This is yet one of those questions, that can derail your immaculately planned interview. Think that you yourself are product. Now think what is so good about the product, that the customer would choose it over the hundred other brands available to him. Market yourself accordingly. Recollect spots on television that highlight your favorite chocolate or cosmetics.
When he asks, why should we hire you, it is the ideal platform to launch into sell-yourself mode. The question cries out to you to sell yourself.
Let me tell you how.
- What Not To Say:
Never say, "Because I need and want a job." That in reality is the truth, but when he asks, “Why should we hire you,” he is really asking, "What can you do for us?" It also would not be right for you to say, “Because I think I am the right person for this job and I really want to work for this company.” Everybody thinks of oneself as the right person and the best amongst the rest and what new reasons can you have for your choice of company that others haven’t parroted before?
- What To Say:
One answer could be “Because I'm a good fit for the position." But that’s too brief and needs a little more clarification, as to why you think that you fit the position. It would be better to say, "I have what it takes to solve problems and do the job." Expand a little by mentioning your strengths and traits and this could be the best answer so far.
- Have You Come With Your Sales Statement ?Pitch It
The more detailed your answer the better it will sound. Don’t talk about what you want. Talk about who you are and why your accomplishments make you qualified to justify selection.
- Product Portfolio– Are You Value For Money?
Like I told you before, what the interviewer is really asking is, "What can you do for this company?" Recollect what the requirements for the job were. Now state them saying that you have them all. It’s like juggling a balance sheet, make sure the details on either side balance well and there is no deficit – their requirements should be in consonance with your strengths.
You may have many sublime qualities, but don’t go on mentioning them one by one, just mention the top three or five. Apart from qualities garnered through your education, don’t forget to mention personal traits like, hardworking, punctuality, honesty, communication skills. They are also relevant to the job.
- Present Yourself As The Solution
Now make your sales pitch. If you remember, I had earlier counseled you to write out a sales pitch, rehearse it to the point of memorizing it, believe in it and when it comes to crunch time, use it during the interview. It should be something like:
“It is apparent to me that you need someone who can commence work immediately and address the existing problems that if left unaddressed are likely to reach unmanageable proportions. With my years of experience, working with financial databases, I have saved companies thousands of dollars by streamlining systems. I understand the seriousness of the problem and I have already envisaged in my mind, putting in place a remedial system that will not help overcome existing problems, but also ensure that they are minimal in the years to come. I believe in the adage, prevention is better than cure.”
- Why Should He Prefer You Over The Others?
No two people could be alike. They come with their unique strengths and qualities. How you present yourself will determine what sets you apart from the others. Moreover, setting out a solution to the problem, shows that you have been listening to him and are aware of the problems. By showing that you have what it takes to do the job, you are telling interviewer -- that you are the solution to the problem.
