Why Should We Hire You?

It happens for a very simple reason - approaching that question in a straight forward manner we are not able to produce a sound answer:

• we do not know the competition (other people applying for the position)
• even if we do know them our judgment cannot be exactly identical to the judgment of  decision making people at that company
• moreover, the hiring decision is not necessarily 100% logical. It might be somewhat (or sometimes very much) emotional

So, with all that said how do we approach answering the "Why should we hire you?" interview question? Why employers ask that question anyway? Is that just another way of asking "What can you do for our company?"

First and foremost the employer is trying to find out if you are really confident in yourself and your ability to successfully perform the job duties. Also your answer might demonstrate your actual interest in the position if you show that you did the research on the company, its products, technology, job requirements.

Another aspect: being unprepared to answer that question practically disqualifies the candidate.

Lets take a look at sound answers suggested by knowledgeable career advisors and recruiters:

Caryl and Ron Crannich, "Nail the Job Interview!" 

This is often considered to be the knee-bender - it brings you to your knees before the employer who wants to know your real motivations for seeking employment with him… You should stress how your skills and abilities relate to the employer’s needs. It’s time to toot your horn. Be as specific as possible. For example, I assume you are looking for someone with a solid track record in sales and marketing of automotive parts. I will bring to this job 12 years of progressive experience in all phases of sales and marketing of both domestic and foreign automotive parts. In my last job I increased sales by 20 percent each year for the past jive years. I have a consistent pattern of performance employers readily seek, including your competition. I would think this is something your organization would want to bring on board.

Susan Britton Whitcomb: “Interview magic: job interview secrets from America's career and life coach”:

As a case manager with more than 15 years of experience, I have a unique combination of counseling, teaching, and client advocacy work with high-risk youth—all of which you’ve indicated as important to the position. I’ve outlined a number of specific successes in each of those three areas during the course of our conversation. Beyond those successes, I’d have to say that I have a heart for working with this population. If you don’t mind me sharing a personal story…Ten years ago, I had a nephew who committed suicide. Had there been services available to him like your organization is offering now, he might still be alive. That experience has motivated me to become great at what I do. I have letters from parents who’ve thanked me for making a difference in their child’s life, and that is my greatest reward. Given my experience and commitment, I don’t think there’s anyone who can bring you more knowledge, resources, or passion for seeing your clients succeed.

The Ultimate Guide to Job Interview Answers 2008:

This is the answer you should basically be repeating over and over in different ways throughout the interview. You want to try to differentiate yourself. Show that you have all the Behavioral Competencies required to succeed at the job, but also show that you are unique, different, and better than other candidates. Don't forget to speak to the Hiring Manager's hidden needs – what you can do to make his or her job easier and make them look good. Relate your past experiences of success in solving previous employer problems that are similar to those of the prospective employer.

"Bob, I think I have demonstrated that I have the focused work habits, problem solving abilities, and people skills that it will take to do great work for you and succeed if I join your team. I would also say that I am unique, different, and hopefully the best candidate for this position based on my extensive experience in handling business challenges exactly like those that you face everyday. I think my unique and varied experiences with companies "X", "Y", and "Z" differentiates me from other candidates that might have a skill-set similar to mine. I'm confident in stating that. I am a dedicated and loyal hard worker and I'll do what it takes to make your projects a success in every way."

 

Marc Dorio. "The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Interview"

You’ll be tempted to respond incredulously: “Why the heck did you invite me out here if you’re going to promote from within?” But recognize that this question is just a particularly intimidating way of asking you to persuade this person to hire you. Take a deep breath and review your resume highlights, always painting yourself as the answer to the employer’s needs. Having concluded this, accept the question at face value for a moment: “If you haven’t found someone to promote from within, I’d have to assume that you are looking for something you don’t yet have in this company. What benefits are you looking for?” If you can get a straightforward answer to this, you should be able to shape your pitch even more sharply, precisely tailoring it to what the employer says he needs.

Joyce Lain Kennedy, "Job Interviews for Dummies":

This is the worst of questions, and the best of questions. The worst because it’s one that many (perhaps most) candidates are unprepared for and often botch. It causes clueless candidates to say the darnedest things (Because I live nearby) or mumble threadbare clichés (Because I’m honest and show up). The best because it’s an invitation to repeat your strengths and other factors that distinguish you as the perfect person for the job. Moreover, because it’s usually the last question, your answer may stick in the interviewer’s memory. Your basic answer relates the work (in the workplace or in school) that you’ve done to the work you’re going to do. It covers your unique combination of specific skills, knowledge (including education and training), and experience. Get ready to own this question with the help of these four steps:

1. Review your research on the company. Review the job description. When you lack a job description or research, ask questions: Can you tell me a bit about what problems you need solved? What would you expect the person hired for this position to accomplish in the first six months?
2. Show how the work you’ve done relates to the work you’re going to do. Or, if you’re a rookie or a career-changer, show how your skills cross over. Explain how your education qualifies you. Make the connection memorable with behavioral storytelling (see Chapter 5). Refer to your personal commercial or branding brief (the latter is described at the end of this chapter).
3. Mention shared values, which you glean from the company’s mission statement and reputation: I totally agree with and applaud the company’s strong stand against setting up debt traps for the nation’s working poor.
4. Declare your interest in wanting the job. Here are three examples of how you might style your answer:
- Your job posting says you’re looking for an administrative assistant who can help keep the IT department functioning smoothly. That’s what I’ve done almost all of my career, which means I have 12 years’ experience in exactly this function. I am very familiar with software, contract administration, and sleuthing out trouble spots. My former and present employers say I helped them grow their business each year. I feel confident that I can do the same for you.
- You told me earlier in this meeting that your main concern in filling this position is that the customer service trainee manager focuses on improving communications with our customer base. I can do that! During my internships at X and Y Corporations, I observed a number of techniques that you may want to think about implementing here. For example, (name two techniques). The techniques are credited with boosting customer satisfaction and retention by 14 percent.
In addition to my management studies (name them) that provided the useful knowledge to do this job better than the typical applicant; I showed leadership in restructuring the mechanics of my college’s student government office while serving as secretary. Additionally, I was one of five senior students voted most likely to succeed in business. I want this job, and I hope I have given you the reasons why you want me in this job.
- As I understand your needs in this law firm, you’re looking for an attorney who can provide specialist topnotch legal research to meet a challenge to one of a client’s best-selling drugs. In addition to my five years of general research experience at respected law firms, my work on the Excalibur vs. Marston case last year was described in law journals as central to the client’s win. I share your enthusiasm for chasing down every last lead to maintain quality advocacy, counsel and integrity in client service. I’ve got my eye on this position. How do I rank in the candidate pool at this point?

As you work out your own unique response, you may have to think on your feet if the interviewer surprises you with new facts or a call for skills you hadn’t anticipated. In the meantime, review the basics to answer Why Should I Hire You?

Show Stoppers
- Prepare at least three key reasons to roll off your tongue that show how you’re better than the other candidates.
- Use specific examples to illustrate your reasons.

Michael Farr, "The Very Quick Job Search. Get a Better Job in Half the Time!"

This is a direct and fair question. Though it is rarely asked this clearly, it is the question behind any other question that is asked. It has no hidden meaning. A strategy to use in answering the question: A direct question deserves a direct response. Why SHOULD they hire you? The best response to this question provides advantages to them, not to you. A good response will give proof that you can help them make more money by improving efficiency, reducing costs, increasing sales, or solving problems (by coming to work on time, improving customer services, organizing one or more operations, offering knowledge of a particular software or computer system, or a variety of other things).

Sample answer (Here is an example of a response from a person with considerable prior experience): “You should hire me because I don’t need to be trained and have a proven track record. I have over 15 years of education and experience related to this position. Over 6 of those years have been in management positions similar to the one available here. In my last position, I was promoted three times in the 6 years I was there. I most recently had responsibility for supervising a staff of 15 and a warehousing operation that processed over 30 million dollars worth of materials a year. In the last 2 years, I managed a 40 percent increase in volume processed with only a 6 percent increase in expenses. I am hard working and have earned a reputation as a dependable and creative problem solver. The opportunities here excite me. My substantial experience will help me to know how to approach the similar situations here. I am also willing to ask questions and accept advice from others. This will be an important factor in taking advantage of what has already been accomplished here.”

Brian Krueger: