We asked James McKay, Diversity Recruiter, Aboriginal Peoples, BMO Search and Recruitment Group, Human Resources Division at BMO Financial Group, the following question, which is a toughie:

Of all of the things you've accomplished in your career, what stands out as most significant? Or what's your career defining accomplishment?

I ask this question because, if answered well, it can tell me almost all I need to know about a candidate. To get a good answer, I will probe for "facts" and look for details of your accomplishment. That's why it's important that you prep well in advance with the facts and results that will really make your accomplishment stand out over others.

To help you do this, I've prepared a list of questions you should ask yourself when preparing for this question. If you can answer them all, then your accomplishment will shine on its own legs. To be clear, the successful candidates that I've hired in the past answered the question by ensuring they covered the following points: 

1) Why were you chosen for this role and did you volunteer? If so, why?

2) What was your actual role in this project?

3) What was the situation you faced when you took on the project?

4) When did this take place and at what company?

5) What was your actual title? Who were the people on the team? What was your supervisor's title?

6) Describe the environment, the pace, the resources available, your boss, and the level of professionalism.

7) What were three or four challenges you had to overcome?

8) What were the actual results obtained and did you meet your plan?

9) Give examples of where you had to influence or persuade others to change their opinion.

10) What technical skills were needed to accomplish the task and what skills did you learn.

11) How long did it take to complete the task?

12) What did you like the most and least?

13) In retrospect, what would you do differently if you could?

Stay away from generalizing and be as specific as you can. Focus on what you did and what was accomplished. Try and think about how you went above and beyond the call of duty.

Try to tell a story'that way it will sound more natural to the interviewer. And if you're proud and passionate about your accomplishments, let that enthusiasm and energy shine through while you're telling the story. 

If you're well-prepared and confident when this question comes up, you'll be able to give an answer that's both impressive and memorable.