As a follow up to being asked about your greatest strengths, you may be asked about how your greatest strength will help you perform the job for which you are applying.

Interviewers ask this question to see whether or not your skill set is a good fit for the particular position and the company. This question also helps interviewers see whether or not you have researched the job and the company thoroughly.

Read below for tips on how to answer questions about how you perform on the job, as well as sample answers.

How to Answer Questions About Your Strengths and Job Performance

An effective answer to this question will demonstrate how your greatest strength or strengths will make you an asset to the company. When you respond, relate your strengths to the job description.

Be specific. Tie your strength to the job description to demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate. Explain exactly how your strengths will help you effectively complete the duties listed in the job description.

Even though the question refers to the job for which you are applying, you can also use examples from past positions to demonstrate the strengths you will bring to the company.

To prepare for this interview question, be sure to read the job description thoroughly ahead of time. Circle any key skills or requirements noted on the job description that fit your experiences.

For each of these skills, think of a time when you displayed that skill.

Also look closely at the responsibilities or duties for the job including in the listing. Think about what skills and experiences you have that will help you complete each responsibility well.

Sample Answers

• My greatest strength is my ability to work effectively with many different people. My strong communication skills have made me an effective project manager on dozens of projects over the past five years. Because this job involves a lot of team projects, I know that my communication and interpersonal skills make me an ideal fit for the position.

• My greatest strength is my ability to stay focused on my work and finish tasks earlier than they are due. I’m not easily distracted, and this means that my performance is very strong. I know this is a very busy office, and that this job includes projects with strict deadlines. My focus will allow me to meet these deadlines successfully.
• My organizational skills and time management skills are my greatest strengths. I’m capable of keeping many projects on track at the same time. At my last job, I was typically assigned to be project manager on many team assignments, due to my ability to stick to deadlines and keep track of our team’s progress. These organizational skills would allow me to effectively juggle all of the day-to-day operations of the office as office manager.
• My greatest strength is my listening ability. I pay careful attention to what I’m being told about everything, from specific information relating to current projects, to future projects, even to what my colleagues did over the weekend. By being a good listener, I am more effective at completing projects efficiently. My listening skills also help me effectively motivate others, which would be a large part of my job as head of the department.