This one's a real puzzle! How do you respond to this question without seeming egotistical, overconfident, or without coming across as spineless, weak, undecided, or worse...like you’re begging? Learn how to answer the interview question "why should we hire you?" by reading on.
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Let’s say you work in a jewelry store. The door opens as a customer enters. You go over the pleasantries as usual.
After establishing rapport with the customer, do you simply begin showing them pieces at random? Do you straight away offer the most expensive jewelry? Or go for the rarest piece without even asking them?
You are probably shaking your head in disapproval or yelling "No!" in your head… Aren’t you? And with a good reason. You'll agree with me that you first need to know what your customers are looking for in order to sell to them. Find out what they want and adjust to it.
Therefore, you have to ask the customer questions such as, "Who is it for?" “What specific color are you looking for?” “Are you looking to buy a ring, pendant, or bracelet?”
What does this analogy have to do with the question "Why should I hire you?" that an interviewer might ask? It’s simple. Every hire is a risk for any company. Therefore, employers want to make sure you know what they want before they make their “purchase”(you). They want to ascertain that you understand what they do and that you’re a cultural fit.
So they’ll ask this interview question for you to sell yourself and convince them why you are the best candidate for the position you applied for. Keep in mind that they ask this same question to other shortlisted candidates, so it comes down to a battle of who can sell themselves better. There's a lot more to it than just having the qualifications.
How to answer “Why should we hire you?”
Nobody knows you better than yourself. Your chances of landing the job increase proportionally with your ability to sell yourself. So, let's box you up with a few tried-and-true "why should we hire you" techniques.
Review the job post to get an idea of what the company wants
Review the job description to learn more about the exact qualifications and experience that employers seek in a candidate. Pay close attention to the job description's "Requirements," "Experience," and "Education" sections. Use your skills, experiences, and attributes to match what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
Research the company's background
It is essential to do research on the company's mission, objectives, and any recent developments. Using this information, you can show how your values align with theirs and how you can assist them in achieving their business objectives.
Provide specific examples of your accomplishments
Be sure to back up your claims with hard data. Think about what sets you apart from the competition. Use relevant examples or experiences to show off your talents and skills. Yes, you may be a terrific manager, but how did you demonstrate that in a previous position?
Additionally, mention any noteworthy educational or training achievements, especially if you've worked extra hard to stay current on your industry-specific expertise and credentials.
Be confident while remaining humble
Regardless of what you do, do not project an air of arrogance. Maintain a healthy mix of self-assurance and sincere modesty in your speech as you answer this interview question. Having a strong work ethic and the ability to get along with others is what your employer will want to find out.
Be honest
Honesty is the best policy, and that applies to both you and the potential employer. When a potential employer asks you follow-up questions, they want to ensure that what you wrote on your résumé matches what you say in person. Lying is a surefire way to fail.
Do you still find it difficult?
No worries, we've got some fantastic “why should we hire you?” samples to look at.
Sample 1
“You should hire me because I will quickly add value to your company in this role. I am a self-starter who can be trusted to complete tasks efficiently, diligently, and on time. I'll bring a positive attitude that will inspire my coworkers in my new role, and I'll always take charge of my professional growth. You should also hire me because I have a proven track record of achievement. For example, I helped increase sales by 30% in my previous role and continually maintained excellent customer service..”
Sample 2
“You should hire me because of my positive personality, the fact that I have a desire to succeed, and because I am somebody you can train up and develop to be the person you need me to be. You should hire me because, during my academic studies, I always put in the effort and the dedication needed to achieve my goals. This proves I am someone you can count on to meet deadlines and deliver results.”
Sample 3
“You should hire me because you can rest assured that I will fulfill my responsibilities without supervision and that I will uphold your company's standards of professionalism in all communications with both internal and external stakeholders. You should hire me because I can manage multiple tasks, and I will always remain calm under pressure. Finally, being someone who has a diverse range of skills and competencies, I will come into the role and get to work on your objectives with immediate effect.”
Sample 4
“You should hire me because, over the years, I have built up extensive knowledge, expertise, and transferable skills that guarantee I will come into the role and immediately start contributing to your financial and commercial objectives. I will always put the team first, and I will work tirelessly to find creative ways to ensure the business continually grows and develops. Finally, you should hire me because I am somebody who will always take responsibility for their ongoing career growth.”
Conclusion
The best way to answer this interview question is by focusing on your strengths while simultaneously pointing out your expertise. Don't simply give them one reason why they should hire you. Give them several reasons. Make a case for why you'd be a good fit for the position and how you'd bring something new to the table. Give an example of a significant accomplishment you made in a previous post or during your academic pursuits in your response.
