Being a secretary or any form of executive administrative personnel can be an extremely rewarding career. The job involves carrying out important tasks and having impeccable organizational skills, so employers are looking for someone who is capable of taking initiative and has accomplished something to demonstrate this.
Answering the question “What is your greatest accomplishment?” in such interviews gives potential employers an insight into what you value most in life, how it can benefit the company, and whether you have the desired soft skills and ambition to succeed. Knowing how to effectively answer questions like these will give you a competitive edge over other applicants vying for the same position. So, how can you deliver an answer with the right effect? In this article, we’ll cover exactly that.
Why Do Employers Ask “What is Your Greatest Accomplishment?”
Employers ask “what is your greatest accomplishment?” to gain a better understanding of how you think, what motivates you, and whether or not you have the skills necessary for the position. This question allows employers to see if your values align with those of their company and if they can count on you to help them reach their goals. It also gives employers insight into how well you understand success. Can they rely on your ambition and drive to get the job done? Are there any soft skills that would be beneficial in this role that allow you to stand out in your answer?
Your response should demonstrate that while past accomplishments are important, future ambitions are just as vital. A great response will focus more on where an individual wants to go rather than what has already been achieved – something along the lines of: “My greatest accomplishment so far has been developing my ability to learn quickly and adapt in various situations, which I believe will benefit me greatly when working for this organization.” It’s a great idea to include specific examples from previous jobs or experiences where these skills were put into practice, as this shows potential employers that not only do you possess these qualities but also have experience using them effectively.
Overall, employers asking “what is your greatest accomplishment?” during interviews provides applicants with an opportunity to showcase their abilities beyond traditional resumes or qualifications listed on paper — answering thoughtfully demonstrates self-awareness and showcases true ambition!
How to Prepare Your Answer
When preparing a response to the question “what is your greatest accomplishment?”, using the STAR technique can be extremely beneficial. This method involves breaking down your answer into four parts: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
- Situation: Starting with the situation allows you to provide background information on why this particular task was important or challenging for you
- Task: Outlining what tasks were involved gives employers insight into how ambitious or creative you are
- Action: Describe how you completed those tasks
- Result: Provide a result that showcases your success in completing said task
It’s important to note that employers want to know about accomplishments from past job experiences. If not possible, you can use an example from other activities such as school projects or volunteer work. Most importantly, it’s essential to choose an example that demonstrates transferable skills applicable to the role being applied for!
For instance, if applying for a position such as marketing associate, talking about organizing a successful charity event could be an ideal example of showing off communication and organizational skills needed within marketing roles. Giving examples of achievements at work shows potential employers that not only have these qualities but also experience putting them into action effectively!
There are many great ‘my greatest achievement’ examples one can use when responding to this question. Here are a couple of examples to get your ideas flowing:
- Giving impressive presentations at work (showing your public speaking ability)
- Beating sales targets (demonstrating your ambition)
- Training for and completing marathons (showcasing your dedication)
5 Quick and Powerful Tips to Boost the Content of Your Answer
- Potential employers are looking for someone who can demonstrate their values and best qualities, so be sure to highlight these in your response.
- Research the job and company you are applying for, as this will help tailor your answer more appropriately.
- Being honest about successes and failures shows employers that you take ownership of all outcomes.
- Providing specific examples rather than generic descriptions allows employers to visualize how these accomplishments reflect on other areas of work or life – making them much more memorable
- Ensure that any achievements mentioned are recent and relevant – an accomplishment from five years ago may not be applicable now!
These tips can help make a great impression on potential employers when responding to “what is your greatest accomplishment?” questions during interviews. It shows initiative and self-reflection too — two traits that recruiters look highly upon. It also demonstrates knowledge of the role itself and gives those interviewing confidence in hiring someone with ambition and drive!
Typical Mistakes to Avoid
When answering the question “what is your greatest accomplishment?” it’s essential to avoid some common mistakes made by applicants. Firstly, rambling can come across as unprofessional and demonstrates a lack of focus, which employers may take as a sign that you cannot be trusted with tasks.
Indecisiveness comes off as if you are unsure of yourself or don’t have enough knowledge about the position to pick an appropriate accomplishment – this could be seen negatively and lead to further questions regarding your credibility in the role.
Putting others down so that you appear better will never leave a good impression. Instead, focus on how you achieved success through teamwork or collaboration when giving examples.
Finally, trying to be funny might come across as inappropriate depending on the interviewer’s sense of humor; keep responses professional and concise but still show enthusiasm for what you have accomplished!
Overall avoiding these typical mistakes when responding to “what is your greatest accomplishment?” during interviews is essential to demonstrate that not only do you possess the necessary skills but also understand professionalism – something potential employers always look for in candidates.
Examples of Bad Answers
Giving recruiters or your current employer a response such as “I’m not sure… Maybe the time I decided to not call in sick when I really didn’t feel like working? Does that count as an answer?” shows potential employers that you lack self-awareness and are not prepared for this line of questioning. It also suggests to recruiters that you may have difficulty in taking ownership or responsibility for tasks, and don’t understand what they deem important when assessing candidates.
When answering “what is your greatest accomplishment?” it’s key to provide specifics instead of generic answers – using examples from previous job experiences demonstrates transferable skills applicable in new positions whilst still showing ambition and dedication towards achieving goals. Providing details about results achieved shows potential employers just how successful this task was – whether it was completing an assignment ahead of schedule or increasing sales figures by a certain percentage, make sure recruiters know exactly what positive effect this had on the business.
Being honest but humble when giving responses will also help leave a good impression. On the other hand, embellishing successes should be avoided to avoid coming across as arrogant, which can quickly turn off interviewers!
Example of a Strong Answer to the Question “What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?”
“My greatest accomplishment to date was when I was working as an office secretary. I was tasked with organizing a company event for 1000 guests in just two weeks. This was a challenging task, as I had to coordinate everything from booking venues to arranging catering and decorations. However, through effective communication with colleagues, vendors, and management, I was able to successfully organize the event on time and within budget. The event was well received by guests and surpassed all expectations. This experience not only demonstrated my organizational abilities but also my dedication to completing tasks efficiently and cost-effectively – all qualities necessary for a successful career in office administration.”
Final Thoughts
When answering “what is your greatest accomplishment?” always remember that recruiters are looking for more than just a list of achievements. They want to gain an understanding of who you are and what unique qualities or abilities you possess. Taking the time to prepare by reflecting on past successes and researching the company and position beforehand can help you craft a well-structured answer which accurately reflects both yourself and the position applied for!