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. Achievements are the building blocks that enable someone to construct a sense of themselves as a success. Recently graduated college with not much work experience to speak of? No votes so far! I assigned a few new team members to the project and worked through a weekend to bring myself up to speed. 'My greatest achievement' examples could include: Giving a great presentation at work. Did you learn anything or determine how to complete the task differently next time? One final note from Idealist is to keep track of your achievements as they happen at work. Job seekers are often haunted by lies, so its best to avoid them altogether. RESULTS: After three months, I could construct full sentences, and I was well on my way to getting the accent down too. I recently moved to a different country, and the first few days were so hard because I could not understand what anyone was saying. For background, I studied literature in school, which did not involve any tech information. Out of the 4 months I spent there, 3 of them were a total nightmare. 1. Prepare your answer in advance, so you don't have to think up an accomplishment on the spot. By taking initiative, I earned myself a senior developer position and a company car to help me navigate from home to work. Situation: "My greatest accomplishment was when I was a content leader at a local design agency. But at a job interview, your job is to be anything but humble. Connect the dots. It could be something you're proud of from your work, from home or a combination. SITUATION: One of my biggest achievements at work was turning around terrible online reviews. Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working in a team. 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. Learn more: How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview. Learning the best way to answer What is your greatest accomplishment? or What is your greatest professional achievement? is extremely important when interviewing with a potential employer. Examples: My greatest achievement' examples could include: Giving a great presentation at work. The basics of a great response. ACTION: I started working toward this goal in high school and took any job that was a skill match, no matter how much I hated it. Summary. Here are the four parts of the STAR method: S: Situation The situation or the task that is relevant to the job description. Well show you how to create your own. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was persevering and thriving following an injury. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? My part of the project was [your duties]. However, the tech world is dynamic, and even with our weekly knowledge update sessions, I would come across questions I did not understand during calls. 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. There are other interview questions about conflict and challenges, but your answer for this question should be overwhelmingly positive. Action: With my supervisors permission, I created promotional posters and asked everyone to suggest the drink to people who seemed indecisive. This can help you have specific accomplishments in mind that you could refer to based on what youre discussing in the interview. That means picking your accomplishment based on how good of a story its going to make. Follow these steps to help you respond to questions about your greatest accomplishments: Start by making a list of all your accomplishments in the workplace. Mentoring a coworker or fellow student. Learning how to play an instrument. I was promoted to sales manager in charge of the region and ensured that we hit the set target every month. Choose your greatest achievement that is relevant to the position. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University. This was a win-win as not only did the food taste better, but we broke even with the change. education, discipline, etc.). 4. Answer (1 of 19): A few things; removing unnecessary code is extremely satisfying. Sample Answer 2 - Cashier Job at a Fast Food Restaurant. Recruiters and hiring managers dont just want to hear that you know how to work they want specifics. Using this method, you talk about the situation or problem you . Dont lie. TASK: I had to stay positive, take control of the situation, and find a way to start over and rebuild. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users. Try to stick with professional career or job-related strong answers. Situation - My biggest achievement was during my internship as a customer support representative at Company X. I was the first custom support intern there, so I didnt have a lot to go off of and had to learn a lot by myself. Additionally, ask friends, family, and former coworkers for their opinion. " is a common behavioral interview question, so be sure to practice your answer ahead of time. Choose your greatest achievement that is relevant to the position. I wrote up a five-question survey and sent it to a selection of people on our list of potential donors. We've got a lot more example answers for the most common interview questions: If you want to read up on interview tips instead, check out our in-depth guides here and ace your next interview: To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Remember, the interviewer called you knowing this might be your first job interview. In my first job out of college, I was tasked with managing a companys social media channels. Action. That is to say, dont make a story where there isnt one. For example, if your greatest achievement is 100% customer retention, the values behind this accomplishment can be humility and service. When answering questions about your accomplishments, you need to highlight and elaborate your successes. 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. In case no one was available, I personally filled in for them., Results - Overall, the summer went pretty well with minimal incidents. RESULTS: I rebuilt within a year after the ordeal and learned much about what I can accomplish and how resilient I can be. send our content editing team a message here, 25 Best Why Do You Want to Work Here Sample Interview Answers, 21 Best Describe a Challenge You Faced and How You Overcame It Examples, 50 Most Asked Nursing Interview Questions with Answers, 20 Best Answers to Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job, 10 Best Answers to Why Do You Want to Be a Manager, 11 Best Answers to What Does Leadership Mean to You Interview Question, 50 Most Asked Front Desk Interview Questions with Answers, 10 Best Ways to Answer Sell Me This Pen in an Interview, 10 Most Asked Integrity Interview Questions with Answers, 25 Most Asked Confidentiality Interview Questions with Answers, 50 Most Asked Phone Interview Questions with Answers, 10 Best Answers to What Are Your Interests and Hobbies. Certainly it was a team effort, but I was the main man on the sales floor, helping customers to . Be concise, avoid rambling and don't lie or embellish the truth. Learn more: 7 Situational Interview Questions to Prepare For. Choose anything that is as recent as feasible and at least tangentially related to this position or your career. A great answer includes a real accomplishment thats free of BS, includes a specific example, and is concise in a way that entices engagement from the interviewer. 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. Pick one that highlights how you can benefit the employer. TASK: I decided to leave my comfort zone and change that by taking coding courses online as I continued working at the company. Experienced professional interviewing for a website management position -. This could include the tasks you're in charge of, your position in a particular issue . This is the meat and potatoes of your answer make sure you can tell the interviewer all of the important parts without getting over-the-top detailed. 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. Highlight your most notable publications and research with one of our research-focused CVs. can be challenging, regardless of where you are in your professional career. . First, I decided to create a document of the Frequently Asked Questions I was getting, for personal use. RESULTS: Between saving in those summers, working during college, and applying for scholarships, I graduated from Michigan State University debt free. 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. Your goal is to convince the interviewer that you're the right candidate for the job. Training for and completing a marathon. . 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. As the founder of MatchBuilt, a premier career coaching and recruiting firm, I am passionate about helping individuals transform their professional lives. What happened and how did you handle it? My greatest accomplishment was my promotion last year to manager. Beating sales targets. Its the inverted version of tell me about a time you failed, but theyre both behavioral interview questions, meaning youll need good stories to tell the hiring manager for each. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was buildingafter a devastating loss. Put emphasis on your writing rather than your cover letter's design. 1 How ambitious you are, and what drives you. Tell me about a time where you set a specific goal for yourself. ". Check out our full guide on achievements here: 100+ Achievements to Write in Your Resume [2023 Examples]. Instead of simply saying "I increased sales by 600 percent in one year," describe how you did it. Heres what your greatest achievement might sound like. Your interviewers will assess how well your work style and values fit with the company culture. One of the common interview questions a recruiter may ask a potential candidate is, What is your greatest accomplishment? Potential employers prefer this question as it gives them insight into what you consider important parts of a job and how motivated you are to reach your career goals. Highlight both your relevant " soft skills " (leadership, conflict resolution, decision making, etc.) Looking for a job-winning customer service resume you could use as inspiration? Dont lie or embellish too much, but think about which of your examples makes the best story. But you want to talk about something thats not just impressive to you you want it to be impressive to anyone. What Sets You Apart From Other Candidates? RESULTS: Following months of hard work and my doctor telling me hes never seen anyone recover so quickly, I lead the team in batting average. Agent of Change (pushing change forward) Artistic Expression. Sample Answer 2: (Leadership Position) I worked as an occupant advisor for the restricted college for numerous years. Your answer to this question really can give away all of the above. I wanted to improve, and a lot of the other employees were often too busy to help me out. Plus, I learned time management skills that will serve me well throughout my career. Results - In the end, we managed to decrease the average monthly ticket count by around 25%. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation? Its always better to have a recent story versus one from ten years ago, especially if the skills you display are no longer relevant to the modern work youll be doing. Women at Cambridge. Spend a little time reflecting on your career. Reflect on your time in education, extra-curricular activities and hobbies to identify something you accomplished that made you feel proud. Your answer could look something like the following: Situation - I think my greatest accomplishment was during my last job as an HR administrator. Task. Training for and completing a marathon. 1. My experience taught me time management, habits and prioritization. The sweetest and best achievement.be made of nothing .something important My achievements as a teacher: 1. When Have You Made A Split Second Decision? My scholarship only covered half of the tuition, and my family was unable to support me financially. Each team or individual could instantly access the files they needed in one HR filing system, and increase their overall productivity., Are you wondering what are some other accomplishments you can mention during your interview? 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. EXAMPLE ANSWER: "The accomplishment I'm most proud of is completing my degree with a 3.95 GPA. I lost everything in a fire two years ago, and it couldnt have come at a worse time as I was also supporting a sick family member and was trying to finish my degree. Avoid saying you do not have any accomplishments, even if you are recently out of school. I was a topper in subjects like engineering mathematics and applied mechanics in my bath. My greatest accomplishment was finishing college at the top of my class while holding a full-time job. Follow the STAR method as an answering format for a comprehensive reply. I was part of a small team assigned to redesigning the agency website in hopes of attracting new regional clients.". Regardless of how true it is, I dont really have any greatest accomplishments is just bad optics all around. Self-reflections gives you opportunity to look back on your life and see how it brought you to where you are today. 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. 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. Running your first marathon. 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. 2. Three things you should say for any accomplishment are: This is why using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) is so helpful. Now, when you walk into the restaurant, you learn all about where our ingredients come from and their health benefits. R: Result Was the outcome successful? 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. This response is focused, specific, and goal-oriented. Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable guides and the latest job-hunt tips and tricks. Because of this experience, next time I run into this challenge, Ill be able to use my newfound abilities with [skill or concept].. T: Task The goal you aimed to achieve, such as increasing sales, decreasing costs, or others. Accomplishing any task requires a set of values. Are you a mid-level professional in your field? 4 What your definition of 'success' might be. Get a sense of the candidate's nursing skills and experience. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc, How to Answer 'What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment? Heres a sample answer from a professional interviewing for a Chief Human Resources Officer position: "What is your greatest professional achievement?". Learn why employers ask this question, how you can answer, and some sample answers that can be useful as you craft your own response. 1st Answer Example. In my last position, I negotiated with a new supplier to lower the cost of the raw materials we purchased to make our products. 3. As with all behavioral interview questions, use the star method: Situation. I knew automating the process would make things easier and help us close more sales. Show the great strides you made in your education and the accolades you received for the same. While finding an accomplishment thats relevant to what the company is looking for is an important first step, how you structure your story is also something you should consider. Weve also continued to use the same strategy for new products, which has cut down the time it takes them to reach customers significantly. Since I had led similar projects before, I offered to help get it finished. What is the best way to answer What is your greatest achievement?. It shows the interviewer what you can do for the company if youre hired, and why you stand out from the competition. Avoid winging it as not preparing ahead for a good answer can derail your interview. Well show you how to nail this common question and impress your interviewer with our expert sample answers and tips below. 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. You can also use the STAR method to help you find the answer. While this project wasnt revolutionary, Im proud of it because I learned [skill or concept you learned that relates to the job]. Acquiring Skills. 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. Ready? The most effective way to answer any tough interview question is to follow the STAR approach. Volunteer jobs like these are ideal sources for greatest accomplishment answers for entry-level candidates. Use the STAR method. I took the initiative to research potential customer relationship management solutions. Describe the situation and in which context it happened. This way, a recruiter will see how your soft skills can work successfully in their organization. Do not enhance your part in group achievements or take credit for a team effort on projects. You should review the job description, any social media sites, the company website, and any employee reviews you can find online. She graduated from the more, 25+ Common Interview Questions & Answers for 2023, 15 Best Job Interview Tips To Get You Hired, 17 Common Phone Interview Questions & Sample Answers, How to Successfully Answer What is Your Greatest Strength? in an Interview, 35+ Most Common Behavioral Interview Questions, How to Ask for Feedback After an Interview, How to Send a Follow-up Email After An Interview, 2023, Sonaga Tech Limited. While its sometimes not easy to talk about ourselves and our past experiences, practicing for this and other key behavioral questions will pay dividends in the long run. RESULTS: As a result, our food tastes better, and positive online reviews increased threefold. Describe how your interest in medicine drove you to become a doctor. Obviously, the result should be monumentally positive for this answer, since were talking about your greatest accomplishment. 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. Best answers to "what is your greatest accomplishment". And oftentimes, the question can distinguish the perfect candidate from an OK one. The candidate proves their ability to meet and exceed HR objectives on a large scale, while focusing on what they did to get there. (A) Action - Explain the actions you took to address the above-mentioned challenges or responsibilities. TASK: Find a way to still deliver each project on time per customer expectations. However, in the end, we completed the project a day in advance and the client was thrilled with the end result. My greatest accomplishment happened last quarter, when my team was behind on our sales quota. My greatest accomplishment so far was finishing my Bachelor's and Master's degree in time with a 3.9 GPA. 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. Boost your application with an effective cover letter. Read the full guide here: Customer Service Resume - Examples & Guide. Working with a good team means open communication, high trust . When talking about your greatest accomplishment, keep the following things in mind: Mention how good the accomplishment was for you, but focus on the value added to your employer. 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. When I took on the position, turnover was high and our cost-to-fill was skyrocketing. Now we have one of the highest retention rates in the company and pay 25% less to fill each position. Look for actions you took that made it possible for you to be in the position to interview for this job. Considering using materials such as journals, your resume, or school transcripts to help jog your memory. 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. Our professional builder will do the hard work for you. Your qualifications: Some accomplishments help employers establish . Make a list of all your professional accomplishments. This question is a behavioral interview question. I finished my course and went on to learn more programming languages, and I am now about to graduate as a software engineer. SITUATION: My biggest achievement was growing sales in an underperforming territory. What is your greatest accomplishment in life so far?#minecraftshorts #AskReddit #youtubeshort #short #AskReddit How much work are you willing to put in to accomplish something at work? At my current job as a fifth-grade teacher, my greatest accomplishments always involve watching my students achieve something. 1. If you want to become successful in life, you must help yourself first. Think about school projects, trips, private tragedies, public disasters anything that required you to work to overcome something while contributing to something or someone else around you. '. Never miss an opportunity thats right for you. You cant borrow or copy an accomplishment, but you can borrow structure, style, and delivery. If you dont think you have any accomplishments, self-reflect and ask others for help. 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. Finally, when answering this question, use a show and tell approach. This research can help you to identify a story thats targeted to what the company needs. Choose a professional accomplishment. Applying for work where you might need to wear a suit? I learned that younger potential donors found our materials out-of-touch. ACTION: I decided to talk with the team, especially the ones with multiple fines, and understand where the problem was. Is this the kind of work you typically do? I was very passionate about these Olympiad exams. 1. Your greatest accomplishment could be like Gennifer's, Morgan's or Asha's or it could be completely different. This student succinctly explains a challenge they overcame and the skills they used to do it. 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. Learn every detail about making a resume. Your greatest accomplishment is a significant event or achievement that you are proud of and that has had a meaningful impact on your life. 1 people already answered this question. Use a recent and relevant accomplishment. There were times that I had to put in 18-hour days to get everything done. Dont make anyone else look bad in your story; just talk about a time you were really proud of something impressive you did. In this post, we hope to take some of the hard work out of your preparation by sharing some sample answers for the most significant accomplishments. TASK: I had to try something different to gain more awareness, or else my blog would not grow. TASK: Find a way to let customers know what was in the food before eating it. I also set up in-person meetings with three donors who had expressed interest but had not donated. In this article we break down what interviewers want to hear when they ask you about your greatest achievement, and how to answer this question the right way. It was tiring at times, but I scheduled pretty much everything I had to do in my personal calendar. (T) Task - Talk about the tasks you had to complete (i.e. All Rights Reserved. Topic Ideas for Writing the Greatest Accomplishment Essay. When asking this question, the HR manager wants to learn about your professional and personal sides. Task: I decided to experiment with new ways to promote it in-store. While he had a tough time reading the words, I knew that he loved drawing and fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings. As with all behavioral interview questions, choosing a relevant example and using the STAR . Its easy to get carried away talking about your proudest accomplishment. 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.