What are you most proud of and why? - Interview question's best answer

Replies

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  Kaustubh Katdare

  I remember I was interviewing a candidate along with a colleague; and he actually popped this question to the candidate. I was bit surprised and really got curious what the candidate answered.
  
  The candidate obviously didn't expect this question and mumbled for a while. I think I've an answer that's guaranteed to work in any interview.
  
  Answer: My Family
  
  That answer is precious! First, it involves emotions and there cannot be 'true' or 'false' associated with it. This means, you're bound to impress the interviewer with this simple two word answer. First - the interviewer cannot challenge you and you've already playing on the 'emotional' field. You can answer any way you want and say all the good things about your family - like the sacrifices they've made for you, the support they've given to you in your low times and how they stand behind you strongly.
  
  Think about answering something like - 'education' or 'skills' or anything that doesn't have an immediate emotional appeal. You leave a big opportunity for the interviewer to grill you. For example, if you say 'my engineering degree' - then you may be asked about your performance, why engineering and not something else.
  
  The idea here is to use an answer that has a positive emotional impact. Nothing beats Family!
  
  What say you?
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  Rucha Wankhede

  This question is asked in an interview I think, to gauge the personality of the candidate more closely. The answer can give significant insight into candidate's personal traits to the examiner. Hence it needs to be tackled intelligently. Anything emotional, personal and close works best in such scenarios since it is not likely to be refuted or cross-questioned by the interviewer easily. So the answers as Family, Mother, Parents, any personal traits as patience, discipline etc work good.
  
  However I think, if you are quoting personal traits unique to you (as patience, discipline, persistence etc) do make it a point to substantiate them all with some real life incident or experience. It makes it authentic and less likely to be cross-questioned. You can narrate some real-life situation faced by you which actually demonstrated those qualities.
  
  Like for me, it is Empathy and Compassion. I strive consciously at times to nurture and cultivate these in me. By the simple act of showing empathy, we can be more mindful of the fellow sentient beings around us. The day-to-day incidents of frustrations as road rage can be tackled effectively. More happiness and less pain will be spread in the world at large if these simple acts of understanding are followed by each one of us. I am proud of the fact that I do contribute my own little share to it😀