Interview questions about accomplishments and achievements are often asked during job interviews. This question is popular among interviewers for several reasons. First and foremost, the interviewer is interested in your character, work ethic, and core values. Questions about your accomplishments are so-called ‘behavioral job interview questions.’ Behavioral job interview questions focus on work situations that you experienced in the past. The way you respond to such questions and the information you give the interviewer reveals a lot about your skills, abilities, and personality.
People, in general, are usually not experienced in talking about their greatest accomplishments. However, when the interviewer asks you about your accomplishments, this is actually a great opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the job. It allows you to share an accomplishment that is relevant to the position you’re applying to and show that you can add value to your potential future employer.
In this article, we discuss why this is the case, but also why the interviewer is asking you such questions in the first place, and what they are looking for in your answers. Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here.
Top 15 Interview Questions & Answers About Accomplishments
Below you will find a list of commonly asked interview questions about your accomplishments and how you should go about answering them.
1. What is your greatest accomplishment?
The key to this question is to be specific and provide concrete examples to support your answer. Show how your accomplishments have positively impacted your current or past employer, and explain why you are proud of them.
Example: ‘As a project manager, one of my greatest accomplishments was to deliver a project on time and within budget for a key client. A complex and challenging task, building a new website quickly, was part of the scope of the project. I managed the project carefully by frequently communicating with my team and planning ahead. In addition to being well-received by the company and our customers, this project demonstrated my ability to lead and manage a team and pay attention to detail and problem-solving.’
Related: Problem-solving interview questions and answers
2. What is your most significant contribution to the last team you worked on?
Example: ‘A major contribution I made to the last team I worked on was implementing new project management software. Our team used a manual process to track our projects, which was time-consuming and error-prone. After researching and evaluating various software options, I selected one that met our team’s needs. I then trained the team on the software and set it up. As a result, we were able to save time and improve our efficiency, which helped us to deliver our projects more successfully. This contribution shows my ability to identify problems and find solutions as well as my willingness to take on additional responsibilities and contribute to the team’s success.’
3. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the call of duty
Example: ‘During a critical project with a tight deadline, I went above and beyond my responsibilities. One of my team members could not contribute unexpectedly, which put the project at risk. Rather than panicking, I took the initiative to reassign his tasks to other team members. To make up for the lost time, I stayed late and worked weekends. As a result, the project was delivered on schedule, which was greatly appreciated by the team and the clients. Being able to adjust to unexpected challenges and helping my team succeed are two reasons I am proud of this accomplishment.’
4. What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
Example: ‘Outside of work, I have had several achievements that I’m proud of, including running my first marathon. Although I had always been interested in running, I never ran a marathon. It took me months to train for the marathon, and on race day, I pushed myself to the limit and achieved my personal best finish. I am proud of myself for setting a goal and achieving it, and it was a challenging and rewarding experience. It has given me confidence and accomplishment to use in my future endeavors. I have also learned the importance of perseverance and dedication through this experience.’
5. What would you accomplish in your first 30 days?
Example: ‘I would start by getting up to speed with the company’s goals, priorities, and processes in my first thirty days on the job. Also, I would strive to build working relationships with my colleagues and team members. Furthermore, I would gain as much knowledge as possible about the organization. I would also assess if and where I can contribute to the team. My goal is to be well aware of the company and my role within it by the end of my first 30 days and contribute to the team’s success.’
6. What accomplishment was the hardest for you to achieve?
Example: ‘The hardest accomplishment for me was completing my Master’s degree. At the time, I was also working full-time and raising a family, so it was challenging to find the time and energy to complete my studies. It was sometimes overwhelming when I had to balance my work, family, and study obligations. But I persevered and completed my degree while maintaining a high GPA. Because of this accomplishment, I have opened up new career opportunities and shown my determination and ability to overcome obstacles.’
7. Tell me about the accomplishment that you are most proud of
Example: ‘An accomplishment that I am proud of is the successful implementation of a new data management system in my previous position. The project required a lot of collaboration and coordination between different teams within the company. I played a key role in ensuring everyone was on the same page regarding planning and budget. In the end, the new system improved the efficiency of our operations and helped the company save a significant amount of money. I am proud of the hard work and dedication I put into making the project a success.’
8. Describe a time you helped a co-worker accomplish a goal.
Example: ‘One time I helped a colleague accomplish a goal was when he struggled to complete a complex project within a tight deadline. I noticed he had trouble understanding certain aspects of the project, so I offered to sit down and explain the requirements in more detail. I also provided him with resources and tips from my work experience. In the end, he completed the project successfully and on time and was very grateful for my help. I was happy to be able to support him and contribute to his success.‘
Related: Teamwork interview questions and answers
9. Tell me about a recent project you completed ahead of schedule.
Example: ‘I recently worked on a new marketing campaign for a product launch for one of our larger clients. I was responsible for developing the creative concept and overseeing the execution of the campaign. To get it done, I worked closely with the design and production teams to ensure everything was delivered on time. Furthermore, this way, I also ensured that they met the project’s quality standards. After careful planning and coordination, I completed the project two weeks before the original deadline. Our client was pleased with the campaign and gave us positive feedback.’
10. Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge or obstacle.
Example: ‘In my current position, I recently overcame a challenge when working on a project with a tight deadline and a limited budget. I had to quickly develop a creative solution to a problem during the development phase. I consulted with my team, and we decided to try a new approach involving using different tools and technologies. The solution worked well, and we completed the project on time and within budget. I am proud of the resourcefulness and problem-solving skills I demonstrated in this situation.’
11. Describe a time you made a significant contribution to a company goal.
Example: ‘I recently contributed significantly to a company goal when I was tasked with increasing customer satisfaction. I started with analyzing customer feedback data. This way, I was able to identify common issues and concerns. After that, I worked with the product development team to implement changes that addressed the issues I found to improve user experience. The result was that customer satisfaction levels increased by 15% within the first six months after the changes were made. I am proud that my efforts contributed to the company’s goal of improving customer satisfaction.’
12. Describe a time you resolved a challenging problem at work.
Example: ‘In my previous position, I faced a complex technical issue impacting the performance of our system. I spent several days researching the problem and testing different solutions. After identifying the root cause, I implemented a fix that resolved the problem and restored the system to its normal operation. I am proud of my ability to think critically and problem-solve in a high-pressure situation.’
13. Describe what you have done to reduce costs or save time in your current position.
Example: ‘Recently, I have implemented several processes and systems that have helped to reduce costs and save time for my current employer. I introduced a new inventory management system that allows us to track our stock levels in real-time. This system also automatically reorders items when they reach a certain threshold. This has reduced our time and money on manual inventory checks and prevented stock-outs. Also, it increased the company’s level of efficiency and productivity.’
14. What would you accomplish first if you were hired today?
Example: ‘I would start by getting to know my team members and focusing on understanding the company’s goals and objectives. Next, I would familiarize myself with the current systems, processes, and challenges the company faces in the current market. This allows me to identify improvement areas and potential growth opportunities. Another thing I would do is work closely with my manager and team members to develop a plan for achieving shared goals in a timely and efficient manner.’
15. What would you like to achieve in your next position?
Example: ‘I would like to continue to grow professionally and develop my skills while positively contributing to the company’s goals. I look forward to working in a challenging and dynamic environment where I can leverage my experience and knowledge. Specifically, I am interested in taking on more responsibility, leading projects, and working with more experienced colleagues to learn new techniques and strategies. I’m focused on contributing to the organization’s long-term success.’
Why Interviewers Ask About Your Accomplishments
These particular interview questions require you to talk about yourself and your career in a very positive way. It’s, therefore, important that you can provide the interviewer with concrete examples of your accomplishments. This means that you should be able to provide an answer on the spot when you’re being asked about your career achievements. In other words, this is your time to ‘brag’; not to be humble. However, do not overdo it, but it’s very important that you show confidence when you walk the interviewer through your story.
Interviewers ask this question because they are interested in what possibly makes you stand out from the crowd. Therefore, do not regard it as a trick question. You can imagine a company receiving tens or dozens of applications for the same position. By asking certain behavioral questions, interviewers try to assess which candidates are more qualified than others for the job.
Behavioral job interview questions usually start with:
- Tell me about a time when
- Have you ever
- Give me an example of
- Describe situations where
- What do you do when
Behavioral interview questions about your accomplishments allow the interviewer to zoom in on situations that you regard as a great achievement in your career. The interviewer can focus on the details of the situation that you provide. That’s why you need to ensure that you provide the interviewer with your situation, your task in that situation, the action you took, and the specific results that can come from those actions. In short, this is called the STAR-method of providing an answer.
What the interviewer is interested in
The interviewer wants to gain knowledge about your proven work and which accomplishments in your career are most valuable, according to you. They want to get insights into who you really are and how you approach your work. Basically, they are interested in the following things about you:
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Work ethic
It’s interesting for an interviewer to hear you talk about what you find important. Also, he or she is interested in what you view as an achievement and what’s needed in terms of completed work to achieve them.
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Core values
Follow-up questions about why you chose the discussed achievement as your ‘greatest’ gives the interviewer more insights into your core values.
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Work examples
The specific work examples you choose to use in your answer about your greatest accomplishments give the interviewer insight into how you approach projects. By describing your achievements, the interviewer can get an idea of what to expect from you. Based on this, they can assess your suitability for the job.
Frequently asked job interview questions about accomplishments
Below you can find commonly asked interview questions about your accomplishments:
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- Tell me about a time you had a significant contribution to a corporate goal
- What professional achievement are you most proud of?
- Tell me about a time you went above and beyond to achieve something
- What professional accomplishment do you think will be the hardest for you to achieve?
- Tell me about a recent project that you completed ahead of schedule
- Tell me about a time when you resolved a conflict at work.
- What is the most significant accomplishment you have on the horizon?
- How do you plan to develop yourself as a professional in the next year?
- Can you describe an important goal that you’ve accomplished?
How to answer job interview questions about accomplishments
There are a couple of things you should focus on when you talk about your accomplishments during a job interview:
- Give the interviewer an answer in the form of a ‘story.’ Walk them through the challenges you were facing and how you approached them. Furthermore, talk about your actions and your success by following them.
- Structure your story logically. Use the STAR interview technique to do this. STAR is an acronym that stands for a situation (S), your task (T) in that situation, the actions (A) you took, and what results (R) you got based on your actions. Below the STAR technique is described in more detail.
- Highlight your achievements in your answer. This might sound logical but make sure to put the focus on demonstrating that you’re the right person for the job.
- Display the skills and abilities that are needed for the job you’re applying for and that the interviewer wants to see. In other words, match your qualifications to the job and skills as mentioned in the job description.
- Be serious in your answer and focus on your goal. This is not the time to make funny comments or remarks. Answer the question as a professional and describe to the interviewer what your greatest accomplishments are.
- Honesty is key. Interviewers are trained to notice when someone is faking or making up a story. Make sure to prepare yourself well before the interview so that you have several accomplishments that you can discuss if the interviewer asks you to.
STAR Interview Technique
The best way to prepare for your job interview and behavioral job interview questions is by structuring your answers according to the STAR method. This way, you can give the interviewer exactly what he or she is looking for. Furthermore, it allows you to provide a concise and to-the-point answer about your accomplishments. Below, the STAR acronym is broken down into each step.
Situation
When you give your answer to the interviewer, start by setting the stage. Provide context around the situation or challenge you were facing. Also, make sure to provide relevant details.
Task
After you describe the situation, talk about your specific responsibilities and what your role was. The interviewer must get an understanding of your task.
Action
Then, talk about the actions you took to resolve your challenges. Provide the interviewer with a step by step description of what actions you took.
Result
Finally, talk about the outcomes of your actions. Make sure to take credit for your behavior that led to the result. Here you answer questions such as What happened? What did you accomplish? Also, provide the interviewer with information about what you learned from the situation. Make sure to focus on positive results and positive learning experiences.
Sample STAR Answers to Discuss Your Accomplishments In a Job Interview
Below are some example answers to discuss your greatest accomplishment. The examples are already written in STAR format so you can clearly see how you can structure your answers.
STAR-Method Example 1:
Situation: ‘My greatest accomplishment happened in my previous position as sales manager.
Task: I often saw team members struggling to locate specific, but essential client details in the system that we were using at the time. As a result, productivity went down, and it became harder to reach sales targets every month.
Action: After noticing this, I took the initiative to implement a new, more up-to-date CRM system that I already had experience with. After implementation, I trained and coached my team members on how to use it and showed them with what ease they could find and file client information.
Result: We reviewed the results after two months of working with the new system, and our time sheets indicated that we spent multiple hours less on collecting client data. As a result, we were able to increase our sales targets, which we already met in the third month of implementing the new system.’
Why is this a good answer?
- The provided example is related and relevant to the workplace.
- This answer shows important skills such as problem-solving skills, teamwork, innovation, adaptability, and creativity.
- The project turned out a success, which gives more weight to the achievement discussed.
STAR-Method Example 2:
Situation: ‘After I graduated, I started a marketing internship at online retailer ‘ABC.’ The team worked several hours a week on organizing budget sheets and planning models.
Task: My tasks consisted of supporting the marketing team with their daily needs, such as proofreading marketing materials, helping structure marketing campaigns, and other creative activities. However, during my graduate internship at ‘XYZ,’ I followed a course about structuring planning models that I implemented with my team, and they are still using this model over there today. I thought my experience might be of use at ABC company as well.
Action: I talked to the team manager about my idea, and he approved a trial version to see if it could also work at ABC. I also developed a structured and more effective planning model linked to the budget sheets. This allowed team members to organize their own parts of the planning and budgets that they were responsible for. This saved the team a lot of time because everybody could work on their own specific part of the planning that was automatically updated while being linked to the budget sheets.
Result: After the new planning was fully integrated into the first team, they saw a decrease of 30% in time spent on planning and budget sheets. This allowed the team to use their valuable time more effectively and efficiently and focus on the actual marketing projects.’
Why is this a good answer?
- This example shows management skills and leadership potential because the solution to an issue caused a more effective process overall.
- The provided example is related and relevant to the workplace.
- This answer shows important skills such as problem-solving skills, teamwork, innovation, adaptability, and creativity.
- The project turned out a success, which gives more weight to the achievement discussed.