Why should we hire you over other candidates?

Do you know how to stand out at an interview?

If you are in the process of interviews, then you will be focused on this question and you may be asked it directly. Here's how to answer: "Why should we hire you over other candidates?"

So, how do you stand out in a crowd when you don’t know who makes up that crowd, but you do know that they have similar skills and experience to you? It might sound like a difficult thing to do, but it’s actually a great question to be asked because it gives you a forum to show just how amazing you are across the four key criteria for being a good hire:

1. You have the skills, experience and knowledge to do the job

2. You can make a positive impact and deliver results

3. You’ll have shared values and will be a good cultural fit for the immediate team and wider business

4. You have the passion and commitment to be successful, which you can demonstrate by showing a strong understanding of what is required in the role

   
   

Create an answer that covers these areas with an eye (as always) to the job description and company website.

Given that you and the other candidates have point 1 covered – otherwise you wouldn’t have got the interview – focus here on specifics and combinations of skills, experience and knowledge from your career that make you unique.

And if you’ve already answered questions around skills and experience, briefly recap what you said and focus instead on the other areas.

Being prepared, calm and confident will make you stand out too, so be sure to invest the time and effort to create and practise your script.

If you’d like to grow your confidence in interviewing or would like help preparing your scripts, why not get in touch and see how a session of Career Therapy can help you?

Click ‘Book a call’ on the website for a free intro call or email me at louise@careertherapy.co.uk

Check out my other articles on interview success, including 'Tell me about yourself' and 'Why do you want to work here?' And the Harvard Business Review article on how to answer the 'Why should we hire you?' question.

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