Ah, yes. The age-old question that gets every one of us second-guessing ourselves. I remember the first time that I was asked this I was extremely confused. How do I answer? What do they want me to say? Is there even a right answer to this question?
At the time, all I really wanted was money. I was a junior in high school and just wanted some extra cash to go to a few baseball games in the summer. But I knew I couldn’t just say that.
Since then, I’ve interviewed for more positions than I can count, and trust me when I say this question comes up more than anyone would like. Speaking from experience in interviews and with our recruiters at JSG, I can tell you that this question is doable, so long as you do these three things:
Stay Calm!
This one obviously applies to the entire interview, but when you’re asked why you should be hired, it is really easy to get nervous about how you should answer it. Just remember you need to stay calm.
Personally, I’ve found it easiest to just take a breath and smile. This question tells the company a lot about who you are, and when you show that you’re calm and confident, they’ll know you’re the right candidate for the job.
Sell Yourself!
Potential employers ask this question for a reason. They want to know how you’ll help them. How are you going to be the best asset to them? Tell them! Explain exactly how you’ll come in and make a change. Show yourself off!
Personally, I like to give examples of how I have impacted my previous employers. I like to speak about my skills, work ethic, and personality. I tell them the skills I have that will allow me to succeed, my willingness to get anything done, and my positive attitude. Believe me when I say selling yourself as an asset does wonder to answer this question.
Be Genuine!
It can take a lot of practice to feel comfortable talking about yourself. I’m just leaving college and I still find it difficult to brag about my accomplishments. What you must remember is that you need to be genuine when talking about yourself. Don’t stretch the truth – just make yourself sound better than the next person!
In my own experiences, I’ve even admitted that it’s hard for me to speak about myself and my accomplishments. It’s completely understandable! However, it’s necessary that you break out of that shell so you can tell your future employer why you’re perfect for their team.
These three guidelines can go a very long way into helping you ace one of the toughest questions in an interview. Once you master this question, interviews will be a breeze!
