“Why should we hire you?” It’s one of the difficult questions asked in a job interview. The truth is, it helps hiring managers to see your potential. Landing a job isn’t an easy road to take, but an effective resume and a remarkable interview make it possible. Having an impressive job search tool isn’t enough; you need to make sure the hiring manager would see your strengths during the interview.
That question can make or break your chances of landing the job. This is because your answer is your last chance to prove that you’re the perfect fit for the job. Remember, you’re not the only one who received an interview invite. Since you’re not the only one who’s qualified for the job, what makes you stand out among the pack? Thus, to ace your job interview and increase your chance of landing the job, prepare yourself and get ready to answer that million-dollar question.
Why Employers Ask “Why Should We Hire You?”
Employers look for employees who are dedicated, perfect-fit for the job and the culture of the company. Sure, a well-written resume is the key to getting an interview invite, but an impressive interview session will get you the job. It’s your chance to highlight your skills, qualifications, and prove that you’re ready to take on the position.
However, don’t forget that you have other competitors in this race. You all want to get picked, thus you have to market yourself firmly and effectively. One way to do that is to impress your interviewer by answering their questions with confidence. Hence, you better get ready to answer the most common interview questions.
Usually, before the interview ends, the hiring manager would ask applicants, “Why should we hire you?” This is to give you the chance to summarize your qualifications and what sets you apart from your fellow job hopefuls. Employers need to know how you’re different from other qualified candidates. Also, your answer would give them an idea about your work ethic, experience, and what else can you offer on the table. To help you ace this question, here are some tips to heed.
Tips in Answering “Why Should We Hire You?”
As mentioned earlier, giving reasons why it’s the company’s advantage to hire you is important. After all, proving that you deserve to get the job is the goal of an interview. Here are some tips to help you ace your job interview.
1. Prepare for the interview.
Preparing for an interview is as important as what you do during one. It’s because this phase helps you ace it. There are several things that you can do to make sure that you’re ready to impress the interviewer. Here are the two most important to-do things before you proceed to your interview.
- Research the company. Take note of the company’s mission, vision, and core values. Then, connect your views, competencies, and experiences to the information you gathered. Doing so gives them the idea that you’re not just fit for the job, but to their culture, too.
- Read the job description carefully. Go back to the job posting and remember the qualifications they’re looking for an employee. You can highlight the skills and experience you have that are related to the job.
2. Highlight and quantify your skills.
If you want to have the edge, you need to highlight relevant skills to your target job. Don’t just say random strengths; make sure to mention necessary competencies and experience you’ve had. It could be skills that you acquired from your previous job or volunteer work.
3. Show enthusiasm.
How you say things matters. Be mindful of your tone when saying why you’re a great fit for the position. Be calm and confident as you show that you’re interested, excited, and serious in getting the job.
4. Share what else you can bring to the table.
Aside from your skills, say what else you can do for the company. What is in it for them? How will they benefit from hiring you? Remember, other candidates are also skilled and qualified for the job. Thus, don’t just tell them about your skills. Instead, share what else you can do for the company if you’re given the chance as the newest addition to their team.
Best Sample Answers to THE Question
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, so much that it takes courage and skills to ace them. This is not even mentioning the number of questions that you need to answer to pass this stage. To help you win your interview, here are some sample answers to the question: Why should we hire you?
Example 1:
Despite the fact that I am a fresh graduate, I have attended training programs that honed my skills and knowledge in teaching and curriculum development. I also have acquired significant relevant experience both during my previous internship and through my volunteer work. In addition, I have been part of an organization that helps street children read, write, and rediscover their passion and purpose through arts. This has helped me become better-rounded, compassionate, and innovative, which are all important factors in teaching nursery students.
Example 2:
When I saw your job posting, I found you listed that you were looking for a project manager. As you can see from my resume, I have 5 years of project management experience, but I believe it’s my ability to combine that with my people skills that sets me apart from other applicants. Also, my passion for customer service and keen eye for detail will make me a valuable addition to your team.
Example 3:
As someone new to this industry, I recognize that my greatest weakness is a lack of work experience as an administrative assistant. However, the conventional experience cannot quantify the credentials that I possess. And based on the qualifications listed in the job description, it appears that you need someone who can work and communicate with clients and other stakeholders. My 2 years of experience as a journalist has equipped me in scheduling, multitasking, and communications. With these core skills, I’m sure that I’ll be able to jump right into this position and start contributing right away for you.
Avoid These Red Flags
With the examples given, note that your answer should be short and simple. Take this question as an opportunity for you to reiterate why you’re a good fit for the job. You can do this by effectively summarizing your qualifications, skills, and relevant experience. Additionally, to seal the interview on a good note, here are some mistakes that you should avoid.
1. Scripted Speech
One common mistake job seekers do is they answer the question as if they prepared a script beforehand. It’s great to come to the interview prepared, especially being ready to impress the interviewer. However, don’t let yourself sound too rehearsed, unnatural, and insincere.
2. Excessive Chats
Giving potential employers reasons why they should hire you can be tricky. Should you mention all your experiences and skills? The answer to this question is no. It’s an interview and not a storytelling event. Thus, there’s no need for you to share every bit of your experiences. Choose to highlight only what’s important and relevant for the position you’re applying for.
3. Clichéd Statements
Another common mistake is answering the job interview questions with clichéd statements. Clichés may sound good, but they won’t impress your interviewer. It’s better if you use facts and be specific of what you’re capable of doing.
4. Overconfident Demeanor
As mentioned earlier, the way you speak during the interview matters. Your tone, use of words, and how you present yourself are part of the evaluation. Thus, make sure that you don’t sound like you’re bragging and avoid raising inappropriate topics. Be respectful and sincere when giving hiring managers the reasons they should hire you.
Acing Your Job Interview with Some Interview Hacks
Answering the question, “Why should we hire you?” is important to leave a positive mark. However, it isn’t just the only thing HR managers consider before hiring an applicant. From the moment you enter the place until the last second you spent with the interviewer—all those things matter.
Thus, don’t just focus on that million-dollar question; make sure to gear up to succeed in this tough stage of the hiring process. If you’re still having jitters, don’t worry—that’s normal. However, you can do something about it. You can check some of our job search interview hacks to equip you on your next interview.
