This is a common interview question that pops up and is one that
pretty much sums up the point of a job interview in the first place.
Why should we hire you
In other words, what can you do for our company?
Essentially the company is looking to hire someone to solve a problem or fill a need.
It can be very easy for people to forget this when they go into an interview and to focus on what the company can do for you.
Here
are some suggestions to ensure you structure the whole interview to
focus on what you can do the company and hence, why the company should
hire you:
1. Answer the question by telling them what you can do
for this company specifically. In other words, while you want to mention
some general skills that any company would desire (ie. strong
communication skills, strong organizational skills, etc) you also want
to mention specifically what you can do for this company. This means you
need to understand exactly why the company is trying to fill the
position you are interviewing for and then tell the interviewer
specifically what skills and experience you have to address this need.
2.
Make sure you fully address the main points contained in the job
description and in particular the most important aspects of the
description. Proactively refer to important aspects of the job
description and discuss specifics related to your experience that
illustrates your ability to handle these tasks.
3. In advance of the
interview, look for any press releases, interviews or articles that
discuss the direction of the company and their business. If possible
during the interview, consider referring to what you read and try your
best to relate how your experience and skills lend well to the direction
of the company and their business. Not only does it illustrate that
you've done your homework for the interview, it can also be a great way
to make a specific reference to what you can do for the company that
other candidates might not consider.
4. Remember to discuss relevant
aspects of your background that could set you apart from other
candidates for the job. If you hold a certification or specific training
relevant to the position that others might not have, make sure you
mention it. Don't make the mistake of assuming the interviewer knows it
already even if it was contained in your resume.
All the
answers you give and the questions you ask should focus on what you can
do for the company and not on what they can do for you.
Asking
how much money they'll pay you is a good example of a question not to
ask. The issue of money will come up at some point and it's best to let
the interviewer ask about it.
Why should we hire you
