The top achievement of my career has been the transformation of my former department as vice president of human resources. My consistency and effort were rewarded with a promotion after just four months. Your commitment to work: The greatest achievement question helps employers determine your work ethic and commitment to growing in your profession. RESULTS: After three months, I could construct full sentences, and I was well on my way to getting the accent down too. 4 What your definition of 'success' might be. Further, great answers about your proudest accomplishment can show how well you communicate and display your creativity, leadership skills, and other useful skills that the job requires. TASK: I had to stay positive, take control of the situation, and find a way to start over and rebuild. I started making short, funny videos around the office, showing what we did as a company while humanizing the brand. During an interview, a hiring manager is evaluating not only a candidates skills and abilities but also their personality to determine how well they will fit within the organization. It could be something you're proud of from your work, from home or a combination. At my current job as a fifth-grade teacher, my greatest accomplishments always involve watching my students achieve something. By asking this question, the hiring manager can see if your accomplishments and work ethic aligns with the needs of the organization. Like with all good interview questions, when an interviewer asks you about your greatest accomplishment, theyre not just taking that answer at face value. improving an algorithm) Awards & Recognition. 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. When they ask about your greatest accomplishment, they're interested in learning about three main things: Work ethic: Interviewers may want to know what you view as an accomplishment and the work you completed to . Avoid saying you do not have any accomplishments, even if you are recently out of school. Volunteer jobs like these are ideal sources for greatest accomplishment answers for entry-level candidates. But at a job interview, your job is to be anything but humble. Charitable work or volunteering. If you dont think you have any accomplishments, self-reflect and ask others for help. If you need to simplify your story for simplicity and the sake of keeping it brief, thats fine as long as the essential terms of your accomplishment are accurate. Women at Cambridge. RESULTS: As a result, our food tastes better, and positive online reviews increased threefold. Best answers to "what is your greatest accomplishment". The following are common types of accomplishments followed by a few more specific examples. Get ideas from our in-house career coaches. In addition to showcasing their strengths, a job seeker should be effective in mirroring a companys core values and fitting in with the company culture in their answer to this behavioral interview question. Regardless of how true it is, I dont really have any greatest accomplishments is just bad optics all around. When I took on the position, turnover was high and our cost-to-fill was skyrocketing. Sometimes, its not easy to talk about ourselves and our past experiences but practicing for this, and other key behavioral questions will pay dividends in the long run. Copyright 2023 Novorsum ApS. Be clear in your description and avoid any vague generalizations. The STAR translates to Situation, Task, Action, and Resolution. 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. Look for actions you took that made it possible for you to be in the position to interview for this job. Sample Answer 2 - Cashier Job at a Fast Food Restaurant. As the founder of MatchBuilt, a premier career coaching and recruiting firm, I am passionate about helping individuals transform their professional lives. I finally went with the [XYZ] CRM system and worked with the IT team to implement it. Practice your example answers before your interview. 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. ACTION: I took a second job to help with the extra bills, maximized my time so I could continue with a rigorous college curriculum, and leveraged help from neighbors and friends. Heres a sample answer from a professional interviewing for a Chief Human Resources Officer position: "What is your greatest professional achievement?". Through focus and time management, I excelled in my classes and even filled in for student co-workers when they were struggling to keep up. Whenever possible, connect the achievement to key skills needed for the position. In addition, your great achievement can show how well you communicate and display your creativity, leadership skills, and other useful skills that the job requires. Answering the interview question 'what is your greatest accomplishment?' This is a compelling way to share a big accomplishment with potential employers. RESULTS: Between saving in those summers, working during college, and applying for scholarships, I graduated from Michigan State University debt free. You should review the job description, any social media sites, the company website, and any employee reviews you can find online. First, I decided to create a document of the Frequently Asked Questions I was getting, for personal use. So now that you know what an employer is looking for with this question, how do you go about answering it in a way that makes you look like a good candidate? That way, you can choose an accomplishment that best aligns with the duties of the new job. In fact, they had talked of stopping supply to that market due to the limited sales volume. Considering using materials such as journals, your resume, or school transcripts to help jog your memory. The question is among the most common interview questions asked because it gives the interviewer and prospective team members more information about you and your capabilities and allows them to see how well you communicate. They will be looking at your response to see if you have the skills and experience necessary to do the job. This can help you have specific accomplishments in mind that you could refer to based on what youre discussing in the interview. For 16 months, I often stayed late to make additional sales calls and would go on-site to dormant accounts one to two days per week. I was newly hired as a junior developer in a small tech company that had just started a branch in my area. In other words, associate your accomplishment with a specific percentage or dollar amount. 4. Check out our full guide on achievements here: 100+ Achievements to Write in Your Resume [2023 Examples]. The whole story follows the STAR method down to the T. It uses numbers and data to describe the context and shows relevance. In my first job out of college, I was tasked with managing a companys social media channels. My part of the project was [your duties]. Answer (1 of 19): A few things; removing unnecessary code is extremely satisfying. When asked about your greatest accomplishment in an interview, take the opportunity to share a story that highlights your skills, work ethic, and determination. Check out our full guide on the topic here: Student & Graduate Resume Guide & Sample [Plus 10 Skills for Savvy Job-hunters]. Create a connection. 1 people already answered this question. The greatest achievement question can be stressful for students and new graduates. Making a resume is easy with the right tool. Tell me about a time where you set a specific goal for yourself. My greatest accomplishment was finishing college at the top of my class while holding a full-time job. In my last position, I negotiated with a new supplier to lower the cost of the raw materials we purchased to make our products. My family doesnt have the means to contribute to my siblings and my education, so I secured scholarship funds based on my grades and community service. Additionally, ask friends, family, and former coworkers for their opinion. We went from 100 followers to over 5,000 within one year and social media is now a steady channel for generating sales leads. As an experienced professional, you have a wealth of professional achievements on your resume. When I left that role, 97% of new hires gave positive reviews for the training program. If so, why mention this example specifically? For more help preparing for your interview, check out some of our other articles below: I also started a reward system - if someone called in sick, youd get rewarded if you filled in for them. Agent of Change (pushing change forward) Artistic Expression. I discussed a plan with the CEO and the accountant to see how we could use the kitchen in the office to make lunch for the workers at an affordable price they could pay at the beginning of the month, and everyone agreed. Achievements also provide tangible evidence that colleagues, competitors and the wider world use to judge a person as more or less successful. If you're applying for a job as an accountant and your greatest achievement is baking the best cake ever at your office party, you're not making the cut. Best Method to Answer What is your proudest accomplishment: The most effective method to answer these questions and its variations is to follow the S.T.A.R format (Situation/ Task/ Approach/ Result). 1st Answer Example. Choose an answer related to your professional or academic life. Looking for a job-winning customer service resume you could use as inspiration? You know you need to ace this common interview question. This gives them some insight into big projects you might have undertaken in the past, and it gives them a basis for their expectations of your work in the future. Thats all for this one! 2. We had a month of training and a test to show we understood the terminologies used by callers, and I passed with flying colors. E.g. Cover letters don't have to be dry. Then work on building out the supporting examples for these accomplishments. 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. This response highlights the students top grades and work experience. When asking this question, the interviewer wants to learn 3 things: Now that weve got that out of the way, lets talk about how to answer this question. Follow the STAR method as an answering format for a comprehensive reply. Dont lie or embellish too much, but think about which of your examples makes the best story. When Have You Made A Split Second Decision? Get a sense of the candidate's nursing skills and experience. Then you can determine to what extent you made this change happen or contributed to it. If you're success-oriented and if you've gone above and beyond in your work. Yes, this has been tested. ResumeGenius.com is owned and operated by Sonaga Tech Limited, Hamilton, Zweigniederlassung Luzern with offices in Luzern Switzerland. Way to Answer "what was your greatest achievement?" interview question. Ensure your greatest accomplishment is work-related or demonstrates skills which can be directly applied in the workplace. It is common for these to be listed on a performance review or resume and to be discussed in an interview. Use a creative template and give your resume a little flair to highlight your creative side. TASK: But now that I was there to stay, I had to find a way to learn at least words that would get me the basic things like food and help. 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. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was earning money after starting a blog from scratch. Your response provides them with insight about your personal and professional achievements, and your ability to establish and achieve goals. and your relevant "hard skills" (computer technologies, project . Our guides cover formatting, writing, and more. Your answer could look something like the following: Situation - I think my greatest accomplishment was during my last job as an HR administrator. All rights reserved. ', Sign up to become a member of Glassdoor so you can, Why employers ask about your accomplishments, How to answer 'What is your greatest accomplishment? How much work are you willing to put in to accomplish something at work? When Is the Best Time To Interview for a Job for Optimal Results? Describe how your interest in medicine drove you to become a doctor. Follow the STAR method as an answering format for a comprehensive reply. What is your greatest accomplishment example answer? New graduate interviewing for an entry-level marketing job -. Generally, the best full proof . How hard do you routinely work? Example Answer for Your Greatest Achievement or Accomplishment (Entry-Level): My greatest professional achievement was completing my Bachelor's degree in 4 years with a 3.8 GPA. Building Support. Heres what your greatest achievement might sound like. Check the job listing to see what skills the company is looking for in a candidate, and tailor your answer accordingly. How do you answer what are your key achievements? Be the first to rate this post. This research can help you to identify a story thats targeted to what the company needs. Over the following year, I got promoted to the Customer Support Team Lead, and helped with scaling up the overall customer service efforts (consulted with hiring, training new reps, communicating issues and questions with the product, and so on). What do you view as being an accomplishment? Why Are You The Best Person For This Job? Show the great strides you made in your education and the accolades you received for the same. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc, How to Answer 'What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment? 2. No votes so far! My experience taught me time management, habits and prioritization. Avoid winging it as not preparing ahead for a good answer can derail your interview. Thinking through a relevant response to this question prior to an interview can help you answer promptly and with confidence if the hiring manager does ask about your accomplishments. If you can, quantify the results in a way that speaks to the value youd bring to the job youre applying for. Entry-Level College Grad. Set your story up with a brief description of the situation that led to your accomplishment. Use the STAR method. RESULTS: I rebuilt within a year after the ordeal and learned much about what I can accomplish and how resilient I can be. What was the outcome of your action? 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. Job seekers are often haunted by lies, so its best to avoid them altogether. The accomplishment that Im most proud of is how rapidly I was promoted to the team lead position for our sales team. 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. Your greatest accomplishment reflects your values, goals, and aspirations. First of all, I was incredibly lucky in my life. This candidate describes initiative, organization, and insight into the teams needs. They expect to hear about an accomplishment from your education, volunteerism, or part-time work. I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment, as it . RESULTS: Today, my blog is one of the biggest in its niche, and I no longer write articles because we produce long-form content every three days a week. Take a look at the following great answers to this common behavioral interview question and how they cover some of the candidates greatest strengths. Mentoring a coworker or fellow student. RESULTS: Our client was so happy at the end of the project that he decided to give us another contract and refer two more clients to the company. In my last job, I was able to exceed my quota by 20% consistently month after month. There is no standard answer to the question, What is Your Biggest Achievement? similar to discussing your greatest strengths because people come from different backgrounds and have different levels and ideas of success. B) "My greatest accomplishment is graduating in the top 3% of my class of over 2,000 students last year, with a GPA of 3.88". Obviously the most important thing about the accomplishment to you was the way that it affected your own life, but an interviewer is going to be wondering how youre going to benefit them and their own company in the future. That way, you can tune your answers to every question the interviewer throws at you. Monday to Friday, 8AM 12AM (Midnight) and Saturdays and Sundays, 10AM 6PM EDT (866) 215-9048. The more examples you have to pull from, the better youll be able to tailor your stories for multiple interviews. ACTION: I decided to actively look for answers on why my blog was not growing by talking to experts in the field and researching techniques for growing my audience. Buying your first car. The candidate proves their ability to meet and exceed HR objectives on a large scale, while focusing on what they did to get there. Acquiring Skills. You dont want to be scrambling to remember a story at the last second. ACTION: I started by talking to my neighbor who could speak a bit of English, and then my interest grew to me signing up for a French class and dedicating hours a day to learning the new language. Even though . Put emphasis on your writing rather than your cover letter's design. Soon after, I started a summer landscape business where I earned over $10,000 in my sophomore, junior, and senior years. Find the example below that best mirrors what stage you are at in your career, and consider how youd adjust it to describe your biggest achievement. But what do you say? (S) Situation - Describe the situation and the context in which the event took place. So, I mobilized my fellow interns and created a new campaign targeting donors under 35. Choose anything that is as recent as feasible and at least tangentially related to this position or your career. The most compelling answers to this interview question will be the most relevant ones. If youre having trouble choosing just one example for your greatest accomplishment, keep the following things in mind: Stick to work examples. However, Im proud of the fact that I got through it and excelled. Revenue Directly or indirectly achieving revenue. List your accomplishments. Have you ever failed to meet a clients expectations? Just kidding, my real greatest achievement is. Here are some techniques to answer questions about your greatest accomplishments: Start off by telling the interviewer a story. What is the best answer to What is your biggest achievement?. This saved me a lot of time, and eventually, the document got repurposed to its own web page. What is your greatest accomplishment in life so far?#minecraftshorts #AskReddit #youtubeshort #short #AskReddit 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. For background, I studied literature in school, which did not involve any tech information. SITUATION: My greatest achievement was being promoted through self-motivation and learning. Looking For More Information About Common Interview Questions? Just keep in mind: No matter how few jobs youve had before the one youre interviewing for, you should always have an answer to this question. Spend a little time reflecting on your career. So, I didnt really have a lot of instructions. Your greatest accomplishment is a significant event or achievement that you are proud of and that has had a meaningful impact on your life.