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Jun 27, 2024 · The interview question 'Who is your hero?' is the perfect chance for you to share who inspires you and the strengths and attributes you value. Knowing how to answer this question skilfully and meaningfully can demonstrate to the employer that there is an alignment between your values and the company's culture.
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- Why employers ask "Who is your hero?"
- How to answer "Who is your hero?"
- Example answers for "Who is your hero?"
Interviews can provide great opportunities to represent yourself, your goals and your values. The interview question, "Who is your hero?" offers an excellent chance to tell interviewers about what inspires you and who you look up to most. Your answer can reveal a lot about your intrinsic motivators, your priorities and your underlying purpose. In t...
To learn more about your personality
In an interview, employers have limited time to understand who you are as an employee, so it's important they ask questions with intention. Most interview questions target your experience, skills and professional goals. Your answers can reveal a lot about your qualifications, work ethic and interest in a position. Many interviewers like to ask at least a few questions about your personality, too. Personality questions are important for assessing your aptitude for a position because your responses can reveal how well you'd fit in with the rest of the team.Your heroes can reveal a lot about your personality. For example, if your hero is a fictional character, that might tell an interviewer more about your interests. Choosing someone from the industry you're applying to could reveal a passion for what you do. Picking a family member might suggest that you're family oriented. Interviewers can use your response to gain a more holistic sense of who you are and to understand what characteristics and value you might bring to the team.Related: How To Prepare for an Interview
To better understand your values
Your heroes can also reveal a lot about your values. In your answer, try to explain why that person is a hero to you. By elaborating on how they inspire you, you can show prospective employers what you value. For example, you might say your hero is Rosa Parks because she stood up for what she believed in. Or maybe your hero is your dad because he made specific sacrifices for his family. Whoever your hero and whatever your reason for looking up to them, ensure you help interviewers understand how your hero's actions have affected your behavior and personal development.
To assess your communication skills
The question, "Who is your hero?" might feel open-ended or deep. Trying to summarize why someone's important to you can take tact and excellent communication skills. In your interview, try to keep your answers focused and relevant. Deliver an answer that's insightful and genuine. Answers that are too long and rambling or too short and shallow might not match what the interviewer is looking to hear. Try to keep your answer concise and relate your response to the job.
1. Reflect on people you admire
The first step in delivering a genuine answer is to choose a hero that honestly inspires you. If you choose an answer simply because you think your interviewer would like it, your response might not be as deep or authentic, and it could be more challenging to answer follow-up questions. Instead, take time to reflect on people you really admire. You could choose a fictional character, someone from your family, someone from history or a celebrity.It's also important to consider why you admire them. Maybe it's for their integrity, their ability to persevere when things become difficult, their commitment to fighting for what's morally right or their compassion for others.Related: 6 Steps To Discover Your Core Values
2. Consider what you want an employer to know about you
Next, think about how your hero inspires you personally and reflect on how that translates into your work. Ultimately, employers ask questions like this to learn more about your personality and your values, so help them understand those aspects in your response.Because it's impossible to know exactly what questions an interviewer may ask in an interview, it's important to have set topics you want to discuss. You can incorporate your prepared answers into any question. "Who is your hero?" can be a perfect question to use as a segue for talking about what you value, what your goals are and what's important to you professionally.
3. Choose a hero that allows you to communicate your values
With your list of inspirational people and the key points you want your interviewer to know in mind, prepare an answer that helps you communicate both. This can help you deliver a thoughtful and honest answer that connects to the position. Consider the values you think are essential in the role, and explore ways you can connect your hero to those values.Related: Interview Techniques To Ace Your Next Interview Are you looking for a job now?
Example 1: Project manager
"My hero is Nelson Mandela. I read his autobiography is high school and was so moved by his commitment to uniting his country and fighting against the malevolent forces that threatened it. His determination, focus and strength of character inspire me to be an ambitious leader who advocates for her people and who recognizes obstacles are an essential component of every victory. He inspires me to stay true to myself and my mission and to lead others with compassion and fearless tenacity."
Example 2: Nurse
"My hero is my grandfather. He's the most selfless person I know. When I was little, our town flooded, and he spent three days without sleep helping evacuate neighbors, distributing food and supplies and reuniting families. After the flood, he led our community's rebuild. Every weekend he was out in the community, rebuilding homes, clearing away debris and helping wherever he could.I was young, but his commitment to helping others imprinted so heavily on me. He passed away three years ago, and I hope that in my nursing I can carry on his legacy of improving lives and supporting the community."Related: 60 Great Interview Topics To Mention in a Job Interview
Example 3: Software Developer
"My hero is Reshma Saujani. She's a daughter of refugees, like me. Her nonprofit got me interested in coding and ignited my passion for science and technology. She was one of the first prominent women I saw in the field and I really respect her bravery, drive and willingness to fight against expectation. I hope to inspire other women in technology the way she inspired me. I think with hard work and courage, anything is possible, and that's a message I hope to share with others." Share: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Describe your hero clearly and concisely. Explain whythe person is your hero. Share how your hero has influenced your life. Focus on how your hero's traits or values relate to the job
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In properly answering questions about your heroes, there are a few points that you should emphasize. Clearly describe your heroes and your relation to them. Explain why they are your heroes. Share how they have influenced your life, decisions, career path, etc.
Interviewers ask, “Who are your heroes and why?” to learn what traits and values you admire in others. The specific details you bring up can help them understand what characteristics you are likely to bring to the company if they hire you.
Discover how to answer interview questions about your heroes and sources of inspiration. Learn how to strategically select influential figures and emphasize their qualities that align with the job you're applying for.
Nov 11, 2021 · A little practice and preparation always pays off. While we can’t know exactly what an employer will ask, here are 10 common interview questions along with advice on how to answer them.
