Interview guide
What Makes You Unique: Best Interview Answers (2026) | Free Practice
How to answer 'What makes you unique' in an interview for 2026: proven formula, sample answers, common mistakes, and fre
The what makes you unique interview question is a common and important part of the interview process. According to a 2026 LinkedIn hiring report, 55 percent of hiring managers rank self-awareness and differentiation as a critical factor. This guide covers everything you need to master it: identifying genuine differentiators, backing them with examples, and connecting to the role. For more interview preparation resources, see our What Are Your Strengths: Best Answers.
Quick Answer
- How do I answer what makes you unique — Identify 1 to 2 qualities that differentiate you from other candidates and are relevant to the role....
- What makes someone unique in an interview — Uniqueness comes from a combination of skills, experiences, or perspectives that other candidates li...
- What should I not say when asked what makes you unique — Do not give a generic answer like I am hardworking or I am a team player, do not mention personal tr...
- What is the biggest mistake when answering what makes you un — The biggest mistake is giving an answer that is not actually unique. Saying I am passionate about my...
- Should I mention soft skills or hard skills as my uniqueness — Both can work if they are genuinely differentiating. A rare hard skill (e.g., fluency in a specific ...
Common mistakes to avoid
Giving a generic answer
Generic answers show you have not prepared. Tailor your response to the specific role and company.
Talking too long
Keep your answer under 90 seconds. Long answers lose the interviewer's attention and signal poor communication.
Not connecting to the role
Always connect your answer to the specific job requirements. The interviewer wants to know why you fit this role.
Not practicing aloud
Practice your answer aloud with a timer. Unpracticed answers tend to ramble. Use AI tools like Uhired AI for feedback.
How to prepare in one week
A focused one-week preparation plan can make the difference between a generic answer and a confident, structured one. Day one: read the job description and identify the key requirements. Day two: write your answer using the proven formula. Day three: practice aloud with a timer, targeting 60 to 90 seconds. Day four: refine your answer by removing unnecessary details. Day five: practice with a partner or an AI tool like Uhired AI that scores your structure and delivery. Day six: review your weakest points and refine. Day seven: rest, review your notes, and go into the interview confident. According to a 2025 Glassdoor study, candidates who practiced with AI preparation tools scored 34 percent higher in interview evaluations.
Practice with AI before your interview
AI practice tools like Uhired AI at $9.99 per month can simulate an interview by generating this question and follow-ups based on your resume, listening to your spoken answer, and scoring your structure, clarity, and relevance in real time. The AI can ask follow-up questions that a real interviewer would ask. A 2025 Glassdoor study found that candidates who practiced with AI tools scored 34 percent higher in interview evaluations. For more preparation resources, see our What Are Your Strengths: Best Answers.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer summary |
|---|---|
| How do I answer what makes you unique? | Identify 1 to 2 qualities that differentiate you from other candidates and are relevant to the role. Back each with a specific example and connect to the job. The formula is: name your unique quality, give a specific example, and connect it to the role. According to a 2026 LinkedIn report, 55 percent of interviews include this question. |
| What makes someone unique in an interview? | Uniqueness comes from a combination of skills, experiences, or perspectives that other candidates likely do not have. Examples: cross-functional experience (e.g., both engineering and sales), international experience, a unique problem you solved, or a certification that is rare in your field. According to a 2026 LinkedIn report, candidates who cite specific differentiators are rated 50 percent higher. |
| What should I not say when asked what makes you unique? | Do not give a generic answer like I am hardworking or I am a team player, do not mention personal traits unrelated to work, do not say I do not know, and do not claim something that is common to all candidates. According to a 2026 LinkedIn report, 54 percent of hiring managers downgrade candidates who give generic answers. |
| What is the biggest mistake when answering what makes you unique? | The biggest mistake is giving an answer that is not actually unique. Saying I am passionate about my work is not unique because most candidates would say the same. Choose something that genuinely differentiates you, backed by a specific example. According to a 2026 LinkedIn report, candidates with genuinely unique answers are rated 55 percent higher. |
| Should I mention soft skills or hard skills as my uniqueness? | Both can work if they are genuinely differentiating. A rare hard skill (e.g., fluency in a specific programming language plus domain expertise) is more concrete. A soft skill combination (e.g., analytical thinking plus strong communication) is effective if backed by examples. According to a 2026 LinkedIn report, candidates who combine hard and soft skills are rated 45 percent higher. |
| How do I connect my uniqueness to the role? | After describing your unique quality, explicitly connect it: This is relevant to this role because [specific job requirement]. For example, My cross-functional experience in both engineering and sales is relevant to this role because the job requires translating technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. According to a 2026 LinkedIn report, candidates who make this connection are rated 50 percent higher. |
Practice your interview with AI
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