It is a common question in the interview process. It often takes place on the second or third interview. For job seekers, it is important to answer it in the best way possible. This guide will teach you about this question and what makes you unique examples.
Table of Contents
So why does a hiring manager ask this question? Usually, they have several candidates on their shortlist and want to choose the best one. They evaluate what differentiates you from other candidates. Hiring managers want to ensure you are the right fit for a job and have specific skills to make you a valuable addition to the team.
They want to know about your hard and soft skills along with personal qualities that make you a perfect fit. It is a beautiful opportunity to showcase what makes you unique. Although it may sound intimidating sometimes, it is a normal part of a job interview.
While candidates look for a great position, hiring managers look for an ideal candidate. If asked this question during a job interview, it is not the time to be shy or double down on your competencies.
The main reason is that they want to know what makes you a better choice than other candidates. You may be an exceptional candidate, but your competitors have similar experiences and hard skills. So an interviewer wants to hear concrete examples that make you uniquely qualified for the job.
Sometimes, this interview question might make or break the deal regarding employment. Your answer demonstrates your personal attributes and unique qualities that will bring a huge positive change to the company.
It is crucial to prepare ahead in case you are dealing with intense competition from other applicants. If you have similar education, prior work experience, and hard skills, the answer to what makes you extraordinary becomes essential.
It is a good idea to work on your interview answers beforehand. Indeed, you do not know whether you will face this inquiry. But it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Here are some valuable tips on preparing the answer to what makes you unique:
Review the job description again if you need ideas of what competencies are relevant for the job. Pay attention to specific terms and keywords used. You can practice your sample answers at home if you are nervous about a job interview. Try to remain calm and explain what makes you a unique candidate for the team.
The truth is there is no one perfect answer to this interview question. Because you are unique, and the position you are applying to is a massive part of the answer.
If you apply for a customer service job, you must focus on different competencies compared to a graphic designer position. Also, you need to be confident in your own answer. It may be difficult for some to praise themselves. However, this is not praising. The point is to showcase your strong communication skills and other valuable skills that make you stand out among other applicants. It is important to remember that ideal candidate values themselves and their abilities. It is another thing a hiring manager will assess.
Here are twenty sample answers you can use in preparation for what makes you unique questions.
Let’s investigate real examples and determine how some answers can represent your following assets:
“I enjoy learning new things and am constantly seeking new learning opportunities. I am naturally curious and always want to learn something new. This is why I learned French in my free time, which was very useful in my previous job because we worked with vendors from France.”
This answer highlights the desire to learn and grow. You can reference your last job along with your interest besides work. And it showcases that you are ready to go beyond the bare minimum when it comes to work objectives.
“I have strong organizational skills that helped me in previous jobs and my personal life. I’ve worked as an office administrator and introduced a new organizational methodology to supplies. I also developed a unique digital file organization strategy, saving a lot of time when dealing with huge piles of data. And I also help people de-clutter and re-organize their homes in my free time.”
It is an excellent reply to what makes you unique question if these skills are very high in the job description. It has an unusual combination of how a candidate’s ability transfers from the work environment to daily life. It means that you are agile and flexible in applying your skills.
“My experience working for small businesses gave me a handful of various competencies. It gave me insights into the best digital marketing strategies and their successful application when the market is particularly challenging.”
“What makes me unique is my eight years of experience in retail. I’ve worked at different levels and in various companies, which gave me insight into what customers want. My experiences and skill set allow me to provide the best customer experience.”
You do not have to be one-of-a-kind when you answer what makes you stand out. You can be the best candidate based on your experiences, competencies, or accomplishments. If you have worked in the industry for quite some time, you have valuable knowledge about it. You can briefly explain why it matters and what you learned from your past jobs.
“I’ve worked in sales and customer relations for six years, which allowed me to develop a persuasive personal style. It helps me find the key to even the hardest clients and customers. I’ve brought seven new clients to the company in the last four months.”
You can get into more detail about the competencies that helped you achieve new heights in your performance.
“When solving problems, I apply logic and emotional aspects equally. For instance, I’m trained in SEO and understand how to use analytics to ensure a successful marketing campaign. Still, I also majored in design and know how to apply creativity to a project.”
This example answer also demonstrates an unexpected combination. Your unique ability to approach a task from two perspectives is an excellent competency only some have. It is a good answer because it brings several traits together and presents how they build on each other.
“I’m not afraid of failure. In fact, it is an essential part of the experimental process that gets you to success. For example, my work in a startup gave me crucial insights into the industry. Although the startup didn’t take off, this experience prepared me to be flexible and creative when it comes to problem-solving.”
Something that other candidates might consider a failure can be used to your advantage. Learning from your mistakes and taking accountability are invaluable skills. It is what makes you unique. But it is crucial to formulate and deliver such an answer efficiently.
“I am very focused, making it easy to prioritize the most crucial tasks. I easily avoid distractions and put the effort in on the job.”
It may not be the most unique answer, but it is honest and relevant for any job.
“I am data-driven in all business decisions. I strongly believe that a successful strategy is not about taking guesses but about getting data insight. I love working with numbers and uncovering patterns, which makes me a great fit for the role.”
When discussing what makes you unique, you can base your answer on the job description.
“I think my positive attitude and strong motivation make me a good asset to the team. Although I am realistic, I always look for ways to make the best out of any situation.”
My ability to find common ground with all types of people makes me unique. I’ve worked with different professionals and customers. And I was always able to be empathetic and listen to what they have to say.”
Even if you do not have unique technical skills, your communication competency or emotional intelligence makes you unique.
“I worked as a software developer for five years, which gave me unique skills in product design. It allows me to combine technical expertise with creativity and make data-driven decisions.”
A combination of hard and soft skill sets might make you the best candidate for the role.
“I’m determined, punctual, and passionate. While working at company X, I grew from marketing assistant to SMM, handling all company socials. I’ve learned a lot about social media management, digital marketing, and data-driven strategies. I love learning and developing professionally, so I am ready for new challenges.”
“Working during COVID-19 in retail was challenging in many ways. But it also gave me a lot of insights and experiences to use. I have a unique skill to adjust to fast-changing circumstances and make the best of it. During the heat of the pandemic, I managed a team of seven people. It allowed me to find new ways of organizing and leading the team.”
You can also turn your hardships into key takeaways of what makes you unique.
“I am a creative person that uses this to solve problems easily and with a new perspective. I am proactive and initiative in difficult situations, and I’m not afraid of challenges. When our company faced a backlash online, I’ve come up with a creative way to address the problem and minimize the risks.”
You can use experiences from former jobs in your sample answer. Showcase key takeaways that you’ve acquired.
“Public speaking has always been my passion. I can always find common ground with the audience and make it trust me. In my previous position, I’ve given lectures and seminars on project management…”
“I think I am the best candidate for the role because I have all the essential skills and competencies. During my job search, I sought a role matching my talents and experiences. I’m passionate about the industry, and my desire to learn and grow makes me the best fit among other candidates.”
In this example answer, you do not always have to go beyond the job description to gain the recruiter’s trust and attention.
“I am ready to gain new skills and learn. I’m focused on growth and ready to put the extra effort in.”
It is a great answer for someone who lacks experience, for example, recent graduates.
“I have been a fan of your products since I was a kid. Not only does it make me passionate about your products, but it also gives me a unique perspective on them. I have a view of a customer and the experience in product design in company Y. This combination gives me a well-rounded look at what could be improved and how we can improve the customer experience.”
In this answer, what makes you the best fit, a person uses personal connection to the company’s products. It highlights the loyalty and dedication the person already has.
“The job description emphasizes leadership skills, and my project management experience makes me the best candidate for the role. I’ve successfully managed several projects and was always able to establish a productive and healthy atmosphere in my teams. All of my projects were released in time with a 95% client satisfaction rate.”
