Hiring managers ask, “Why should we hire you?” during interviews to see whether the candidate can relate their strengths to the company’s requirements and discuss them thoughtfully.
This question is also often used to gauge how candidates deal with difficult situations; after all, it isn’t easy to figure out which skills make you stand out from other jobseekers. As a result, many candidates feel stumped when asked this and struggle to give a good answer.
In this article, we will teach you how to respond to “Why should we hire you?” even with no previous experience. We will also provide examples for various industries to inspire you when preparing your own answer.
Key Takeaways
“Why should we hire you?” is a common interview question recruiters use to gauge what sets you apart from other candidates and whether you can rationally talk about your strengths.
To answer the “Why should we hire you?” question, you should understand the job description, know your unique selling point, and structure your answer carefully.
Typical answer structure should contain your relevant skills or experience, mention how they relate to the job requirements, and include an achievement that illustrates your competence.
When answering the “Why should we hire you?” question, avoid rambling, embellishing the truth, sounding too boastful, or saying that you don’t know.
Why Do Employers Ask “Why Should We Hire You?” at Interviews?
Employers ask “Why should we hire you?” at interviews to understand what sets you apart from other candidates and see how you respond to challenging questions.
Though seemingly simple, this question frequently stumps jobseekers, who might struggle to explain why they are a better fit for a position than other applicants. Hiring managers know this, so they use it to check whether you can come up with a thoughtful answer that highlights your strengths and relates them to the position you’re applying for.
“Why should we hire you for this role?” is one way of asking this question, but employers can phrase it in different ways while still seeking a similar answer. Here are some examples:
“What makes you the best candidate for this position?”
“What makes you unique compared to other candidates?”
“Why should we choose you over other qualified candidates?”
“Why are you a good fit for this team?”
How to Answer the “Why Should We Hire You?” Interview Question
To answer the “Why should we hire you?” interview question, you should make sure to understand the job description, know your unique selling point, and structure your answer carefully.
Now, let’s examine these interview preparation tips in more detail.
#1. Understand the Job Description
You’ll know exactly what to say in an interview if you thoroughly examine the job description beforehand and pay attention to the listed skills, experiences, and education requirements. Connect those to your strengths and background, and you’ll have the perfect answer to “Why should we hire you?”
For example, if the job description mentions teamwork skills and communication, and you possess both, you should talk about these traits in the interview. That way, you’ll show that you bring to the table exactly what the company is looking for.
#2. Know Your Unique Selling Point
You’ll likely compete with dozens of equally qualified candidates, so you need to find out what your unique selling point is to stand out in an interview.
For instance, perhaps your previous experiences offer an original perspective, or maybe you possess a rare skill that could be beneficial. Whatever the case, identify what sets you apart from the rest and mention it when asked why you should be hired.
#3. Structure Your Answer
The best way to structure your answer to the “Why should we hire you?” question is to lay out your skills and experiences, connect them to the job requirements, and support them with real-life examples.
When discussing examples, ensure they are as specific as possible; ideally, they should include quantifiable achievements. This will help your answer stand out, making it less generic and more believable.
19 Answers to “Why Should We Hire You?” Interview Question
Now that we’ve examined the basic structure of the “Why should we hire you?” answers, let’s move on to concrete examples to help you with your preparation. Below, you will find some for various industries, positions, and career levels.
#1. Human Resources Specialist
You should hire me because of my excellent interpersonal skills and commitment to fostering a positive work culture conducive to efficiency and productivity.
For example, in my previous role, I streamlined the onboarding process for new hires, which significantly improved satisfaction scores and reduced the adjustment period. I am confident that I can do the same for your company, or come up with other creative ideas to improve both employees’ and managers’ experience.
#2. Project Manager
You should hire me because of my experience managing cross-functional teams and consistently delivering projects before the deadline. Your job description stresses the importance of cultural awareness for this role, which suits me perfectly, since I’ve often collaborated with international teams.
I also want to mention that I led a product launch that involved five departments in my previous position. I had to coordinate and keep track of everyone’s progress, but despite the challenges, we managed to meet all milestones ahead of schedule and impress the client.
#3. Financial Analyst
You should hire me because of my excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and forecasting abilities that have been crucial in my previous role. Namely, I built a forecasting model that helped reduce financial risk by 13% over two quarters.
Also, you’ve stated that you’re looking for an individual who thrives in team settings and has experience with public speaking. I meet this criterion perfectly, as my previous roles have required me to work in small teams and hold quarterly presentations.
#4. Customer Service Representative
You should hire me because I am patient, communicative, and excellent at resolving customer complaints and concerns. Your job description requested someone who can help foster a positive relationship between your company and its clients, and I believe I am the ideal candidate for this role.
In the past, I developed a new approach to resolving customer complaints, resulting in a 20% increase in client satisfaction. This led to greater trust and higher sales, which, ultimately, brought me a staff recognition award for that quarter.
#5. Event Coordinator
You should hire me for my strong organisational skills, excellent communication, and 6 years of experience organising various events for companies and high-profile clients.
In my previous role, I coordinated a corporate event with over 200 attendees and ensured that I stayed within budget while delivering impeccable service. My company received high praise for this, which brought in more clients and greater trust.
#6. Flight Attendant
You should hire me for my excellent conflict resolution skills and a deep passion for travelling, which guarantees that I’ll never get bored or overwhelmed in this job. Your job posting highlights the importance of communication and customer service skills, both of which I possess in spades.
I also work well under pressure; in my last role, I dealt with a medical emergency mid-flight and handled it professionally. The plane landed safely, the affected passenger was hospitalised, and all other passengers were reassured and taken care of.
#8. Sales Associate
You should hire me because of my excellent communication skills and the ability to think outside the box to make any product more appealing to customers. In the job description, you’ve mentioned looking for someone with unique persuasion skills, and I believe I am that candidate.
For example, when I worked at a large retail shop, I consistently established strong rapport with my clients and actively listened to understand their needs and wishes. As a result, I always recommended products that aligned with their preferences, which resulted in a sales increase of 10% in my first quarter.
#9. Marketing Associate
You should hire me because I combine a data-driven approach with out-of-the-box thinking to create engaging marketing strategies for various audiences. For example, I organised a local promotional event for one client’s new product, which received considerable attention and resulted in a 20% sales increase.
I am confident that I can achieve similar success at your company due to my proactive approach to work, which, as you have stated, is crucial. Your website also emphasises the importance of genuine connection with customers, which I value just as highly.
#10. Digital Marketing Specialist
You should hire me because I have extensive knowledge about SEO, which I constantly broaden through online courses, articles, and hands-on experience. You mentioned that you were seeking innovative individuals with a unique marketing approach, and I believe I am precisely that.
This is reflected in the email marketing campaign, which I developed and implemented at my previous job. It was very successful, bringing in a 30% increase in our website traffic and 15% increase in sales.
#11. Writer
You should hire me because of my unique voice, excellent storytelling skills, and strong background in writing for blogs, magazines, and websites. In the job description, you stated that you are looking for a writer with deep brand awareness, and I believe I possess this quality, considering my work history.
For example, in my previous role, I created copy for my client’s entire website, adhering to the brand’s voice and considering user expectations. This resulted in a 30% increase in traffic and boosted sales significantly.
#12. Editor
You should hire me because of my excellent attention to detail, strong language skills, and keen awareness of brand voice. With over 5 years of experience in the industry, I understand how to tailor content to meet clients’ needs and provide value to customers.
In my previous role, I edited a technical guide to make it more comprehensible, resulting in a 56% reduction in user complaints. I believe my expertise can benefit your company, too.
#13. Graphic Designer
You should hire me because of my creativity, technical skills, and years of experience designing for print and digital media. As I understand, you’re looking for someone with a strong artistic vision, and my portfolio is proof that I certainly have one.
In addition, one of my former clients put me in charge of developing their brand’s visual identity from scratch, including logos and colour schemes. The final proposition was well-received, and it helped my client boost their sales by 30% in that quarter.
#14. Journalist
You should hire me because of my excellent writing skills and experience reporting on local and national stories on a tight deadline. I want to dedicate myself to impactful journalism that makes a meaningful difference in the world, which aligns with your agency’s mission.
In my previous role, I wrote and published several stories about a disenfranchised community in my city, which led to the introduction of a new policy aimed at supporting its members. In other words, my voice and storytelling abilities effected change, and I believe I can use these same skills to further your goals.
#15. Teacher
You should hire me because of my communicative nature, conflict resolution skills, and creativity in lesson planning. Rather than adhering to one instruction method, I take into account different learning styles and customise my classes to suit my students’ needs.
I honed this skill in my previous role; I worked in a school for children with special needs and learned the importance of active listening and trying different approaches in teaching. As a result of my efforts, the class performance increased by 20% compared to the semester before my arrival.
#16. Nurse
You should hire me because I have over 5 years of experience in a fast-paced hospital environment and am highly attuned to my patients’ needs.
As I understand, you’re looking for an observant, detail-oriented individual whose skills will contribute to better patient outcomes overall. Well, in my previous role, I was the first to spot the signs of sepsis in a patient post-operation. I alerted the team immediately, which allowed them to react on time and prevent further complications.
#17. Career Change
You should hire me because I possess excellent leadership and communication skills from my previous role, and I am also highly adaptable and motivated to learn. Although I haven’t worked in this field before, I am confident that my solution-oriented, positive mindset can be a valuable asset to your company.
In my previous role, I frequently encountered unexpected situations that required flexibility and innovative thinking. As a result, I grew accustomed to dealing with unforeseen circumstances and using my resourcefulness to handle them.
#18. Student
You should hire me because I am enthusiastic, eager to learn, and hard-working, so I am sure I’ll quickly learn the ropes and adjust to the new environment. Your job description mentioned looking for someone with a fresh outlook and innovative ideas, which I believe I bring to the table.
Although I have limited work experience, I participated in several group projects at the university, where I demonstrated my teamwork skills and leadership abilities. In the most recent one, I took charge of managing responsibilities and organising the presentation, helping the entire group earn top marks.
#19. Freelancer
You should hire me because I’m independent, self-organised, and reliable, having worked as a freelancer for the past 4 years. I communicated directly with clients during this time, which helped me develop my interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution, negotiation, and active listening.
I’m also an excellent multitasker, considering that I often had to juggle multiple client projects simultaneously. Regardless of how many I had to handle, I always delivered completed tasks on time, frequently before the deadline.
What to Avoid When Answering the “Why Should We Hire You?” Interview Question
When answering the “Why should we hire you?” interview question, you should avoid:
Answers to Avoid
Coming across as arrogant. Although this question asks you to highlight your strengths, you shouldn’t overdo it to the point of sounding overly boastful. Hiring managers are unlikely to appreciate that attitude and might consider it an obstacle to smooth team collaboration.
Rambling. Regardless of the question, rambling is never welcome at a job interview; it makes you appear unprepared, confused, and chaotic. Not to mention, if you go on for too long without a clear structure or point, you risk losing the interviewer’s attention and interest.
Saying that you don’t know. Even if you aren’t sure that you possess qualities that set you apart from other candidates, you should never let your potential employer know that. This answer shows a lack of preparation and an inability to think quickly on the spot, which certainly isn’t the impression you want to leave at a job interview.
Embellishing the truth. Don’t claim you possess skills or experiences you don’t have only to appeal to the employer. This might help you pass the interview, but it can backfire when you start working and have to demonstrate the traits you claimed to have.
Build a Compelling CV Within Minutes
Before you can ace your interview, you need to secure it with an eye-catching, professional CV. Creating a CV from scratch can be somewhat of a chore, so use our CV builder to write a perfect application in under 15 minutes. Simply fill in the required information and let our AI assistant handle the rest.
If you don’t want to rely on our builder entirely, take a look at our CV examples for inspiration when writing your document. We offer options for various industries, so you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to answer the “Why should we hire you?” question, you should have no trouble acing your interview and securing your dream job. Just remember to highlight the value you bring to the company and focus on your most impressive and relevant skills and achievements.
But before you can use our job interview tips, you must reach the interview stage. Our CV templates can help you with that; we offer a wide range of options for almost every industry. All you have to do is select the one that best suits your needs, enter your information, and submit it to the employer.
