram, it was still underperforming. I finally went with the [XYZ] CRM system and worked with the IT team to implement it. "What is your biggest accomplishment at work?". Business Recovery. My greatest accomplishment was getting a gold medal in the International Olympiad of Science. Organizing a successful charity event. improving an algorithm) Awards & Recognition. Follow the STAR method as an answering format for a comprehensive reply. Human resource experts and researches have come up with a STAR method to give an answer that is satisfactory. Copyright 2023 Novorsum ApS. It's something you're proud of and shows what you're capable of. This question essentially forces a full S-T-A-R behavioral answer, since it puts the "R" (results achieved) first, which makes it easy to trace the trail for how you got there. Cover letters don't have to be dry. The interviewer knows the candidate is motivated, independent, and possesses relevant career skills. Why Are You The Best Person For This Job? Get a sense of the candidate's nursing skills and experience. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University. Follow the STAR method as an answering format for a comprehensive reply. Our professional builder will do the hard work for you. While finding an accomplishment that's relevant to what the company is looking for is an important first step, how you structure your story is also something you should consider. Highlight your most notable publications and research with one of our research-focused CVs. Sample Answer 4 - Paying For College Myself Achievement. Task: After describing your part in the situation. This saved me a lot of time, and eventually, the document got repurposed to its own web page. When describing the outcome, if possible, mention numbers and quantifiable facts. I took the initiative to research potential customer relationship management solutions. I noticed that we hadnt secured any new donors for a while. Dont lie. Beating sales targets. 1. Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable guides and the latest job-hunt tips and tricks. Youll leave out details, or worse, forget your best stories. "What is your greatest accomplishment?" is one of the most common job interview questions, but particularly for someone fresh out of college or high school it can be daunting to answer.. We'll cover why interviewers ask about your greatest accomplishment, provide tips for giving the best answer, and tie it all together with a few sample answers. Sample Answer 5 - Persevering Through Injury Achievement. 2. In month seven, I rejoined my team in time for the high school season. In a nutshell, you want to stick to a single example if you can unless they ask you for more and you want to make sure that this example represents the best work youve done in the past while simultaneously being an interesting story. Try our creative templates to highlight your personality. Now we have one of the highest retention rates in the company and pay 25% less to fill each position. Home Interview What is Your Greatest Accomplishment, December 20, 2022 | By Corissa Peterson | Reviewed by Conrad Benz. '. (S) Situation - Describe the situation and the context in which the event took place. I wanted to ensure our prospects and leads would feel understood, knowing our sales team cared about their success. The whole story follows the STAR method down to the T. It uses numbers and data to describe the context and shows relevance. Be specific in details, but make it short and to the point. Action - I decided to start learning as much as I could about our product (a social media automation tool) by talking with the other employees when I could, and reading up on everything I could get my hands on that was related to the product. Answer (1 of 6): While working for the chemistry necessary in the Human Genome project I have synthesized the most difficult fluorescent base in the project, in a contest with a group of PhD chemists. This one is career-relevant and has a dollar value attached. Here are the four parts of the STAR method: S: Situation The situation or the task that is relevant to the job description. The achievements that matter most combine to form a version of success that has meaning and substance for the individual. What is your greatest achievement? In an accounting department, this might include ways that you strengthened controls, exceeded schedule or documentation reports or built new systems. If you have multiple significant accomplishments, select one that demonstrates measurable results for the company. Be clear in your description and avoid any vague generalizations. Refrain from including confidential information from previous employers in your own answer. (R) Results - Explain the kind of results you achieved. 1. Theyre hoping to gain some sort of insight about you from the way you choose to answer the question. List your accomplishments. RESULTS: After one month of the new demonstrations, that region was our biggest market, and our sales as a company increased by 10%. A year later, we had met and exceeded the goals I set when I took on the position. Use a recent and relevant accomplishment. Situation - Well, as a recent graduate of XYZ University, I think my greatest achievement was what I managed to accomplish during my time there. For example, if you notice that taking ownership of projects and exceeding expectations is a core value for the company youre interviewing with, you might choose to tell the hiring manager about a time you stepped up to take responsibility for something, even when it may not have been your responsibility. Companies . TASK: I was tasked with understanding why people stayed out so long on their breaks, even after the fines were introduced, and how to overcome the issue. While asking about your greatest achievement may seem like an intense question, its not as intimidating once you understand the interviewers motivation. The Bottom Line on The Biggest Achievement Interview Question. Spend a little time reflecting on your career. No matter how you frame up your answer to this sometimes tricky question, you should have a prepared answer to maximize an opportunity to showcase why youre a good fit. A lot of it was fast-paced too, and at first, I wasnt even sure if I was doing things right., Task - I felt out of place and I had to think fast if I wanted to move up in the company. In other words, associate your accomplishment with a specific percentage or dollar amount. "So far, my greatest accomplishment was organizing a food drive at my high school. Beating sales targets. Read the full guide here: Customer Service Resume - Examples & Guide. RESULTS: I rebuilt within a year after the ordeal and learned much about what I can accomplish and how resilient I can be. First, I decided to create a document of the Frequently Asked Questions I was getting, for personal use. Like the examples above, this story focuses on what the candidate did to create real results. Create a connection. But you want to talk about something thats not just impressive to you you want it to be impressive to anyone. When answered properly, youll be able to share what you value most, your level of ambition and drive, your views on success, and whether you have the soft skills they are looking for. Example Answer #1 - For Entry-Level worker. The way to best accomplish this is by using the STAR method. It blew my expectations out of the water, and my company went on to assign me more marketing tasks in the future. A few more tips from HEC Montreal for students seeking jobs. Do not focus on other people in your answer. In my last position, I negotiated with a new supplier to lower the cost of the raw materials we purchased to make our products. I shortened the time for onboarding by 50% and once our sales reps were out in the field, they started making sales on day one, which was unheard of before. " My most outstanding achievement is completing my Bachelor's degree in 4 years with a 3.8 GPA. Learn why employers ask this question, how you can answer, and some sample answers that can be useful as you craft your own response. Are accomplishments in general out of the ordinary for you? Tell Me About A Challenge You've Faced At Work. Summary. What is your greatest accomplishment? is one of the most common job interview questions, but particularly for someone fresh out of college or high school it can be daunting to answer. I recently moved to a different country, and the first few days were so hard because I could not understand what anyone was saying. Choose an answer related to your professional or academic life. Dont make anyone else look bad in your story; just talk about a time you were really proud of something impressive you did. Improved cold lead response time by 20% VS Improved sales., Greatest achievement sample answer for mid-level professionals, Greatest achievement sample answer for fresh graduates, Greatest achievement sample answer for the service industry. I wanted to improve, and a lot of the other employees were often too busy to help me out. My consistency and effort were rewarded with a promotion after just four months. R: Result Was the outcome successful? Since I had led similar projects before, I offered to help get it finished. I set the goal of reducing turnover by half and cutting cost-to-fill by 10%. Out of the 4 months I spent there, 3 of them were a total nightmare. When answered properly, youll be able to share what you value most, demonstrate your work ethic, and showcase why youre the best person for the job. The employees have spoken. Your goal is to convince the interviewer that you're the right candidate for the job. SITUATION: My greatest achievement was learning a new language by living abroad. For example, a doctor who finds a cure for a rare disease shows their commitment to the job and the hard work of developing a cure. I earned the top GPA in my class of more than 1,500 students while maintaining a part-time job on campus. e. Be honest. If you can stand out with an answer that ties your qualifications and skills directly to the job description, you can get a lot done with this answer. Try to stick with professional career or job-related strong answers. Find out what they're saying. How did you ensure that you would meet your objective? To answer just about any behavioral job interview question right, we recommend using the STAR method. I wanted to discover how our outreach was missing the mark, and what types of new donors we should focus on pursuing. At MatchBuilt, we believe in empowering individuals to pursue their passions and reach their career goals, regardless of industry experience or formal education. This way, you are sure to construct the best answer and help the recruiter take notice of your specific skills and abilities. I also set up in-person meetings with three donors who had expressed interest but had not donated. Achievements are the building blocks that enable someone to construct a sense of themselves as a success. Choose something recent, if you can. Additional interview resources. 1. As with all behavioral interview questions, use the star method: Situation. E.g. Use your strongest accomplishment in your answer to make sure that you tell your best story. Spend Time Reflecting (and Taking Notes) Sometimes, the hardest part of answering this question is remembering what you've achieved over the years. education, discipline, etc.). In my last job I helped my employer to increase the yearly sales volume by 20%, in two consecutive years. Training for and completing a marathon. What was your role in the situation? "What is your greatest accomplishment?" is one of the most common job interview questions, but particularly for someone fresh out of college or high school it can be daunting to answer.We'll cover why interviewers ask about your greatest accomplishment, provide tips for giving the best answer, and tie it all together with a few . Revenue Directly or indirectly achieving revenue. TASK: I made a commitment to myself that I would find a way to finance and pay to attend the college of my choice. Generally, the best full proof . One that could also centralize file management within the department, streamline onboarding, and also help with other small tasks (like bulk document importing, automated backfile conversions and so on)., Results - In the end, our timesheets indicated that the time spent looking for files and documents had been reduced by 5-10 hours. Its relevant to a fresh graduate who might not have a lot of. The task that was required to be . Look for keywords and the primary responsibilities of the position. Within two months, I had introduced a new onboarding process, introduced and incentivized managerial training, and adopted a new recruitment software. TASK: To get back on the field in time for the high school season, I had to physically and mentally prepare to endure a rigorous therapy process. "My greatest accomplishment was completing my bachelor's degree in 3 years or Graduate Degree in 2 years while pursuing an example (Business Degree), being a single parent, and working full-time. We got together during his break period once a week to read Lord of the Rings and make drawings for each chapter. When I took on the position, turnover was high and our cost-to-fill was skyrocketing. If you dont have much professional experience to draw from, consider accomplishments from your academic career and any internships or volunteer work youve done.