The best answer I've heard from applicants of why s/he should be hired over anyone else usually has two purposes: it shows the person's personality and drive and tells how s/he thinks s/he contributes to the business' bottom line and/or culture. Assuming all other things are mostly equal (experience, intelligence, ability, etc.) I'd hire an applicant who answers the question in that fashion...and I have. If the person can even suggest how s/he can contribute fully, s/he's shown s/he understands the company and its culture, which is very important.
Jill L. Ferguson
Co-author of the books Raise Rules for Women: How to Make More Money at Work and WOMEN Are Changing the Corporate Landscape: Rules for Cultivating Leadership Excellence
I'm the Managing Partner of an international executive search firm. Although I deal largely with positions at $250,000 and above, this advice is rather universal in nature.
It's best to remember it's about them and not you. It's not about why "you" should get the job, but rather why "they" should select you. Any response must therefore address it from their perspective and not yours. And key to any response is understanding what the two or three key aspects or challenges of the job are? What is it they are looking for in terms of ability or characteristics to meet their specific challenges. And then connect those with your experiences, abilities, and characteristics.
Often candidates respond without forethought and just start saying things that they find best about themselves, without thoughtfully connecting their response to the particular job. In certain cases this question also is asking how well do you know this job of ours? Do you understand what we are looking for and what we require. Sometimes simply responding in a way that directly ties into the two or three core factors around the job will be more powerful than others who can tout all kinds of achievements but which are entirely unrelated to the core challenges of this particular position. Keep this in mind.
Sometimes the best response is to say, "I don't yet know enough about this position to be able to tell you why you should select me. To be able to tell you that I really would need to understand what the core challenges are that you are facing in this role? What do you see as the goals of this position over the first year? What if anything do you feel has been missing in this position in the past and would you like to see in the person who takes on this role? These things will allow me to explain if and why I'd be the person you should select." One last point, instead of just letting them think you want to know what BS to tell them in order to land the job, it's pretty classy to add in the "if" in that last sentence. Because if you determine that you aren't well suited to the job, you are open to share that with them as well. You have no interest in landing a job that isn't a good fit for both parties.
Kurt Weyerhauser
After doing your research on the company, being able to articulate my strengths with confidence is the best way to answer this question.
Before I started my own business when I answer this question with confidence, I got this response from a business owner - "It sounds like you want to run this department." This was great information for me. I am the person who wants to take charge and it was clear that I was never going to get that opportunity. This company was not the place for me to work.
The company I founded works with candidates to help them understand their skill.
Carol Vincie
Productivity Tools & Insights, LLC
Poughkeepsie, NY
This is where good research comes into play. You find some of the issues that the company has struggled with (Privately or publicly) and give them an overview of how you have or would successfully resolve it. That makes people think - Not only did you take the time to really know the company and their pains, you also come up with solutions. That's not to say that some shady exec won't steal your idea and still turn you down, but if the company is really poised for leading the way, they will see you as the type of person they want on the team.
Judi Cinéas, LCSW, Ph.D.
Psychotherapist & Author
Palm Beach, FL
Answer: Because I am a non-conforming conformist. By that, I mean that I will conform to your policies and exceed your expectations. But, if I am ever asked to do something that I think is wrong…dangerous or unethical or not in the best interests of our customers or employees…then I will not conform.
Dr. Marlene Caroselli is an author, keynoter, and corporate trainer. She writes extensively about education, business, and careers; her 61st book is a Kindle/Nook ebook titled 50 Ways to Cleave Your Cover. Her first book, The Language of Leadership, was named a main selection by the Executive Book Club. Principled Persuasion, a more recent title, was designated a Director's Choice by the Doubleday Book Club.
As your next Vice President of Sales and Marketing you can count on, and I will be accountable for the following:
I know this business and engage in continuous learning, trend research, and competitive data to strategize for the future.
I buy into and will walk the talk of the organization's vision, mission and values.
I will talk to, not about problem employees.
I will not participate in leadership "meetings-after-the-meeting" that are divisive; I will insist the leadership team talk to each other.
I will not rescue, fix and save under performers, I will mentor, coach and manage the talent I take on in this role, and will never say "I inherited this group of people."
I will own the goals and expectations of the role 100% and where I don't feel I can, I will dialogue with the CEO and leadership team until we have clear agreement.
I see myself as totally personally accountable for my success at work and know how to instill that mindset into every employee that works for and with me to create success for the organization as a whole.
When would you like me to start?
Linda Galindo
Why not me? I come to this organization/ company ready to create, innovate, inspire, motivate, and ready to get down and dirty to get all the hard work done on time, as scheduled, and underpriced. What more could you ask for?
Cynthia Wollersheim
1. Because I will make you more money than it will cost you to employ me.
2. A slightly longer answer:
Because I can tell from our conversation that we like each other on a professional level, because I will make the company more money that I will cost it, because I have a track record of successfully providing value as shown by my work history and because __ other organizations have called me in for an interview and I will not be on the market for long. Finally, you should select me because I am humble.
This answer is based on our influencing model in which you have to overcome five obstacles before you can influence someone, in this case we are moving from:
Rejection to Relationship
Indifference to Interest
Skepticism to Proof
Procrastination to Urgency
Anxiety to Calm (This is done with a sense of humor)
Dave Popple PhD, President
Corporate Insights
"I'll make your job easier." She then explained exactly how she would do it. Of course I hired her and she was terrific.
Laura C. Browne
Author of Why Can't You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results At Work and Raise Rules for Women: How To Make More Money At Work
The best answer I have heard is "Because I want to make a difference and I know I can."
Clara Lippert Glenn
President/CEO
The Oxford Princeton Programme
Often times the biggest issue with asking a potential employee why we should select him or her is that they come unprepared to answer the question.
At EventStir we've heard everything from "What do you mean?" to blank stares but the one answer which resonated with us was "I may not have every qualification you're looking for and if you keep looking, you'll never find that. What I can do is sit down, open a browser and learn what I need to understand overnight and come to work prepared to get the job done".
That's how we were sold on a potential employer.
Sajad
EventStir
The best answer I have heard is "This isn't a job, it's my ideal position. It was a goal of mine to work here. I am grateful for the opportunity to interview. My education, internships, experience and skills qualify me, but it's my passion to work here in this position that makes me the best candidate for the job."
Diane Bogut
Author-Speaker-PT Radio Co-Host
Employment/Relationships/Inspiration
My favorite: "Because I come with no drama"
I've received much positive feedback from that comment. Especially because
managers have to deal with drama all the time.
Paul Colaianni
The Mindful Advisor at www.theoverwhelmedbrain.com
I'm a REACH certified personal branding expert, and I always tell my clients that the best way to answer this question is not to tell, but to show. Before any interview, we do something called the skill-bridge technique. We look at the problems, challenges, and opportunities of the company. Then, we list out the skills and accomplishments of the employee.
Finally, we create a document that shows how that employees skills and accomplishments can solve the companies most painful problems.
When that question comes up, they simply pull out their document, and SHOW why they should be selected.
I have three examples of clients in which the interviewer said "That's the
best answer to that question we've ever seen".
Matt Goldenberg
"Because I know this job, this is my job, and I love this work."
"There is nothing I would rather do than this work."
"I have been wanting to work for your company few a few years now and feel like I am a fit."
Lorne Epstein
Some of the best responses my clients have given--that evidently played a significant role in their getting hired:
- Because I have the skill set and demonstrated experience that can make a big difference in this company's bottom line.
- I'm exactly the right person to do the job.
- I can bring the kind of change this organization needs.
- My father is the CEO--No, just kidding!
Sandra Lamb, www.SandraLamb.com, is a career, lifestyle, and etiquette expert, and the author of How to Write It; 3000 Power Words and Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews; Personal Notes; and Write the Right Words. She often speaks and writes on related topics.
I think the best answer to give for that question is something that is straight forward, simple and direct. The interviewee should say something along the lines of, "I would be the best candidate to select for this position being that I'm a hard worker, team player and I'm dedicated to the work that I perform."
Andrew Martinez
Career Coach
Polishing the Professional
