Why should we hire you?

Why should we hire you? Why you think you are the right person for this position?

This is one of the most commonly asked question in an interview. Though it sound difficult to answer it is an easy one. And an absolute opportunity to talk about your skills and accomplishments. The motto behind asking this question is to know about your strengths and skills which will help in achieving organization's goal. With a little preparation and practice you can definitely go way ahead in your interview and grab that position.

You have to keep few things in mind while articulating your answer.

- Always mention strengths which are directly required for the position. Read the job description carefully and do your research about what the company is actually looking for. And align your skills accordingly.
- Give Examples. Support your strength and skills with some real life examples where you have shown these skills. It gives substance to your answer. Don't just list out skills you might have searched over internet.
- Merge hard skills and soft skills. Jot down five to seven skills you possess which are required for the job profile. And while formulating your answer make sure to include both technical/hard skills as well as soft skills. 

- Match your qualification. Apart from your skills and personal traits, you can include some short term course or certification which might help you in understanding the company or its product in a better way than others. 


Sample answers - 

1. 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.

2. The job listing states that you are looking for someone with patience and superior communication skills. While volunteering and holding an office for the Special Olympics, I learned how to be patient with the athletes and participants at our state’s Special Olympics. Coordinating the event helped me develop better communication and planning skills which are imperative when performing the responsibilities you described today. 

3. 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!

What Not to Say.

1. Don't answer a memorized script. Yes its suggested to prepare and practice your responses before the interview. But don't just mug up everything. Keep an outline of the answer in your mind and tailor it according to the interview.

2. Its not what you want. Don't just talk about what you are looking forward to in  the position. But what you can offer to the company. 

Once you have drawn the outline of your answer, don't forget to practice as much as you can. Do mirror practice, record your answer or ask your friend or family to be your interviewer. 

All the best for the next round!!

Put your queries in the comment section. 

*sample answers have been researched and collected from different online sources.