What Makes You Unique? The Perfect Answer Strategy (With Examples That Actually Work)

You’re sailing through your interview when suddenly the hiring manager leans back and asks, “So, what makes you unique?” Your mind races. Do they want to hear about your stamp collection? Your technical skills? That volunteer experience?

This seemingly casual question is actually a strategic opportunity that many candidates fumble. Some give generic answers that could apply to anyone (“I’m a hard worker!”), while others overshare personal details that aren’t relevant to the job.

But here’s the truth: When interviewers ask what makes you unique, they’re really asking, “Why should we hire you instead of the other qualified candidates?”

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to craft a “uniqueness” answer that positions you as the must-hire candidate. We’ll cover the psychology behind this question, provide a foolproof framework for your answer, and share real examples that have helped candidates land jobs at competitive companies.

Why Interviewers Really Ask “What Makes You Unique?”

This question isn’t just casual conversation or an opportunity for you to share your love of underwater basket weaving. According to research in The Psychology of Job Interviews, interviewers ask this question for three specific reasons:

1. To test your self-awareness. Do you understand your own strengths and how they apply to this role?
2. To evaluate your priorities. What you choose to highlight reveals what you value professionally.
3. To assess your preparation. Generic answers signal a lack of preparation for the interview.

Most importantly, this question is a golden opportunity to differentiate yourself from other candidates who might have similar qualifications on paper.

The Value-Story-Proof Framework: Your Secret Weapon

Rather than panicking or giving a generic answer, use our proven Value-Story-Proof framework to create an answer that resonates with hiring managers:

Step 1: Identify Your Unique Value Proposition

Your unique value is where your distinct strengths intersect with the employer’s needs. This isn’t about being a “hard worker” (everyone claims this) – it’s about identifying a specific combination of skills, experiences, and attributes that solve the employer’s problems.

Ask yourself:

• What combination of skills do I have that most candidates don’t?
• What consistent feedback have I received about my work approach?
• What problems can I solve that the company is currently facing?

Step 2: Craft a Mini-Story That Illustrates This Value

Don’t just tell them you’re unique – show them through a brief story that demonstrates your unique quality in action. This makes your answer memorable and provides evidence of your claims.

Using the SOAR Method (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result) can help structure your story effectively.

Step 3: Back It Up With Measurable Proof

The difference between a good answer and a great answer is quantifiable evidence. Numbers, percentages, and specific outcomes transform your answer from a claim to a proven fact.

Interview Guys Tip: Your unique selling point should solve a specific problem the employer has. Review the job description carefully to identify what challenges they’re trying to address, then position your uniqueness as the solution.

How to Research and Identify Your Truly Unique Qualities

Many candidates struggle with this question because they haven’t done the necessary reflection to identify what genuinely makes them stand out. Here’s how to dig deeper:

Analyze Job Requirements Beyond the Obvious

Most candidates focus only on the listed requirements. Look for implied needs by researching:

• Recent company news and initiatives
• Challenges in the industry
• The company’s competitors and market position

This deeper understanding helps you identify unique qualities that address unspoken needs.

Gather External Feedback

We often have blind spots about our own strengths. Reach out to:

• Former managers and colleagues
• Clients or customers
• Mentors and peers

Ask specifically: “What would you say differentiates me from others in similar roles?”

Consider Your Unconventional Path

If your background differs from the “typical” candidate, this could be your unique advantage. Perhaps you:

• Transitioned from another industry
• Have an unusual educational background
• Bring cross-functional experience
• Combine seemingly unrelated skill sets

Much like the strategy outlined in Why “Tell Me About Yourself” Is the Worst Interview Question and How to Beat It, your answer should be tailored specifically to the job you’re interviewing for, not a generic self-description.

5 Powerful “What Makes Me Unique” Answer Examples

Example 1: The Technical Specialist with Communication Skills

“What makes me unique is my combination of deep technical expertise in database architecture and my ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders. In my last role, I developed a new data management system that improved processing speeds by 42%, but what made the project truly successful was how I communicated the changes to the marketing and sales teams. I created visual guides that helped them understand how to leverage the new system, which resulted in a 28% increase in their data-driven campaign effectiveness. This blend of technical and communication skills has consistently allowed me to bridge gaps between departments that many technical specialists struggle with.”

Why This Works: This answer combines hard skills with the often-missing soft skill of communication, backed by specific numbers that demonstrate impact.

Example 2: The Data-Driven Creative

“My uniqueness comes from blending creative thinking with data-driven decision-making. While many creative professionals rely primarily on intuition, I’ve developed a systematic approach to testing creative concepts. For example, when our team was redesigning our client’s product packaging, I implemented A/B testing with focus groups that revealed unexpected consumer preferences. This approach led to a package design that increased shelf appeal by 35% and contributed to a 22% sales increase in the first quarter after launch. I bring this same methodical creativity to every project, ensuring that beautiful design also delivers measurable results.”

Why This Works: This answer challenges the false dichotomy between creativity and analytical thinking, positioning the candidate as having the best of both worlds with concrete results.

Example 3: The Industry Transition Advantage

“What sets me apart is my unique background transitioning from healthcare to finance. While most candidates in this role come directly from financial services, my five years as a healthcare administrator gave me valuable experience managing complex regulatory requirements and stakeholder relationships. At Memorial Hospital, I oversaw compliance with both HIPAA and financial regulations, maintaining perfect audit scores while reducing reporting time by 30%. This cross-industry experience allows me to approach financial compliance from a fresh perspective, identifying efficiencies that might not be obvious to someone who’s only worked in one industry.”

Why This Works: This transforms what might seem like a disadvantage (coming from another industry) into a unique selling point, emphasizing the fresh perspective and transferable skills.

Example 4: The Relationship Builder with Quantifiable Results

“My unique strength is building lasting client relationships in an industry known for transactional interactions. While many account managers focus primarily on short-term numbers, I’ve developed a relationship-first approach that yields both immediate and long-term results. For instance, by implementing quarterly strategic reviews focused on client business goals rather than just our products, I maintained a 97% client retention rate over three years—the highest in the company. These relationships led to 43% more referral business than the company average and allowed me to exceed my sales targets by 28% consistently. I bring this relationship-centered approach to every client interaction.”

Why This Works: This example shows how the candidate’s unique approach delivered quantifiable business results, connecting their soft skill to hard outcomes.

Example 5: The Problem Solver with Uncommon Background

“What makes me unique is how I apply problem-solving frameworks from my engineering background to marketing challenges. While analyzing our campaign performance last year, I noticed patterns in the data that others had missed. By applying fault tree analysis—a technique typically used in engineering—I identified three critical points in the customer journey that were causing conversion drops. Addressing these specific points increased our conversion rate by 32% within two months. This cross-disciplinary approach helps me see marketing problems from angles that traditional marketers might miss.”

Why This Works: This answer shows innovative thinking by applying techniques from one field to another, demonstrating both expertise and flexibility.

Interview Guys Tip: When describing what makes you unique, use powerful, specific language rather than generic terms. Our guide to 250 Powerful Words to Describe Yourself can help you find precise, impactful vocabulary that will make your answer stand out.

Pitfalls to Avoid When Answering “What Makes You Unique?”

Even with a solid framework, there are several traps candidates fall into when answering this question:

The Humility Trap

Many candidates, wanting to avoid seeming arrogant, undersell their unique qualities. Remember, this question is specifically asking you to highlight what makes you exceptional. This is not the time for excessive modesty.

Instead: Practice articulating your strengths confidently while backing them up with evidence.

The Bragging Mistake

On the flip side, claiming to be “the best” without evidence comes across as empty boasting. Unsupported claims raise red flags for interviewers.

Instead: Let your results speak for themselves by including specific metrics and outcomes.

Generic Uniqueness

Saying you’re “hardworking,” “detail-oriented,” or a “team player” isn’t unique—virtually every candidate claims these qualities.

Instead: Get specific about how you approach work differently from others, perhaps through a unique combination of skills or a distinctive methodology.

Too Personal

While your love of mountain climbing might be interesting, it’s only relevant if it connects to job performance.

Instead: Focus on professional uniqueness unless a personal attribute directly enhances your ability to perform the role.

Interview Guys Tip: Record yourself answering this question and watch for these common traps. Pay attention to how convincing your evidence sounds and whether your uniqueness clearly connects to the job requirements.

Tailoring Your “Uniqueness” to Different Industries

Your unique qualities should be framed differently depending on the industry you’re targeting:

Technology

In tech, emphasize uniqueness in:

• How you approach problem-solving
• Your ability to adapt to new technologies
• Cross-functional collaboration skills
• User-centered thinking in technical roles

Healthcare

For healthcare positions, focus on:

• How you combine compassion with efficiency
• Your approach to regulatory compliance
• Interdisciplinary communication skills
• Quality improvement methodologies

Finance

In financial roles, highlight:

• How you balance risk assessment with business goals
• Your approach to explaining complex financial concepts
• Ethical decision-making frameworks
• Analytical techniques that yield better insights

Creative Fields

For creative positions, emphasize:

• How you balance creativity with business objectives
• Your unique creative process
• Cross-disciplinary influences on your work
• How you measure creative success

Your Personal Brand: The Foundation of Your Uniqueness

Your answer to “What makes you unique?” should align with your broader personal brand. As explained in our guide to Personal Branding for Job Seekers, a consistent professional identity helps employers understand your distinct value.

Consider how your answer to this question reinforces your personal brand. Does it align with how you present yourself on LinkedIn, in your resume, and in other interview answers? Consistency across these touchpoints strengthens your memorability and credibility.

Conclusion: Crafting Your Authentic Uniqueness

When answering “What makes you unique?”, remember that the best responses are:

1. Relevant to the job and company needs
2. Backed by specific examples and measurable results
3. Authentic to your actual strengths and experiences

Your uniqueness is ultimately about the distinct value you bring to the organization—the specific combination of skills, experiences, and attributes that make you not just a good hire, but the right hire.

By using the Value-Story-Proof framework and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll transform this potentially awkward question into a powerful opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the perfect candidate for the role.

Practice Exercise: Developing Your Unique Value Proposition

Take 15 minutes to:

1. Write down 3-5 professional strengths you possess
2. For each strength, note a specific example that demonstrates this quality
3. Add measurable results for each example
4. Identify which strength+example+result combination is most relevant to your target role
5. Craft a 60-second answer using the Value-Story-Proof framework
6. Practice delivering your answer, focusing on confidence and clarity

Remember, the most effective “uniqueness” answers aren’t about being different for the sake of being different—they’re about demonstrating the specific value that only you can bring to the organization.

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