What Makes You Unique? Answering the Interview Question with Confidence

When preparing for a job interview, one question that often stands out is: "What makes you unique?" This is a very general question inviting more than just your personal insight into yourself, but how you are unique from the other candidates. Indeed, in 2025 when the competition for jobs will be even tighter, one must learn how to answer this question properly in order to have a positive impact on the impression which the applicant makes on the employers.

In today’s blog, we will explain why job applicants are asked the “What makes you unique in an interview question?” and how the applicant can use this question for himself or herself to get the job offer.

Why Employers Ask "What Makes You Unique in an Interview Question"?

Employers ask this to better understand what differentiates you from other candidates and how your distinct qualities align with the role. It’s a chance for you to showcase your strengths, experiences, and personality in a way that sets you apart.

1. To Assess Self-Awareness

Employers want to know if you have a clue about what you are good at and how they could use it in their companies. This question is not an opportunity to boast but to demonstrate your ability to consider strengths and assets in terms of how they will address the requirements of the position.

2. To Understand What Sets You Apart

If you are applying together with other applicants all who seem to possess similar qualifications as yours, then what sets you apart? That is why employers seek to find ‘it’ in candidates: the perfect combination of skills, experience and other attributes that could match employer’s organizational culture and requirements for the advertised job.

3. To Gauge Communication Skills

How you present your uniqueness speaks volumes about your ability to communicate clearly and confidently. This question is an excellent opportunity to showcase your ability to answer questions under pressure while also revealing your personality and values.

Tips for Answering "What Makes You Unique in an Interview Question"

Before answering this question, you should keep in mind that you should not say something that does not sound sincere and do not impersonate someone you are not. Here’s how you can create the perfect answer:

1. Focus on the Skills That Directly Relate to the Role

However, in answering what makes you unique, you need to ensure that you connect this to the job description. Employers are interested in how the individual aspects of your personality will benefit the employer. If the position needs a good command of complex projects, for instance, you can say that you have strong problem solving skills, project management or creativity.

Example:

"What makes me unique is my ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of attention to detail. In my last role as a marketing manager, I successfully launched three major campaigns within a month, all while staying under budget. This ability to juggle tasks effectively, without sacrificing quality, is something I can bring to this position."

2. Highlight Personal Attributes That Support Professional Strengths

When you are outlining your strengths, you should pay attention to key hard skills that you possess but it is sometimes helpful to include a few examples of personality traits that enable you to be a good professional. Perhaps, you are recognized for your resilience, stress tolerance, or thinking outside the box. It will thus be important for you to emphasize by what manner these personal attributes contribute to your career success.

Example:

"I’ve always been someone who thrives in collaborative environments. I believe that the best solutions often come from diverse perspectives, so I actively seek input from others, ensuring we approach challenges with a well-rounded perspective. This ability to collaborate effectively has been a key factor in my success when managing cross-functional teams."

3. Use Real-Life Examples

When asked “What makes you unique in an interview question,” do not just say that you have a creative mind or that you are determined; give examples of how you have used your unique qualities in previous jobs to achieve certain results. If at all you can, try to put a figure to it This will make your answer more believable and convincing.

Example:

"What makes me unique is my knack for data-driven decision-making. For instance, I used analytics tools to improve our website’s user experience, which resulted in a 25% increase in conversion rates in just three months. I love diving deep into data to uncover insights that can drive meaningful business results."

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

However, there are certain factors to forget when completing this question which if incorporated reduce the strength of your answer

1. Being Too Vague

Saying something like "I’m just a hard worker" or "I’m a quick learner" doesn’t offer much insight into what sets you apart. Employers hear these responses frequently, so try to be more specific.

2. Overemphasizing Weaknesses

Some candidates make the mistake of trying to present weaknesses as unique qualities. While it's okay to mention areas of improvement, focus more on how you've overcome those challenges or how you’ve turned them into strengths.

3. Talking Too Much About Personal Life

While personal traits can be important, your answer should remain relevant to the job at hand. Avoid straying too far into personal details or experiences that don't directly apply to your qualifications for the role.

How to Tailor Your Answer to Different Job Types

The way you answer "What makes you unique in an interview question" may vary depending on the industry and role you're applying for. Let’s look at a few examples of how to tailor your response:

For a Creative Role (e.g., Graphic Designer, Copywriter)

In creative fields, employers are looking for originality and innovative thinking. You might want to emphasize your creative process, attention to detail, and your ability to push boundaries while maintaining the integrity of the brand or project.

Example:

"What makes me unique is my ability to blend traditional design principles with modern trends. I often use visual storytelling to convey a message, which has helped my designs stand out in crowded marketplaces. For example, my redesign of a client’s logo increased their social media engagement by 40%."

For a Technical Role (e.g., Software Engineer, Data Scientist)

If you're applying for a technical position, the focus should be on your problem-solving abilities, technical expertise, and any specific tools or methods you excel at. It’s also helpful to mention any innovations or optimizations you’ve implemented in previous roles.

Example:

"What makes me unique is my deep understanding of both front-end and back-end development. I’ve built full-stack applications from the ground up, which has given me a holistic view of the entire development process. My most recent project involved optimizing the codebase, which resulted in a 30% reduction in page load time for the platform."

For a Leadership Role (e.g., Manager, Director)

For leadership positions, your unique qualities should reflect your leadership style, ability to motivate teams, and achieve results. Demonstrating your strategic thinking and success in driving team performance will resonate with hiring managers.

Example:

"What makes me unique is my ability to build and lead high-performing teams. I take a coaching approach to leadership, focusing on empowering my team members to reach their full potential. As a result, I’ve led teams that consistently exceed targets, with one of my teams increasing revenue by 50% over the past year."

Conclusion: Mastering "What Makes You Unique in an Interview Question"

When faced with the question "What makes you unique in an interview question," it’s not just about listing your strengths , it’s about aligning those strengths with the needs of the employer. By showcasing your skills, experiences, and personal attributes with confidence and clarity, you can turn this question into one of the most impactful moments in your interview.

Remember, the key to answering this question is authenticity. Be honest, specific, and tie your uniqueness directly to the role. With the right preparation, you’ll leave the interviewer impressed by not just your qualifications, but your ability to bring something truly special to the table.

By focusing on the aspects that truly make you stand out, you can ensure that "What makes you unique in an interview question" becomes your opportunity to shine.