“So, tell me, why should I hire you?” This is one of the most popular questions to be asked at the end of the interview. You should very well congratulate yourself because this question hinted that you are a high potential candidate, however may candidate answer it the wrong way which makes them loss their chance in getting the job.
This tricky interview question can come in a few different forms, such as:
- Why should we hire you?
- Why are you the best fit for the position?
- Why should I choose you to amount so many candidates?
- What makes you the best candidate for the job?
- What makes you different from other candidates?
How to Answer, “Why should I Hire You?”
Let’s take a look at some examples on how you should answer this particular question during the interview.
- Emphasize your knowledge and your skillset’s suitability to the role you are applying.
- Talk about your own unique personal experience to show that you can provide lots of value.
Use this opportunity to show why you are the best candidate for the job.
Here are some examples of how to answer, “Why should we hire you?”
Example answer for Web Developer
“My 8 years of experience in the industry with technology, especially my ability to quickly react to any unforeseen glitches found on the web and ensure the smooth running of the websites makes me a good match for this position.
In my most recent role, I was tasked to maintain our company’s website. This requires me to ensure prompt updates on any upcoming events, and company profiles and to ensure all our latest updates are updated within 24 hours.
With my knowledge in CSS, PHP, and HTML, I use my coding skills to help to revamp our web page to become responsive to the electronic devices you use. Meaning, the website looks good on most desktop and mobile devices. This is an initiative that I have taken to help in building a more user-friendly website for the company.
My skills in coding are recognized by my department head and complemented by our general manager. I would love to bring the skill and experience that I have and my passion for learning new and exciting technology to this position I am applying.”
Example answer for Sales Executive/ Professionals
“With my 10 years of experience as a sales manager, I have developed strong leadership and team-building skills. These skill sets will help the company to manage an effective and motivated team of sales professionals.
In my previous employment, I was awarded the manager-of-the-year for innovating strategies that help my team of 20 sales professionals to achieve a 20% increase in sales within one year.
I believe my experience and skill set will prove to be a valuable asset to this company. If hired, I will apply my set of skills and strategies to help the company in achieving greater profit and sales in this position.”
Example answer for Teacher/ Tutor
“Patience is one of the most important criteria for the person in this position. Having served as an assistant teacher for children with special needs for the past 2 years in the “School for the needy”. I totally understand the amount of love and care required to teach children of different backgrounds.
I have developed to be extremely patient when teaching children who learn differently from others. Many parents have shown their gratitude with simple handmade cards for how much their children have grown and both academics and character.
My experience at teaching children with special needs aged 6 to 16 has taught me to work with children of all ages and learning capabilities. As a teacher, I will guide them to ensure they will grow and learn at a pace most suited for them.”
Do you see something common in all these examples?
Yes, all these samples answered the things that the interviewer wants to know in the form of these 3 questions:
- How your experience is relevant to the job you are applying for?
- What is the achievement you have had during your past employment?
- How your skill set and experience can help your employer if hired.
Tips To Answering Interview Question, “Why should I hire you?”
When answering this kind of tricky question. There are always some dos and don’ts you should always remember.
Here are some of the guidelines that can help you to customize your perfect answers to the question.
Do Keep Your Answer Short and Focus
Keep your answer short and focus on the point. You want to make a summary and not to redo the whole interview. Select one or two most important qualities that you have and talk about them.
These qualities have to be:
- Related to the Job role you are applying for.
- Qualities that your employer is probably looking for in their candidates.
- Good qualities that can be backed up.
Short and focused are important to make a lasting impression that is impact and memorable. If it is too long-winded and lacks focus, your interviewer will get lost in the conversation. This will cause you to lose your chance to tell them, “why should they hire you.”
Do Show How You Can Add Value
How you can add value to the company is an important aspect that the interviewer is looking for. With every employee that the company is hiring, the employee should be able to add value to the company in their own way.
Every individual is different from others, and you will have something that other candidates don’t have which the company may find valuable. Make emphasis on how you can add value to the company.
Following are a few examples you may consider:
- Do you have any other professional experience?
- Do you have any other personal experience that your company may find valuable?
- Have you volunteered in anything that the experience may prove to be valuable to the company?
This is the time to tell your employers why you are different from others, and what things you can bring to the table, that other candidates can’t.
Do Use Specific Examples
Your words gain trust when you reinforce them with examples. Share a brief story that tells how you have contributed to the company. By looking through the job description, use examples that best showcase how you have solved a problem. This problem should be what your employee is looking to solve by hiring you.
Your example should have the following:
- Solve a problem
- Related to the job description
- Short and sweet, not longer than one or two minutes
Don’t Memorize Your Answer
Don’t ever memories the response you give to the interviewer. I know you can be quite nervous during an interview. But memorizing a response will not give a good impression to the interviewer. It feels fake and rigid.
What you should do instead is to have a general idea of what you are going to say. And say in your own words. Based on how the interview goes, you should answer with the points you have prepared. If you identify that your interviewer is looking for certain qualities in the interviewer during the interview. Talk about that quality instead and support that with an example or two.
Don’t Only Talk All About You
Remember, an interview is not just about you. They are looking for attributes that you can provide to the company. They are looking for the things you can offer that other candidates can’t.
Instead, focus on how you can use your strength to help the company grow. Be a giver, not a taker. Showcase how you can help the company in accomplishing its goals. Most importantly, by hiring you, how can you help your employer to solve his/her problem?
Don’t Lie To The Interviewer
We all know that one person whom, we will never trust a work he/she says. You will never know what your interviewer knows about you before you even come for the interview.
Remember honesty is a virtue that all employers are looking for.
Be truthful about what you can bring to the table when answering why should we hire you. It can be your experience or your personality but be sure it is the truth and can be backed with examples.
Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question During The Interview?
You may think that this question doesn’t make sense and that they even should ask. Since they are the interviewer, they should be the person who is going to decide if they should hire you right?
Not totally true.
In an interview, your interviewer wants to hire someone to help them to solve problems. And it is your job to help them to decide whether are you the candidate that can help them to solve that specific problem if this position is given to you.
Your answer will help them to make the best decision for the company. Every hire is a risk to the interviewer. If the candidate performs well, your interviewer will look brilliant and so is their bonus.
Thus, it is your job to help them to build confidence in the decision that they are going to make.
And answering this question, “Why should I hire you?”
It will tell your interviewer whether they are going to make the right decision or not.
Your interviewer wants you to tell them:
- You can do the job and deliver exceptional results.
- You have the skill set and experience required to stand out from all other candidates
- You as a part of the team will help them looks good to their bosses and make their life easier.
Answering Questions Like “Why Should We Hire You.”
When answering the question “Why should we hire you?”
Always remember these 3 key points:
- Short and focus on the point you are talking
- The value that can be added to the company if you are hired
- Use specific examples of what have you done previously
You can draft your killer answer by these 3 simple steps:
- First – Talk about how your experience is relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Then – Select one important achievement you have during your past employment that is relevant to this position.
- Put it all Together – Tell how your skill set and experience can help your employer if hired.
When you put them all together you will get your killer answer to this question.
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