This interview question is from Lou Adler, a seasoned recruiter with 35+ years of hiring experience:
What single project or task would you consider the most significant accomplishment in your career so far?
Having asked this question, Lou then digs in with these follow-up questions:
Can you give me a detailed overview of the accomplishment?
Tell me about the company, your title, your position, your role, and the team involved.
What were the actual results achieved?
When did it take place and how long did the project take.
Why you were chosen?
What were the 3-4 biggest challenges you faced and how did you deal with them?
Where did you go the extra mile or take the initiative?
Walk me through the plan, how you managed to it, and if it was successful.
Describe the environment and resources.
Describe your manager's style and whether you liked it or not.
Describe the technical skills needed to accomplish the objective and how they were used.
Some of the biggest mistakes you made.
Aspects of the project you truly enjoyed.
Aspects you didn't especially care about and how you handled them.
How you managed and influenced others, with lots of examples.
How you were managed, coached, and influenced by others, with lots of examples.
How you changed and grew as a person.
What you would do differently if you could do it again.
What type of formal recognition did you receive?