Knowing how to answer “What are you most proud of?” can help you make a great first impression and stand out from other job seekers.ย We’ve got you covered with tips, templates, and examples to help you craft the perfect answer. These will help you show off your skills and achievements in a way that impresses interviewers.
Answer Templates and Examples
Template 1
“Being selected as [role] for [organization], where I [responsibility].”
Example: “Being chosen as team captain for a soccer team, where I led practice sessions and mentored new players.”
Template 2
“Overcoming [challenge] during my [experience] by [action].”
Example: “Overcoming my fear of public speaking by presenting at three conferences last year.”
Template 3
“Organizing [event/initiative] that [impact], which was rewarding because [challenges/impact].”
Example: “Organizing a campus food drive that collected over 1,000 pounds of donations for our local food bank, which was rewarding because it not only provided much-needed resources but also raised awareness and engaged the community in a meaningful cause.”
Template 4
“[Project] from [class/internship] where I [accomplishment].”
Example: “The marketing campaign I created for my senior project, which increased social media engagement by 50%.”
Template 5
“Completing [certification/training] in [timeframe], which allowed me to [skill].”
Example: “Completing my CPA certification in six months, which allowed me to enhance my expertise in financial auditing and reporting.”
Template 6
“Securing [deal/partnership] worth [amount], which [impact on company].”
Example: “Securing a partnership with a major retailer worth $2 million, which expanded our market reach by 40%.”
Template 7
“Developing [innovation/solution] that [solved problem] for [stakeholders].”
Example: “Developing a new customer feedback system that significantly improved customer satisfaction and retention rates for our team.”
Template 8
“Leading a team that [accomplishment] resulting in [measurable outcome], which was impactful because [challenges/impact].”
Example: ”
Leading a team that streamlined our inventory management process, resulting in a 20% reduction in operational costs, which was impactful because it required coordinating across multiple departments and overcoming initial resistance to change.”
Template 9
“Implementing [strategy/system] that [benefit] for the company.”
Example: “Implementing a new inventory management system that reduced waste by 25% and saved $100,000 annually.”
Template 10
“Mentoring [number] junior employees, [number] of whom have been promoted to [positions].”
Example: “Mentoring five junior analysts, three of whom have been promoted to senior roles.”
Why Employers Ask This Question
- Employers ask “What are you most proud of?” to learn about your values and achievements. They want to see what you consider important and what motivates you.
- This question helps them understand your character and work ethic. It gives insight into your past accomplishments and how you measure success.
- Your answer shows if you can reflect on your experiences and articulate them well. It’s a chance to highlight skills and qualities that may not be obvious from your resume.
- Employers also use this question to assess your confidence. They want to see if you can speak positively about yourself without being arrogant.
- Your response can reveal how well you might fit into their company culture. It gives clues about what kind of projects or tasks you might excel at in the role.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Let’s look at a few mistakes to avoid:
- Don’t be too modest. While it’s good to be humble, this question is your chance to shine. Highlight your achievements with confidence.
- Avoid rambling. Pick one or two key accomplishments to discuss in detail rather than listing everything you’ve ever done.
- Be careful not to brag. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Share your accomplishments without putting others down or seeming boastful.
- Be honest about your achievements. Lying or exaggerating can backfire if you’re asked follow-up questions.
- If applicable, explain why that achievement was particularly meaningful to you by sharing the challenges you overcame or the impact your achievement had.