Why should I hire you?

It’s a haunting question. What is the best way to respond? How does one position oneself correctly – not overstating, suitably humble, portraying competency, displaying no arrogance. It is possibly the most challenging few minutes of time in the whole interview process and if you have the right reply, it will be the reason the opportunity becomes yours.

 Just my view :Three things that comprise this answer:

 The elevator pitch

This is essentially your background, experience and acquired skills and abilities.

The challenge is to make it compelling – it needs to flow, like a story that makes the listener sit up and pay attention. Telling a story is often misunderstood to mean making something frivolous, embellishing facts or creating a fantasy. It is not necessarily any of these. The purpose of telling a story is to communicate effectively.

So the first part of the answer really is – what is your story?

First step in your story is setting the scene – the context within which the story takes place. Time, place and circumstances all form part of this. Second you begin the journey – cover major milestones encountered through the journey – education, first job, different roles, career growth etc. Third you introduce key characters – professionals of impact and what they taught you. Fourth is the obstacle – a challenge, the cross roads with two paths. Now, you solve/overcome this obstacle – explain the process, the skills acquired, the outcomes achieved. Finally, summarize – key abilities, learnings, reflections.

All of this is to be told in three to four minutes – the time it takes the elevator to go from the ground to the top floor.

 I am passionate

The next part of this answer responds to the question “what do you love to do”. Tell me about the reason you became what you did, why it’s exciting for you, what about your work makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. I want to know that you can be excited and motivated by what you do and in turn doing it well is a source of pride and joy. I want to see it in your face, your expressions and the way your eyes shine.

 Do I belong?

The last part of this answer is the bridge – the bridge between who you are, what you love and why you want this job. It answers the question of whether you and the role vacancy are a fit. It is important to connect the pieces in a meaningful way. Talk about the aspects of the role which give you the opportunities you seek, the challenges you want to overcome, the environment that enables you. Spend a minute on how you can add value in this role, team, department and organization.

Now, as your interview panel, I am really keen to demonstrate to you that we are the right choice for you – we have the circumstances, challenge, opportunities you are seeking and we want you. Yes, the shoe is now on the other foot!

(Sherna Seldon wrote most of it and it is beautiful..)