best answer for why should we hire you, How to answer why should we hire you, How to Never Answer “Why Should We Hire You”, Tips to Help You Answer “Why Should We Hire You”, Why Should We Hire You?” Sample Answers

Learn how to answer “Why should we hire you?” with confidence. Explore proven tips, best sample answers, and strategies to stand out in job interviews

In addition to your skills and qualifications, a job interview is a test of your confidence and your ability to stay cool under pressure. Yet, some interview questions can make you instantly uncomfortable, particularly this one: ‘Why should we hire you?’’ It’s as if someone were questioning your worth. It can make you defensive, but responding with “I’m the best candidate for the job” may come across as arrogant or overconfident. On the other hand, telling the interviewer that “you are a hard worker” may sound like you are desperate for a job.

The best answer for “Why should we hire you?” often lies somewhere in between. However, you only have about a minute to either answer the question or to ask for clarification. The key is to prepare in advance for this question.

In this blog, we’ll break down the finer aspects of:

  • How to answer, “Why should we hire you?”
  • Tips to help you answer “Why should we hire you?” 
  • Sample answers for “Why should we hire you?”

Importance of “Why should we hire you?”

“Why should we hire you?” can come across as a particularly loaded question. However, there are several reasons why interviews use that question, including:

To understand your potential

Interviewers want to understand how well you would fit into a given job role. While your resume provides them with an overview of your work history and skills, asking “Why should we hire you?” is a way to reduce the risk of a bad hire.

To assess culture fit

How you answer this question—your tone, words, and body language—all provide clues into your temperament and personality. Interviewers can assess if you would fit into the company culture and contribute positively to the team.

To check for stability or reasons for job change

If you have switched jobs in the past 12 months, interviewers may want to know what drove you to make those decisions. Your answer might tell them whether you could be an attrition risk for the company.

To gauge your awareness about the job role

You may check all the boxes in terms of skills and experience. However, interviewers are gauging whether you understand the job description and the expectations tied to it.

To assess your ability to deal with pressure

The question is intended to put you in a spot. Interviewers want to check whether you can stay calm under pressure and provide a clear, thoughtful answer.

How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

Trying to answer this question in a random manner can lead to potential rejection. Here are some tried and tested tips:

  • Research the company

    Just reading the job description isn’t enough. Research the company’s products and services, investor updates, press releases, annual reports, etc. This allows you to link your skills or experience to their product, business goals, or values. Most of this information can be accessed via the company website, social media pages, or via a simple Google search.

  • Quantify your value

    More often than not, the best answer for ‘Why should we hire you?’ is backed by data. Numbers are measurable and provide a better perspective of your value as an employee. Add statistics, before and after comparisons, monthly or quarterly metrics, etc., to show the impact you created.

    Be prepared to provide additional context to help the interviewer understand your approach.

  • Be honest

    Resist the urge to exaggerate your achievements. Making misleading statements can create problems during employment verification or reference checks. If your resume has gaps, acknowledge them and share what you learned from the experience.

  • Highlight how you add value

    Pick three to five key job requirements from the job description and provide examples where you deliver similar results in previous roles. Use words like ‘reduce costs’, ‘closed new deals’, ‘increased efficiency’, or ‘improved reporting accuracy’. Wherever possible, provide proof through case studies, project reports, certificates, or letters of appreciation you may have received from clients.

  • Use easy-to-understand language

    When explaining your achievements, there is a natural tendency to use technical jargon or terms that a recruiter or interviewer may not understand. This can often lead to confusion or create the wrong impression. Explain any technical terms or metrics using simple, everyday language and provide examples the interviewer can relate to.

Tips to Help You Answer Why Should We Hire You

Here are some dos and don’ts to think about when preparing your answer to this question

  • Verify your facts

    Use credible sources to gather facts about the company, including their website, social media, email newsletter, press releases, media coverage, etc. Always double-check your data from multiple sources.

  • Make it about them

    Simply stating facts and figures about the company will not help. Use your own industy knowledge or professional expertise to provide valuable insights. This will make your expertise obvious to the interviewer.

    For example, I have five years of experience in building email lists which is crucial as social media channels get more and more saturated.

  • Highlight certificates and credentials

    Companies today hire for skills over degrees. Include relevant courses, badges or projects as part of your answer. It makes you look more credible and job-ready.

  • Don’t memorize your answer

    Ideally, you should condense all your research into two or three lines. Think about your main strength in the context of the job role. You may be familiar with the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method for framing concise answers. Use it to provide a crisp and impactful answer.

  • Don’t focus only on technical skills

    Employers regard soft skills as being just as important as technical skills. If you are a beginner, highlighting communication skills, empathy, emotional intelligence, rapport building, etc can be the best answer for why we should hire you.

How to Never Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

Here’s what to avoid when thinking about how to answer this question:

  • Never sound desperate for a job

    Never bring up personal circumstances or financial difficulties when asked why you should be hired. It is unprofessional and can affect the interviewer’s perception about you.

  • Never give a vague answer

    Giving answers like “I’m passionate about coding” or “I am a quick learner” are personal attributes but they don’t relate to the job role. Provide specific examples based on the job description, company research and any information you may learn during the course of the interview.

  • Never highlight negative events

    In a time of mass layoffs, never refer to negative news about the company. The best answer for “Why should we hire you?” is one that focuses on the positive and helps move the conversation forward.

  • Never compare yourself with other candidates

    If you are applying for a promotion, take care not to mention other candidates or compare their performance with yours. This may be seen as an attemp to influence the interviewer and result in disqualification.

One-Page Resumes layout

Why Should We Hire You?” : Sample Answers

Entry-Level / Fresher Roles

Sample:

“I am a not have work experience, however, I was the editor for my college magazine for over two years where I picked up transferable skills like teamwork, time management, and problem solving. I am eager to bring a fresh perspective to your team and contribute to the growth of your company.”

Why it works:

This answer is honest. It acknowledges that the candidate does not professional experience. However, it highlights transferable skills and shows that they have an excellent work ethic. It also indicates that the candidate has clear thinking and has the potential to impact team performance.

Experienced Professional Roles

Sample:

“I believe this role requires a proactive person who can support customers efficiently, communicate with empathy and cross-sell other products and services. I have helped retain two old customers who had decided to cancel services at my previous employer. I did this through proactively follow-ups, both with internal departments as well as providing the customer with regular status updates. The client decided to stay on with our service and also recommended us to his friends and business associates.

Why it works:

This example provides a specific example of how the candidate used his communication skills to retain an angry customers. It shows that they went above and beyond their call of duty to provide customer satisfaction and to protect the company’s reputation.

Technical/IT Roles

Sample:

“I have hands-on experience in developing a mobile app for senior citizens back in college. Since then, I have completed multiple freelance projects for Indian startups, including using open-source tools. My customer-centric approach to app development and feedback-based iteratiion can help you stand out in your segment.”

Why it works:

This example works because it highlights industry knowledge, including specific examples that help interviews guage a candidate’s talent and approach to work.

Retail Sales Roles

Sample

“At my previous position, I increased customer footfall by 21% by optimizing product categories, store layout and introducing weekly promotions. My approach aligns well with your aim to build strong customer relationships and improve retention.”

Categories: Skill & Aptitude AssessmentTags: , ,