Each time I get requested ‘What makes you distinctive?’ or ‘What makes you stand out from different candidates?’ in an interview, I exploit it as the proper alternative to elucidate why I’m one of the best particular person for the position.
And I wish to get particular. I’ve discovered that interviewers reply positively once I skip the generics and tie my solutions again to what I’ve to supply primarily based on my particular person background.
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Your reply may finally make or break your interview, so it’s vital to essentially nail it. I’ll stroll you thru the best way to reply this query the proper means.
Desk of Contents
Delicate Methods Interviewers Ask ‘What makes you distinctive?’
There are a lot of ways in which interviewers attempt to tease out what makes you a stand-out candidate.
Listed below are a number of the widespread questions which are really ‘What makes you distinctive?’ in disguise:
- What makes you stand out from different candidates?
- What units you aside from different candidates?
- What are you able to convey to this position that’s totally different from different candidates?
- What makes you a helpful candidate for this position?
- Why are you one of the best candidate for this position?
- Why ought to I select you over different candidates?
Irrespective of how this query manifests itself throughout your interview, the overarching purpose stays the identical.
Why do interviewers ask ‘What units you aside from different candidates?’
The interviewer is asking you this query to offer you a chance to showcase your worth.
They need to see that you simply’ve performed thorough analysis concerning the firm and the place. And so they need you to attach your abilities and expertise again to the position you’re interviewing for.
For instance, let’s say I’m attempting to land a social media position, and I discover that the corporate might be doing a greater job on TikTok.
I can use this as a possibility to:
- Present that I’ve performed my homework — I’m already acquainted with the corporate’s social media presence and the platforms the place it’s at present energetic (e.g., TikTok).
- Spotlight related abilities — I’ve a number of years of expertise managing and rising TikTok accounts, so I’ll you should definitely point out that.
- Present a lightweight advice — I’ll share how my abilities and expertise permit me to determine and implement that advice.
Give it some thought like this: Should you can present the interviewer you can assist the corporate meet its objectives (and that you understand what its objectives are within the first place), that’s one nice strategy to set your self aside from the remainder.
Plus, it turns into clear to the interviewer that you simply’ve taken the time to organize if you happen to can present particular examples associated to the position.
These are all explanation why that is such a well-liked interview query — so come prepared, and don’t be afraid to humble brag about your self a bit.
My colleague Jamie Juviler, managing editor of our esteemed Web site Weblog, just lately employed a brand new author on his group. Right here’s his recommendation for answering ‘What makes you distinctive?’:
“I might say don’t stress about offering a extremely distinctive reply or one thing that no different candidate has mentioned, since that’s unlikely,” says Juviler.
“As an alternative, use this as one other alternative to focus on a ability or attribute that you could be not have had the possibility to share but. I see it as a wild card the place the candidate can share anything they’re pleased with and solidify what makes you stand out.”
Listed below are 5 different tricks to contemplate.
1. Point out the abilities listed within the job description.
This is among the greatest methods to point out the interviewer that you simply’ve performed your analysis. Additionally, the job description is mainly like your cheat sheet. Use it as a information so you understand precisely which abilities to focus on all through the interview.
My advice: Refer again to the job description however don’t recite it phrase for phrase. Use it in context to elucidate how your skillset aligns with the position’s expectations.
2. Present particular examples out of your background.
That is one other sensible means you need to use the job description to your benefit. Reference prior accomplishments or outcomes from previous roles that relate to the place you’re interviewing for.
My advice: Deal with examples that tie again to the abilities required for the place, and all the time quantify success the place doable.
Utilizing our social media instance, saying ‘I ran a social media marketing campaign which resulted in a 120% enhance in site visitors to our web site’ is much more impactful than ‘I’ve expertise operating social media campaigns.’
3. Keep away from generic phrases like “I am a tough employee.”
Keep in mind, it is a very commonplace interview query, so meaning each candidate is probably going being requested this query.
Make your reply compelling. As an alternative of claiming you are a ‘onerous employee,’ give particular examples of the onerous work you’ve completed associated to the position.
My advice: Attempt to keep away from the widespread buzzwords and as a substitute exchange these with actual descriptions of your previous work.
For instance, you and each different candidate for a social media place in all probability contemplate your self “social media savvy.”
As an alternative, make the case to show that you’re really savvier than the competitors primarily based in your distinctive background.
4. Embody key character traits that can can help you ship outcomes.
Another person might need related abilities as you, however your character is certainly one of a sort.
Being ‘social media savvy’ is one factor. However if you happen to’re social media savvy and a tenacious one that is ready to suppose shortly in your toes, that’s an asset.
Spotlight the traits which have confirmed worth in serving to you develop as knowledgeable.
My advice: You need to know certainly one of my favourite methods to persuade interviewers that I can ship the outcomes they’re on the lookout for? Inform them how I’ve discovered related success previously and the way my individuality supported that.
5. Inform the interviewer how your distinctive abilities will assist the corporate succeed.
This intently relates again to Tip #3.
Don’t simply discuss generic abilities that the majority candidates have — all the time tie your abilities again to particular tasks you’ve labored on.
Your background is what makes you distinctive. There’s nobody person who has the precise expertise, abilities, and traits that you simply do. Use that to your benefit.
My advice: Chances are you’ll not know the corporate’s inner objectives, however you need to all the time attempt to join your abilities to their mission and values when doable.
7 Pattern Solutions to “What Makes You Distinctive?” and Why They Work
1. “I’m an excellent communicator and discover it straightforward for me to narrate to different individuals.”
Take into account mentioning a character trait you are feeling can be a great match for the enterprise. After studying the job description, make an inventory of attributes that would make you an distinctive candidate.
Moreover, together with a character trait in your reply lets you show how you are a good match for a task during which you have got little prior expertise.
As an example, if you happen to‘re making use of for a place as a group chief, it’s vital that you simply exhibit sturdy communication abilities and a capability to attach with a various group of individuals.
Should you inform the interviewer, “I’m an excellent communicator and discover it straightforward for me to narrate to different individuals,” you possibly can match your character to the parts of a profitable chief.
Why this works: Efficient communication is a vital trait to emphasise in interviews. Should you contemplate how 86% of employees cite lack of collaboration as a predominant part of office failures, you possibly can start to understand why.
2. “I actually take pleasure in studying new issues and am continually looking for out new studying alternatives.”
By mentioning your ardour for studying new issues, you‘re demonstrating you’re growth-focused and unafraid of challenges.
Moreover, answering the query on this means lets you remind the interviewer why you are uniquely certified for the position.
Why this works: Whereas different candidates might need extra prior expertise within the trade, you are proving your want to exceed expectations of the job shortly.
3. “My prior expertise in customer support has offered me with distinctive technical abilities that I can apply to this position.”
When you’ve got prior expertise in a task vastly totally different from the one for which you are making use of, you may use this as a possibility to elucidate how your background uniquely qualifies you.
It is vital, nevertheless, that you simply present particular examples of how your prior expertise has given you sure transferable abilities.
As an example, you may say the next:
“My prior expertise in customer support offered me with an intensive information base for a way our product works. As a marketer, I can use this data to make sure we’re assembly our prospects’ wants.”
It is also vital to focus on that earlier job expertise has declined in significance when recruiters consider candidates. In truth, over the previous couple of years, that quantity has dropped from 92% to 62%.
So it‘s okay if you happen to really feel your prior work expertise doesn’t completely align with the position for which you are making use of — so long as you possibly can clarify how your abilities will assist you to succeed.
Why this works: A solution like this one alleviates issues the interviewer might need about your lack of expertise within the subject.
4. “Working at a startup gave me a possibility to know the ins and outs of the trade, and to tackle duties I won’t have at a bigger firm. I believe this expertise offers me a slight edge over different candidates.”
Just like the reply above, this reply is an effective one if you happen to’re trying to change industries.
Take into account how your background has allowed you to achieve distinctive abilities that others, who adopted a extra linear profession trajectory, won’t have.
As an example, if you happen to beforehand labored at a small startup and now you need to switch to a big company, it is vital you point out how these abilities will make you profitable on this new position.
Why this works: Should you suppose your prior expertise may deter interviewers from seeing you as exceptionally certified, that is an optimum likelihood to show them flawed.
5. “I am not afraid of failure. In truth, I believe it’s an important a part of the experimental course of that will get you to success. For instance … ”
This reply reveals your interviewer that you simply’re not afraid to take dangers.
After all, you will solely need to say this if in case you have a optimistic instance to bolster the significance of failure within the office.
You don‘t need to sound such as you make errors on a regular basis, however you’ll stand out if you happen to point out the way you turned a failure into successful.
As an example, you may say, “I‘m not afraid of failure. In my final position, we tried to streamline our search engine optimisation course of and, alongside the way in which, discovered we’d unintentionally decreased site visitors to our web site.
Nonetheless, this preliminary failure allowed me to see the errors in our earlier process. My group and I got here up with a extra profitable technique to keep away from these errors sooner or later, and ended up rising site visitors by 20%.”
Why this works: With this reply, you‘re exhibiting you’re able to remaining versatile and open-minded when one thing does not work straight away, and you understand how to take failures and use them as studying alternatives.
6. “When fixing issues, I apply each logic and emotional points in equal proportion. As an example, I am skilled in search engine optimisation and perceive the best way to use analytics to make sure a advertising and marketing marketing campaign is profitable, however I additionally majored in design and know the best way to apply creativity to a venture as nicely.”
Should you’re having bother deciding the best way to exhibit your distinctive {qualifications}, begin by contemplating how different individuals strategy issues at your organization and the way you differ.
As an example, most individuals are both logical and use analytics to unravel issues, or emotional and use creativity. It is uncommon to seek out somebody who’s each.
Why this works: Most individuals give attention to highlighting one ability per query in an interview. Should you’re capable of exhibit that you simply’re snug combining two distinctive abilities, it is a formidable potential you need to spotlight.
7. “I am exceptionally organized, and at my final firm, I used to be capable of apply this ability to enhance our course of and enhance ROI by 33%.”
Keep in mind, when your interviewer asks, “What makes you distinctive?” they’re actually questioning, “How will you assist our firm?”
On the finish of the day, it’s vital you tie your reply again to how you’ll clear up issues for the corporate.
48% of recruiters say bettering ‘high quality of rent’ is a high precedence — so you will need to guarantee your reply highlights how you’ll excel within the position for the lengthy haul.
Take into account a character trait or ability set that helped your final firm obtain outcomes. If the outcomes are quantitative, ensure you have the precise numbers to help your declare.
Nonetheless, it is also acceptable to share qualitative outcomes, corresponding to, “My organizational abilities led my supervisor to belief me with a serious venture throughout the first two months in my position.”
Why this works: Finally, offering examples reveals the interviewer you‘re results-driven, and aren’t simply saying generic phrases to reply their query.
8. I’m nimble, adaptable, and capable of pivot shortly primarily based on the wants of the enterprise.
Adaptability is on the core of many firm cultures. (In truth, it’s the ‘A’ in HEART of our culture code right here at HubSpot.)
Why? As a result of there are too many components that have an effect on the way in which we do enterprise. From client preferences to pandemics, it’s very doable that the way in which we work tomorrow will look totally different from as we speak.
If you find yourself utilizing a solution like this one, keep in mind that an instance goes a good distance. Is there a time while you needed to change gears at work and you probably did it efficiently?
Possibly you didn’t get your anticipated finances for a venture so that you had to decide on which ways to prioritize.
Or maybe you have been unexpectedly down a group member, and also you needed to step out of your consolation zone to maintain a venture on schedule.
Exhibiting versus telling all the time wins.
Why this works: Enterprise wants change, typically on a whim. This reply reveals hiring managers that you simply’re a dynamic worker who can bend (and never break) when methods shift and new trade traits emerge.
9. I do know when to take the lead and when to step again and provides another person the chance to take action. I’m snug in each positions no matter tenure or hierarchy.
I discussed flexibility above, however that is one other nice strategy to emphasize that you simply’re snug sporting a number of hats. Nonetheless, this takes issues a step additional as a result of it additionally speaks to your situational consciousness and group collaboration abilities.
The idea of being a frontrunner manifests itself within the office in many various methods.
Certain, appearing as the purpose of contact for a marketing campaign or overseeing a venture counts. However being a optimistic power on the group or giving another person the chance to develop are nice qualities of a frontrunner too.
Understanding the nuances of management and group dynamics is a tough ability to grasp, so it’s positively value highlighting if this query comes up in your interview.
Why this works: Corporations are on the lookout for people who find themselves able to each main and being led, and it’s an enormous plus if you happen to really feel empowered to do your greatest work in each instances.
10. My private background is an asset that enables me to acknowledge cultural nuances and create house for numerous concepts.
Our numerous backgrounds are invaluable, and I’m not simply speaking about your work expertise or job historical past. The identical traits that make you you additionally make you a particular addition to any group.
For instance, as a black girl and a marketer, I do know that I’ve confronted obstacles and gained insights that a few of my friends might not have. And I exploit that information on daily basis to be extra impactful in my work.
What makes you distinctive is the truth that there isn’t any one else on the market that may be you. Use that to your benefit.
Why this works: The entire level of this query is to tease out what units you aside from different candidates. Who can argue with private expertise?
For much more inspiration on the best way to reply this query successfully, try the video under.
Put together Past ‘What Makes You Distinctive?’
The age-old “What makes you stand out from different candidates” query is certainly one of many widespread questions that interviewers love, so it’s vital to plan accordingly.
Listed below are a number of the different high questions try to be ready to reply (and if you’d like extra, our free common interview questions guide has 50+):
- How would you describe your self?
- What motivates you?
- What ought to I find out about you that’s not in your resume?
- What are you on the lookout for in your subsequent place?
- Why are you interested by working for our firm?
Professional tip: Don’t neglect to prep questions for the interviewer. In truth, Meg Prater, senior supervisor of selling on the HubSpot Weblog group (and my hiring supervisor), says it’s one of many issues that helps candidates stand out essentially the most.
“Should you give your questions some pre-work, and make them customized to me and/or the corporate, that goes a good distance,” says Prater.
She continues, “There‘s a time and place for the ’What do you’re keen on about working right here?‘ sort questions, however I additionally love a great, ’I seen that you’ve got a background as a copywriter. How does that influence the way you run the Weblog?’”
Stand Out within the Crowd
Primarily, ‘What makes you distinctive’ actually means, ‘What makes you an exceptionally good match for this position?’ Use our helpful interview information to organize, and also you’ll simply be capable to show that you simply’re the most suitable choice within the candidate pool.
Editor’s word: This put up was initially printed in December 2018 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
