How to Answer the Question "Why Should We Hire You?”
Are you ready to answer the “Why should we hire you?” question?
Most experienced job seekers are familiar with many of the common questions employers ask during job interviews. However, there are some questions that can cause even a veteran candidate to stumble. For example, what do you do when an interviewer asks you a question like, “Why should we hire you?” How do you answer that question in a way that makes the best possible impression on the employer?
In this article, we’ll examine the reasons why employers ask the “Why should we hire you?” question and offer some tips to help you construct a great response. We’ll also provide some examples that you can customize for your own use and explain which types of responses you need to avoid.
Related reading: How to Answer “What Motivates You?” in an Interview
Why do employers ask this question?
When an interviewer asks the “Why should we hire you?” question, they’re attempting to learn more about you as a prospective candidate. For example:
How well do you perform under pressure? Many candidates struggle to provide a coherent answer to this question, especially if they haven’t taken the time to prepare a response.
How familiar are you with the job’s qualifications? Do you understand how your own skill set aligns with the role’s needs?
What makes you different from any other candidate they’re considering for the job? Do you have unique skills, experiences, or achievements that can help add value to the company?
Related reading: How Long Do Job Interviews Usually Last?
How to build a great answer
When you’re asked the “Why should we hire you for this role?” question, you need to be able to answer with a brief and powerful elevator pitch that sells your candidacy. If you can do that, you’ll be one step closer to landing that job offer you’re seeking. Fortunately, there is a straightforward approach you can use to build a great response.
1. Analyze the job description and company
Start by researching the company and the job you’re seeking. Pay careful attention to the company’s values and mission and how they align with your own. You also need to analyze the job posting to identify the necessary qualifications for the job. Take note of any required skills, experiences, and educational credentials the company expects candidates to possess.
2. Match your qualifications to those listed in the job post
With that list of job qualifications in hand, you can move on to the next step – aligning your own skills and experiences to those requirements. Match your relevant skills to the qualifications the company is looking for. You’ll want to focus on those key qualifications as you create your response to the “Why should we hire you?” question.
3. Identify your unique value proposition
Once you’ve aligned your core qualifications to the job’s requirements, it’s time to think about how you’re different from every other candidate for the position. Do you possess special skills that go beyond those core qualifications? Are there unique experiences you can point to – experiences that have provided you with unique insight or abilities? Try to define the unique value proposition that separates you from the crowd.
Related reading: 30 Strengths to Put on a Resume or Mention in a Job Interview
4. Quantify your achievements
You also want to think about specific things you’ve achieved in previous jobs – accomplishments that added real value to those employers’ bottom line. Maybe you boosted the company’s sales by 15% in your first year or introduced new processes that improved efficiency. Identify one or two key achievements that are relevant to your desired position and quantify them by adding real numbers that highlight the value of your contributions.
Related reading: How to Answer the “What’s Your Greatest Accomplishment” Interview Question
5. Be future-focused
Finally, as you craft an answer to the “Why should we hire you?” question, make sure that your response is focused on the future. Employers are always interested in hiring individuals who want to be part of their team for more than a year or two. Try to zero in on how you can contribute to the company’s mission and goals for many years to come. That commitment can help differentiate you from rival candidates.
Related reading: 5-Year Vision: How to Answer Interview Questions With Examples
Is there a correct answer?
By now, you might be wondering whether there’s a correct answer to the “Why should we hire you?” question. The fact is that there are many correct answers, depending on your individual situation, goals, and employment history. As long as you focus on matching your qualifications to the job’s requirements and tell a compelling story that highlights your unique value, you’ll have no problem answering that tricky question.
Below, we’ve compiled some example answers you can reference as you craft your ideal response to the “Why should we hire you?” question.
Why should we hire you? Example answer #1
“I know that ABC Corporation is committed to being employee-centric, which aligns perfectly with my career goals and record as an HR Manager. My experience in managing benefit programs, designing holistic processes, and implementing wellness and employee satisfaction strategies has produced proven results, including a 21% increase in retention and a 30% boost in employee satisfaction. I’m confident that I can help to produce similar results for ABC if you choose to hire me for this role.”
Why should we hire you? Example answer #2
“I believe that I’d be a great hire due to my extensive experience and a skill set that’s perfectly matched to this role’s needs. I’m well-versed in [list top three to five relevant skills], which I’ve used to [cite a previous instance where you used those skills to create a positive, measurable result for a prior employer]. Those skills and my vast experience should help me to make an immediate impact on this company’s bottom line and continue to contribute for years to come.”
Is there a wrong answer?
Of course, there are also some things you should never say when you’re answering the “Why should we hire you?” question. For example, you should never:
Discuss your personal situation, especially if it involves hardships that make you seem desperate for the job.
Talk about compensation. No employer wants to hear that they should hire you because you need a steady job and a good salary.
Lie or exaggerate. Obviously, you want to put the best possible spin on your qualifications, but that doesn’t mean you should provide any false information. Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to job interviews.
More tips to help you answer the “Why should we hire you?” interview question
As you think about how to craft a solid response to the “Why should we hire you?” question, don’t forget to consider these helpful tips too:
Be enthusiastic without coming across as overly eager.
Be humble but confident.
Be as specific as possible when you describe your skills and achievements.
Present yourself as a helpful worker – someone who wants to make a real difference that benefits the team and employer.
Don’t make your answer too long. As a rule, you should try to speak for no more than a couple of minutes.
Make sure you have an answer. If you tell the interviewer you’re not sure why they should hire you, they probably won’t be able to come up with a reason, either.
Make sure you’re ready to answer the “Why should we hire you?” question!
When an interviewer asks the “Why should we hire you?” question, they’re giving you an opportunity to make your best sales pitch for the role. By properly preparing for this question prior to your interview, you can ensure you always have a strong response that sells you as the best candidate for the job!
Is your resume strong enough to get you to that “Why should we hire you?” interview question? Find out by getting your free resume review today!
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Written by
Ken Chase, Freelance Writer
During Ken's two decades as a freelance writer, he has covered everything from banking and fintech to business management and the entertainment industry. His true passion, however, has always been focused on helping others achieve their career goals with timely job search and interview advice or the occasional resume consultation. When he's not working, Ken can usually be found adventuring with family and friends or playing fetch with his demanding German Shepherd. Read more resume advice from Ken on ZipJob’s blog.
