Tell me about a recent accomplishment you are proud of.
Your interviewer is counting on the fact that you've come prepared to put your best foot forward. So, by asking about a recent accomplishment you're proud of, they'll conclude that this is you at your best, which will help them determine your fit for the role.
Vanguard's recruiters suggest that as you prepare for your interview, you should spend equal time researching yourself as you do the company. "Think about your best moments during your most recent professional or college experiences (internships, work experience, organizations/extracurricular activities, and group projects). How did you really stand out? Influence someone in a positive way? Drive a team to successful outcomes? Demonstrated learning agility? Be sure to have these experiences top of mind as you prepare for your interview."
"My mentor had been coaching me on my career goals and objectives, and teaching me several aspects of their job in the process. Then, suddenly, they had a life event occur that shifted their priorities, and they had to relocate as a result. Yet, there was a major project they were working on that was typically entrusted solely to those on our leadership team. However, they recommended I be entrusted with the task, which, as unconventional as it was, made sense to the others on our leadership teams. They met with me and asked if I was up to it and if I felt confident in turning the project in under the proposed deadline. I explained I was up to the task and would start immediately. So I rearranged my other priorities and got to work. The work felt natural to me, and I knew exactly what to do. I completed the project in under half the time I promised and performed some minor improvements I'd been anxious to try out for some time. When I turned it in, my leadership team was wowed by my performance, and said they would gladly turn to me again when in need."
To showcase your strong communication skills, and to provide structure to your answers, it is recommended you use the STAR method. This is a widely used method for answering behavioral or situational questions. "STAR stands for situation, task, action, and result. Hiring managers will ask behavioral interview questions to determine if you are the right fit for a job. This method will help you prepare clear and concise responses using real-life examples."
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