You’re in a job interview and the interviewer asks, “Why should we hire you?

1 Know your audience

Before you craft your answer, you need to do some research on the employer and the position. What are their goals, challenges, values, and culture? What are they looking for in their ideal candidate? How do you match their criteria and expectations? How can you solve their problems and add value to their team? By knowing your audience, you can tailor your answer to highlight your relevant skills, achievements, and fit for the role and the organization.

2 Focus on benefits

When you answer the question, “Why should we hire you?”, you’re not just listing your qualifications and credentials. You’re also explaining how you can benefit the employer and what you can offer them that other candidates can’t. To do this, you need to focus on the outcomes and results of your skills and experience, not just the features and tasks. For example, instead of saying, “I have five years of experience in project management”, you can say, “I have successfully managed and delivered over 20 projects on time and within budget, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and revenue”. This way, you’re showing the impact and value of your work, not just the process and duration.

3 Use examples and evidence

To make your answer more convincing and credible, you need to back it up with examples and evidence. Use specific and quantifiable examples from your previous or current roles to demonstrate your skills and achievements. For example, if you’re applying for a sales role, you can mention how you exceeded your targets, generated new leads, or closed a big deal. Use numbers, percentages, or awards to quantify your results and show your performance. You can also use testimonials, recommendations, or feedback from your previous employers, clients, or colleagues to support your claims and show your reputation.

4 Be confident and enthusiastic

Your answer to the question, “Why should we hire you?” should also reflect your confidence and enthusiasm for the role and the organization. You want to show the interviewer that you’re not only qualified and capable, but also passionate and motivated. To do this, you need to use a positive and assertive tone, avoid self-doubt or hesitation, and express your interest and excitement for the opportunity. You can also mention what attracted you to the role and the organization, what you admire about their work or culture, or what you hope to learn and contribute. This way, you’re showing your personality and fit for the team and the organization.

5 Keep it concise and relevant

Finally, your answer to the question, “Why should we hire you?” should be concise and relevant. You don’t want to ramble or repeat yourself, or go off-topic or irrelevant. You want to keep your answer focused and clear, covering the main points and benefits of hiring you. A good rule of thumb is to keep your answer between one and two minutes, or three to four sentences. You can also use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer and make it easy to follow. This way, you’re delivering a strong and memorable answer that showcases your value and potential.