The whole experience taught me how to effectively manage and prioritize my time. Use a recent and relevant accomplishment. 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. Summary. 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. Use the S-T-A-R format (the Situation you faced, the Task required, the Action you took, and the successful Result of your action) to describe your accomplishment. What three things should I say for accomplishments? 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. Look for actions you took that made it possible for you to be in the position to interview for this job. " My most outstanding achievement is completing my Bachelor's degree in 4 years with a 3.8 GPA. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was growing sales in an underperforming territory. Avoid winging it as not preparing ahead for a good answer can derail your interview. You can start by describing the problem that your team or company faced. What was your role in the situation? This is a compelling way to share a big accomplishment with potential employers. Well show you how to nail this common question and impress your interviewer with our expert sample answers and tips below. R: Result Was the outcome successful? Looking For More Information About Common Interview Questions? 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. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was buildingafter a devastating loss. 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. Practice your example answers before your interview. ACTION: I would use all my breaks to do assignments or write some code, which was exhausting but very helpful. Not only does it illustrate your skill and competency as a nurse in critical situations but it also expresses an experience that is meaningful to you. 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. Try to stick with professional career or job-related strong answers. In other words, associate your accomplishment with a specific percentage or dollar amount. Describe the challenge you were up against, your plan of attack, and the success you saw on the other side. When describing the outcome, if possible, mention numbers and quantifiable facts. For some job candidates, its difficult to determine what accomplishment to use and how to communicate it effectively, but the tips in this post should help you get started framing up a great answer. Building Relationships. I was very passionate about these Olympiad exams. ACTION: I decided to talk with the team, especially the ones with multiple fines, and understand where the problem was. 1 How ambitious you are, and what drives you. E.g. TASK: The only way to keep the region open was for sales to improve. "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 . Be respectful of your current, or previous, employer's "confidential" information. All Rights Reserved. How much work does it take for you to feel as though youve contributed to a work accomplishment? With a successful track record of supporting job seekers in securing positions at top companies across industries, our team is dedicated to providing expert guidance and support every step of the way. Next, its important to understand the company to get a better understanding of what the hiring manager values or is looking for in a candidate. If youre a recent graduate, you may want to think about volunteer work that youve participated in or even academic accomplishments that youre proud of. 1 people already answered this question. It isn't uncommon for the details to fade a bit as time passes, making it difficult to add in the information. Not only did I graduate with minimal debt, but I also was able to gain practical experience that many of my peers dont have. Moving out of your parents' house. When answering What is your greatest accomplishment?, your interviewer will listen closely to what you say and how you say it. Sample Answer 6 - Living Abroad Greatest Personal Achievement. 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. Considering using materials such as journals, your resume, or school transcripts to help jog your memory. SITUATION: My greatest achievement was being promoted through self-motivation and learning. Have you ever failed to meet a clients expectations? First of all, I was incredibly lucky in my life. 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. If thats not possible which it often isnt at this level you can still pick something that impacts others. What Sets You Apart From Other Candidates? In my previous position as a sales representative, our team produced at lower levels than in other regions. We were understaffed and needed to complete projects on time to retain our only clients and attract more. Spend Time Reflecting (and Taking Notes) Sometimes, the hardest part of answering this question is remembering what you've achieved over the years. https://passmyinterview.com/50-interview-questions-and-answers/#interviewquestion. The accomplishment that Im most proud of is how rapidly I was promoted to the team lead position for our sales team. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? Our guides cover formatting, writing, and more. Heres a sample answer from a professional interviewing for a Chief Human Resources Officer position: "What is your greatest professional achievement?". The more prepared you are, the better it will go. Make sure you prepare for this question ahead of time. After all, odds are pretty good that if youve worked long enough to have one big accomplishment, its not the only accomplishment that youve had. '. Let them know you are curious because you want their help in answering this interview question. My marketing ideas brought in an additional $800,000 in income for the company. 99%+ of the customers were happy, and we didnt receive a single bad review.. This helped retain new remote workers and decreased the the time it took to get them up to speed, saving the company an average of $2,650 per remote employee. 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. I came up with a new marketing strategy involving social media campaigns that increased our sales by 155%. The company was taking a loss every time we entered a new market. Reflect on your time in education, extra-curricular activities and hobbies to identify something you accomplished that made you feel proud. Entry-Level College Grad. And if not, what made it an outlier? Prepare your answer in advance, so you don't have to think up an accomplishment on the spot. How to Choose Your Greatest Achievement for Interviews: 1. We went from in use losses to enhanced revenue. So, to help you learn how to answer behavioral job interview questions better, were going to cover 3 more examples and sample answers below: Other common behavioral interview questions include: Check out even more common interview questions, and sample answers here: 35+ Common Interview Questions and Answers. At MatchBuilt, weve explored other common interview questions, such as Why do you want to work here?, Why do you want this job?, Tell me about yourself, What are you passionate about?, What areas need improvement? and Why should we hire you? and we invite you to review them as well. 1. Beating sales targets. Its known as a behavioral interview question, which means the hiring manager is looking for an example of your past behavior that will indicate success in the future. Answer (1 of 19): A few things; removing unnecessary code is extremely satisfying. Choose a professional accomplishment. 2 If you have the right attitude and are a good fit with the company/team. The whole story follows the STAR method down to the T. It uses numbers and data to describe the context and shows relevance. Here is how the STAR approach works: Situation: Provide some context for your accomplishment in the initial portion of your response. When interviewers ask this question, theyre usually looking for three things: To come up with a great answer, think of your greatest professional accomplishments and choose one that demonstrates these key components. We raised $20,000 from that cohort by the end of the year. Remember, the interviewer called you knowing this might be your first job interview. Well get you started with a brief template to give you an idea of how to organize your answer: My team achieved our goal of [goal your team was working toward]. You should review the job description, any social media sites, the company website, and any employee reviews you can find online. 'My greatest achievement' examples could include: Giving a great presentation at work. Short on time or simply dont like writing? The restaurant was completely packed 90%+ of the time, and we barely had any breathing room., Task We had to be very efficient at work to make sure that we wouldnt get overwhelmed., Action - The most important part of making this work was being proactive. Additionally, ask friends, family, and former coworkers for their opinion. 1. Last year, I had a student who was struggling with dyslexia. The top achievement of my career has been the transformation of my former department as vice president of human resources. One final note from Idealist is to keep track of your achievements as they happen at work. When answering this question you want to make sure you prepare your answer, read the job description, and use the star method in your answer. When answering questions about your accomplishments, you need to highlight and elaborate your successes. My contribution was published by Oxford Press. Do not enhance your part in group achievements or take credit for a team effort on projects. If youre a mid-level professional, you should have several accomplishments to choose from. Win over hiring managers with our expert tips. Heres an example from a student who put themselves through college: I believe that my greatest achievement so far was funding my own education at [ University]. My scholarship only covered half of the tuition, and my family was unable to support me financially. But you want to talk about something thats not just impressive to you you want it to be impressive to anyone. Here are some techniques to answer questions about your greatest accomplishments: Start off by telling the interviewer a story. But these kinds of questions can put the candidates in a difficult position, when suddenly asked, often leaving candidates feeling ill-prepared. Tips on how to answer "tell me what your proudest accomplishment is". The Bottom Line on The Biggest Achievement Interview Question. Describe your accomplishments by promoting your abilities and focusing on results. Achievements are the building blocks that enable someone to construct a sense of themselves as a success. My greatest accomplishment was finishing college at the top of my class while holding a full-time job. is a common behavioral interview question, so be sure to practice your answer ahead of time. In my previous role as a health-focused restaurant manager, customers always complained about food having ingredients they did not eat and not knowing about it until they tasted it. Answering the interview question 'what is your greatest accomplishment?' Heres what your greatest achievement might sound like. I began my career in fast food washing dishes and worked my way up into a management role in just four years. This can often be tied together with the situation in one or two sentences. The sweetest and best achievement.be made of nothing .something important My achievements as a teacher: 1. "So far, my greatest accomplishment was organizing a food drive at my high school. Let's begin! I was diagnosed with a hip impingement and torn labrum after dealing with months of pain during the travel softball season. Example Answer #1 - For Entry-Level worker. My experience taught me time management, habits and prioritization. Buttoned up yet stylish. Youre one step away from getting the job. Regardless of how true it is, I dont really have any greatest accomplishments is just bad optics all around. Youre sitting across from an interviewer, and it happens they look up from your resume and ask: What would you say is your greatest achievement? What is your greatest accomplishment as an accountant? I was newly hired as a junior developer in a small tech company that had just started a branch in my area. Task: "As a senior member of the team, I was tasked with being both the content strategist and the overall project manager. Interviewers ask this question to gain insight into your proven work and what achievements you view as most valuable and important. Best answers to "what is your greatest accomplishment". Sample Answer 2 - Continuous Learning Professional Achievement. Honesty is the best policy. This research can help you to identify a story thats targeted to what the company needs. My parents could not afford the tuition fees initially for me to attend college, but I knew I wanted to further my education no matter the circumstances. 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. We got together during his break period once a week to read Lord of the Rings and make drawings for each chapter. Use your strongest accomplishment in your answer to make sure that you tell your best story. That means picking your accomplishment based on how good of a story its going to make. Work accomplishments are positive and notable work outcomes. Your answer should serve as another opportunity to talk yourself up and let hiring managers know why you should be their top choice. 2. If you can, quantify the results in a way that speaks to the value youd bring to the job youre applying for. ResumeGenius.com is owned and operated by Sonaga Tech Limited, Hamilton, Zweigniederlassung Luzern with offices in Luzern Switzerland. You can also use the STAR method to help you find the answer. Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working in a team. Task. As with all behavioral interview questions, use the star method: Situation. SITUATION: My biggest managerial achievement was maximizing team effort and reducing lateness. It was tiring at times, but I scheduled pretty much everything I had to do in my personal calendar. Out of the 4 months I spent there, 3 of them were a total nightmare. Be the first to rate this post. They expect to hear about an accomplishment from your education, volunteerism, or part-time work. If we had just rolled with the punches and focused on putting out fires, the whole thing wouldve turned into a mess real fast. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was earning money after starting a blog from scratch. The achievements that matter most combine to form a version of success that has meaning and substance for the individual. Result. Choose anything that is as recent as feasible and at least tangentially related to this position or your career. Office of Personnel Management Structure Interviews, Harvard Business Review 10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them. The materials we had for training werent very relevant or helpful for their duties, and we had received only 19% positive reviews from new hires who completed the training. Well 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. Since I had led similar projects before, I offered to help get it finished. Choose a career achievement even if they don't specifically ask for it. No votes so far! Because of this experience, next time I run into this challenge, Ill be able to use my newfound abilities with [skill or concept].. Dont go negative. When a recruiter or hiring manager asks you about your greatest accomplishment, they really want to know three main things: Your work ethic. This way, I never missed a deadline, assignment or any other responsibility., Results - In the end, I graduated with a GPA of 3.8, almost no student loans, and also interned as the university social media assistant during my last 2 semesters. Instead of simply saying "I increased sales by 600 percent in one year," describe how you did it. Sample Answer 5 - Persevering Through Injury Achievement. Learning the best way to answer What is your biggest accomplishment? or What is your best professional achievement ? job interview question is a great way to show an interviewer and prospective team members more information about you and your capabilities. It's a reflection of my hard work and discipline, as well as my ability to work well with others on group projects while also shining on independent work. The basics of a great response. I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment, as it . Like with all good interview questions, when an interviewer asks you about your greatest accomplishment, theyre not just taking that answer at face value. Try to stick with professional career or job-related strong answers. Answering What is your greatest achievement in an interview can be intimidating. For example, if theres a big focus on customer service in the role youre interviewing for, you might select a story that showcases your people skills over your technical abilities. This was a win-win as not only did the food taste better, but we broke even with the change. Obviously, the result should be monumentally positive for this answer, since were talking about your greatest accomplishment. Your answer could look something like the following: Situation - I think my greatest accomplishment was during my last job as an HR administrator. E.g. How much work are you willing to put in to accomplish something at work? Beating sales targets. Use the opportunity to relate what you've accomplished to the position you're applying for. TASK: I decided to leave my comfort zone and change that by taking coding courses online as I continued working at the company. The way to best accomplish this is by using the STAR method. To answer the interview question what is your greatest accomplishment?, first read the job description so that you can pick an accomplishment that aligns with the job responsibilities. How did you ensure that you would meet your objective? Sample Answer 4 - Paying For College Myself Achievement. The best way to answer this job interview question is by incorporating a great achievement that includes a work ethic that mirrors the companys culture. However, the content wasnt interesting and no one was engaging with us online. I asked team members what features they wanted and needed and discussed budgeting with my higher-ups. When you can demonstrate that your work produced results that helped the business serve its customers, manage its finances or achieve its mission, you are . Not only that, but it had a knock-on effect of increasing user engagement with our social media platforms by 70% in just a month. Your interviewers will assess how well your work style and values fit with the company culture. 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. Check out our full guide on achievements here: 100+ Achievements to Write in Your Resume [2023 Examples]. 3 A little about your problem-solving skills, if possible. 1. RESULTS: We took a month to find the right suppliers and implement the plan, but after that, lunches were less than 30 minutes, and work output was never affected again. He then went home and continued reading. What is your greatest achievement? Personal Accomplishment as a Doctor. Utilize the STAR Method, Situation Describe the situation in your personal life or professional career that led to the achievement; Task talk about the task you had to do to accomplish the achievement; Action describe the actions you implemented to achieve the accomplishment; Results discuss the results. However, you should always discuss what sets you apart from the other candidates with specific accomplishments in life or in previous roles. Soon after, I started a summer landscape business where I earned over $10,000 in my sophomore, junior, and senior years. Wondering how to answer the question modestly (while at the same time, showing off how awesome you are)? RESULTS: After one month of the new demonstrations, that region was our biggest market, and our sales as a company increased by 10%. (S) Situation - Describe the situation and the context in which the event took place. Get a sense of the candidate's nursing skills and experience. A: Action The actions you took alone or your specific contribution as part of a team to obtain the objective. This is your moment to really connect to the interviewer by mentioning details that are related and relevant to the company . 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. Contemporary templates perfect for new job seekers or anyone looking for a fresh start. What are your greatest accomplishment examples? Human resource experts and researches have come up with a STAR method to give an answer that is satisfactory. I earned the top GPA in my class of more than 1,500 students while maintaining a part-time job on campus. Just kidding, my real greatest achievement is. Educational accomplishment. 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. If so, why mention this example specifically? Try our creative templates to highlight your personality. But what do you say? That way, you can tune your answers to every question the interviewer throws at you. I collected feedback from various people for about two weeks, then used the other two weeks to create awareness about the product in the area, with specific demonstrations on how to use the product. Use the STAR method. Additional interview resources. Try our cover letter generator and make a cover letter fast. Accomplishing any task requires a set of values. Check out our full guide on the topic here: Student & Graduate Resume Guide & Sample [Plus 10 Skills for Savvy Job-hunters]. Shows resourcefulness, teamwork, and leadership qualities. TASK: I had to stay positive, take control of the situation, and find a way to start over and rebuild. Summary of How To Answer What Is Your Biggest Achievement? Now, your answer is obviously going to vary depending on your background and where you are in your career right now. By asking this question, the hiring manager can see if your accomplishments and work ethic aligns with the needs of the organization. Learn more: How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview. Your answer says A LOT about you as a candidate. Ready? Training for and completing a marathon. TASK: I had to try something different to gain more awareness, or else my blog would not grow. Based on your response, they can also determine what you consider important as an employee. Get ideas from our in-house career coaches. Examples for your greatest accomplishment could be: Giving a presentation for an important event, Providing mentorship to a fellow student or employee, Winning an award for academic or professional activity, Completing a rigorous training or educational course, Exceeding expectations in a metric-based assignment. Boost your application with an effective cover letter. ACTION: We decided to upgrade our ingredients and showcase them in all of our marketing. Top 10 Best Example Answers When a Hiring Manager Asks What Is Your Greatest Achievement?, Sample Answer 2 Continuous Learning Professional Achievement, Sample Answer 3 Side Hustle Personal Achievement, Sample Answer 4 Paying For College Myself Achievement, Sample Answer 5 Persevering Through Injury Achievement, Sample Answer 6 Living Abroad Greatest Personal Achievement, Sample Answer 7 Management Achievement at Work, Sample Answer 8 Building Back After Loss Achievement, Sample Answer 9 Overcoming Bad Online Reviews Achievement, Sample Answer 10 Understaffed Project at Work Biggest Achievement, Tips To Improve Your Answer To What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?, What Not To Say or Do When Answering What Is Your Greatest Achievement?. It could be from a previous job, volunteer position, or another event. A year later, we had increased our close rate by 26% and our renewal rate by 17%. Because of my poor test grade, the amount of time I studied more than doubled, which made me a . Write about the moments in your life when you felt the proudest, such as when you finished a marathon or were congratulated by your boss. What you choose as your greatest assignment depends on your background. Mastering a new skill. A change in your condition or outlook. That way, you can choose an accomplishment that best aligns with the duties of the new job. First, when an interviewer asks, "What is your greatest achievement?" they're really asking for your greatest professional (or academic) accomplishment. 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. In my first job out of college, I was tasked with managing a companys social media channels. Learn more: 7 Situational Interview Questions to Prepare For. However, Im proud of the fact that I got through it and excelled. Concrete examples of your work. (T) Task - Talk about the tasks you had to complete (i.e. You know you need to ace this common interview question. Highlight your most notable publications and research with one of our research-focused CVs. To answer this question effectively, choose the accomplishment that best demonstrates the relevant skills and qualifications needed in the role youre applying for. Tell me about a time where you set a specific goal for yourself. So make sure you think about your proudest accomplishments and rehearse giving specific examples so you will be ready to nail this question during the interview process. Sometimes, the hardest problem youll face in answering this question wont be coming up with a single answer: Itll be choosing between several different ones. Now, when you walk into the restaurant, you learn all about where our ingredients come from and their health benefits. RESULTS: As a result, our food tastes better, and positive online reviews increased threefold. For example, if your greatest achievement is 100% customer retention, the values behind this accomplishment can be humility and service. 3. Understand that fabrication of a story will not be leaving a very good impression on your recruiter or manager. Choose your greatest achievement that is relevant to the position. Common phone interview questions and answers, How to ask for feedback after an interview the right way, Why are you suitable for this job? sample answers, How to answer Walk me through your resume, How to answer What are your weaknesses?, How to answer What is your greatest strength?, How to answer Where do you see yourself in 5 years?, Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work example answers. Set your story up with a brief description of the situation that led to your accomplishment. RESULTS: My calls started getting better, and after a month into my course, I was awarded employee of the month for offering the best solutions to our customers.