Regardless of whether you like it or not, job interview is a competitive affair. You try to beat the other candidates. With your application, resume, your interview answers, and so on. Because life’s not easy and while for some very basic jobs you may be the only candidate, for any decent offer there will be tens if not hundreds of applicants. How can you stand out from the crowd? And how to answer questions such as “What makes you different?“, or “Why should we hire you, and not one of the other applicants”. Let’s try to find the answer together.
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The Basics
- Most common interview questions belonging to this area: Why should we hire you (and not one of the other candidates)? What makes you stand out?
- Less common questions belonging to the area: What makes you different to other people interviewing for the job? What makes you unique?
- Out of 10 random jobs, in how many cases will this area be tested during the hiring process: 8/10. Obviously it isn’t always our goal to find someone who stands out. For many jobs we’ll be happy with any candidate who meets the job criteria, and actually wants to work (funny enough, sometimes you can stand out just by actually wanting to work hard). But in many cases, for example when hiring for entry level jobs in big corporations, or for any position in popular field such as marketing or management, or for any job in one of the most famous companies of the world (think Google, Amazon, etc) you will compete with many people. And often all of you will have similar credentials and resume. In such cases it isn’t easy for us to choose, and we will try to find out who stands out. In these cases, you will always face at least one question belonging to this area.
- Difficulty: 3/5. Average difficulty. It isn’t a behavioral question, and you do not have to come up with some elaborate situation from your past. At the same time, however, it often isn’t easy to find out and clearly define how we differ to other candidates. What’s more, people make many mistakes with questions about standing out in the interviews. Hence the rating 3/5. Don’t worry though, we’ll look at some great sample answers and I will also explain all common mistakes people make when dealing with questions belonging to this area.
- Main goals of the hiring managers with questions belonging to this area: Deciding who to eventually hire, typically between a few shortlisted (best) candidates. Testing your level of self-confidence, humility, and empathy.
- Your main goals with answers to questions belonging to this area: Convincing the hiring managers that it makes sense hiring you. Showcasing right values and principles when it comes to comparing yourself to others. Trying to show a healthy level of both self-confidence and humility.
7 sample answers
Sample answer no.1: Applying for a place in a study program in high demand (number of applications exceeding number of open spots tenfold):
I believe my academic results, and my effort, make me stand out from the rest of the applicants for this study program. Always aiming for perfection, I never cease to work on my skills, trying to learn something new. What’s more, I enjoy participating in the college life, helping with organizing events, volunteering. Having said that, I know I am not the only one with such an attitude. But you will find one in fifty applicants or maybe one in a hundred, and I sincerely believe it makes sense enrolling all such applicants in your study program, since they are invaluable for the student community.
- Quick thing to notice about this one: Showing what you want to do for your employer or for the community at school, is always a great idea (“…enjoy participating in the college life, helping with organizing events…”). Just make sure to have something to back-up your claims, some practical examples how you participated on students’ life at high school, college, etc, when you decide to stand out in this way.
Sample answer no. 2: Using a powerful life story of overcoming adversity to show how you stand out:
Perhaps my life story makes me stand out. Looking back at my childhood, nobody thought I would make it this far. I was born in a poor neighborhood, and had to fight for bare survival, having odd jobs as a child. Most of my childhood friends ended up criminals or living on a fringe of society in one way or another. But I was a fighter, and I always believed in a better future for myself and my family. Kept studying hard during the nights, kept trying my best, and eventually I made it to this interview, applying for a job I really want to do. This opportunity means everything to me, and I will give it my everything. Because I know how hard I had to work for it. I believe I stand out in this way.
- Quick thing to notice about this one: Interviewers love stories. If you have a strong life story that shows character, willpower, or any other positive attributes of your personality, you can share it to show why they should hire you. Just make sure to show them the connection (“I will give it my everything, because I know how hard I had to work for it…”). One extra hint here: Don’t get too emotional when narrating your story.
Sample answer no. 3: Relying on previous working experience:
My experience helps me stand out from the rest. Or at least that’s the way I see it. I’ve been working in retail for the past fifteen years. Four different stores, many managers, tens of thousands of customers I served, and often went above and beyond for. Any challenge you can imagine, you can be sure I’ve faced it many times already at work. Conflicts with colleagues, arguments with customers, heavy workload, dealing with an ethical dilemma, you name it. And most importantly, after all these years I still love retail, and hope to continue working in the field. I haven’t met other applicants for the job, but I believe not many of them, if any, can match my experience in the field.
- Quick thing to notice about this answer: This may seem like a perfect answer (for the lucky ones who have years of previous working experience in the field), but it is actually a tricky one. Many corporations want to train and shape their new hires. If someone has 15 years of experience in the field, and perhaps one or two bad habits they acquired over the years, it can be very hard to train or even manage them at work. What I try to say here is that this answer is a bit of hit and miss… If you opt for it, make sure to add that even though you have a lot of experience, you’re still humble and eager to learn from your new employer, and accept the way they do things at their place.
Sample answer no. 4: Betting on emotional intelligence and social skills:
This may sound like a strange choice to you, but I would go with emotional intelligence. No doubt I am not the brightest analyst who ever sat on this chair. Neither am I the most gifted person, nor the best student. But I excel in social interactions, and help to bring understanding and compassion to the office. In my opinion, it is important to have such a person in every office or department. At the same time, with the competitive and ego-centered age we live in now, it isn’t easy finding people like me, and I feel I stand out from the rest in my own way.
- Quick thing to notice about this answer: Certain things that we considered almost standard back in the day (empathy, emotional intelligence, strong communication skills) are ever harder to find in younger generations. You can refer to such in your answer, and certainly such a personality can make you unique in an interview. Just make sure that your words correspond with your interview presence (more on this later, in the mistakes section).
Sample answer no. 5: A humble job applicant for an entry level position in a big corporation:
I am sure most people who apply here consider themselves superior to the rest, in one way or another. That’s not my case though. I try to stay humble, and enjoy discovering the beauty in others, things they are actually good at, things I can learn from. I always try to keep this attitude in both work and in my everyday life. It results in a few things. First of all, I never stop learning and improving. Secondly, I can appreciate others, give them the feeling of recognition, something all of us seek in life, and no doubt people in your corporation also seek it. Maybe that’s a good enough reason to hire me.
- Quick thing to notice about this answer: When you aren’t sure what to say, showing humility and appreciation for others is always a safe bet (“I try to stay humble, and enjoy discovering the beauty in others…”). Make sure to also explain how it actually makes sense for the employer (“I can appreciate others, give them the feeling of recognition…”). And while this isn’t the best possible answer, it is a great one for anyone who struggles to identify something particular to talk about, in terms of their skills, abilities, and experience.
Sample answer no. 6: A philosophical one about standing out:
I stand out from the rest just like everyone else does. Look, I’ve met hundreds if not thousands of people in my life, and I found each one unique. Each human being has their own nature, personality, skills, character, and of course also their looks, and the way they interact with others and with the environment. It may not be easy to spot from someone who is ignorant or blind to subtle differences. But if you can stop thinking about yourself, and relating everything you see to your own life, you will notice and appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of the creation. I sand out, and so do you. The question only is whether you can perceive it or not. I certainly can perceive it, and enjoy it.
- Quick thing to notice here: This one is a hit or miss answer. If your interviewer has a strong ego and struggles to appreciate others, you may even offend them with your answer. Or they won’t understand you at all, considering you naive… But in some other cases you may make a strong impression and they will remember your answer for a long time. In any case, it is another possibility for dealing with questions about standing out when you struggle to point out particular traits that make you different to others.
Sample answer no. 7: Low expectations of the job applicant make them unique:
Perhaps my low expectations. In my mid fifties and unemployed for more than two years, I will be grateful for any working opportunity. You know, most people enjoy salary negotiation, and come here with a lot of expectations when it comes to working environment and everything. I am different, will not complain, and will accept the basic salary, since for me this job means more than it does for a typical applicant you interview here. Whether it is a good enough reason to give me a chance you will have to decide on your own, but I am ready to prove my words in the job from day one.
- Quick thing to notice about this answer: If you are in a difficult situation, try not making your interview a “pity party”. However, when applying for basic jobs that do not require particular skills, and where motivation, effort, and desire to learn new things matter the most, you can certainly point out to your life situation as an ignition for that effort and motivation. Just make sure to not indulge in self-pity, because nobody wants to hire such people. Simply explain how your situation give you the extra motivation, and do so without emotions.
Advanced information
Mistakes people make while answering questions about standing out in the interviews
- Vague answers, empty claims. We can still hear it often in the interview: “I am simply the best candidate for the job“. “I can work faster than anyone else.” “My academic record is the best.” First of all, by default these answers make little sense, because you do not know the other job candidates. Then how can you say that you are the best? And secondly, you have to be specific. If you claim to be the best, explain why. If you claim to work faster than anyone else, demonstrate it on examples from your previous job. All in all, empty claims of simply being the best (fastest, most beautiful, most experienced, etc etc) won’t take you anywhere. Avoid making this mistake.
- Showing lack of respect for others, lack of empathy. It is completely all right saying how you differ from others, and what makes you unique in your own eyes. At the end of the day, that’s what we are asking about. However, it is mistake failing to give at least a bit of recognition to other candidates as well. That doesn’t mean some unnatural praising of people who will interview after you, people you do not even know. It is enough simply saying that you’re sure others also have something to offer, or even saying that while you believe you excel in A,B, or C, you haven’t met other candidates in person and hence cannot judge how good they are in this or that ability. Show some empathy and humility. Failing to do so is a big mistake and will almost always cost you your chances in the interview.
- Lack of relevancy. It is nice that you are an excellent darts player, or that people naturally follow your leadership. But it will hardly help you stand out in an interview for a sales job in a retail store or for some entry level corporate role. Actually standing out in some ability or skill can be a showstopper in an interview. They may be looking for the complete opposite in an ideal candidate. Think carefully about this before your interview. Because we can stand out in both positive and negative way in the eyes of hiring managers. Do not make the mistake of praising yourself in an ability that is useless in the job you are trying to get.
Few points from the perspective of the hiring managers/interviewers
- We certainly do not rely only on you to tell us why we should hire you, and not one of the other candidates. We make our own picture in our interactions with you during the hiring process. Sometimes we ask you the question just to test whether you have a healthy level of self-confidence and humility, can appreciate others, and see yourself realistically. As always, your attitude matters for us more than anything else. Keep it on your mind, and always talk sensitively about your skills, and also about other candidates for the job.
7 keywords to remember when answering questions belonging to this area
- Healthy level of both self-confidence and humility, appreciate other job candidates, relevancy for the position you are applying for, tell us a story, what you say and what we see has to correspond, avoid vague empty claims, no pity party.
So that’s it! You’ve just covered area no. 12 out of 25 areas that cover 99% of questions you may ever get in the interviews. Just 13 areas left! Check the next one: Deadlines and Prioritization, or go back to homepage for the full list of 25 areas and pick one you want to learn about and practice right now.
