How to answer _why should we hire you_ (2)When prepping for an interview, it’s important to run through common interview questions. A top question you should prepare to answer is, “why should we hire you?” This question is often seen as blunt or awkward to answer. This is most likely because our society has conditioned us to associate talking highly about ourselves with being arrogant and conceited. Although that might be true in some cases, it is definitely not the case in a job interview! You only have one chance to interview for a position, so make sure you let the hiring manager know that you are a great fit for this position.

A great tip for becoming more comfortable with answering “why should we hire you?” is to think of it as “what about you stands out amongst all the other applicants?” Using this approach makes the question much easier to answer. When answering this challenging question there are three things to keep in mind that will help you stand out from your competition.

  1. Research

Researching the company, job description, and the people who will be interviewing you will give you a better understanding of what the company stands for, and what they are looking for in an employee. Companies want to see that you’ve done your homework and understand the mission, culture, and what the job entails. Demonstrating your knowledge of the company, job, and the people who work there will highlight your passion and drive for the opportunity. Take some time before the interview to become familiar with a recent news article about the company, a new product they are offering, or to just become more acquainted with the company’s values.

  1. Use Specific Examples

General and vague statements about how great you are will not do. You need to use specific examples from your previous work experience and successes that align with the job description. This is your opportunity to brag about your accomplishments and be specific with how your previous work aligns with what they are looking for in the role. In a clear but relatively short answer, explain what you can offer them. Heading into the interview with detailed examples will not only make you feel more confident answering the question but will also impress the interviewee with your thorough, on the fly, response.

  1. Be Genuine

It is super important to be prepared for an interview, but keep in mind that you don’t want to come off too scripted. Being asked why you should be hired for a position over somebody else allows you to show the company why you stand out from the rest, and what makes you a great addition to the company. This is your chance to ‘pitch’ you…your personality…and passion for the job, so don’t shy away from speaking candidly and sincerely about why you deserve a spot on the team.

How to answer _why should we hire you_ (1)Keeping these three tips in mind during your next interview will allow you to successfully answer the frequently asked question, “Why should we hire you?” In the event that this question is not asked, it is still crucial to incorporate these elements into any interview. Always prepare, use specific examples and be yourself! It will help you showcase your talent and put you in the best position to be hired.

To prepare for more commonly asked interview questions, review our JOHNLEONARD Job Seeker Survival Guide. Download it free here!

 

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