Don’t be shy about sharing your accomplishments during an interview

Want to learn how to highlight your best self during an interview? Check out the tips below from How Do I Talk About My Achievements in a Job Interview from Amanda Augustine, in the advice section of the American Water Works Association’s Career Center. This website provides free resources about topics ranging from interviews and resumes to networking and salary negotiations.

Are you uncomfortable discussing your accomplishments in a job interview? If so, it is time to change your viewpoint on this. Rather than being seen as boasting, providing a prospective employer with key information about your achievements helps them learn more about you while making an important hiring decision.

Consider these points when preparing for your next interview:

• The hiring manager will not know about your accomplishments if you don’t speak about them. 
• Don’t assume your achievements are not related to the job opening; the potential employer can decide whether they are relevant to their needs.
• Giving examples of achievements allows you to demonstrate qualities such as perseverance, creativity and initiative.
• Talking about an accomplishment demonstrates to an employer what you value through what goals you have set for yourself and achieved.

One way to talk about an achievement is to start with describing your goal, outlining the steps you took to achieve it, and identifying any obstacles you overcame along the way.

By sharing your accomplishments during a job interview, you can provide helpful information to a hiring manager about who you are as a person and your work ethic.