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Dear HR,
I am a young professional still struggling to land my dream job. I am academically good. For the past 2 years, I have been applying for jobs and luckily for me I always get shortlisted for interviews.
Interestingly when I attend these interviews, I am unable to articulate my abilities to interviewers so I end up not being considered.
There have been times that I just go blank during job interviews. I figured I dread public speaking. Sometimes I wish I could just be given the chance to prove myself aside from the oral interview, but it is not always the case.
One major question I dread answering is, “Why Should we hire you?”
I always get confused about what to say and I think this is one major reason why I fail my job interviews.
Please, how do I answer this million-dollar question when asked in an interview?
Worried Jobseeker,
Nana Kwame
Dear Job seeker,
We sincerely understand your plight and how it affects your emotions when this happens during interviews. Almost every job seeker has one way or the other faced this similar issue in his/her job search, you are not alone.
Actually, one may think this question “Why should we hire you?” is simple and easy to answer. Yes it is, but you need to tackle it strategically. Another way to understand it better is; “What makes you the best fit for the job?”
This is the moment to show your value to the hiring manager. This is where you need to sell yourself as someone who will meet the company’s needs. Ideally, you should sell yourself in relation to the job description. (studying the job requirements will give you an idea of the qualification, experience level and skills needed for the job).
Make sure you set yourself apart from the other candidates. Remember, to consider your interview as a competition between you and the next person. Do not generalize your answer, this is a very critical moment to prove that you are the best fit for the job.
You need to be specific and throw more light on your strengths that relate to the job you are interviewing for. This is what we call the elevator pitch.
Here are 4 basic ways to sell yourself to your interviewer.
- The value you bring
- Relate your abilities to the job description
- Talk about your technical skills and your experience
- Show them you know/ Highlight your achievements
For Experienced Professionals
If you have been in your industry for quite a while, this is not the time to talk about your education. You rather need to tell your interviewer the specific projects you have worked on and how they impacted your company. Depending on your industry specifically, point out your achievements.
For example, if you are a customer service executive, explain to your interviewer how you were able to improve customer service and customer retention rate and how it impacted the business.
In the case of a content marketer, you can state how you were able to use your creative thinking and analytical skills to develop ideas that improved traffic to an ecomerce site thereby causing an increase in lead generation. Highlight on your wins.
No matter your industry or job title, if you have a certain level of experience, leverage that and tell your success stories. While you tell your stories, make it a point to relate them to how you bring such value to your new employer, because employers are always looking for professionals who will bring value to the organization.
One powerful secret is to study the job description and then you tailor your answer to the suit what the employer is looking for.
For Fesh Graduates
If you are fresh from school and have little experience of the role you are being interviewed for, it is therefore understandable and important that you focus your answer on skills, education and the passion you have for the job.
This is the time to prove your capabilities to the employer. Demonstrate your determination to help the organization with the knowledge you have acquired and readiness to support the team with your unique skills. If you have certain unique soft skills (problem solving, creative/ critical thinking skills, people skills), talk about them.
This will surely set you apart from the other candidates.
Make sure you exhibit a sense of enthusiasm for the job and your willingness to learn.
As you might have heard this from employers and recruiters, employees are expected to have a teachable spirit and a certain level of attitude to work in a team. To employers, attitude of employees plays a vital role in the success of every company.
If you are able to articulate yourself in this manner, you’re sure to have your foot in the door.
In as much as you want to sound convincing, do not talk too much. We advice that, you always prepare before hand, but also make sure not to overly memorize, in order not to sound too robotic in your delivery.
We believe this will guide you in your next interview, to answer this million dollar question with confidence and ease.
Do you also have a question for HR? Send it to JOBBERMAN GHANA on WhatsApp.
