In a job interview, coming up with a "Why should we hire you?" response isn't as difficult as it first appears. Here’s what you need to know.
Job interviews are a nerve-wracking experience in any hiring process. The recruiter will use the conversation to determine if you are a good fit for the position by learning more about you and comparing your talents and personality traits to the company's needs. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and remind the interviewer of all the reasons they should hire you.
This gets us to one of the most common questions posed during interviews, and that is "why should we hire you?" The interviewer's goal in asking this is to get a sense of who you are as a person and what makes you a good fit for the position.
In other words, they want you to market yourself as a professional in a quick, succinct manner. In this article, we will examine how to effectively respond to the question "why should we hire you?" and provide some examples.
Explain how your past experiences relate to the job
When applying for a job, it is important to ensure that your past experiences relate to the job description. For example, if you are applying for a managerial role, it is important to demonstrate your experience leading and managing people. This is the best way to show a potential employer why they should hire you.
You should address each of the requirements listed in the job posting, as well as any additional qualities that make you a great fit. You can convince an employer that you are the best person for the job if you detail how your past experiences directly apply to the requirements of the position.
Here’s an example:
“My experience with company X has helped me develop an understanding and aptitude for this position.. I have a track record of success in achieving goals and creating results in my previous roles, and this can be seen through my certifications, awards and recognition, and leadership experience. I have also taken the initiative to self-educate and refine my skills to be able to contribute to the company. I have an understanding of the company's goals and objectives and I'm confident I can use my experience to help the company achieve them. Additionally, my experience in lead generation and SEO demonstrate my ability to create and manage effective campaigns that drive traffic and engagement. My experiences and skills make me the ideal candidate for the job as I have the qualifications and skills required to successfully deliver on tasks, as well as the motivation to succeed in order to achieve the company's goals.”
Make sure to highlight any relevant qualifications
When asking, "Why should we hire you?" potential employers will be looking for qualifications that directly relate to the job description. Review the company profile to connect your accomplishments and qualifications to the job description when preparing your response.
Target three to four of the most important skills outlined in the job posting, and explain how you've demonstrated them in the past. Examples include business acumen, problem-solving skills, leadership skills, the ability to work independently and in teams, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box.
Additionally, employers may be looking for qualities such as determination, a strong work ethic, and the ability to handle pressure. Finally, any relevant experience from a volunteer or professional position that gives you a unique perspective beneficial to the job you're applying for would be ideal to mention as well.
Here’s an example:
“My experience as an IT consultant has prepared me to succeed in this position. I have a good understanding of how business and technology work together and the challenges they face. My friendly attitude and technical background make me an ideal fit for this role. Furthermore, I am motivated and quick to learn, which will be an asset to the team. I'm also comfortable both working alone and as part of a team, making me a complete package for this job. Altogether, my skills, experiences and attributes make me the perfect fit for the position.”
Mention any unique skills or traits
When asked why you should be hired for a position, emphasize the qualities that set you apart from other candidates. These may include your strong work ethic, good communication skills, problem-solving skills, and capacity to operate both independently and with a team.
To that end, highlight any skills and work history that are particularly applicable to the position in question. It's important to highlight any relevant experience you have that sets you apart - whether it's paid. You should also highlight any specialized abilities or personal qualities you possess that make you a good fit for the position, such as language proficiency or technological expertise.
Here’s an example:
“When it comes to why you should hire me, I believe my work ethic and drive is my strongest selling point. I am a motivated and dedicated worker who is always striving to exceed expectations and reach the highest level of success. I have a strong track record of success in my current role, consistently achieving higher-than-average performance in my quarterly reviews and taking on additional responsibilities in my department. I'm eager to bring this same drive and enthusiasm to my new role with Company X, and I'm confident I can make a significant contribution to the success of the team. I'm also passionate about learning new skills and growing with the company, so I'm ready to put in the necessary effort to stay up to date on the latest industry trends and technologies. I'm excited to join the innovative team at Company X and use my skills to create great work and help reach the organization's goals.”
Explain how your current job will help you progress
It's a good idea to mention your career goals in your response to this question. If you know how to respond, you'll be able to give the interviewer a sense of where you want to go professionally.
This is because potential employers could be interested in learning what your career goals are. They might be curious about whether you're interested because you have the drive to do a good job. A well-considered response can show an interviewer that you've thought seriously about the role and how it fits into your long-term career plans.
Here is an example:
“My current job has helped me develop my leadership and management skills, as well as mentoring others and leading projects with little to no supervision. I have also acquired advanced Microsoft Office skills and have made a significant impact on the company's bottom line. In five years, if I am hired, I believe I can bring even more value and growth to the company with my skills and experience. I am highly motivated to reach the position of Senior Business Consultant, and I am confident that I can help 20+ organizations improve their business and create a strong personal network of professionals. I am also interested in expanding my knowledge by learning more about optimizing and improving clients' businesses, as well as the essentials of operating a company.”
List any achievements that you are proud of
When answering the question "Why should we hire you?", some of the achievements worth mentioning are:
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Professional accomplishments related to the job you're applying for, such as successfully meeting or exceeding KPIs or scaling up a company’s marketing efforts.
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Academic achievements, such as graduating from a university with a high GPA or winning scholarships.
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Professional certifications or awards that demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.
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Examples of projects you've successfully completed, either individually or as part of a team.
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Relevant managerial experience or leadership roles you've held.
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An anecdote or learning that can be directly related to the job you're applying for.
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Quantitative results that show your success, such as reducing time-to-reimbursement by 25% or increasing customer engagement by 10%.
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Personal learning endeavours that could benefit the company, such as learning a new skill or taking a course related to the job.
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Any extra-curricular activities that demonstrate your hard work and dedication.
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Research publications.
Use keywords in your answer
Using keywords in your answer can help convince a recruiter to hire you, as it demonstrates that you have done your research and understand the job role and the company's goals. By selecting and including key skills from the job listing, you can show that you have the exact skills and qualifications needed for the position.
Additionally, you can show employers that you can produce successful results by presenting metrics and data that speak to your achievements and experience. Lastly, if you talk about how excited you are about the job and how the company is growing, you can show employers that you will be more motivated than other candidates.
Keep your answer concise and to the point
When asked why you should be hired for a job, it’s important to remain concise and to the point. You want to make sure your answer stands out and is remembered among the other candidates in the interview.
To achieve this, focus on one or two qualifications that make you the best candidate for the role, and relate your successes to how you can help the company excel. Your answer should not be too detailed or vague and longer than two minutes. For example, you might say:
“I am confident that I can make a positive impact on the company because I have extensive experience in this field, have a long track record of successful projects, and have a passion for learning.”
By providing a short yet direct answer to this question, you can help ensure that the hiring manager sees you as the top candidate for the job.
Conclusion
When answering the "Why should we hire you?" question, you need to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the role and the team, both in terms of your skills and qualifications and the company’s values and ambitions. You should have done your research on the company, learning about its mission, values, culture, and direction and how your skills, experience, and qualities can help the business achieve its goals.
Using these guidelines, you can confidently answer the all-important question, "Why should we hire you?" in your next job interview. Refine your responses by practising ahead of time. They might not sound perfect the first time you try, but with practice, you'll get better and feel more confident.
