Interview Question: "Why Should We Hire You?"

Businesswomen conducting job interview
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When a hiring manager asks you, “Why should we hire you?” they are really asking, “What makes you the best fit for this position?” Your answer to this question should be a concise sales pitch that explains what you have to offer the employer.

Key Takeaways

  • Research the job and the company so that you can frame a better response to this question. 
  • The hiring manager has already reviewed your resume, so respond with additional information to strengthen the case for getting hired.
  • Demonstrate your skills by sharing examples of how you can solve problems and achieve a company’s goals.

What the Interviewer Really Wants To Know

Remember, employers hire workers to solve a problem, whether it’s boosting sales, streamlining processes, or building a brand. Your goal when making your pitch is to show that you’re the best person to solve that problem. Interviewers ask questions about why you should be hired to measure how you qualify for the job and fit in with the company.

How To Answer, “Why Should We Hire You?"

First, try not to feel overwhelmed by the process. We’re going to start by matching your qualifications to the job requirements, brainstorming how these qualifications play out in real life, and then reviewing what makes you stand out as a candidate. Jot down notes as you go through each step. Then we’ll work to combine them into a concise answer.

When you’re getting ready for the interview, take a moment to review the job description. Make a list of the requirements for the position, including personality traits, skills, and qualifications. Then, make a list of the qualities you have that fit those requirements.

Note

Select five to seven of your strengths that correspond closely to the job requirements and use these as the core for your answer regarding what distinguishes you as a candidate.

If you’re unsure of where to start, review how to match your qualifications to a job. Don’t forget to think beyond the job description and consider which of your skills and accomplishments make you a better candidate than the competition.

For example, maybe you have an additional certification that makes you more knowledgeable about the company's product than a typical salesperson. When you're honing your pitch, remember to be positive and reiterate your interest in the company and the position.

Examples of the Best Answers

Review some sample answers that you can use to help you frame your own response to the question.

Example Answer #1

Based on what you've said and from the research I've done, your company is looking for an administrative assistant who is both strong in interpersonal skills and tech skills. I believe my experience aligns with your company’s requirements and makes me a great fit. I'm an effective communicator who is skilled in giving oral presentations, speaking on the phone, and communicating via email. I'm also fluent in several relevant software programs, including content management systems and spreadsheet suites. I'd love to bring my diverse skill set to your company.

Why It Works: The response makes a match between the requirements that the employer lists in the job posting and the candidate’s qualifications and skill set, showing the hiring manager why the applicant is a good fit for the job.

Example Answer #2

You describe in the job listing that you're looking for a special education assistant teacher with an abundance of patience and compassion. Having served as a tutor at a summer school for dyslexic children for the past two years, I've developed my ability to be extremely patient while still achieving academic gains with my students. My experience teaching phonics to children aged 6 to 18 has taught me strategies for working with children of all ages and abilities, always with a smile.

Why It Works: With this response, the interviewee includes an anecdote to illustrate their qualifications. You’ll make a much stronger case by showing rather than telling.

Example Answer #3

My experience with technology and, in particular, my ability to maintain and update websites, make me a good match for this position. In my most recent role, I was responsible for maintaining our department web page. This required me to update student and faculty profiles, and post information about upcoming events. In my free time, I learned to code in JavaScript and Swift. 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.

Why It Works: The interviewer wants to know how you stand out among the other applicants. This response focuses on the qualities that are different from what other interviewees might offer or are more difficult to find in candidates generally.

Example Answer #4

You've explained that you're looking for a sales executive who can effectively manage over a dozen employees. In my 15 years of experience as a sales manager, I've developed strong motivational and team-building skills. I was twice awarded manager-of-the-year for my innovative strategies for motivating employees to meet and surpass quarterly deadlines. If hired, I will apply my leadership abilities and strategies to achieve profit gains in this position.

Why It Works: This response provides details on the candidate’s experience, successes, and key qualifications for the role, while highlighting related success.

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Watch Now: 3 Sample Answers to "Why Should We Hire You?"

Tips for Giving the Best Response

Show how you will add value. For each qualification or strength that you've identified, think of a specific time when you used that trait to achieve something. Think about any other skills you may have that would add extra value, or any previous professional, personal, or volunteer experiences that provide you with a unique perspective. Ultimately, this is your chance to tell the interviewer why you would be an invaluable employee.

Keep your response short and focused. You want your answer to be brief. Select one or two specific qualities from the list you created to emphasize in your sales pitch. If you aren’t sure which to include, take another look at the job description and use your analytical skills to determine which qualifications would add the greatest business value.

Tell a story. Take your qualifications and share a brief story that illustrates how you’ve effectively used them in a previous work experience. Begin by discussing what you believe the employer is looking for, and then explain, using your qualification and your anecdote, how you fulfill that need. Your answer should be no more than one to two minutes long.

Note

Whenever you tell a story about how your skills and abilities play out at work, be sure to conclude with any positive outcomes that resulted from the actions you took.

What Not To Say

Don’t give a memorized response. While it's important to practice this pitch for fluid delivery, don't go crazy trying to memorize it. Rather, have a general idea of what you're going to say and tailor it based on how the interview is going. For example, if an interviewer indicates that another quality or skill is more valuable to the organization, then you should be sure to work that into your response.

Don’t make it about you. The hiring manager is looking for what you can offer the company, not what they can do for you. Focus on your key strengths and qualifications for the job, rather than on what you are looking for in your next position.

Possible Follow-Up Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When you have no experience, how should you answer the job interview question, “Why should we hire you?”

If you don’t have related work experience, make a case for hiring you based on your transferable skills, including technical knowledge and people skills. Remember to emphasize your enthusiasm, energy, and passion for the work as well.

How should you answer the interview question, “Why do you want this job?

Highlight the match between your qualifications and the job requirements, paying special attention to the skills, experience, and training outlined in the job description. Avoid answers like “I need a job" that imply any job will do. Your goal is to convince the hiring manager that you're the best fit for this specific job—and that you'd be thrilled to land it.

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  1. CareerOneStop. "Interview Tips." 

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