This is the most common question asked by employers of today in almost every interview to the interviewee. As simple as this question sounds, the answer to this can be very tricky. Based on the answer to this particular question, you are halfway through the decision of the employer whether you are getting the offer or not.
Before delving deep into how to answer this question, let us first see what impression does your answer form on the interviewer?
- Preparation: where a well put and rightly said answer shows how well prepared you are, a wrong answer can lead to many assumptions regarding you by the interviewer such as, unprepared, lazy and lethargic or, too casual.
- Attitude: your answer to this question also reflects your seriousness and sincerity towards securing the job. It tells whether you are really looking forward to do this job or have just come around as a walk by interviewee.
- Skills: this one particular answer is the overview of your skills, professional experience, accomplishments, and future goals that you are seeking to achieve by securing job with the prospective employer.
Having discussed that, let us now dig into the real matter!
Let us dive deep into the appropriate answer to the question “why should we hire you.?”
Where on one hand, there is no specific, fit in all situations answer to this question, we would give you a potential sketch, draft or outline of what the answer can be.
You can mould the answer as per your preferences, skills sets or as per the requirements of the job profile or the company.
Given below is the list of some sample answers to the most favourite question of the interviewers:
1. For a fresher
“I feel extremely privileged and humbled to get the opportunity to be interviewed by such an esteemed organization.
Talking about my academic background, I have graduated from (______________) college which is a premier institute of India. While studying there, I have developed communication and leadership skills that will help me in performing better at this organisation. Also, I was a part of various cultural and social clubs of college where problem solving was an everyday task for us. Besides, I have been very disciplined and organized throughout my academic journey and I assure you to continue my professional journey with the same discipline and determination.
If I am selected to work with this organization, it would allow me to do my own SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threat) analysis. I assure you to leave no stone unturned and work more than the strengths and qualities that I possess for the development of the organization while building my team building, communication and professional skills.”
2. For a person with prior work experience
During my working tenure, I have gained various skills and experience which will be extremely helpful in the role. I have invested a good amount of time, energy and money towards improving my soft skills which are a pre-requisite in today’s professional set ups. Besides, I have various accomplishments with my previous organizations that have led me discover my strengths, weaknesses and potential that will allow me to serve your organisation even better.
Things to avoid while answering this question
There are a few things which you should not mention while answering this question. I am listing them below for your convenience:
- Salary:never say that you should hire me as you will not get an employee at this salary or because you are hiring with such a good pay.
- Desperation:do not show your desperation to get the job by saying things like, I will do whatever you say and just hire me or by saying, I really need this job. This may reflect that you do not possess skills for the job and you can be offered way less than what you actually deserve.
- Arrogance:do not just say you should hire me because I am a perfect fit for this job as I possess all the skills that you are looking for. Although, your viewpoint is correct but the answer, definitely, is not. Instead, you should say: my skill set matches with the requirements of this profile.
- Lying:over quoting or under quoting any of your credentials whether they are related to you academics, professional experience or your achievements and accomplishments in your professional career is not going to do any good to you. If you do not have certain skill, you can simply say: I am afraid; I do not possess this skill. However, I am open to learning and I shall learn this if my job requires so.
- Memorized answer:none of your answers should appear memorized throughout the interview, including this one. Your answers should come naturally after carefully listening to the interviewer’s questions only.
- Looking lost:this question deserves a firm and stern answer and not just a vague answer just for the sake of answering it. You can simply say, you should hire me because I deserve this job or say, I am not sure but you give me this job or say, I do not know, please give me this job. These types of answers will lead to discontinuation of the interview immediately and you will be asked to leave the place.
As if you give me the opportunity to work in this company, it would be my first step towards climbing the ladder of my professional journey and hence, I will do everything to mark my presence and impression as well as to prove myself when I am a part of this organization.
To put in simple words, the answer to why should we hire you varies from profile to profile. And, answering this wisely and correctly is imperative to raise your chances of selection and make that lasting impression of the interviewer.