Hi Gagandeep

Before interview prepare your list of accomplishments. So that when this question is asked you don't go blank and a number of them should spring to your mind.

Prefer to keep your answers job related. Your reply could be of something like - 'Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement in…I made my contribution as part of that team and learnt a lot in the process. We did it with hard work, concentration and an eye for the detail.

First, achievements and accomplishments are similar, so your answers would also be similar if asked about either.

Second, your answer should include why you consider these accomplishments as 'the biggest'? I suggest that you may use following parameters: accomplishments which were very difficult to achieve, those which resulted in great learning - it could be improvement in your knowledge or/and skills, those which make you proud of yourself, and those which had the greatest positive impact on others.

Finally, your accomplishments are a stepping stone for even bigger accomplishments in future. These help you to identify your strengths and capabilities which you would like to enhance further.

Hi Gagandeep

generally these questions are asked by interviewer to understand behavioral foundation for focusing specifically on the result of the candidate's career. And it allows the interviewer to look into your behavioral component, the Situation or Task, the Action you took and the Results achieved,

one should answer such question backward, starting with the achievement and explaining how it was achieved.this will help you in grabbing the attention of interviewer and to show him how much of that accomplishment was actually due to the actions of yours and how much was from the actions of others.

It is acceptable to talk about a shared accomplishments which was achieved by a team,You will need to talk specifically about your role in the delivery.

Hello,

With continue of above expert ideas you can go ahead.

But always show those accomplishments first which are going to add some value for the applied post. so can add value to your profile.

If you are marathon winner and applying for accountant than it is not going to add value so be careful when you reply about accomplishments.

I would suggest that you should not hesitate to answer such a question rather it is a pride moment to convey with specific answer smartly.Also try to highlight unique achievements,if any which could be well appreciated and compliment to role of job which you have applied for.

Hi Gagandeep,

Thank you for asking. The idea or should I say the intention of asking what is the intent of asking "what is your greatest/biggest accomplishment" is to understand how you have personally grown and what has this accomplishment taught in comparison to not having achieved this accomplishment in the first place.

Remember, the interviewer wants to assess your personality based on your experience, opportunity.   Remember you can choose anything as your accomplishment to highlight your uniqueness.  

You need to focus on the fact that this success you terms as your biggest accomplishment, should be after a great amount of effort which you thought previously, wouldn't be previously possible.  

As a result, for your determination, persistence, hard work along with right effort in your chosen area of work you achieved success.

It doesn't matter whether this accomplishment is big or small, how you treat this achievement makes all the difference.

A word of caution, your achievement/ accomplishments needs to be withing the last 6 months (preferred). As the interviewer would also like to check how long back and how recently have you achieved it and what is the next benchmark you have set for your self-post this accomplishment.

What is the new driving force/motivation/inspiration in your area of life?

In case you have trouble figuring or recalling your greatest accomplishment, do meet friends, family and ask them what is the thing they are most proud of and why?

As such you will get many examples and different perspective and all would give you  insights into your own personality. 

You should have multiple examples ready with you to share with the interviewer.