How to Answer the Interview Question What Makes You Unique

How to Answer the Interview Question What Makes You UniqueMore and mora people are getting the question, What makes you unique? in an vorstellungsgesprch setting. It can throw even the most prepared job seekers off their guard. What does the hiring manager want to know, exactly? About your personality? About your skills profile? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) A general rule of thumb would be this an interviewer is trying to see what you choose to emphasize in your answer, and also how well you think creatively on the spot with a question you may not have prepared. But you can prepare Download this list of 10 toughest interview questions and prepare your answer before heading into your next interview.Stick to Work Stories, Not Personal StoriesThe answer is not to talk about your leisure activities, no matter how interesting, but to script yourself an answer that is both true and tailor-made to the job youre interviewing for. Figure out, based on the company and job description, what that company seems to prioritize, how you are particularly suited to deliver, and why you are valuable in this respect.Then, draw on any of several possible pieces of your own experience to make your answer your background, your past experience, your specific skillshard or soft, your personality, your in-depth knowledge of the brand or industry, your involvement in issues beyond the office, and, yes, even a few things about you personally that can be peppered in for extra emphasis.Prep Beforehand With Talking PointsIf youre stuck, make a list of personality traits or skills that show you best and most accurately. Of that list, pick the things that seem to link up best with the particular focus of the job description. Then start scripting.Choose specifics. Instead of saying, Im a fast learner or I am reliable, find a way to cram more convincing detail into your answer. As in I really hit the ground running and can handle almost anything thats thrown at me and get up to speed fast. Beef it up. Really sell yourself. The more specific the better.Why are You and You Alone Perfect for the Job?Remember, the trick is to make yourself memorable. Stand out from all the other answers from other interviewees. Find something tangible that you can deliver, thats exactly what theyre asking for on paperthen broaden it out with a few personal flourishes that make you the unique candidate. When in doubt, focus less on the uniqueness aspect of this question, and more on the particularor unique value you will bring to this and other jobs.

How To Avoid Distractions When Working From Home

How To Avoid Distractions When Working From Home Im notlage going to lie working from home is awesome. Its great because, for the most part, you have the freedom and flexibility to work the way that works best for you. So if that means working from your couch in your pajamas, then you get to do that.However, with all that freedom comes lots of distractions trying to pull you away from your work. With your television right there, a fridge full of snacks a couple steps away, and no manager looking over your shoulder to ensure youre actually doing your work, its easy to step away from what you should be doing. If you find yourself struggling with the constant distractions while working from home, try some of these tips and see if they help improve your concentration and productivity. 1. Establish Your Office Area.Whether its an official office, your kitchen table, or your cloplatzdeckchen, you should have a designated office area. Your office area should include everything you would ne ed to seamlessly go about your work day as you would in a more traditional office. Wherever you set up camp, it should be far away from a TV, or else you may be tempted to switch it on and watch those daytime soap operas you secretly love. And it should also not include your bed or a comfy couch, for fear of getting a little too comfortable and taking a midday snooze.Dont be afraid to rotate your office space as well. You have the freedom to work from anywhere you should take advantage of that. So, you can work from a local coffee shop on Monday, work from home on Tuesday, work from a co-working space on Wednesday, and work from the beach on Thursday. As long as there is a space that inspires your work and encourages your productivity, consider that a great office space.At the end of the day, your office area should be a space you feel comfortable in, has a lot of natural light, and works best for the way in which you work.2. Limit Your Technology if You CanObviously you may need t echnology to go about your business, but it can also be a major distraction to your work. Between text messages popping up on your cell phone, notifications from your Facebook profile, and cute cat videos to watch on YouTube, staying focused is rough. Which is why you should try to eliminate as much of that as possible when you are trying to meet tight deadlines and grind out some major work. One way to go about that is turning your phone on Do Not Disturb mode or by downloading applications for your computer, like SelfControl or Cold Turkey, which allow you to block distracting websites or even your inbox for a set amount of time.3. Create Set Working HoursNow I know what youre thinking one of the many perks of working from home is that you have leeway when it comes to when you want to work. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that you shouldnt create set working hours and a routine for yourself. Just create a schedule and routine that works best for you so you can get everything done. For example, wake up at 8 a.m. everyday, workout, answer emails, eat lunch, get the bulk of your work done, take care of personal/family matters, and then catch up on industry articles before bed. If youre like me, you may produce your best creative work at night, and thats totally fine. As long as you have a time and place for each task, youre good. Having a routine will constantly keep you focused on work and your next task instead of getting bored and picking up all those other distractions throughout the day.4. Stick to Your To-Do ListSimilar to having your routine established, you should also have a to-do list of work and personal goals you need to accomplish that day or week. And the kicker here is actually sticking to what you add on that list. Commit to it. There will be plenty of times when a friend calls you inviting you to grab drinks with them for happy hour, or theres an errand you feel like running midday that isnt completely necessary. These are the worst kind of distractions because they are spontaneous and sound like a lot of fun. They will pull you away from your work for an extended period of time. And if this constantly happens, then youll never get any work done. So if its not on your to-do list and isnt an emergency get back to work. What are some innovative ways you are avoiding distractions when you work from home? Share with us in the comments section below--Lisa Crocco is a freelance writer who can be found wandering the aisles of local bookstores or the streets of different cities. Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer