Why Should I Hire You?

Looking for a job in today's competitive market? Then you won't be surprised when the employer's representative pops the question, Why Should I Hire You?

Are you surprised when a hiring manager asks you that question? Are you fully prepared to answer such a question in ways valuable to the employer? Does your response keep you in contention for the job, or does it close the door to further conversation and consideration?

Routinely, when I am helping clients prepare for an interview, I hear the usual, customary responses to this question..."Well, as you can see, I am very experienced in this field and that experience well qualifies me for this job...along with my education, of course."

While that is an okay, lukewarm, mediocre response, it simply isn't helpful, valuable, and in no way, does it make you rock, shine, stand out, or memorable. If you are an Idol fan, you know that Simon doesn't hesitate to tell Idol wanna-a-be's that they are "memorable" or "forgettable." And if you're a job contestant in today's highly competitive market, employers don't have the time to figure you out, distill your assets, and / or your value on their time, their dime. You either make yourself memorable from the get-go, or you don't.

That said, consider responding to this Why Should I Hire You FAQ in a way that suggests to the employer that you have done some solid research on the organization's mission, values, products, services, markets, key competitors, changes, trends, shifts, acquisitions, people, philanthropies. In essence, you know what makes them run; you know what matters to them; you know what they care about. And let's just suppose for a moment that you find it absolutely impossible to discover information -- maybe they're a new start-up and not much data is available, yet. In that case, ask around -- find someone who knows someone who knows someone at the organization you're interested in. Does that take time, energy, commitment, resourcefulness, tenacity, frustration, ingenuity, perseverance, among other ingredients? Clearly, it does -- it may also yield you a hefty ROI in the form of a job offer -- music to your ears.

So, the next time you are asked Why Should I Hire You, drive in a home run by speaking the employer's language -- music to their ears -- by how you will contribute to their profits, revenues, efficiencies, growth, employee retention, customer retention, margins, market share, cost controls, expense reductions, image, competitive market position, productivity, compliance, etc...words that will make you memorable...words that say I get it...words that will hopefully get you hired...words that communicate I know what matters to you and here's how my product can help you achieve just that.

cross-posted at billiesucherblog

Comments

[Rodney Cooley]

This kind of prep should always be done for an interview IMHO. In my job search, I have looked at the websites of companies before even sending a resume. If I get a call for an interview, I take a lot more time to learn as much as possible. The more you know about them, the more you can see exactly how your skills fit in with their needs and how you can show them that fit in the interview.

[billiesucher]

Hi Rodney,

Sounds like you are doing an excellent job of preparing for interviews! Keep up the good work and hopefully, you'll hear some good news soon!

Best - Billie

[ziv]

Helpful points,
I ahve just read another article discusses the same issue that I assume you may be interested in reading -
http://www.job-interview-site.com/why-should-we-hire-you-interview-question-and-answers.html

[Jane]

CV acts as a first point of contact. After viewing the CV only the recruiter has a some idea or picture about the candidate abilities. So if the CV is perfect there are less chances of the recruiter asking many questions like "Why Should I Hire You"?

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This is one of the most favorite question of Hr manager and require some strategy to answer and post provide good guide for the answer.

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Good solution for the the most common and important question i must say.

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If I get a call for an interview, I take a lot more time to learn as much as possible. The more you know about them, the more you can see exactly how your skills fit in with their needs and how you can show them that fit in the interview.

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This is the classical question you are gonna get from the different Human Resources managers, and if they look at you a little bit nervous your probabilities to get the job are gonna decrease considerably. So, you just try to be quiet and answer the question as fluently as possible, this without doubts could help you to get the job.

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I remember that in once someone told me that when I am asked the reason why I should be hired the best option is talking about previous job experience and skills we have. We should not feel embarrassed of saying how good we are at doing something, otherwise, it might be perceived as lack of confidence.

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