Jobpostings Magazine asked Marina Lichtenberg, Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist at Canon Canada Inc., to answer one of her favourite questions to ask in interviews.

What has been your most significant contribution to your last/current place of employment/school?

Whether I am interviewing someone who has years of work experience, or is a recent graduate, this question provides significant insight into what they consider to be important and why. The answer can be related to their work; a school project; something they did as a volunteer, or an extra-curricular activity. It also provides information on what they accomplished during the project. When answering, be prepared to address follow-up questions, such as the ones listed below:

• What was your contribution/project?
• What was its significance, what were the outcomes?
• Why do you consider it to be your most significant contribution?
• Did you lead the project or were you a part of a team?
• If you were a team member, what role did you play?
• How did you influence the project?
• How was success measured?
• What obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
• What deadlines were set and did you meet them?

Knowing your successes and why you were successful is critical in addressing these types of questions. In preparing for any interview you should always write down some of your key accomplishments and what you would like any perspective employer to know about them.

You may even want to role-play the interview with someone from your career centre or another trusted advisor. Remember, for most us, selling ourselves (interviewing) is not natural, so practice, and more practice will lead to success and possibly, land you the career you want.