Answering the “What Makes You Unique?” Interview Question

Every single person on this planet is unique, simply because each one of us is unlike anyone else. So, when an interviewer asks, “What makes you unique?”, it can be hard to know where to start. Maybe you’ve camped in 63 different countries, or perhaps you collect vintage mystery novels.

While the interviewer may find these tidbits interesting, that’s not what they want to know. What they’re really asking is “What sets you apart from other candidates?” and “What makes you the best candidate for the job?”

How to answer “What makes you unique?”

Now that your personal quirks aren’t part of the equation, it’s time to explain what makes you uniquely qualified for this specific role. To craft a response that sets you apart from the competition, follow these steps:

1. Review the internship or job description.

The job description is your cheat sheet. By studying it carefully, you’ll know exactly what the employer wants in an ideal candidate. If you have time, do some additional research. That way, if you’re interviewing to be a design intern and learn that you’ll be working closely with the marketing team, you can highlight your unique marketing experience.

2. Highlight how your skills, personality, and/or experience align with what’s listed.

Jot down all your skills, experiences, and personality traits that overlap with the job description. All of this taken together will allow you to prove that you have a unique value-add as a candidate.

3. Share a past example, using specific details to differentiate yourself.

This is a behavioral interview question in disguise, so you need to back up your response with concrete evidence. The best way to do that? Sharing specific past examples. If you say you have exceptional organizational skills, you need to demonstrate it.

4. Emphasize how your skills or experience will allow you to contribute positively in this role.

You’ve done it before, and you can do it again. Tie everything together by showing the interviewer how your unique qualities will help them successfully meet their business goals.

What not to say

There are also some common mistakes to avoid when answering, “What makes you unique?” Steer clear of the following:

• Giving a generic answer. This is always bad, but when the point of a question is to highlight your individuality, it’s a deal breaker. Everyone thinks they’re a hard worker and a team player; be sure to differentiate yourself.
• Highlighting irrelevant skills or experiences. No one cares that you’ve never ridden a bike—or that you were once in a commercial for dog food. Stick to the job at hand.
• Going low. Yes, being asked what makes you “better” than other candidates kinda sucks. Stay positive and don’t speak poorly of people you don’t know. Instead, focus on your excellence.

“What makes you unique?”: Example answers

Here are two more examples for strong responses that utilize the framework above.

Example 1: Administrative assistant

Example 2: Sales Intern

Meet the author

Dana Guterman

Dana Guterman is a content strategist, writer, and researcher, specializing in higher education and career development. Her clients span the business, tech, academic, and nonprofit industries. Dana graduated from Brown University, with a BA in East Asian studies, and now lives and works in Portland, Oregon.