How to Answer "Why Should We Hire You?"

There are lots of scary interview questions you can face.

One of the most terrifying one is “Why should we hire you?”

However, if you prepare properly, you can use it to your advantage.

If you are not prepared, you can eliminate any chances you had for the job so far.

But if done right, it can put you miles in front of the competition.

It is the perfect chance for you to pitch yourself in the best possible way.

We are going to get you ready to do this properly.

In this article, we are going to explore the following questions:

• Why employers ask “why should we hire you?”
• How to answer “why should we hire you?”
• How not to answer “why should we hire you?”
• What about follow-up questions?

If you still haven’t received a callback for interview, maybe you need to make a resume that stands out a bit more.

So let’s dive in.

Why employers ask “why should we hire you?”

Before we go any further, we need to first understand what information the interviewer is looking for.

At first, this question does not seem that difficult.

But that’s far away from the truth.

In reality, this question includes lots of sub-questions inside it, and the interviewer can get lots of valuable information from your answer.

The first thing they learn is whether you are confident in your skills and abilities.

If you hesitate with your answer, you might show them that you are not ready for this position.

However, if you answer with confidence, it might actually impress the interviewer, as this question is a great trouble for most candidates.

The second thing they learn is what you would expect from the question.

They need to see you pitch yourself and prove them what makes you better than other candidates.

If you sell yourself the right way, you not only prove that you are the best candidate, but you also show that you are able to handle difficult situations, as this question is a great example of one.

Another thing the interviewer can learn from your answer is whether you did your research.

A good answer of “Why should we hire you?” should have relevance to the company and what it needs to get to the next level.

You need to address any potential issues they might have, and show how you can be a valuable asset for their solution.

Last, but not least, your answer can show if your culture fits the one of the company.

You will most certainly not be the only qualified candidate that answers this question correctly.

So the difference between getting the job and going home might be just how fit you are for the company.

How to answer “why should we hire you?”

Now that you understand the reasons behind this question, and all the additional information an interviewer can get from your answer, it’s time to figure out how to structure your answer the right way.

There are a few steps that you need to keep in mind.

We are going to go through them one by one.

Be confident

As we mentioned above, your confidence can be crucial.

You need to prove to the interviewer that you have the abilities and skills needed for the job.

You must convince them that you are the perfect candidate for the job.

If you are not confident in your qualifications, they will be convinced that you are not.

Don’t misunderstand - that doesn’t mean that you should claim that you are perfect at everything you do.

Nobody is.

But you need to know your strengths and show them clearly to the interviewer.

Do your research

In order to perfect your interview, you need to spend some time in research.

First, you need to learn whatever you can about the position and the company.

If possible, dig deep in their culture, vision, goals, and needs.

By having that information, you can steer your answer in a way that would be deeply appreciated by the interviewer.

Tailoring your answer to what you know about the company can set you at least one step ahead of other candidates who decided to skip that step.

The other essential thing you need to do si go through the job listing one more time.

You should have done that while creating your resume and cover letter, but if you have not done it, that’s the right time to do so.

Focus specifically on what experience and skills the company is looking for.

A great thing to do is use any keywords from the job listing in your answer.

That can show the interviewer that you understand the position and can be a valuable asset to the company.

Be truthful

Last, but not least, make sure you use only truthful information in your answer.

If you use anything less, the interviewer will find out.

And usually, it would happen right there on the spot.

To verify your words, you will often be asked follow-up questions that are meant to discover if you are being truthful.

So make sure you are.

Otherwise, you may lose any chances of the job you had.

How not to answer “why should we hire you?”

Now you know how to answer “Why should we hire you?”

But what should you avoid in your answer?

We got you covered.

Don't memorise your answer

It is important that you know what you want to say in your answer.

It is also essential to practice your response.

But don’t overdo it.

You don’t need your answer memorised.

Furthermore, you shouldn’t have it memorised.

You should be able to fall on your feet if you need to tailor your answer a little.

There is always a possibility that you might find some new information about the company or position during the interview.

If this happens, you need to use the new information to the best extent.

If that’s not enough, a memorised answer is also pretty obvious to the interviewer.

You would just sound robotic and lose their interest.

So just memorise the structure of what you want your answer to have, and use it as good as you can on the spot.

Don't use too much confidence

We mentioned that confidence is crucial for your answer.

But you should also know where the limit is.

Too much good is not really good anymore.

Make sure you remain confident, but to the right extent.

Otherwise, you may seem arrogant, which can only hurt your chances of getting the job.

Limit the reasons you state in your answer

Just like with the amount of confidence, the number of reasons you state may go over the line.

Stating multiple different reasons for hiring you would probably not have the desired result.

It will just scatter your answer all over the place.

You need to pick the qualifications that you can most stand out with.

Scan the job listing one last time to decide what reasons should you use to get the best result.

Using a short and focused answer can show the interviewer that you are really the best candidate for the job.

What about follow-up questions?

The last thing you need to think about are any follow-up questions that may occur.

Depending on how you form your answer, there are a few that can occur.

Make sure you think about any follow-up questions that may be asked during your interview.

You may also ask friends, or a family member, to think of any questions that would come up in their heads when you answer “Why should we hire you?”.

Takeaways: why should we hire you

We are all done.

Now you know how to answer “Why should we hire you?” in the best possible way.

Once again, what you need to do is:

• Be confident in your answer
• Do your research on the job position and the company
• Be truthful, and steer away from any false information

If you have done all that the right way, you should be ready to nail your answer.

Make sure you also remember what NOT to include in your answer:

• Any memorized sentences, or your whole answer
• Too much confidence, as it might hurt your chances of getting the job
• Too many reasons, as you might seem over-confident again

And last, but not least, prepare for any follow-up questions that may occur.

Keep our advice in mind, and get your dream job in no time.