What has been your most successful achievement in life?

[DanielJames]

I absolutely hate this question, I can't answer it at all.

Where do I start?! Nothing significant has happened at work while I've been here, I've conquered some personal goals at the gym but that's not exactly relevent

I think my most successful achievement might be buying an E46 BMW.

I'm fked

Any pointers please?

Dan

[Bullett]

I've been doing a lot of interviews lately and I've never been asked that question.

My answer would be something about some challenging technical/management/business issue you have solved. It doesn't have to be a big achievement in the overall scheme of things just something you are proud of. For example bringing in a challenging project on time and in budget.

State the problem, sate what you did, state the outcome.

Use "I did X" not we.

[tankplanker]

I've been asked this question before but only sparingly.

What about previous jobs? You must have achieved something otherwise you are the exact time of person this question is trying to wheedle out!

[DanielJames]

tankplanker said:

I've been asked this question before but only sparingly.

What about previous jobs? You must have achieved something otherwise you are the exact time of person this question is trying to wheedle out!

The job I'm in currently has been my only proper job

I started as an apprentice and I'm now a full time IT technician, but it's time to move on.

I have an interview with a company tomorrow and I'm trying to do the best I can for prep. I've been told I'll probably get asked this question, along with "tell me something unsuccessful" but I think I can answer that one.

I don't get to lead projects, and the only times I have they've been basic stuff that doesn't really relate to the job.

Hmm,I'll come back to this

[RealSquirrels]

i would instantly redefine the question by starting my answer with "in my professional life...."

if you did an apprenticeship can you not mention all of the skills and knowledge and experiences you gained that have turned you into a competent (no, excellent) blah blah blah. good achievement, right?

[tankplanker]

RealSquirrels said:

i would instantly redefine the question by starting my answer with "in my professional life...."

if you did an apprenticeship can you not mention all of the skills and knowledge and experiences you gained that have turned you into a competent (no, excellent) blah blah blah. good achievement, right?

+1 This, shows you can and do learn.

[Bullett]

With regard to the unsuccessful question.
Make sure you either say what you did to resolve it or what you learned from the situation. Put a positive spin on it basically.

[Dan_1981]

Surely working from Apprentice to fully fledged tech is a pretty ecent achievement?

Drive, determination, desire to suceed, commitment etc etc.

[DanielJames]

Aye, I guess that has been my biggest achievement!

I'll go for that then haha

thanks chaps.

[DanielJames]

Just thought I'd update and say I didn't get asked this question until the second interview, all went well and I got the job!

thanks PH.