“Tell Us What Makes You Unique”: How to Answer This Interview Question with Confidence
“Tell us what makes you unique” stops many job seekers in their tracks. This seemingly simple question challenges candidates to be self-aware, relevant, and confident simultaneously. When handled well, your answer showcases your value and fit for the role. When handled poorly, it can leave interviewers underwhelmed.
This guide breaks down how to craft a memorable, effective response to this common interview question. We’ll explore why interviewers ask it, how to identify your genuine unique qualities, and provide frameworks for structuring powerful answers that highlight your professional value.
Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming interview or refining your professional narrative, these strategies will help you articulate what truly sets you apart from other candidates.
Understanding Why Interviewers Ask “What Makes You Unique”
Interviewers ask about your uniqueness for several strategic reasons. First, they want to assess your self-awareness and how well you understand your own professional value. Self-awareness is particularly important considering 82% of employees believe they have “a great deal of self-awareness,” yet many struggle to articulate their unique qualities effectively. (Source: Workforce.com)
Second, hiring managers use this question to evaluate how well you align with their team and organizational culture. Your response reveals your communication style and your understanding of what matters in the workplace.
Third, this question helps interviewers differentiate between similarly qualified candidates. When several applicants have comparable skills and experience, your unique qualities often become the deciding factor.
The question may be phrased in various ways, each with a slightly different focus. Understanding these variations helps you prepare more effectively.
| Question Variation | What They’re Really Asking | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| “What makes you unique?” | How do you stand out from equally qualified candidates? | Competitive differentiation |
| “What unique qualities would you bring to this role?” | How will your specific attributes benefit this position? | Role-specific value |
| “What sets you apart from other candidates?” | Why should we choose you over others with similar qualifications? | Comparative advantage |
| “How are you different from others who apply for this position?” | What uncommon perspective or approach do you offer? | Different thinking |
| “Why are you the best person for this job?” | What combination of qualities makes you an ideal fit? | Overall fit assessment |
Each variation invites you to highlight different aspects of your professional identity. Recognizing the specific angle can help you tailor your response more effectively.
How to Identify Your Unique Professional Qualities
Before crafting your answer, you need to identify what genuinely makes you unique. This requires honest self-reflection and external feedback. Workplace belonging plays a crucial role in professional success, with 94% of employees saying a sense of belonging is essential for workplace success. (Source: ProofHub) Your unique qualities often relate to how you create connections and contribute to team culture.
Start by examining your professional journey. Look for patterns in your successes, challenges you’ve overcome, and feedback you’ve received. Consider how your background, experiences, and perspective differ from others in your field.
The following self-assessment approaches can help uncover your unique professional qualities:
The Professional Inventory Method
Create a comprehensive list of your skills, experiences, accomplishments, and personal attributes. Then, analyze which combinations are less common in your industry. The intersection of different skills often creates unique value.
The Feedback Analysis Approach
Collect formal and informal feedback from colleagues, managers, and clients. Look for consistent themes about what others value in your work. Sometimes others recognize our unique contributions better than we do ourselves.
The Competition Comparison
Research professionals in similar roles. Identify how your approach, skills, or background differs from the norm. This comparison helps highlight your distinctive qualities.
| Category | Elements to Consider | Questions to Ask Yourself | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Skills | Specialized knowledge, certifications, methodologies | What technical skills do I have that are in-demand or uncommon? | Combining data analysis with visual design expertise |
| Soft Skills | Communication, leadership, problem-solving | How do I approach teamwork or challenges differently? | Ability to mediate conflicts while maintaining team cohesion |
| Background | Industry experience, education, career path | How has my journey differed from typical paths in this field? | Transitioning from healthcare to tech, bringing unique insights |
| Perspective | Worldview, thought process, approach to problems | How do my thinking patterns differ from others? | Using analogies from nature to solve business problems |
| Work Style | Work habits, collaboration preferences, productivity methods | What’s distinctive about how I complete tasks or projects? | Breaking complex projects into visual roadmaps |
When identifying your unique qualities, focus on professional attributes relevant to the job. While personal characteristics matter, they should connect to workplace performance and team dynamics.
The most compelling “unique factors” combine multiple elements. For example, rather than just citing “creativity,” you might highlight “applying creative problem-solving developed in architectural design to marketing challenges.”
Structuring Your “What Makes You Unique” Answer
Once you’ve identified your unique qualities, you need to structure your answer effectively. A strong response follows a clear framework that connects your uniqueness to the employer’s needs.
The ideal answer length is 30-60 seconds. This provides enough detail to be meaningful without overwhelming the interviewer. Your response should be specific enough to be memorable but concise enough to maintain engagement.
The CAR Framework for Uniqueness
One effective approach is adapting the Context-Action-Result (CAR) framework specifically for uniqueness:
| Component | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Quality | State your distinctive attribute or combination of attributes | “I bring a unique combination of technical data analysis and creative visual communication.” |
| Evidence/Example | Provide specific proof or story demonstrating this quality | “For example, in my previous role, I transformed complex customer datasets into visual stories that helped our marketing team…” |
| Relevance to Role | Connect this uniqueness to the employer’s needs | “This ability to bridge technical and creative thinking would help your team better translate data insights into actionable marketing strategies.” |
| Value Proposition | Explain the benefit this brings to the employer | “This means faster implementation of data-driven decisions and more compelling customer communications.” |
This framework ensures your answer demonstrates your unique qualities while remaining relevant to the position. The key is making your uniqueness matter to the employer.
When structuring your answer, consider these principles:
- Start strong with your core unique quality
- Support with brief, specific evidence
- Connect explicitly to the role you’re applying for
- End with the value this brings to the organization
Avoid the common mistake of listing multiple unique qualities without depth. It’s better to focus on one or two distinctive attributes and demonstrate them thoroughly than to present a superficial list of generic traits.
Examples of Strong “What Makes You Unique” Responses
Strong responses to this question vary by industry and experience level, but they share common elements. They’re specific, relevant, authentic, and demonstrate value. Companies that recognize employee uniqueness often see tangible benefits, with organizations implementing recognition programs experiencing 31% lower voluntary turnover. (Source: ProofHub)
Below are examples of effective responses across different professional contexts:
| Industry/Role | Experience Level | Example Response | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Development | Mid-level | “What makes me unique is my background in both front-end design and back-end development. In my last role, I bridged communication gaps between our UX team and backend engineers, which reduced development cycles by 20%. For your team facing similar integration challenges, this cross-functional expertise would help streamline your product development process.” | Identifies a specific technical combination, provides measurable results, and connects directly to the employer’s needs. |
| Marketing | Entry-level | “My unique strength is combining data analysis with creative content creation. During my marketing internship, I used analytics to identify underperforming content topics, then created new approaches that increased engagement by 45%. For your team looking to optimize content strategy, this data-creative connection would help identify and execute more effective campaigns.” | Demonstrates relevant skills despite limited experience, shows results, and addresses company needs. |
| Healthcare | Senior-level | “What distinguishes me is my experience implementing patient care protocols across both rural and urban hospital systems. I’ve developed methods for adapting standardized procedures to different resource environments without compromising care quality. This would be particularly valuable for your hospital network as you expand into more diverse communities.” | Showcases specialized experience relevant to the organization’s growth challenges and demonstrates leadership thinking. |
| Customer Service | Mid-level | “My unique quality is my experience handling customer concerns across multiple channels—phone, email, chat, and social media—while maintaining consistent resolution rates above 95%. I’ve developed a personal system for tracking complex cases across platforms, which would support your team’s current initiative to create an omnichannel customer experience.” | Highlights specific skills with performance metrics and connects to a known company initiative. |
Effective “what makes you unique” responses share these key components:
- Specificity: They identify particular skills or experiences rather than generic traits
- Evidence: They include concrete examples or measurable results
- Relevance: They connect directly to the position or company needs
- Authenticity: They reflect genuine qualities the candidate possesses
- Value orientation: They emphasize benefits to the employer
When reviewing these examples, note how they avoid generic claims like “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m passionate about this industry.” Instead, they showcase specific combinations of skills, experiences, or perspectives that provide unique value.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering This Question
Many candidates stumble when answering the “what makes you unique” question. Understanding common pitfalls helps you craft a more effective response. Research shows that 79% of executives have at least one blind spot about their skills. (Source: Korn Ferry) This self-awareness gap often manifests in interview responses that miss the mark.
- Being too generic: Saying you’re “hardworking” or “detail-oriented” without specific evidence
- Focusing solely on personal traits: Discussing hobbies or interests unrelated to professional performance
- Underselling yourself: Downplaying your unique qualities due to modesty or insecurity
- Overselling yourself: Making exaggerated claims that you can’t substantiate
- Misreading the company culture: Highlighting qualities that don’t align with the organization’s values
These mistakes stem from common misconceptions about what the question is actually asking. Many candidates think they need to be completely different from everyone else or have extraordinary accomplishments. In reality, interviewers are looking for relevant distinctions that add value to their team.
| Common Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Avoid It | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using clichés and buzzwords | Relying on familiar language when under pressure | Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your qualities | Instead of “I’m a great team player,” say “I consistently build consensus among cross-functional teams, as demonstrated when…” |
| Discussing irrelevant personal qualities | Misunderstanding the professional focus of the question | Connect personal attributes to workplace performance | Instead of “I’m a marathon runner,” say “My experience with endurance sports has developed my persistence in solving complex problems, like when…” |
| Reciting resume points | Falling back on prepared talking points | Focus on the “how” and “why” behind your accomplishments | Instead of listing job duties, explain your unique approach to those responsibilities |
| Making unsubstantiated claims | Trying to impress without preparation | Include specific metrics and examples that prove your claims | Back up statements with quantifiable results or concrete situations |
| Comparing yourself negatively to others | Trying to distinguish yourself through contrast | Focus on your positive attributes rather than others’ weaknesses | Highlight your strengths without implying others lack them |
One particularly relevant mistake to avoid is hiding or apologizing for resume gaps. Instead, consider how to address resume gaps and turn them into strengths. The job market has been volatile since the beginning of COVID-19, and many professionals have non-traditional career paths. A thoughtful explanation of how these experiences contributed to your unique professional perspective can transform a perceived weakness into a strength.
When describing what makes you unique, focus on the intersection of:
- What you’re genuinely good at
- What you enjoy doing
- What the employer needs
This intersection creates a compelling narrative about your unique value proposition.
Preparing and Practicing Your Response
Preparation is essential for delivering a confident, authentic answer about what makes you unique. Professional stability remains important to many workers, with 59% of employees having stayed with their current employer for over 3 years. (Source: ProofHub) Your ability to articulate your unique value can help you secure and maintain fulfilling employment.
Follow these steps to prepare your response:
- Research the company thoroughly: Understand their values, challenges, and needs
- Analyze the job description: Identify key requirements and priorities
- Collect personal evidence: Gather specific examples that demonstrate your unique qualities
- Draft your response: Write out your answer following the structure outlined earlier
- Practice delivery: Rehearse until it sounds natural, not memorized
Effective preparation involves creating a master list of your unique qualities, then tailoring it to each specific job opportunity. This customization ensures relevance and demonstrates your genuine interest in the position.
| Preparation Step | Action Items | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Research | Review company website, recent news, employee reviews, social media | Understand culture, challenges, and priorities | Discovering a company is expanding internationally helps you highlight your cross-cultural communication skills |
| Job Analysis | List key requirements, identify implied needs, note frequent mentions | Align your uniqueness with specific job requirements | If a job repeatedly mentions “cross-functional collaboration,” prepare uniqueness examples related to this skill |
| Evidence Collection | Document achievements, feedback received, challenges overcome | Gather proof points for your unique qualities | Compile specific metrics, project outcomes, or recognition received |
| Response Crafting | Write draft, edit for clarity and impact, remove generic elements | Create a concise, powerful answer | Refine your answer to fit the 30-60 second ideal timeframe |
| Delivery Practice | Record yourself, practice with others, refine based on feedback | Ensure natural, confident delivery | Practice until you can maintain eye contact while delivering your answer |
When practicing your response, focus on these delivery elements:
- Confidence: Speak with conviction about your unique qualities
- Conciseness: Keep your answer focused and avoid rambling
- Authenticity: Ensure your tone and body language match your words
- Engagement: Connect with the interviewer rather than reciting a memorized script
- Adaptability: Be prepared to expand on your answer if asked follow-up questions
Record yourself answering the question and evaluate your performance. Ask yourself: Does this response sound genuine? Is it clear what makes me unique? Does it connect to the job requirements? Would this answer help me stand out positively?
Practice with different phrasings of the question to ensure you’re prepared for variations. The more comfortable you become with articulating your unique qualities, the more natural and convincing your answer will be in the actual interview.
Consider exploring job search accelerator programs that offer interview coaching to further refine your responses and approach.
Conclusion: Conveying Your Uniqueness with Confidence
The “tell us what makes you unique” question presents a valuable opportunity to distinguish yourself from other candidates. By thoughtfully identifying your genuine unique qualities, structuring your response effectively, and connecting your uniqueness to the employer’s needs, you transform this challenging question into a powerful platform for showcasing your professional value.
Remember that authenticity is key. Your unique qualities should reflect your actual strengths and experiences, not what you think the interviewer wants to hear. The most compelling responses combine professional skills, personal attributes, and relevant experiences in ways that demonstrate clear value to the organization.
Preparation makes the difference between a generic answer and a memorable one. By following the frameworks and examples in this guide, you can develop a response that authentically represents your professional identity while addressing the specific needs of your target employer.
Ultimately, the question isn’t just about being different—it’s about being valuable in ways that others might not be. By focusing on the intersection of your genuine strengths and the employer’s needs, you can answer “what makes you unique” with the confidence that comes from true self-awareness and careful preparation.
Your unique combination of skills, experiences, and perspectives is a professional asset. Learning how to cold email companies for a job and employing proactive, data-driven outreach strategies can help you get interviews where you’ll have the opportunity to articulate exactly why you’re the right person for the role.