Here’s Why You Should Hire Me

Working mothers tend to put others before themselves, but at times, it is crucial to talk yourself up, such as that point during an interview when the interviewer asks why you think you’re the best person for the job. While you may feel awkward to “toot your own horn” in this manner, it’s essential to use the opportunity to make the case that you’re the best candidate by outlining the key attributes, education, and industry-specific skills and traits you bring to the position. Preparing in advance can help ensure you give a stellar response that hits the mark without sounding self-serving.

Know the Company

Learn everything you can about the company you are interviewing with before you go into the job interview. Not only will you impress hiring managers with your preparation, you will also have a good working knowledge of what the organization is all about, and how you fit into the picture with your unique skill set.

Being able to tie your qualifications to areas of the company agenda will make you a standout candidate. It is also important to know everything you can about the position you’re seeking. While you can glean information from the job posting, ask the hiring manager or human resources department for a copy of the job description prior to your interview. This allows you to tailor your answers in such a way that they’re specific to what the company is looking for.

Why Are You the Best Person?

Of course, since you have no way of knowing the other candidates who are interviewing for the position, you can’t compare apples to apples and explain why you’re better qualified than candidate A or candidate B; instead, you must keep the focus only on yourself and your unique abilities. When responding to this query, use specific examples as to how your skills meet the needs of the company and fulfill the requirements of the job description.

Go one step further and outline the non-tangible assets you bring as well, such as loyalty, a collaborative mindset, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, and your capacity for attention to detail and time-management capabilities.

Examples:

_I know that a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset are valued by this company, and I consider those two of my strongest traits.

I have read the job description for this role, and I’m confident I meet all the key requirements, including more than 10 years of experience, substantial background in social media marketing and community outreach via electronic media.

Beyond the scope of what you’re looking for in the job description, I can assure you I never miss a deadline, I love working in a team environment, and I’m a self-starter. I believe you will find me to be highly ethical, hard-working, and someone who has a positive outlook and is interested in bringing up everyone around me._

If You Lack Specific Experience

If you are interviewing for a job in which you don’t meet every single criteria outlined in the job description, the hiring manager may ask why they should consider you above other more-qualified candidates. This is the time to really emphasize your non-tangible assets.

For example, if the company prefers candidates with a master’s degree and you only have a bachelor’s, it could be considered a disadvantage.

However, if you worked full-time and paid your own way through school, it shows you have guts and determination, and that attitude alone could put you on the same playing field with someone who has a higher degree of education.

In the same manner, if the job description asks for 10 years of experience, and you have five, you might appear under-qualified on the surface.

However, if you started from the bottom of an industry and worked your way into your current role, you theoretically have more knowledge and experience than someone who has been on the job twice as long. Emphasize what you do bring to the table rather than dwelling on what you might lack.

Example:

While it’s true I’ve officially been working in this industry for five years, I actually grew up in this line of business; my parents have owned a small retail shop since I was a child. I fully understand the evolution of the retail industry, including some of the pressures facing mom-and-pop businesses in today’s economy. I think this uniquely positions me as an ideal candidate for the role.

Sell Your Enthusiasm

You can often make up for any perceived deficit in your resume with a good dose of enthusiasm. Express your excitement for the role, describe your ideas for evolving the position, and emphasize your plans to be a contributing team member who is interested in furthering the mission of the organization. This type of go-getter attitude will often win over employers, particularly if you come across as someone who is eager to learn and willing to try new things.

Example:

While I’m relatively new to this business, I have a great enthusiasm for jumping in, learning new things and working with colleagues hand-in-hand to achieve collective goals. I’m willing to take on new tasks, participate in ongoing professional development or internal training, and I’m very interested in doing whatever is necessary to make me an asset to this company.

A company that asks why you are the best person for a job wants to see a passion for the position. Wrap up your interview by expressing thanks for the interviewer’s time, expressing an eagerness to hear the results of their decision. Follow up with a written thank-you note that reiterates your interest in the job.