Job interviews can be challenging, especially when the interviewer asks, “Why should we hire you?” The question might sound simple, but it requires a thoughtful answer.
They might also phrase the question in other ways, such as:
- Why are you the best person for this job?
- What makes you a good fit for our company?
- Why should we pick you over other people?
Regardless of how it’s asked, they want to know one thing: why are you the right choice?
Why Interviewers Ask This Question
Interviewers aren’t just testing you; they genuinely want to hear your perspective on how you fit the role. They may have read your resume, but they also want to see what you highlight about your own background.
It’s an opportunity to talk about your best qualifications and how they align with the company’s needs. Perhaps you have a skill that’s not listed on your resume, such as speaking a second language or having specialized training. Now is a great time to mention it.
Interviewers also want to find the best person out of many qualified candidates. Maybe one candidate has extensive formal education, while another has more real-world experience. By asking this question, they can see what sets you apart.
How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”
Share stories that highlight your unique qualifications
Focus on concrete achievements that demonstrate what you can do. Avoid simply reading off your resume.
Example: “At a previous job, I noticed our social media activity was low. I decided to create engaging posts and track analytics closely. In about six months, our follower count grew by 150%!”
That story shows a willingness to act on opportunities and deliver measurable results.
Explain how your skills align with the company’s needs
Research the organization and find out what challenges or goals they have. Then, show how you’re prepared to address those.
Example: “I know your company plans to expand overseas. I have experience in international business and speak Spanish, which can help grow your customer base in new markets.”
Tying your abilities directly to the employer’s priorities emphasizes your value.
Express your excitement and how you’ll fit in
Demonstrate genuine interest in the position and the company culture. Employers appreciate candidates who will work well with others and share a passion for the mission.
Example: “I admire how your company fosters innovation. I love collaborating on creative solutions and am eager to contribute fresh ideas to your team.”
Showing a natural enthusiasm for their work communicates that you’re not just looking for any job—you want to be part of their specific environment.
How Not to Answer
Don’t be vague—avoid generic statements
Saying “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m passionate about success” is too broad. Anyone can say that. Instead, illustrate your hard work or passion with a quick, specific example.
Don’t focus solely on yourself without connecting to the company
Discussing your skills in isolation—“I want this job to learn new things and grow my career”—doesn’t show how those skills help the employer. Emphasize how you can benefit them or solve their problems.
Don’t show desperation or talk about personal problems
Mentioning personal hardships or an urgent need for income shifts focus from your abilities to your difficulties. Keep the discussion professional and spotlight how you will contribute.
Sample Answers to “Why Should We Hire You?”
Example #1
“I recently earned a degree in computer engineering, so my tech and programming knowledge is current. For my final project, I led a small team that built a mobile app to help local businesses operate more efficiently, and the app won an innovation award. I’m looking forward to using my hands-on tech experience and fresh ideas on exciting projects here.”
Why this works:
The candidate shows up-to-date expertise and mentions leading a successful project. The innovation award highlights a specific accomplishment, and the enthusiasm for contributing is clear.
Example #2
“I haven’t been in the professional world for very long, but my internship at XYZ Corporation helped me apply my marketing studies in a real setting. I helped launch a social media campaign that increased engagement by 40% in two months. I’m excited to bring both creativity and a data-driven mindset to your team.”
Why this works:
The candidate connects education to real-world success with measurable results. Showing numbers makes the achievement credible, and expressing enthusiasm indicates strong motivation.
Example #3
“My background in environmental science and work on renewable energy solutions taught me the importance of sustainable practices. I’m excited to contribute that perspective to your green initiatives and help expand your environmental projects.”
Why this works:
This answer aligns the candidate’s specialized skills with the company’s sustainability goals. Their passion for the field stands out, hinting at a strong commitment.
Example #4
“In a previous role, I served as team lead on a business club project that required organizing events and managing about 20 volunteers. It taught me leadership and collaboration. I believe these experiences will help me support team-based projects effectively at your company.”
Why this works:
Leadership and coordination skills are showcased in a way that’s relevant to any professional setting. Demonstrating organization and teamwork is universally valuable.
Example #5
“My communications training strengthened both my writing and public-speaking abilities. I created a PR plan for a nonprofit group, which helped them gain local news coverage. I look forward to using those skills to boost your company’s brand and reach more customers.”
Why this works:
This answer shows how academic or specialized training translated into practical, beneficial work. Demonstrating results (gaining news coverage) makes the story compelling, and anticipation of applying those skills to the new company signals readiness.
Answering “Why should we hire you?” with confidence involves highlighting your unique experiences, matching what you offer to what the company needs, and conveying sincere enthusiasm. Showing how you’ll contribute to the organization’s success will set you apart in any hiring process.