Why should we hire you? If we are faced with this kind of direct question, how should we answer? What kind of reasoning should we use? If we answer, we will have a chance of getting the job.
Normally, before we enter the interview process of any company that we have applied to, we will try to search the name of that company on Google and type the word “interview” to read reviews or interview experiences with that company or even search for interview techniques to win the interviewer’s heart. We will find many techniques and methods such as making eye contact while speaking, introducing ourselves well, talking about work experiences or talking about weaknesses and needs to improve without being shy. But now it’s time for the question that might destroy the confidence of the listener like us who are being interviewed by more than half, which is the question:
“Why should we hire you?”
When the question is asked, you may already have an answer in your head like, “Yeah, why not me?” But you can’t just answer like that voice in your head or what you’re thinking. This is a scary question, and it will definitely instill uncertainty in the listener. The good news is that this question turns out to be an opportunity for you to summarize what makes you special and tell them why you are the best choice for them.
Why do interviewers ask this question?
Interviewers ask this question because they want to know your perspective on why you think you are a good fit for the job or position you are applying for. They are obviously trying to get that out of you during the interview, so being honest will help the listener (the interviewer) understand your perspective better. The interviewer may already see that you can do the job, but they want to know what qualities you think set you apart from other candidates.
4 Strategies for Preparing to Answer the Question “Why Should We Hire You?”
Now is your chance to sell yourself. You can tell the interviewer what they might have missed about you, such as how your skills can help the organization or what you can add to the company. To answer this question and sell yourself effectively, you can use one of four strategies:
1. Strategy to find “common ground”:
This method requires you to find a common ground between the interviewer’s needs and what you have or would do if hired. Basically, you should understand that every company wants employees who are motivated and have the right skills for the position. So, answering this question should start by saying what the company will gain from your skills and abilities, and what skills and abilities will make you motivated to work there, which will have a huge impact on your career.
The key is to remember to talk about your benefits as well. Some people talk about the benefits that the company will get, which doesn’t seem real to you. If you say that the benefits of the company are what motivates you to work, but for the interviewer, using this question successfully is to find out what drives and motivates you to work.
Sample Answer : When I was at my old job, I was in communications. Starting out as a small team, I gradually gained more and more responsibility. As my work showed, I was often given the opportunity to work on larger projects and events that were important to the department. I am always eager to improve my communications skills and take on larger projects. You mentioned that your company is looking for people who can work well with people from different departments and who need to communicate well. I have found that I have been successful in this area and am eager to use my experience to guide my career here.
2. “Company Insight” Strategy:
Some interviewers come prepared for this question, whether the interviewer says the question in full or indirectly. But if you are an unprepared interviewer or have encountered this question many times before, your best option is to show your dedication to the company to impress them instead.
Before the interview, make sure you have prepared yourself by reading the company’s general information and in-depth information. Then, share your extensive knowledge of the information you have read and your understanding of how you can add to the organization’s development, as well as your dedication to the company’s business and mission. By relating your own story to the company, you will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position you are applying for. It will also demonstrate that you are more trainable than others, and demonstrate that you are prepared and know how to handle the demands of the job.
Sample Answer In addition to my 5 years of full-service recruiting experience at gaming companies, I have been a long-time fan of Triple-A Gaming and have been following your recruitment efforts closely to learn from them. I know you put a lot of effort into designing your annual employee rewards program, and I have experience with this as well. I also know more about your business than my current company. From my experience in recruiting, I understand that candidates respond when they sense that an employer is genuinely passionate about their job, their company, and their team. I have that and I can help find others who are.
3. “Solve your problem” strategy:
Often, organizations hire new people because they have a problem that needs to be solved and the existing staff is not able to solve it. You can answer this question directly by outlining what they lacked and how you can alleviate or address it in a timely manner. Don’t spend all your time talking about the past, but instead focus on the future and explain how you can make the company’s operations easier. This will show that you are a forward-thinking team player who is ready to go all the way.
Sample Answer I know that this is an exciting time for the company as it is experiencing rapid growth with many exciting new products coming out. However, in my experience, this can be difficult for the sales team to understand how the new product fits into the existing product portfolio. It is always easier to sell a product you know well. I have over a decade of experience as a sales trainer, but more importantly, I have mostly worked with sales teams that are in the same boat as Gen Tech, whose companies are experiencing great growth. If the rest of the companies can catch up, I am confident that I can get the sales team confident and eager to sell the new product through ongoing sales training.
4. “Bonus Feature” or Bonus Strategy:
You are definitely qualified and can do the job. But there are also “bonus features” strategies that can help you with things that may not be strictly required or even specified in the job description, but are undeniably useful in the job. For example, you might apply for your first summer job as a teenager in the retail department of a company, which gave you a unique perspective. Or apply for a marketing position at a medical device company. Your knowledge of neuroscience gave you a deep understanding of the problems the company had and how to solve them. This strategy involves mentioning any special experiences or skills you have that may be relevant to the job you are applying for. It’s worth mentioning if the interviewer hasn’t already mentioned them in general.
Sample Answer As an executive assistant, I manage the company’s schedules and travel bookings. I am responsible for checking multiple email accounts and handling expense reports. I make sure everything is in place and report any irregularities immediately. No matter how big or small the job is, I always do my best. In my last job, I was doing a lot of phone calls to my boss in Spain, so I needed to use Spanish. You mentioned that your company will be going on frequent trips to Spain, so I am confident that my Spanish skills will be useful in this role.
What Not to Do When Asking “Why Should We Hire You?”
1. Don’t be too general – You can talk about what qualities the job requires, but it’s not just you. Every candidate who gets called in for an interview has these qualities. Ideally, your answer should address what you think other candidates don’t have, rather than what you think they don’t.
2. Don’t expect them to piece it together themselves – Don’t make the mistake of spending all your time talking about your skills and past experience and neglecting to mention how it all ties into the organization and role you’re applying for. If you’re expecting the interviewer to piece it together on their own, they won’t want to waste their time on just you.
3. Don’t tell your whole life story – It’s hard to know when an answer is enough, but trust the interviewer to ask follow-up questions. If they want to know more, they will show that they don’t want a concise or all-inclusive answer, but rather that you want to explain in detail why you should be hired. While you are encouraged to tell, don’t tell everything. Tell what you can, but don’t tell everything about yourself, especially the unnecessary and the unnecessary.
Conclusion
An interview is a test of your speaking, attitude and demeanor. In addition to the questions that the interviewer directly wants to know, there are also many indirect questions that the interviewer uses to learn more about you throughout the time you are together in the interview room. So the next time you are in a job interview and faced with the pressing question, “Why should we hire you?”, try using the above strategies that you think are right for you to answer this question.
“You will be remembered only if you have something different from others and that is what they want.”
Reference:
4 Better Ways to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”
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