The Big Interview Question: 'Why Should I Hire You?'

"Why should I hire you?"

This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect." Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire YOU?"

Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is, in fact, the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can so easily separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "Game Over" sign flashes above your head.

The 'Story' Approach

What they really want to know is, "How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position?" With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best "story" that answers this question, "Will you go the extra mile?"

Why is the employer asking why they should hire you? Because there are only five areas of interest that they have about you as a candidate:
Your skills
Your knowledge about the company
Your manageability
Your affordability
Whether you can go above and beyond your job description

In this day of "lean and mean" operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties above and beyond their jobs.

Demonstrate Your Accomplishments

Realize that there will always be competing candidates with a higher skill level, more experience, more education/training, or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equalizer though, is the ability to demonstrate how you have risen above and gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task, complete the job or realize an important goal.

Here, you recant that story of exactly how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills, or whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. If you can monetize (put a Naira value on) the end result, your story will only be that much more dramatic.

Tell It Often

Knowing this ahead of time, it's wise to put in the time beforehand to work on your answer to this question. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge and describe your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular set of skills in an extraordinary time to "give it your all" and produce a clear benefit to your employer.

Since no other candidate can duplicate your own personal story here, you'll make a memorable impression. Not only that, but quite possibly you'll pull yourself ahead of that "perfect" candidate who preceded you.


As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Joe has interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at jobchangesecrets.com

Tanx dvt. Thats a good one, cos its realy going to help a lot of us.

BUT...wats ur opinion on the idea of self-employment? Is it dat hard a task to accomplish?
Jst gve me a hint...any hint.

tanx man

Thanks, this is a serious question, that oftentimes one is being swept off his/her feet and thrown off balance. but with these guidelines, i think this can be tackle with ease.

Kewl.

thanks 4 dis real fact. it will go along way to assist alot

men dis people are so hard 2 get

tanks man 4d clue.

lord collins chinda

@Ahams,

Yea i for one strongly believe in Self employment, 'cos thats one of the way out to job search frustration and to maximizing your potential. You dont really need to acquire "special skills"** to be self employed 'cos God has deposited within everyone a gift that can/will make you a great man.
All you need to do is look within & around you and you'll discover that God given ability, make sure you use it, and never worry about money 'cos if u use your skill very well money will follow.

Money is the reward for solving problems.
If you want money solve problems.

**you can still acquire new skills to improve upon your gifts and talents.

You can consider reading this thread http://www.naijahotjobs.com/index.ph...c,13382.0.html

Any more clarifications is welcome.

Chees.

thanks for that wonderful guildline. God bless u. one love

Thanks a lot DVT.

Your article and the contributions of others have been helpful.
May the God Lord reward you abundantly. AMEN

this is great. Welldone poster

tanx my guy.

A big thanks to u...dvt,
Ur a solution Carrier. (1 love)

good job.Well done

it is not over until is over .friend let continue to press on we shall surely get ther

PLZ FRIENDS I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A WORK IN ANY BANKING SECTOR BUT NONE SEEMS TO COME TRUE . PLZ., KINDLY ASSIST ME.
MAIL; [email protected]

thanks so much for this tips. it will really help nervous peeps like me to prepare before hand. it's like expo.... ;D