During the interview process, it is nearly inevitable that you will be asked to answer the question, “Why should we hire you?” At this moment, you need to proceed with caution.
After all, you are comparing yourself to other candidates
and trying to set yourself apart from these unknown personas without seeming
too boastful. You don’t want to risk derailing the interview process by talking
too much and sounding like a show-off.
The hiring manager is gauging your response to determine if
you are the perfect person for this job. When asked, “why should we hire you?”,
tread lightly and have a few different answers prepared in advance.
While the question might be archaic and intimidating, it is
a favorite question among hiring managers, so it's important to be
well-prepared.
Read the full job description in detail and think of a few skills that make you uniquely
qualified to perform the job duties. While you cannot possibly know the
qualifications of other applicants, now is the time to sell yourself and state
the things that make you the best fit for the job.
Before showing you how to answer: “why should we hire
you?”, let’s explore some possible pitfalls and things to avoid when describing
why you should be hired for a position.
Don’t just respond with a generic answer like, “I’m smart,
qualified and I want this job.” Of course, you do, or you wouldn’t be sitting
in this interview. It’s almost certain that every other candidate is going to
be saying nearly the same thing.
You need to be unique and separate yourself from the talent
pool. Otherwise, you risk falling into the same category as everyone else,
which is what you're trying to avoid in the interview.
While you don't want to sound like an overconfident
show-off, now is the time to brag about your skills and experiences humbly.
It's great to list some bullet points that you will want to emphasize in
advance and prepare a few responses to this question. Don’t memorize a script
but proper preparation will set you apart.
Avoid talking too much in your response, just state the
qualifications you want to convey and move on. The more you continue to blubber
about yourself, the more likely you will lose the interest of the hiring
manager, and they will move on to another candidate.
This is your sales pitch to show the hiring manager you’re
ready to do the job. Think clearly and prepare with vigor and you will be
decorating your new desk in no time.
Here are some examples to help you craft your response to
this common interview question:
Example #1
That's a great question! You have a slight advantage over me
since you know what you're looking for and I am still learning about your
company. From what I've learned, it sounds like you are looking for someone who
will be able to handle customer concerns quickly and effectively, is that
accurate?
(Assume the interviewer responds, “Yes.”)
In that case, I'd like to tell you about a time where I
handled a customer issue, and they walked away with renewed confidence in our
capabilities and services.
Explanation: When responding to this question, you
always want to thank the interviewer for asking the question. This response
poses a question back to the interviewer, which helps you get further
clarification on what they are looking for.
If you can confirm what they need in a candidate, you can
then refer to a specific instance where you performed that job duty with a
positive outcome. The more specific examples you can provide, the more
memorable you will be to the hiring manager.
Example #2
This is a critical question in the process, thank you for
asking. Based on what you've said today and from the research I've done, your
company is looking for a skilled communicator and experienced marketer to grow
your business and help your company stand out from the competition. At my
previous company, I increased their activity by 24% by implementing targeted
social media advertising. I will bring that innovative and entrepreneurial
spirit to your company, and your success will be my top priority.
Explanation: This response uses a specific percentage
to demonstrate the candidate's ability to perform the job responsibilities
effectively. The more descriptive and accurate you can get, the better your
chances of landing the job. If you can show your direct impact on an
organization, the hiring manager will remember that and will be more likely to
recommend you for the position.
Example #3
I believe that my experience with technology, specifically
in the web design space, make me the best match for this position. In my
previous job, I was responsible for maintaining and updating our company
website. This required keeping employee profiles updated and continuously
posting information regarding upcoming events. I truly enjoyed what I was
doing, which is what drew me to this position with your company. I would love
to bring the coding and content skills I learned there to this position.
Explanation: By highlighting your experience with a
particular skill that the position requires, describe in detail what that
experience looks like and how you have used it previously. This gives the
hiring manager the chance to see some of your work and determine if it fits
what they are looking for in a candidate. If this is your strongest skill,
don't be afraid to say that in your interview.
Example #4
I’m glad you asked. You explained earlier that leadership
qualities are a bonus for this position. In my 10 years of experience as a
sales manager, I have effectively managed teams of over 15 people. I developed
motivational skills that earned my region the “Region of the Year” five years
in a row for consistently meeting and exceeding sales goals. I will bring those
leadership abilities to this position.
Explanation: Showing that you have “bonus” skills is a
great way to separate yourself from the other candidates. If the hiring manager
explicitly states that they are really looking for someone that also has
certain skills, answering this question by showing you possess those skills
will only strengthen your qualifications in the interviewer’s mind.
Example #5
The job listing states that you are looking for someone with
patience and superior communication skills. While volunteering and holding an
office for the Special Olympics, I learned how to be patient with the athletes
and participants at our state’s Special Olympics. Coordinating the event helped
me develop better communication and planning skills which are imperative when
performing the responsibilities you described today.
Explanation: When you don’t have a lot of experience in
the industry you are applying to, you can use skills you learned while
volunteering or in other aspects of your life to demonstrate how you are the
best fit for this position.
Example #6
While I don’t know the experience of the other candidates, I
can speak to the qualifications that make me the best fit for this position.
After working in this same position with another organization for over eight
years, I successfully managed a team of 12 in our marketing department where I
was responsible for approving and managing budgets and developing creative
campaigns. In fact, one campaign I oversaw generated a 14% increase in
awareness among our target demographic. Now, I’m ready to spread my wings at a
company of your size.
Explanation: Setting up your response by immediately
calling out your inability to respond directly to the experience of your
competition gives you a look of transparency and earns you credibility with the
interviewer. In addition to your experience, you can highlight why you are
interested in this position with this company. This response demonstrates the
candidate's passion for the industry because, after eight years, they are still
looking to do the same job, but in a larger capacity.
Example #7
As a recent college graduate, I know that what I'm lacking
is career experience. However, the qualifications that I bring cannot be
measured by traditional experience. After holding offices in four different
organization and managing a full course load with a job at the university's
admissions office, I learned how to multitask and prioritize responsibilities.
In your fast-paced organization, the ability to effectively prioritize is a
significant component of success.
Explanation: By stating your lack of experience right
off the bat, you can get that out of the way and focus on what you can bring to
this position. Without a lot of direct skills and knowledge, highlighting soft
skills like prioritization, communications or leadership can serve you well in
the interview process. If this is an entry-level position, those soft skills
will make you more appealing to the hiring manager.
Example #8
For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in
the job description, and I'm confident that I can make an immediate impact on
your company. It's not just my background in leading successful projects for
Fortune 500 companies, but also my passion for the industry that drives me to
succeed. If chosen for this role, I will continue to deliver high-quality work
for the continued success of your organization.
Explanation: While this response is a bit generic, it
conveys a high level of confidence and positivity which are essential
qualifications for an experienced professional looking for a high-ranking
position. With the assumption that this candidate has already discussed the
specifics of their experience in earlier interview questions, it's okay to be a
little more generic here.
Example #9
I’m glad you asked. With over 15 years of leadership experience
in the agency world, I will bring my creative, motivational and strategic
marketing skills to the client side with your company. While I don’t have
direct experience working in a corporate environment, I have delivered results
above and beyond the ask from my clients in the agency where I’ve been a key
stakeholder for over 20 years.
Explanation: This candidate who is switching industries
can focus on their leadership and strategic marketing skills to transfer over
to a new company. Stating the tenure and critical leadership role at your most
recent position can demonstrate loyalty and the ability to adapt over the
years. Leadership is always a skill that can be transferred between industries.
Example #10
I know you have a big decision ahead of you and for that, I
am not envious. In our discussion today, I hope I've demonstrated my
understanding of the financial markets and analysis along with my passion for
carbonated beverages. I'd love nothing more than to join your team here and
grow this business unit.
Explanation: If you’ve already had a lengthy discussion
about the position and your qualifications, this question may be best answered
by showing empathy and reiterating your passion for the company and your
experience as it relates to the position. You can also ask the interviewer if
there is any part of your qualifications they would like to expand upon.
The interview process can be filled with speed bumps and
landmines.
Don't let the question of, “Why should we hire you?” trip
you up along the way. The hiring manager is trying to find out why they should
hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed, and if there are a lot of
candidates, this response could make or break your interview.
Study these examples, pick out your unique qualifications as
they relate to the position, be prepared, and you will ace the interview.
(Source: Novoresume)