Interview Question: “Why Should We Hire You?”

Why should we hire you response overview

• You have a passion for the work and proven abilities.
• You have differentiated experience in this field.
• You have exceptional drive and determination to succeed.
• You have unique skills that separate you from other candidates.
• You are able to elevate their teams current capabilities.
• You have a deep belief in the company mission.
• You feel a sense of connection to the company and team culture.

Employers ask many different questions during an interview. Because they only have a short window to assess whether or not you might be a good fit for the role, they want to understand a few key things at the end of your interview. Those things include whether you are a good culture fit for the company, if you can be successful in the role and how you might contribute to their short and long-term business goals.

One question you might be asked by employers is, “Why should we hire you?” While it might seem like a tough interview question, there are a few steps you can take to prepare a thoughtful, impressive response. To answer, “Why should we hire you?” you should:

1. Study the job posting
2. Research the company
3. Tie your background to the job posting
4. Quantify your accomplishments
5. Go above and beyond

How to answer, “Why should we hire you?”

Employers might ask this question to learn a few different things about you. First, they want to know what differentiates you from other candidates they might be interviewing. In other words, what would they gain by hiring you specifically over other interviewees. They might also ask this question to see how you handle difficult situations because it can be challenging to explain why you’re the best person for a job in a humble, thoughtful way.

Take a few moments before your interview to plan an answer for this question. When preparing, you might consider the following steps to craft a response:

1. Study the job posting: To understand the specific skills, qualities and experience employers are looking for in an ideal candidate, review the job posting. Pay special attention to the job description and key sections like “Requirements,” “Experience” and “Education.” Find commonalities between what the employer is looking for and the skills, experiences and qualities you have to offer.
2. Research the company: Spending time studying the company’s mission, goals and recent announcements can help you to answer this question. You should use this information to explain how you are connected to their values and how you might help them accomplish key business goals.
3. Tie your background to the job posting: Explain how your experience, skills and attributes make you the best fit for the job as it pertains to the company and position for which you’re applying. You should address each of the requirements listed in the job posting, as well as any additional qualities that make you a great fit.
4. Quantify your accomplishments: When possible, support your accomplishments with numerical results. For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant at a company that is looking for someone to streamline processes, you might explain that at your previous company, you implemented a new process for expense accounts that reduced time-to-reimbursement by 25%.
5. Go above and beyond: Think of any relevant qualities or experiences that set you apart from other candidates. For example, if you held a previous professional or volunteer position that gives you a unique perspective beneficial to the job you’re applying for, that might be something that distinguishes you.

Example “Why should we hire you?” answers

As you are planning your answer to this interview question, use the below examples as inspiration.

Example 1: Office administrator
“You should hire me for my passion and proven abilities in organization for office efficiency. In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I came up with a plan to reorganize the office supply closet by category. We placed fewer orders and saved 30% on office supplies year over year. I’m excited to bring my skills to this role.”

Example 2: Kitchen manager
“My experience accurately managing inventory intake and skills in creating effective, streamlined schedules make me uniquely qualified to succeed in this kitchen manager position. I understand that you require a highly organized candidate with acute attention to detail. In my previous job, I successfully handled schedules for 20 employees and reduced food waste by 15%. I’m excited about the prospect of bringing my organizational skills to your restaurant.

Example 3: Social worker
“You should hire me for this position because of my proven ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationships with several clients. I am passionate about providing care to those in need in my community, which keeps me motivated and excited about doing my best work. I understand you need a candidate who can be consistently available for events in clients’ lives. I have a 100% attendance rate for weekly case proceedings and meetings for my clients. In addition, I can bring leadership experience to your team, having trained over 20 new hires to become familiar with day-to-day operations and to feel comfortable in their new roles.”