Proudest Achievement Question

Fruitloops

I'm completing an application form for a position and one of the questions is 'what is your proudest achievement?'. I know this is common and also often comes up in interviews.

Last year I beat cancer into oblivion. My question is, would this be something to bring up in response to this question, or should I keep my answer solely work related? Thoughts?

DKLS

Beating cancer is an awesome achievement, and well done on that but I would keep your answer work focused.

AP007

Yes I would say keep it work related as you don't really want to get emotional in an interview situation.

Hope you are cancer free for ever by the way!!!

Fruitloops

Thank you

I've just begun writing my answer and I think you're right about keeping it work-related. Much better. While I'm on the subject, I wonder about mentioning this in interviews too, as it resulted in me having to leave my last job and created another gap in my work history. I tend to keep my explanation short and positive if I'm asked about it, though I still go back and forth about explaining it on any cover letters.

Again though, keeping answers to specific questions work-focused is a good call. Thanks for your replies.

anamenottaken

Fruitloops wrote: »

I'm completing an application form for a position and one of the questions is 'what is your proudest achievement?'. I know this is common and also often comes up in interviews.

Last year I beat cancer into oblivion. My question is, would this be something to bring up in response to this question, or should I keep my answer solely work related? Thoughts?

In an interview do not mention any health problem (even though it is in the past). It raises doubts about the future. (Only exception, I suppose, would be if it were to explain a gap in employment history. )

"Proudest achievement" does not have to be directly work-related but can be something which has a bearing on your personality or ability in the workplace. For instance having major responsibility for arranging a charity ball in aid of Cancer Research.

Fruitloops

anamenottaken wrote: »

In an interview do not mention any health problem (even though it is in the past). It raises doubts about the future. (Only exception, I suppose, would be if it were to explain a gap in employment history. )

This is what often concerns me. I always expect to have to explain the gap and I think it's best to be honest. The problem is how it might be perceived.
'Doubts about the future' indeed. \:

uknick

OP, whatever achievement you want to mention, try to put it in such a way as to tick off the person skills specification.

For instance, if you raised money for charity you could mention if any team work was involved, the planning, use of resources and what the result was.


[I'm worried now. Even in retirement I can still remember this sort of thing :rotfl:]

Fruitloops

uknick wrote: »

OP, whatever achievement you want to mention, try to put it in such a way as to tick off the person skills specification.

Good advice. It's easy to get lost in explaining said moment and forget to tailor a relevant answer.

Proc

I'm sorry to hear that you had cancer - and really glad that you are now in the clear. However, the fact that you beat it isn't really an achievement by you so much as it is an achievement of the doctors, nurses, and the incredible brains involved with modern science. Apart from not attending your treatment, there's not much you could have done to affect the outcome so to claim it as an achievement is probably misleading; any sharp employer will see this as such.

Try and stick with something work related. If you have nothing work related try and tie it in with desirable work skills

Fruitloops

Proc wrote: »

I'm sorry to hear that you had cancer - and really glad that you are now in the clear. However, the fact that you beat it isn't really an achievement by you so much as it is an achievement of the doctors, nurses, and the incredible brains involved with modern science. Apart from not attending your treatment, there's not much you could have done to affect the outcome so to claim it as an achievement is probably misleading; any sharp employer will see this as such.

Try and stick with something work related. If you have nothing work related try and tie it in with desirable work skills

I do think there's an element of self involved in recovery, but I see your point of course. You're right in that it should be something I achieved on my own without assistance. A true individual achievement.

lulu650

Fruitloops wrote: »

I do think there's an element of self involved in recovery, but I see your point of course. You're right in that it should be something I achieved on my own without assistance. A true individual achievement.

I've had cancer, was treated and have now reached the 5 year all clear. I've never thought of it as beating or fighting cancer. I've actually done nothing other than be subjected to invasive surgery and treatment through no fault of my own. Just thinking back is depressing, let alone talking about it in interview

I appreciate you feel differently though OP

I really like uknick's answer re ticking off the person skills specification.