Why Should I Hire You?

Looking for a job in today's competitive market? Then you won't be surprised when the employer's representative pops the question, Why Should I Hire You?

Are you surprised when a hiring manager asks you that question? Are you fully prepared to answer such a question in ways valuable to the employer? Does your response keep you in contention for the job, or does it close the door to further conversation and consideration?

Routinely, when I am helping clients prepare for an interview, I hear the usual, customary responses to this question..."Well, as you can see, I am very experienced in this field and that experience well qualifies me for this job...along with my education, of course."

While that is an okay, lukewarm, mediocre response, it simply isn't helpful, valuable, and in no way, does it make you rock, shine, stand out, or memorable. If you are an Idol fan, you know that Simon doesn't hesitate to tell Idol wanna-a-be's that they are "memorable" or "forgettable." And if you're a job contestant in today's highly competitive market, employers don't have the time to figure you out, distill your assets, and / or your value on their time, their dime. You either make yourself memorable from the get-go, or you don't.

That said, consider responding to this Why Should I Hire You FAQ in a way that suggests to the employer that you have done some solid research on the organization's mission, values, products, services, markets, key competitors, changes, trends, shifts, acquisitions, people, philanthropies. In essence, you know what makes them run; you know what matters to them; you know what they care about. And let's just suppose for a moment that you find it absolutely impossible to discover information -- maybe they're a new start-up and not much data is available, yet. In that case, ask around -- find someone who knows someone who knows someone at the organization you're interested in. Does that take time, energy, commitment, resourcefulness, tenacity, frustration, ingenuity, perseverance, among other ingredients? Clearly, it does -- it may also yield you a hefty ROI in the form of a job offer -- music to your ears.

So, the next time you are asked Why Should I Hire You, drive in a homerun by speaking the employer's language -- music to their ears -- by how you will contribute to their profits, revenues, efficiencies, growth, employee retention, customer retention, margins, market share, cost controls, expense reductions, image, competitive market position, productivity, compliance, etc...words that will make you memorable...words that say I get it...words that will hopefully get you hired...words that communicate I know what matters to you and here's how my product can help you achieve just that.

Comments

[Bob McIntosh]

Excellent strategy to answer this most important question. It appears that if one does ALL of what you say, he/she can answer most, if not all, of the remaining questions.

Bob

[Billie Sucher]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your feedback...for some,interviewing is such an intimidating process...so hopefully some of these ideas will make it a little easier. Best to you!
- Billie Sucher