Why Should We Hire You?

Have you ever been asked this question directly? Why should we hire you? Most hiring managers are not that bold to ask this question directly.

They may soften it up, say it with a smile, use different words, or not ask the question at all.

Yet, whether the question is being asked or not, they are asking it. It is one of the key questions that all hiring managers are asking in their head. How you answer this question can directly affect whether or not you get the job offer.

How to Answer Why Should We Hire You?

So, how should you handle the why should we hire you answer? Here are a few ways that you can answer this question whether or not they directly ask you.

• Be a solution provider. Listen closely to the challenges or struggles that are currently taking place in the company or department. Whenever there is an open position, oftentimes it means there is critical work that is being left undone. This is especially true in the accounting world. Financial statements still need preparing, the month end close process still has to be completed, and payments have to be sent. Why should we employ you? Because I am a solution provider should be your answer.
• Ask good questions. Usually toward the end of the job interview, the hiring manager gives you an opportunity to ask questions. One of the best ones to ask is “What are the top two or three pressing priorities that you would want someone to tackle in the first week or two? This will give you insight as to where the current “pain” is in the vacancy. That way when they ask “Why should we hire you,” you’ll be ready.
• Network to discover “hot buttons.”Recruiters are great with this skill but it is rarely practiced by career professionals. Do your best to ask around and see what the top 2 or 3 essential skills are for this position. This will give you a leg up on the competition because you understand that the hiring manager wants someone strong in excel, experienced in financial statement preparation or had a certain software experience.
  

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If you follow these steps listed above, you can begin to get more job offers as you better connect the dots with employers. One word of caution: do this with a humble spirit. While you want to “sell” yourself to the potential employer, how you say things are just as important as what you say.

There is a chemistry that takes place in a 1 on 1 job interview that most people underestimate. You still need to be “likable” as people like to work with people they like and want to be around. It is an important skill to master if you want to grow in your professional life. Use the above tips and be ready when asked the dreaded question “Why should I hire you?”

Question: What reasons have you given as to why someone should hire you?