Job interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, and one question that often leaves candidates feeling on edge is the question, “Why should we hire you?” This seemingly simple question is your opportunity to shine and convince the interviewer that you are a good fit for the job.
In this article, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help craft a compelling response that sets you apart from the competition.
Understand the Question and Why Employers Ask This
Before we dive into crafting the perfect response, let’s break down the question itself. When an interviewer asks, “Why should we hire you,” they are asking you what makes you the ideal candidate for the position and how you can contribute to its success.
Your response should be crafted to call out the company, your unique abilities, and the role you’re applying for.
1. Do Your Research
Researching the company isn’t something you can do on the day of the interview. So, as soon as you receive the interview offer, begin your research.
Get a good grasp of what the company does, what it stands for, its mission, and what they’ve achieved recently. This knowledge will help you shape your responses to match the company’s vision and show you’re genuinely excited about the role.
2. Highlight Your Relevant Skills and Qualities
One of the critical elements of your response is showcasing your skills and qualifications that directly relate to the job you’re applying for. Review the job description and identify the essential qualifications and requirements for the role. Then, emphasize how your skills and experiences align with these criteria.
For example, if the job requires strong project management skills, share an instance of successfully managing complex tasks in previous roles that led to significant cost savings and increased efficiency, along with the specific actions you took to achieve this success.
3. Quantify Your Achievements
To make your response more impactful, use quantifiable achievements to support your claims. Numbers add credibility to your statements and help the hiring manager visualize your contributions.
Also, consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers.¹ Describe the situation or problem, your task or role, the actions you took, and the positive results that followed. For example, you can say:
“In my previous position, I identified a bottleneck in the production process, streamlined it, and increased production efficiency by 20%, resulting in a cost savings of $50,000 annually.”
4. Emphasize Your Unique Selling Points
Your unique selling points are the key attributes that will make you exceptional among all other job candidates. When considering why you should be the top choice for a particular role, consider the specific qualities, skills, and experiences that differentiate you from other candidates.
What sets you apart from other candidates? Is it your industry certifications, your years of experience, some specialized training, or a unique skill set relevant to the job? When you answer the interviewer, consider why you think you are the best choice among all the other job candidates.
5. Brush Up with Soft Skills
While experience and certifications are valuable, your soft skills can play a pivotal role in showcasing your potential. If you’re just starting in your career and don’t have much experience or certifications, you can leverage the soft skills you possess.
These days, many employers appreciate qualities like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving just as much as they value technical know-how. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report tells us that problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence will be in high demand in future years.²
So, when you’re faced with that classic interview question, “Why should we hire you?” don’t forget to share real-life experiences of how your soft skills have positively impacted your previous role. It’s these qualities that can set you apart from the competition.
6. Address Pain Points
If you’ve done thorough research on the company, you should be aware of any challenges or pain points they face. Use this knowledge to your advantage by explaining how you can help address these issues. This proactive approach shows that you’re already thinking about how you can contribute to the organization’s success.
You gain insights into its specific hurdles and opportunities by conducting in-depth research on the company. Proactively addressing these issues during the interview can set you apart as a candidate that is not just seeking a job but genuinely interested in contributing to the organization’s success.
Related: From Intentions to Impressions: How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?
Tips and Best Practices in Acing Your Job Interview
Alongside providing a compelling response to the interview question “Why should we hire you?”, here are other things you can do to score extra points with the interviewer:
1. Express Enthusiasm and Passion
Employers want to hire candidates genuinely excited about the role and the company. Four in 10 employers would reject candidates if they showed no enthusiasm during the job interview process. However, it’s crucial to balance being ‘mildly’ and ‘overly’ enthusiastic. According to Professor Karin Sanders, going overboard with enthusiasm in an interview can work against you, potentially diminishing your suitability for the job.³
When shaping your response, convey your enthusiasm by highlighting your passion for the industry or the specific work the company engages in. Share what excites you about the opportunity and how it fits seamlessly into your career aspirations. For example, a simple statement sharing your passion for one of the company’s core values can leave a lasting positive impression on your interviewer.
2. Align Your Response with Company Values
Companies often prefer candidates that share their core values and seamlessly blend with their organizational culture. Identify and incorporate the company’s values into your response during your research. Articulate how your values and work ethic harmonize with the company’s.
Effectively showcase your compatibility with the company’s principles. For instance, if the company places a high premium on innovation and creativity, you could say something like:
“I agree with your commitment to innovation, and I have a track record of developing creative solutions that help businesses grow. ”
3. Show Your Long-term Commitment
Employers may appreciate candidates that see the role as a long-term commitment. Express your interest in growing with the company and contributing to its future success. Avoid mentioning short-term goals or plans that might suggest you’re only interested in the role temporarily.
After the interview, you can also keep in touch and send a “Thank You” email. This gesture shows that you’re sincere in building a connection with the employer and increases your chances of being remembered.
4. Be Confident and Positive
Confidence plays a crucial role in how you handle interview questions. Responding with conviction and showcasing your self-assuredness in your abilities is essential. Avoid undermining yourself or downplaying your accomplishments, even if it’s “just” a phone interview.
However, balancing confidence and humility is equally important to ensure you appear confident without looking arrogant. By projecting confidence, humility, and positivity, you create an aura of competence and approachability, making you an ideal fit for the organization’s culture and team dynamics.
5. Keep Practicing and Build Confidence
Creating the ideal response to interview questions requires practice. To simulate real interview scenarios, engage in mock interviews with friends, family, or mentors. During practice sessions, focus not only on the content of your answers but also on the tone of your voice. Ensure it conveys enthusiasm and assurance.
Aim for a confident and composed demeanor, maintaining eye contact and employing natural gestures to emphasize key points. Receiving feedback from others can provide valuable insights, helping you refine your responses further. Lastly, ensure you find the right balance between providing sufficient detail and keeping your response concise and to the point.
6. Prepare for Follow-up Questions
When you respond to the question, “Why should we hire you?” it could trigger follow-up questions. Be prepared to offer additional details or specific examples to support your assertions. Expect questions such as:
- Could you elaborate on your skills?
- How would you address this challenge?
- What do you like the most about the company?
Furthermore, prepare to ask the hiring manager questions. This demonstrates your attentiveness and genuine interest in the role, making you stand out as a great fit.
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Our ultimate goal is to bring your employment aspirations to life. Reach out to us today to start a conversation, and let’s get your career journey moving in the right direction.
References
1. Boogaard, Kat. “The STAR Method: The Secret to Acing Your Next Job Interview.” The Muse, 2 Jul. 2022, www.themuse.com/star-interview-method.
2. “The Future of Jobs Report 2023.” World Economic Forum, 30 Apr. 2023, www.weforum.org/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023.
3. Ticha, Victoria. “How to show enthusiasm in a job interview.” UNSW Sydney Newsroom, 19 Sep. 2022, newsroom.unsw.edu.au/how-show-enthusiasm-job-interview.