April 25, 2022 |
When you’re job hunting, one of the most common questions an employer will ask during a job interview is, “Why should we hire you?” This question can be challenging, but if you prepare for it well, you can impress the interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job.
The following guide will help you answer this question in the most effective way.
First and foremost, the interviewer wants to see if you understand the role you’re applying for. If your answer doesn’t show this, they may assume you are not a good fit for the company.
Secondly, the employer wants to know what makes you the best candidate for the role. They want to know what you bring to the table that other candidates don’t. Answering this question well will demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job and you’re a good fit for their company.
Finally, hiring managers also use this question to gauge your confidence. If you can confidently articulate your answer, it shows you’re comfortable in your own skin and capable of handling difficult situations. Confidence is an important quality in any job, so demonstrate it in your response.
While the question “Why should we hire you?” is the most common way this question is phrased, there are a couple of variations to be ready for.
Here are a few examples:
Why do you want this job?
Why are you a good fit for this job?
Why are you the right person for this job?
Why do you believe you are the ideal candidate for this position?
How does your background and experience make you a good match for this position?
What makes you a better candidate than others?
Now that you better understand the purpose behind the question, it’s time to learn how to answer it.
The following are eight ways to make sure your answer is impressive:
Hiring managers look for candidates who have done their homework and know what the company is all about. Before your interview, take some time to learn about the company’s history, mission, and values. Knowing these things will make it easier to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company.
Additionally, it will also show the interviewer that you’re truly interested in working for their company.
You can expect this question to be asked in almost every job interview. As such, prepare for the question ahead of time. Practicing will help you sound more polished and confident when you’re in the hot seat. The following are a few tips to help when you’re doing a run-through:
Record yourself answering the question and play it back. Doing so will help you catch any filler words or verbal tics you may not be aware of.
Write out your answer and practice saying it out loud. Doing so will help you memorize your answer and ensure that it sounds natural when you say it.
Hiring managers can tell when a candidate is reading from a script, so avoid memorizing your answer verbatim. Instead, use a general outline so you don’t forget what you wanted to say.
It’s your skills and experience that will get you hired. As such, lean into your qualifications when answering the question “Why should we hire you?” If you have a degree or certification in a relevant field, mention it. If you have years of experience working in the same industry, highlight that. The key is to demonstrate how your skills and experience match the job you’re applying for.
Along with your skills and experience, it’s also essential to emphasize how you’ll be a great addition to the team. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who will excel in their role as well as get along well with their co-workers. This is especially important if you are applying for a role as part of a team.
When answering this question, highlight your social skills. Include examples of ways that you’ve successfully communicated or how you’ve collaborated with others in the past. This will help show the interviewer that you will fit in with the company culture.
To demonstrate how you can help the company achieve more, try to link your answer back to the company’s goals or values. For example, if you’re applying for a job at a tech start-up, you might say that you’re excited about the company’s mission to innovate and that you believe your skills in web development will help them achieve this.
Alternatively, if you’re applying for a job at a non-profit organization, you might say that you’re passionate about their cause and that you believe your skills in fundraising will help them achieve their goals.
Whatever your answer is, make it clear that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re specifically interested in this company and what it has to offer. This will show the interviewer that they can count on you to help them achieve their goals.
When answering this question, maintain a positive attitude throughout your answer. Being positive doesn’t mean that you should be over-the-top enthusiastic, but you should avoid sounding bored or negative.
Your body language is also important. Sit up straight and make eye contact with the interviewer to show that you’re interested in the job. Finally, avoid using filler words like “um” or “like.” Using these words will make it seem like you’re not prepared for the question.
Be honest when answering this question. Don’t try to oversell yourself or make claims that you can’t back up. Doing so will only make you seem insincere, and it could create bigger problems in the future. Not to mention that overselling yourself can come off as boastful, which isn’t something that will appeal to interviewers.
Instead, focus on highlighting your best qualities and explaining why you think you would be a good fit for the job. If you’re honest and confident in your answer, the interviewer will be more likely to believe that you’re the right person for the job.
An elevator pitch is a brief but persuasive speech that you can use to sell yourself to an interviewer. Elevator pitches are the perfect opportunity to incorporate all of the tips discussed so far.
Keep your elevator pitch short and to the point. You should deliver it in under a minute, so practice beforehand to make sure you don’t go over. If you can nail your elevator pitch, you’ll show the interviewer that you’re confident and prepared.
The following are a few brief examples of how you could go about answering the question “Why should we hire you?”
Example 1
“I believe I would be a great asset to your team because of my ability to work independently. I’m very proactive and I take initiative to get the job done.
Example 2
“In my previous job, I was able to increase productivity by 20% with the new system I implemented. I’m confident that I could bring the same level of success to your team.”
Example 3
“I’m also a quick learner and I’m always looking for new ways to improve my skills. I think I could be a valuable asset to your company because I’m always willing to go the extra mile.”
Example 4
“I believe you should hire me because of my great communication skills. I’m very articulate and I have a knack for explaining complex concepts in simple terms. I’m a great listener and I’m always open to feedback. I think these skills would be valuable in a customer-facing role.”
Example 5
“In my previous job, I was able to increase sales by 15% due to my ability to build strong relationships with customers. I’m confident that I could bring the same level of success to your team.”
If you practice your answer and consider the previously listed tips, you shouldn’t have trouble responding to the question. However, there are a few mistakes to avoid when explaining to an employer why they should hire you.
Answering “I don’t know” is not a great approach. It will reflect poorly on you as it will appear you are uncertain or disinterested. This can leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. After all, if you yourself don’t know why they should hire you, then why would they hire you? If you don’t know how to answer the question, take a few moments to think about it before responding.
Your job interview isn’t the time for jokes or sarcasm. The interviewer is looking for a professional answer, not a joke. Not to mention that not everybody responds well to sarcasm. Be direct and serious when responding to the question.
The interviewer wants to know why you’re the best candidate for the job. They don’t want to hear your entire life story. Avoid over explaining and try to be as concise as possible. Stick to two or three main reasons why you believe you’re the best candidate and elaborate on those points. Your answer should be in the form of an elevator pitch, not an essay.
If the interviewer finds out that you lied, they will not be happy.Not to mention, it’s dishonest and immoral. Instead, be honest in your answer and talk about your qualities and strengths.
Even if the interviewer believes your fibs, it can make you uneasy during the rest of the interview since you’ll be wondering whether they bought it or not the entire time. As a result, you could end up tanking the rest of your interview.
The interviewer wants to know your specific qualities and how they would benefit the company. They don’t want to hear a vague answer such as “I’m a fast learner” or “I work well under pressure.” These answers don’t tell the interviewer anything about you or why you would be a good fit. Be as specific as possible and give examples to back up your claims.
Remember, your goal is to impress the interviewer and show them that you’re the best candidate for the job. If you can do that, then you’ll be one step closer to getting your dream job. So, take some time to practice your answer and make sure that you avoid any of the mistakes we listed above.
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