Have you been asked "why should we hire you" during a job interview?
This is one of the most common job interview questions you should be prepared to answer. Recruiters and employers ask this question because they want to know why they should choose you over someone else.
Creating a winning CV and an amazing cover letter is important, but what is most important is preparing effectively for the interview session itself. Most people are not used to selling themselves to a prospective employer. So when they are asked: “why should we hire you?”, they struggle with an answer.
It is very important to prepare for this question before going for an interview because it can determine to a large extent whether you will get the job or not.
Literally, it may sound like the hiring manager wants you to demonstrate the fit between your skills and the job requirements. However, there is more to this interview question than what is actually vocalized.
Always think of an interview as an art form where authenticity matters more than reciting rehearsed lines
But before we give out tips on how to answer this question, we would like to, first of all, examine the reasons why employers ask this question.
Most job-seekers just assume that the recruiter wants to just ridicule them by asking them a question they already have answers to? Many candidates will be like “Why should you hire me?” you know why you want to hire me so why ask me. If that has been your mindset, then it is time to change that, because there are genuine reasons why a recruiter would ask you that question. The recruiter wants to find out the following;
If you are the right person for the job?
If you fit into the company’s vision?
Your genuine reason why you want the job?
If you will be committed to the job?
If you know what you are there for or you are just about getting the job?
If you fit into the company’s value?
If you get the clear picture of the person that fits into the job?
If your interest in the company is genuine or if it is selfish?
This question is one question you can hardly escape during an interview, so it is advisable to prepare well for it. The following tips will help you answer the question well
Before you go for an interview, it is very important for you to take your time to research the company and job role. Researching the company helps you relate the fit between your qualifications and the requirements for the position. Start your research by reading the job description carefully. Highlight the skills, personality traits, and experience required for the job. After considering the following above, answering the question will be much easier.
See sample answer:
“Looking at what you do, and listening to your talk about the position, it sounds like you need someone who has exceptional people management skills. During my time at ABC Company, I built a track record of managing a large number of people and bringing them together to achieve organizational goals”.
It is always important to ask the interviewer a question. It puts you in a better position to answer the interviewer’s question much more confidently. Asking your interviewer questions can also help with answering the interviewer’s questions.
When you ask questions, you give the recruiter the opportunity to talk about the company or the job role and probably even answer his own questions indirectly. You can ask questions about the role and what the interviewer is looking for in a prospective candidate indirectly.
As much as it is important to ask questions, you should also ask questions at the right time. Interrupting the recruiter or being too forward is not a good idea. You should wait for the recruiter to ask you if you have any questions before you can ask, or you can wait for the recruiter to end his statement before you ask your question.
You can also ask questions to sustain the conversation between you and the recruiter.
Just like we said earlier, recruiters are always looking for candidates who can proffer a solution to an existing problem. So when you are asked the question “Why should we hire you?” sometimes the recruiter wants to know how you can help the company’s current situation.
Researching about the company can help you discover the company’s challenges and also help you suggest possible solutions.
When answering this question, it is important to speak ofyour ability to learn quickly. Even if many may not see this as necessary, it is to still do sot even if you are looking at an opportunity that is a natural extension of what you did at a recent job. The main idea is to address your ability to learn quickly when you answer this common job interview question.
Question: “You are applying for the post of a Project manager? Why should we choose you against other people that have the same experience and qualification as you?”
Answer: When I read the job description I noticed you were looking for an experienced project manager. As stated on my resume I have over 5 years of experience as a project manager, but what I think really sets me apart from other candidates is my ability to combine my project management skills with my people skills. I enjoy interacting with customers and know that a happy customer is a repeat customer. My passion for the job I do drives my productivity every day.
Question: "Why do you think we should hire you for this position?"
Answer: I think that my experience with technology and my ability to maintain and update websites, make me a good match for this position. In my most recent position, I was responsible for maintaining our department’s web page. This required updating the department profiles and posting information about upcoming events. I learned to code in JavaScript. I then used my coding skills to revamp our homepage and received praise from our department head and the Dean of Students for my initiative. I would love to bring my coding skills and my general passion for learning new technologies to this position.
The most trusted and surest way to achieve success in an interview is by preparing well for the interview.
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