eGigHow to answer “Why should we hire you?”
The interviewer is giving you a chance to make your case. They want to hear that you understand what the job needs and can show you have it.
How to answer
- Pick the two or three things the job post stresses most.
- For each one, give a short example of when you did it well.
- Add one thing that sets you apart from other candidates.
- Finish with your enthusiasm for the role.
Sample answers
Use these as a starting point. Swap in your own experience and numbers, and practise saying your answer out loud.
Your post asks for someone organised, good with customers and quick to learn. At college I ran registrations for our annual fest with 1,500 visitors, so I know how to stay calm and organised when it is busy. I also worked weekends at a clothing store for a year, where I was trusted to open and close the counter. I learn quickly and I am genuinely excited to start my career with a company that values service.
You need a sales executive who can open new accounts in this area. In the last two years I added 45 new business accounts and beat my target in seven of eight quarters. I already know many of the retailers here, so I can start building pipeline from the first week. I also keep careful records in the CRM, which makes forecasting easier for managers.
You are looking for a trainer who can make technical topics simple. As a nurse for six years I trained every new staff member on our ward and wrote the guides we still use. I bring real patient-care experience to your medical software training role, which means I understand the people your customers are trying to help.
Mistakes to avoid
- Saying you are hard-working without proof.
- Running down other candidates.
- A generic answer that could fit any job.
Practise for your job
Mock interviews with the questions employers ask for each job, a 2-minute timer and model answers.