You’ve aced the small talk, navigated your career history flawlessly, and then the hiring manager leans in and asks the question that stumps so many: “So, what makes you unique?” Your mind races. Do I brag? Do I be humble? Do I tell them about my award-winning chili recipe?.
This isn’t a trick question. It’s a golden opportunity. In my years as a recruiter, I saw this question separate the prepared candidates from the phenomenal ones. It’s your chance to move from being a qualified applicant on paper to an unforgettable, must-hire candidate.
Drawing the recruiting experience and insights from top career coaches, this guide will give you a simple formula to craft an answer that will make you stand out for all the right reasons.
Why Do They Even Ask This?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Hiring managers aren’t trying to catch you off guard. They ask “What makes you unique?” to:
Gauge Self-Awareness: Can you objectively assess your own strengths?
See Your Fit: Does your uniqueness complement their team and company culture?
Look Beyond the Resume: What soft skills, passions, or personality traits don’t show up in your bullet points?
Test Your Communication: Can you articulate your value clearly and confidently?
Ultimately, they want to know what you bring to the table that the other candidates don’t. For a deeper dive into the mind of a recruiter, check out our guide on how to hire for cultural fit.
Formula to Crafting Your Answer
A great answer isn’t plucked from thin air. It’s built strategically. Follow this process before your interview.
Step 1: The Self-Audit
Look back at your career and accomplishments. What feedback do you consistently get? What tasks do you find easy that others struggle with? Jot down ideas. Think about:
Soft Skills: Adaptability, conflict resolution, empathy, creativity.
Hard Skills: Proficiency in a niche software, data analysis, coding.
Personal Traits: Bias for action, intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic.
Experiences: Unique cross-industry experience, volunteer work, a multi-disciplinary background.
Pro Tip from Career Coach Emily Liou:
“Ask yourself, ‘What do I excel at that others find challenging?’ Use this insight to articulate how you can add unique value.”
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn or visit her website, Cultivitae, for more job search strategies.
Step 2: The Company Recon
Your “unique” trait is only valuable if it’s useful to them. Scour the job description and company website. What problems are they trying to solve? What values do they champion? Your goal is to connect your unique skill directly to a company need. This aligns with the concept of career curation, where you strategically align your skills with market opportunities.
Step 3: The Proof Statement
A claim is meaningless without evidence. For your chosen trait, prepare a one-sentence story that proves it. This transforms your answer from generic to credible.
Instead of: “I’m a great problem-solver.”
Say: “I have a systematic problem-solving approach; for example, I once created a new scheduling system that saved my team two hours per day.”
How to Structure Your Answer in the Interview
When the question comes, don’t panic. It’s okay to take a moment.
You can say: “That’s a great question. Let me think for a second—I want to give you a thoughtful answer.”
Then, structure your response like this:
Name Your Unique Trait: Be specific and confident.
Provide a Brief Example: Use your “proof statement” to back it up.
Connect It to the Role: Explain exactly how this trait will help you succeed in this specific job.
12 Expert-Approved Sample Answers
Here’s how to put the formula into practice. Use these samples as inspiration, but always personalize them with your own experiences.
1. For the Communicator
“I would say my unique ability is to connect and build rapport with virtually anyone, from C-suite executives to frontline staff. In my past role, this helped me negotiate a key contract by understanding the personal motivators of each stakeholder. I saw this role requires constant client communication, and I’m confident this skill would allow me to build strong, trusting relationships from day one.”
2. For the Multi-Disciplinary Thinker
“My background is a unique blend of software development and product design. While I moved into design for the creativity, I can still write code to automate tasks and prototype ideas. This technical perspective allows me to create designs that are not only user-friendly but also incredibly efficient for engineers to build, which I believe would streamline your development process.”
3. For the Confident Public Speaker
“One thing that truly sets me apart is that I genuinely enjoy and excel at public speaking. In college, I led debates in front of large audiences and often presented findings to clients during my internships. I noticed this role involves leading client presentations, and that’s an area where I know I can deliver exceptional value and confidence right from the start.”
4. For the Process-Oriented Improver
“I have an unusual combination of soft skills centered on continuous improvement. I’m not just organized; I’m systematic about tracking my results and progress to spot trends and learning opportunities. This allows me to turn small mistakes into huge positives. My past managers have consistently praised my ability to learn quickly and operate independently, which I understand is key for this position.”
5. For the Natural Leader
“I think my unique skill is project leadership, stemming from strong organizational and interpersonal skills. I have a natural ability to lead tasks and coordinate teams, whether I’m the formal leader or not. I reviewed your job listing and saw you value a collaborative mindset and internal growth, so I believe this trait makes me a great long-term fit.”
6. For the Systematic Problem-Solver
“I have a well-practiced, systematic problem-solving methodology that still allows for creative brainstorming. This skill has led to multiple team-leadership promotions because I can both generate ideas and delegate tasks effectively. I’ve saved previous companies significant money and believe this critical thinking is perfect for the fast-paced, decision-oriented nature of this job.”
7. For the Collaborative Team Player
“What makes me unique is my heartfelt belief that success is dependent on outstanding teamwork. I see immense value in diverse perspectives and make it my business to foster collaboration by helping team members find their voice, motivating others to act, and building up my teammates through constant feedback and support—which aligns perfectly with your company’s values.”
8. For the Proud Professional
“My sense of professionalism and work ethic is what I’m most known for. I take immense pride in my work, viewing it as an expression of who I am. I compete with myself, always striving to do better than I did before. I only consider it a job well done if I know I’ve grown and improved on my past performance.”
9. For the Ambitious Achiever
“My ambitious drive is my key differentiator. I am unable to function without continuously striving for and achieving new goals. This has led to six promotions in ten years across two companies. I am diligent, self-challenging, and able to act on initiative with minimal guidance, making me well-suited to complex, high-priority tasks.”
10. For the Adaptable Learner
“I have a strong passion for learning and experiencing new things, which has made me highly adaptable. I get excited about discovering new trends and mastering new tools without skipping a beat. I have a core belief in my ability to master any skill, which makes me versatile and effective in fast-paced settings because I don’t waste time doubting myself.”
11. For the Growth-Minded Individual
“My biggest strength is the growth mindset I’ve always cultivated. It has kept me curious and open, eager to learn and evolve. I’ve used every mistake as a stepping stone and continue to cultivate unique skills that allow for out-of-the-box thinking and pursuing unconventional solutions, which I see is a theme in your company’s projects.”
12. For the Empathetic Re-entrant
“I used a recent career break to volunteer and intentionally strengthen my soft skills, particularly empathy. This work sharpened my ability to understand others’ motivators and goals. I am now highly skilled at reading people and situations, which allows me to collaborate effectively, motivate teams, and identify opportunities and risks—a skill set I’m eager to apply here.”
The #1 Mistake to Avoid
Don’t be generic. The quickest way to be forgotten is to give a vague, unsubstantiated answer.
What not to say: “I’m a really hard worker and a people person.”
Every single candidate says this. It tells the interviewer nothing. Instead, be specific and tell a micro-story.
Career Coach Dr. Kyle Elliott advises: “If you’ve made it to the interview, you’re qualified. Now it’s your time to showcase how you’re distinct. Back up your claims with examples and results.”
For more on crafting powerful interview stories, read Kyle’s insights on mastering the behavioral interview. You can also follow him on LinkedIn.
Your Turn to Shine
The question “What makes you unique?” is your invitation to sell your unique value proposition. It’s not about being the most quirky person in the room; it’s about being the most self-aware, strategic, and relevant candidate.
Reflect on what genuinely sets you apart.
Research what the company truly needs.
Recount a brief, powerful example.
Do this, and you won’t just answer the question—you’ll own the interview.