What to Say When Asked, “Why Should We Hire You?”

Before you go into a job interview, be aware that a hiring manager will likely ask why you are the best person for a position. You should have a response ready that outlines your qualifications and showcases why you are the best fit for a company. This includes your understanding of the job listing and company, your skillset and career goals. 

By Timothy Mably 

There are some questions asked in interviews that no matter how many times you hear them, they’re challenging to answer. Hiring managers often directly ask candidates, “Why should we hire you?” Although you may feel overwhelmed with potential responses, there are certain ways of answering that will leave a good first impression.

Before considering your answer, contemplate the reason why a hiring manager is asking the question and the information they hope to take away. The worst response a candidate could have wouldn’t involve disqualifying details. It would be a vague answer that doesn’t elaborate on what they bring to the table. 

Employers are looking for a candidate to acknowledge their value, which accounts for their strengths, qualifications, and relevant work or volunteering experience. They are also trying to see how well the candidate understands the position they are applying for. Lastly, a hiring manager is asking for a candidate’s unique personal pitch that succinctly conveys what an employer can expect from them. 

It’s easy to feel anxious articulating an answer that will impress an interviewer. However, keep in mind that your response is essentially a summarized version of your other answers which likely reflect your resume.

1. Research the Role and the Company

According to Twin Employment, 47% of interviewers don’t consider a candidate for a position if they lack knowledge of the company. This is an easy way that an interviewee can prepare so it can reflect poorly if you miss the opportunity to do so.

Ahead of an interview, research the company you would be joining in a position. This can begin by evaluating the job listing as you review the role. Your first impression of a potential employer will come at this stage. As you take note of the position and listed requirements, write details worth incorporating into your answer.

Career coach Juliana Rabbi advocates that you study a job listing before an interview. She says, “Make sure you read it at least three times. It's not like a super quick glance. You need to understand the details. I suggest that you highlight the key ideas, the key requirements, the most important things.”

Rabbi says that you should be able to state the expectations of the role within one or two sentences. Just as you should summarize your qualifications from your resume, you should also be able to summarize the position.

If a job listing seems confusing, it may help to look into the employer further for context. A company likely has a mission statement on its website which will bring some clarity. You can also follow the company on LinkedIn to see the content they share. They may be on other social media platforms as well, which will provide a better idea of their brand. 

You should have a strong understanding of what the employer expects from you in the role. By assessing the overarching mission of a company, you can build a vision, even if it isn’t fully accurate. This vision of the workplace will help inform your pitch and cement your answer to “why should we hire you?”

2. Know Yourself

As you gain a clear idea of the role and the company, you will be able to determine if it is compatible with your values and skillset. With this awareness, you can be confident in the skills you bring to the position.

By knowing yourself and your skills, you can speak about how you are the best candidate for a position. This accounts for both soft and hard skills that an employer is looking for. As you explain your strengths, provide summarized examples of times you used your skills to solve a problem. 

If you are emotionally intelligent, you may want to showcase this skillset as organizations prioritize a candidate who is self-aware and self-controlled. Interpersonal skills are similarly a priority in many fields.

Leadership and authenticity guru, Todd Dewett, notes that confidence is key to communicating who you are. He says, “Everyone thinks about success in terms of IQ, core task skills, and communication skills. What they fail to realize is that confidence is among the most vital things you communicate. Without projecting confidence, many other positive signals (past record, credentials, the words you use) might be discounted by others.”

Although you have memorized your work experience, you should also have a grasp on what makes you stand out from others. If you are passionate about an aspect of a role, you should highlight this point of compatibility. This also pertains to the company’s values which may overlap with your own.  

It would strengthen your answer to provide an example of your values in action. Regardless of whether you possess relevant skills, your agreement with an employer’s philosophy may have a positive impact on your candidacy. 

3. Express Your Goals

Your professional goals shouldn’t be the center of your pitch, but they can help demonstrate your ambition. Depending on the job listing, it may be relevant to mention career aspirations.

This drive and self-discipline will convey that you have put thought into your job search beyond the season you are in. By including your goals, you provide an interviewer insight as to why you’re applying. 

4. Refine Your Pitch

As a result of your research and articulation of your skills and goals, you can begin conceptualizing your pitch. This process of refinement will continue to build confidence for when you’re interviewed. Although you shouldn’t memorize a script word for word, you should consider some light phrasing and have an outline of your answer ready. 

Your response to an interviewer doesn’t have to be all-encompassing, but it should articulate your qualifications on multiple levels. Your pitch should demonstrate your understanding of a role and an employer, showcase your soft and hard skills, and reveal your overall career goals. Each area informs why you’re applying for the job and shows that you’re prepared. 

Top Takeaways

What should you say in an interview when asked, “why should we hire you?”

• Before an interview, research the role and the company. You should be informed so you can consider a response that takes the job listing into account.
• Know who you are and what you have to offer an employer. This includes soft and hard skills, which should be elaborated upon with examples.
• Express your career goals to convey your drive. This allows an employer to understand why you’re applying for a position.
• Refine your pitch so you can feel confident as you provide your answer.