This is one of my favourite questions. If you were ever given a chance to shine – this is it. Although at first sight this seems daunting, it is easy to prepare an impressive answer if you consider it before the interview. In the space below make a list of 10 of your good qualities. Each point should comprise one word or short phrase and should relate to your behaviour at work. Examples could be: ‘Flexible; good at keeping to deadlines; calm; can work under pressure …’ Everybody’s list will be different. If you find this exercise difficult, try to imagine what your mother, your best friend, your dog – or whoever loves you most in the world – would say about you if they were describing your best characteristics to a stranger.
Once written down, this list is very useful as the basis for answering any question about your strengths. By selecting five or six points from your list, you can put together a clear and powerful answer. Because you have prepared in advance, you will sound confident about your own abilities and proud of your character.
The items on your list do not have to be in any order; just write them down as they occur to you. Do not qualify them by saying ‘fairly good at …’ or ‘some people think I am …’, just list them as you have been asked to. You do not have to prove any of them – simply outline your most impressive characteristics.
Most people find it hard to compile the list of their 10 strengths, and even harder to talk about them in an interview. Do not worry about sounding boastful. It is much more common for candidates to be too modest than to blow their own trumpets. I recommend that you don’t hold back from explaining just how good you are in this answer.
The list of 10 points can be kept and added to throughout your life. Whenever a colleague or friend compliments you on some aspect of your character, add it to your list. More words of praise may come from appraisals with employers, development reviews at work or as references when you leave a job. Keep your list growing as you collect these compliments. It will prove useful when you need to write about your personality for a CV, describe your strengths for an application form or prepare for future interviews. It also provides a welcome confidence boost when needed, instantly recalling your talents when you are at your brilliant best.