‘Why should we hire you’ is one of the most common interview questions out there \u2013 don\u2019t let it catch you off guard, says Glassdoor, the jobs and recruitment website.<\/p>\n
Even if the question isn\u2019t asked in these words, it\u2019s very likely that some iteration of it will be asked. After all, this question boils down to the essence of why you\u2019re interviewing in the first place. The interview is an exercise for the company in seeing why they should (or shouldn\u2019t) hire you.<\/p>\n
This question is a way for the interviewer to see how you think about yourself fitting into the company, and what skills and experiences you will bring to the table.<\/p>\n
Show the interviewer you\u2019re prepared by creating a strategy for answering this question:<\/p>\n
1. Make your answer company-specific<\/strong><\/p>\n Understanding the ins and outs of the company\u2019s business will help give you a better sense of how you will fit in. On top of the business side, research the company\u2019s values and reviews of company culture, and think about how those values dovetail with your own personal ones. Displaying a deep knowledge of the company, their history, and their current initiatives will show that you\u2019ve taken the time to think about how you\u2019re going to fit in. But don\u2019t dwell too much on the attributes of the company \u2013 remember to market yourself.<\/p>\n 2. Highlight what makes you unique from other applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you speak Chinese, code in Python, or have relevant research experience? Are you an expert in a certain field that could be useful for the job? These are just examples, but try think of attributes that are both (a) unique to yourself and (b) directly related to the job you\u2019re applying for. Highlight these skills or experiences in order to help your interviewer see that they could be missing out by not hiring someone who has skills like yours. Shy away, however, from just doling out a laundry list of credentials \u2013 make your pitch relevant to the company and what you\u2019d be doing on the job.<\/p>\n 3. Show them what you\u2019ll do in the future<\/strong><\/p>\n While dwelling on past experiences is indeed important, also make sure to talk about how you\u2019ll fit into the company in the future. One way to do this is to talk about a certain problem that the company has been having that you would be equipped to fix. Another way is to talk about a certain initiative or project that you can see yourself helping with. The bottom line is to help your interviewer visualize you as a future employee.<\/p>\n 4. Practice your answer beforehand<\/strong><\/p>\n Prepare yourself for this question by thinking about it beforehand and writing down what you\u2019re going to say. Also, go a step further and rehearse. \u201cActually say the words out loud. It\u2019s not good enough to think about how you\u2019ll roughly answer,\u201d said Karen Dillon, former editor of the Harvard Business Review.<\/p>\n Even if they don\u2019t ask you this particular question, parts of what you\u2019ve prepared will undoubtedly come in handy. And if they do ask you the question \u2013 you\u2019ve already set yourself ahead of the pack with your stellar preparation skills.<\/p>\n Author: Lillian Childress This article first featured on Glassdoor, and can be found here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n 4 things you need to know before asking for a raise<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 5 ways to know if you\u2019re earning less than your colleagues<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
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