Answering the Job Interview Question “Why Should We Hire You?”

We mentioned above that recruiters and hiring managers ask job seekers “Why should we hire you?” in the hopes of seeing if they’re the best fit for the job. There are a couple of other reasons, such as:

• They want to see how well you understand the position and what’s being asked for.
• They want to see you’ve put some thought into your career and strengths.
• Quite simply, they want to see if you can make a good case for yourself and how good you are at communicating your thoughts to make a good argument.

Interviewers might disguise this question in other ways too, so keep a lookout for questions like the ones listed below and any that sound similar:

• Can you explain why your background and experience would be a good fit for this job?
• Why are you the best person for this job?
• Why should we hire you for this position?
• Why should I hire you over other candidates?
• Why are you a good fit for this position?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What do you see as your strengths?

If you want to make sure your answer to this question is effective, you should take some time to prepare before your job interview. Think of this question the same way you do other behavioural interview questions. Be specific, provide examples to back up your answers and tailor your answers to the details of the job description in question.

Here’s what you should do when faced with the “Why should we hire you?” interview question:

1. Focus on relevant skills and experience

In order to prepare for this interview question, you should consider the job posting itself. Look at the skills and key qualifications that they list as being necessary. Then consider your own skill set and work experience to determine where your skills and their requirements overlap most strongly. Remember that your soft skills are also important. If the job posting is for a front-facing, customer-centric role your people skills will be just as important as your key qualifications when it comes to landing a new job.

Highlight your years of relevant experience, whether they’re in paid employment or during an internship. You should also highlight your skill set and major strengths. If you are a recent graduate, you should talk about how you have prepared for employment during your studies.

A copywriter, for example, might say: “I’m a highly skilled creative copywriter with experience working with retail brands. At my previous employer, I was responsible for writing branded content and creating campaigns for Swift Shampoo and Cornelia Boutique. I think that my creative skills and collaborative nature make me an ideal candidate for this position.”

2. Give details on how you would fit into the culture

Before the job interview, you should’ve taken some time to research the company, so talk about the things you feel will help you to fit into their company culture. Think about all the ways you can contribute to the workplace. You could even make a list of bullet points detailing the things that make you a great match for the role.

An illustrator might say: “I understand that having a great sense of humour and being adaptable is key for this role. I’m able to work in a fast-paced environment and lend a helping hand to my team members and colleagues, all the while maintaining a positive attitude.”

3. Describe the benefits you’ll bring to the job

Every job seeker has a unique selling point, something only they can bring to the table. Discuss the things that make you the best person for the job and the things that will distinguish you from other potential candidates.

A sales representative may say something like: “I have prior experience working in a retail environment. My previous experience has allowed me to excel in customer service and develop my persuasion skills. I have a proven track record of convincing customers to buy a certain product that will benefit them.”

4. Emphasise enthusiasm over general capabilities

Unless you work in an incredibly specialised field, there will be many qualified and capable candidates for the job you apply to. Not everyone will show genuine passion and enthusiasm, however. Showing passion for the work will help you to stick in the recruiter’s mind.

Think of your answer as a sales pitch or elevator pitch. You are trying to sell yourself as the best person for the job in order to get to the next stage of the hiring process.

A web developer might say: “I became a web developer because creating websites sounded interesting but over the years, this curiosity grew into my passion. I love the fact that I get to design digital experiences for people and I hope to contribute to your company with my enthusiasm.”

5. Be honest and concise

Being direct and honest in your answer to this question is the best thing you can do if you want to make a good impression on hiring managers. They reserved a time to meet with you, so keep that in mind and try to not go over the meeting time.

As you can see from the examples above, they go straight to the point and are only a few sentences long, so keep your answer to a similar length.

Bonus tips: Avoid the following in your answer:

• Lying or stretching the truth: It might sound obvious but it’s crucial that you don’t lie in your job application or your job interview. The hiring manager will notice that something doesn’t add up and it will tarnish your professional reputation.
• Vague or general statements: Like lying, hiring managers can tell when someone doesn’t understand the company or what the job entails. If you answer vaguely, they will know that you don’t know how to prove your specific skills and experiences.

Here are some example answers you can use as a base to practice yours:

Student job seeker

If you’re a student who submitted a CV with no experience, here’s a sample answer to this question that puts together all the tips mentioned above:

I’m a quick learner who is interested in growing in this industry. I know how to work well with others, have great communication skills and I’ve always been passionate about making pastries and coffee. I’m very enthusiastic about this opportunity to join your team.

First-time job seeker

As a first-time job seeker, mention any relevant experience you have that will show the recruiter or hiring manager why you’ll be a perfect fit for the job, including internships or volunteer experience.

My internship experience as a graphic designer gave me the opportunity to hone my Photoshop skills, as well as my Illustrator and InDesign skills. I have firsthand experience brainstorming with others, so I hope to contribute to the success of your agency with my creativity and team player skills.

Experienced job seeker

You have a couple of years under your belt and plenty of relevant skills for the job. Try not to go overboard answering “Why should we hire you?” and keep your response concise, like this example:

I’ve been a teacher for eight years; I can confidently say that it’s my passion. I want to make a difference at this middle school by using the same creative, hands-on approach to teaching and work ethic that has characterised me during my career and better students’ lives.

Job seeker looking to change careers

When you’re changing careers it’s crucial to mention skills from your past experience that will be useful in this new role and show the potential employer that you’re a good match.

I believe that my experience as a photographer will be a great asset to your company. My eye for detail, aesthetics and conceptualisation gives me a unique perspective as a filmmaker that will elevate the production and quality of your projects.

“Why should we hire you?” won’t be the only question hiring managers will ask during the job interview. Here are other ways you can prepare to provide great answers and leave a good first impression:

• General interview tips: We have dozens of articles with expert interview tips that will help you shine, as well as additional career advice so you can achieve your career goals.
• Best ways to prepare for phone interview questions: Phone interviews are very common nowadays. Read our article to learn the best phone interview practises.
• How to answer situational interview questions: Employers want to see how you’ll handle specific situations, use our tips to answer correctly.
• 5 questions you should ask during a job interview: An interview is a two-way conversation. Here are our top follow-up questions to ask the hiring manager at the end of the interview.
• Behavioural interview questions: Give employers insight into who you are by effectively answering these types of questions.