When asked, “What’s your biggest accomplishment?” employers are giving you a chance to highlight what sets you apart. The interviewer isn’t trying to pressure you into bragging; they want to understand what matters to you, how you define success, and how your actions have made a positive impact.
Your answer tells them about your priorities, work style, and ability to handle challenges. The nature of your accomplishment speaks to your strengths, problem-solving skills, and dedication. It’s a chance to connect your achievements directly to qualities the employer values.
What Interviewers Want to Hear About Your Accomplishments
Interviewers ask this question to gauge your skills and how you’ve applied them in real situations. Whether you’re focusing on technical abilities like project management or interpersonal strengths like leadership and communication, it’s important to show how your work led to a meaningful result.
They also want to know how you handled obstacles. Describing a challenge you overcame highlights perseverance and adaptability. It’s not just the end result that counts—it’s the journey you took to get there.
How to Answer “What Is Your Biggest Accomplishment?”
Look carefully at the job description
The job description provides clues about which achievements to highlight. Identify two or three key skills the employer is looking for and choose an accomplishment that demonstrates these strengths. For example, if they value teamwork and strategic thinking, talk about a project where you led a group to solve a complex problem under a tight deadline.
Craft a compelling story
Think of your answer like a story: there’s a problem, a solution, and a positive outcome. Start by explaining the situation, the challenge you faced, and what was at stake. Then, describe the actions you took and the decisions you made. Finally, share the positive results and highlight what you learned. This narrative style helps the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and why the accomplishment matters.
Quantify your impact
Whenever possible, choose an accomplishment with a measurable outcome. Numbers help paint a clear picture of your success. For example, you might have improved a process by 20%, increased sales by $50,000, or reduced response times by several hours. Quantifying results makes it easy for the interviewer to see the tangible value you bring.
How Not to Answer
Avoid choosing a purely personal accomplishment
While personal achievements like running a marathon show dedication, they don’t always connect directly to the job. Unless your personal accomplishment aligns well with the role’s requirements, focus on professional achievements. For instance, if you planned and executed a community event, and event planning is part of the job, that’s an accomplishment worth sharing.
Sample Answers to “What Is Your Biggest Accomplishment?”
Example #1
“My biggest accomplishment was creating a successful fundraising campaign at my previous organization. Each year, the event struggled to reach its goals. I proposed a new social media strategy to increase our visibility, collaborated with colleagues to produce engaging content, and introduced a branded hashtag. By the event date, we had doubled our social media reach and increased donations by 30%. Knowing I helped make a tangible difference for a cause we cared about was incredibly rewarding.”
Why this example works:
This example highlights creativity, teamwork, and initiative. The candidate chose an achievement that directly impacted a key organizational goal—raising more funds. The results are measured (30% increase), making the impact clear.
Example #2
“My proudest achievement was improving our company’s online reputation at a time when we faced a lot of negative feedback about service delays. I identified a pattern in the reviews and recommended providing customers with more transparent information. We introduced an online wait-time feature and updated our website to show our peak hours. Over six months, our average online rating rose from 3.8 to 4.5 stars. It proved that thoughtful solutions can turn a challenge into an opportunity for growth.”
Why this example works:
The candidate demonstrates problem-solving, attention to customer experience, and a proactive mindset. The improvement in ratings (3.8 to 4.5) quantifies the success, making the story more compelling.
Example #3
“My biggest accomplishment was leading a project to reorganize a company’s internal filing system. Employees were spending too much time searching for documents. I researched more efficient tools, created a digital structure, and trained the team on best practices. Within a few months, we cut down file search times by about 25%, freeing everyone to focus on more strategic tasks. It felt great to see a measurable improvement that helped the entire team work more efficiently.”
Why this example works:
This response shows problem-solving, research, and leadership skills. The candidate doesn’t just describe what they did—they also explain the positive outcome (25% reduction in search time), demonstrating their contribution to overall productivity.
By selecting an accomplishment that reflects the job’s primary responsibilities, telling a clear, engaging story, and highlighting tangible results, you’ll show the interviewer how you can deliver meaningful value if hired.