What to Say When Asked Why Should I Hire You
It ends up being one of the trickiest interview questions you can get.
Why should you hire me? Well, let's see… I want this job, and I can do the work. Oh, and I'm free to start immediately.
That won't work. And neither will you.
The whole interview itself boils down to this one question.
Don't worry.
One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:
[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is nowone page long, notthree. With the same stuff.
And to ace your answers to other tricky interview questions, check these out:
- Tell me about yourself
- What's your greatest weakness?
- What are your strengths?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Why did you leave your last job?
- Describe your job responsibilities
- What's your management style?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- What motivates you?
- What are your salary requirements?
- What are you passionate about?
- How to make an elevator pitch
Or, visit these guides for in-depth interview help:
- Situational Interview Questions
- Behavioral Interview Questions
- Informational Interview Questions
- Phone Interview Questions
- Questions to Ask an Interviewer
- Illegal Interview Questions Employer Cannot Ask
1
Why Interviewers Ask Why Should We Hire You?
It's a sweeping question, and there's no single correct answer.
However—
There is a formula to answer it correctly.
When an interviewer asks why should I hire you?, they are really asking:
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
You've got your resume, your cover letter, and the whole interview to address this question.
What gives?
Employers want to make sure you know what they want and that you can provide it.
They have a hunch you're qualified enough to get the job done. That's why they're inviting you for a face-to-face interview.
And—
They want to make sure you understand what they do and that you're a cultural match.
Here's the thing: there are others that are also qualified, perhaps more than you. You must use your interview to get your employer to see that you are the one who will best fit.
So, use the why should I hire you? question to sell them yourself once and for all.
This isn't the only frequent question. Check out this article for a complete list of sample interview questions and answers: Top 10 General Job Interview Questions & Best Answers
2
How to Answer the Why Should We Hire You? Interview Question
Picture this—
You are tending a Tiffany & Co. store. A client walks in.
Do you just start showing random pieces to them willy-nilly? Go for the most expensive piece?
No.
You ask them things like: Who's this for? Earrings or necklace? Any particular color?
You identify their needs and adjust to them. To sell, you first have to know what they want to buy.
So, let's turn this analogy back to this interview question.
How to Answer Why Should We Hire You
1. Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results.
You never know what other candidates offer to the company. But you know you: emphasize your key skills, strengths, talents, work experience, and professional achievements that are fundamental to getting great things done on this position.
2. Highlight that you'll fit in and be a great addition to the team.
Show the interviewer that you have corresponding personal and professional traits that make you a great addition to the team. At larger companies, departments and their staff vary greatly. Marketing people are different from IT specialists. Identify the company's culture and the department's characteristic features and tell the interviewer how you will fit in.
3. Describe how hiring you will make their life easier and help them achieve more.
Determine what problems they had so far, what new issues or goals they have now, and how your specific skills and experience can come in handy. Scour the company's website and social media channels to research their roadmap and history. Google their media mentions and case studies. Reread the job ad you applied to. Use this information to guide your answer.
4. Show enthusiasm for performing required duties, not just capability.
Your application lets them know you're willing to do the work. Being called for the interview means they think you're capable. Apart from highlighting your skills and experience, show them your enthusiasm to prove you'll have positive attitude towards your tasks. But don't go overboard—a wide smile will never substitute professional qualifications.
5. Always speak honestly.
Be honest with both yourself and your prospective employer. You won't make it far if you lie. Recruiters often ask follow-up questions to check if you're consistent with what you've written on your resume.
Still feel complicated?
Don't worry, we have some great why should we hire yousample answers for you.
Just read on.
A great place to start off with figuring out your perfect answer to why should I hire you? is to know how to speak about strengths. Read this article for more on that: How to Answer the "What Are Your Strengths?" Interview Question
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building professional resume template here for free.
When you're done, Zety's resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
3
Why Should We Hire You Answers
Now for the fun stuff.
Here are the most frequent variations of the why should we hire you question—and answers the interviewer will love:
Can you explain why your background and experience would be a good fit for this job?
Sample Answer:
I certainly can! Well, from what I've read on your company's roadmap plans posted online, it sounds like you need a project manager who is capable of handling other departmental roles, as well. I couldn't find a way to succinctly describe it on my resume, but during my internship at BioGenCo, I spent a month each on five different teams to get a handle on how the company functions as a whole. Now, with my supervisory experience where I've raised output by 32%, I believe I am well equipped to be the best project manager, while also being knowledgeable of the roles of other departments.
[This example answer shows: enthusiasm, quantifiable achievements, company research, awareness of future needs]
Why are you the best person for this job?
Sample Answer:
When I read the job posting, I noticed that you specifically mentioned you were looking for someone with a mid- or intermediate level of supervisory experience at your restaurant. Now, my resume may have told you that I have five years of restaurant management work history, during which I increased sales by 47% while cutting overhead. However, what my resume does not include are the various other roles in a restaurant that I've become familiar with. From the front-of-house positions, where I started as a waiter, to the back-of-house, I've gained knowledge of each and every important aspect of running a busy restaurant. I believe that this experience, coupled with my personable attitude and hard work ethic, is why I am a great candidate for the job.
[This example answer shows: best candidacy, quantifiable achievements, and super-relevance]
Why should we hire you for this position?
Sample Answer:
Oh wow, where do I begin! I have been an avid traveler since as young as I can remember. When I reached adulthood and started booking flights for myself, your airline would be my top choice. Alpha Airlines has always made long-distance travel a pleasure, and I would be honored to say that I work for you. On top of this, I believe that my patience and multitasking skills are second to none, and these would go a long way in helping me the best flight attendant possible.
[This example answer shows: enthusiasm, mild flattery, company interest, relevance]
Can you please describe why you are an ideal candidate for this position?
Sample Answer:
This hiring process has been tough, so I'm certain that the candidates remaining give me stiff competition! Nonetheless, I am aware of your company's desire to overhaul your entire IT team. As you have seen from my resume and cover letter, not only do my background and experience overlap with what you are looking for, but my additional skills as an IT technician for XYZ could be well-suited to help you expand further. Would you like me to go into more detail of what I had in mind?
[This example answer shows: enthusiasm, company research, open-ended answer]
What makes you a good candidate for this position?
Sample Answer:
Though I'm a recent university graduate, my coursework, major, and minor all coincide with this position. On top of that, I have gained some job experience relevant both during my previous internship and in the volunteer gig that I work, both of which you may remember mentioned in my resume. Finally, I have been crossing my fingers for this job specifically, because there would be no place I'd rather work!
[This example answer shows: relevance, enthusiasm, flattery]
Why should I hire you over other candidates?
Sample Answer:
I am relatively new to this town, having just moved here from the city about four months ago. Since I've been here, I've frequented this store a lot, for every occasion, and I've always been impressed by the friendly and helpful staff. If you allowed me the chance to prove myself, I am sure that I would be an excellent addition to your already-amazing staff. All this, along with my relevant work experience, is exactly why you should hire me!
[This example answer shows: flattery, enthusiasm, relevance]
Why are you a good fit for this position?
Sample Answer:
Well, I've already sat down with some of the team at my last interview, during the group session, and I must say that I think we all hit it off quite nicely! They seem like just my kind of people, helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable, and I would love to be able to show you that I would fit in well. On top of those characteristics, I have several years of experience, which you have seen from my resume and cover letter, and I had some pretty proud achievements while there, such as my 17% reduction in wait time. If you give me a chance, I am certain that I won't let you down!
[This example answer shows: enthusiasm, knowledge of company values, quantifiable achievements]
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Sample Answer:
I believe that my resume speaks for itself when it comes to my relevant experience and skills. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to answer this question by telling you about the traits and characteristics pertaining to me that I feel make me a good fit. I've always been a hard worker with a strong work ethic, and that has followed me from my time growing up on a farm, through graduating uni with honors, until now, where I went straight for the best in the game by applying here. I get along well on a team, and my previous internship experience quickly saw me into a supervisory role. Is there anything else I can touch on that would interest you or help you see that I'm the best candidate for this position?
[This example answer shows: open-ended answer, confidence, relevance]
Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?
Sample Answer:
As you can see from my cover letter and my resume, the majority of my work history has been as an IT consultant. This position has given me a good understanding of how business and technology cooperate and what challenges they face. I know from your job ad that you need someone who is friendly to handle new clients in your ever-growing tech firm, and I think that I am just the girl for this role! With my personable attitude and relevant technical background, I am confident that I would fit perfectly in this position you are offering.
[This example answer shows: relevance, knowledge of company goals]
In each of these cases remember to explain why your background and experience would be a good fit for the job. This is what the recruiter wants to hear in your answer.
Strengths are easy to talk about. You may find it much more difficult to discuss weaknesses with potential employers. But, you've still got to answer! Check out this post: "What Is Your Greatest Weakness?" Best Answers (6 Proven Examples)
4
How Not to Answer Why Should We Hire You?
Honesty is paramount, but there are times when you should just keep your truthful reply to yourself.
Don't be dishonest. Just avoid the topics below:
What Topics to Avoid When Answering Why Should We Hire You?
1. Money
In the end, in 99% of situations, compensation is the primary factor for you wanting to be hired. You know it, and they know it. However, leave it out of your answer if you want a chance at earning that paycheck!
2. Perks
Similar to compensation, don't allow them to think you're only interested in the position because of the perks and benefits the company has to offer.
3. Desperation
You may need this job to come in so you don't default on your mortgage, but don't let this show during your interview. The company doesn't want someone who's desperate or is there just for the money (see point 1 above).
4. General interest
What I mean here is vague interest. Don't just say this kind of work or this kind of company interests you, focus on this particular employer .
Think of this interview question as if you were introducing yourself to a potential love interest for the first time. This will help keep you on track!
See more interview tips: 50+ Successful Interview Tips, Advice & Guidelines
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
To ace the tricky why should we hire you? interview question you need to sell yourself to the hiring manager and convince them that:
- You're a good fit and will be a valuable addition to the team.
- You have the skills and experience to solve problems and overcome challenges.
- And that hiring you will solve their recruitment problems and help to achieve their team and business objectives.
You can do that by:
- Staying honest. Make sure that your answers remain true to who you are, but skip answers related to money and other personal interests.
- Using research to guide your answer. If you don't research the company, you will be unprepared to answer this question in a way that will win them over.
- Conveying healthy enthusiasm. Don't just tell them you're excited. Make them feel how excited you are with relevant adjectives, verbs, and tone of voice. But don't exaggerate.
- Being prepared! Don't dare come up with an answer to this question on the spot! You need time getting ready beforehand.
Good luck at your interview!
Do you have any questions on how to answer why should we hire you? Not sure what sets you apart from other candidates? Get at us in the comments below and we will answer your question. Thanks for reading!
What to Say When Asked Why Should I Hire You
Source: https://zety.com/blog/why-should-we-hire-you