How to Answer: What was your area of excellence in your most recent position?
5. What was your area of excellence in your most recent position?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know, from your point of view, what you did best in your most recent position. Likely, you are going to mention the skills that you also enjoy performing the most! Think of two to three skills that you are strong in, that the interviewer will most likely want to hear. Look back into their job posting or job description to generate some ideas.
Answer Example
"In my most recent position, data analysis was my area of expertise. I am solid with numbers and like to take data and come up with future trends based on past and current happenings. I see in your job description that you are looking for someone who has a natural ability with numbers. That description certainly sums me up."
Admin
"If I had to choose a couple of areas of expertise I would say that scheduling and organization are my two strongest suits. What attracted me to your job description is the fact that you are in need of someone to revamp your calendar process, which I have successfully done before, and then keep it clean and organized. This position speaks to my strengths."
Manager
"I have a couple of areas of strength. One is motivating my team to deliver their best work every day. The second is to gain buy-in from my team members when it comes to the company's vision and mission. I ensure they are aware of the benefit to them when it comes to delivering exceptional work. I know you mentioned you are struggling with team motivation and retention at the moment. I am very confident I can help with this."
Marketing
"My area of excellence was the initial intake with our new marketing clients. I have a keen ability to ask the right questions that dig deeper, really discovering our clients' exact need. This skill also allows me to find other potential needs, and upsell them from their original commitment. This skill will be put to great work at your startup agency, as I will be able to gain more significant financial commitments from your clients at the start of every project."
Retail
"Without a doubt, my area of excellence is in customer service and dispute resolution. I have a solid ability to calm a situation down and turn an unhappy client around. This skill will help me to quickly increase your customer reviews and gain momentum when it comes to repeat customers."
Sales
"I have a powerful ability to have a great conversation with nearly anyone. This skill means that you can send me on calls to a huge range of clients, and feel safe knowing that I am very likely to make a solid connection with them immediately."
Teacher
"One area of excellence is my ability to take complicated concepts and make them easy to learn. I have many years' experience teaching hundreds of students who range in age, and ability level. I can assure you that I will be able to make an impact on your students' learning, and increase test scores, at the same time."