There’s nothing better than an interview question that lights you up. A question that really gets you excited and helps you show who you really are and why you are the best fit for the position.

The one question that does it all is “what is your greatest accomplishment?”

Today, you’ll learn 4 simple steps to help you answer this popular interview question and don’t forget to grab your Interview Guide Cheat Sheet – your step-by-step guide to answering the most popular interview questions.

If we’ve never met before, I’m Heather Austin from ProfessorAustin.com and The Career Club on Facebook, and here, I share simple solutions to help you build a business or launch a career you love.

Interview Guide Cheat Sheet

Your step-by-step guide to answering the most popular interview questions!

Tip 1 – Pick an accomplishment that relates to the position

The accomplishment you share, needs to directly match to the position you’re apply for. Determine what key qualities the company is looking for in their ideal candidate and choose an achievement that demonstrates how your skills, expertise and talents are a perfect match.

Tip 2 – Pick an accomplishment you are proud of

To make your personality and character really come through in the interview, pick an accomplishment that makes you light up when you talk about it.

This will be something you feel like you can talk about for hours with someone.

Don’t get this question mixed up with the other popular interview question, “what is your greatest strength?”

Although these are very similar questions, they differ in that the strength question requires you to pinpoint a quality you possess. Whereas the accomplishment question requires a specific achievement you’ve made.

Tip 3 – Pick an accomplishment that was recent

To show your relevance in the marketplace, share an achievement that wasn’t too far in your past. Something that happened within the last little while.

Here’s a bonus tip if you’re a student or if you just graduated… Use a success from your educational accomplishments.

Tip 4 – Use the star method

This question is considered a behavioral interview question. So an easy way to approach it is using the STAR method. This will help you better structure your answer.

The S stands for situation and the T stands for task. This is where you’ll describe the event surrounding your accomplishment.

A stands for action. This is where you’ll describe the action steps you took to get to the accomplishment.

R stands for result. Explain the result you obtained from this specific accomplishment.

Keep your accomplishment positive. Although you’re mentioned a challenge you faced, don’t talk about a challenge you’ve overcame in life and discuss it.

Sample answer 1:

“In my previous position as an academic dean, I had the privilege of hiring hundreds of faculty members. Under my direction, my team surpassed student retention and program growth goals.

As a result, I received the Outstanding Colleague of the Year Award from the College President. Only three individuals are selected each year out of thousands to receive this nomination.”

Sample answer 2:

“My greatest accomplishment was during my previous position as a business analyst. I designed an innovative business system that streamlined the company’s approach to gather documents and analyze business needs.

As a result, the organization could quickly interpret the problems and needs of our customers and make timely decisions.”

Interview Guide Cheat Sheet

Your step-by-step guide to answering the most popular interview questions.