The Big Question

Avatar · 9th June 2008

From: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Why should I hire you?"

This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect." Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire YOU?"
Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is, in fact, the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can so easily separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "Game Over" sign flashes above your head.
The 'Story' Approach
What they really want to know is, "How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position?" With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best "story" that answers this question, "Will you go the extra mile?"
Why is the employer asking why they should hire you? Because there are only five areas of interest that they have about you as a candidate:

Your skills
Your knowledge about the company
Your manageability
Your affordability
Whether you can go above and beyond your job description

In this day of "lean and mean" operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties above and beyond their jobs.
Demonstrate Your Accomplishments
Realize that there will always be competing candidates with a higher skill level, more experience, more education/training, or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equalizer though, is the ability to demonstrate how you have risen above and gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task, complete the job or realize an important goal.
Here, you recant that story of exactly how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills, or whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. If you can monetize (put a dollar value on) the end result, your story will only be that much more dramatic.
Tell It Often
Knowing this ahead of time, it's wise to put in the time beforehand to work on your answer to this question. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge and describe your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular set of skills in an extraordinary time to "give it your all" and produce a clear benefit to your employer.
Since no other candidate can duplicate your own personal story here, you'll make a memorable impression. Not only that, but quite possibly you'll pull yourself ahead of that "perfect" candidate who preceded you.

Rainzy · 11th June 2008

that's a very helpful topic !!! indeediooooo that ia one of the MUST questions in a ny interview !!!
okaaaaay now u gonna have to re-phrase what u said ..in a very simple way , so that i can get it all :P ( jks )
seriously give me some hints here !!! i mean how to say i got what it takes , when actually ma experience is so little , though i am soooo into that job !

Avatar · 12th June 2008

In a simple way : mention what u do or did differently from others. What extra thing you have done before.

Even if you're not that experienced, you can think of anything different that you made at your previous job ,even if it's something simple. may be saying that you created or participated in a friendly environment might mean to the interviewer that you're a nice person who doesn't cause problems -mesh beta3et mashakel-.

Mmm, that might be weird ,but that's my opinion anyway, just make a short list or even just 1 or 2 points that differentiate you from others.

Even if it's one's first job, I think he/she can still mention some points in his/her character or skills that can differentiate them from others.

Etkalemy 3an nafsek ya3ny

iman sami · 19th July 2008

wooooow...
thank u

Avatar · 20th August 2008

ay khedma, thank yahoo jobs site not me

iman sami · 22nd August 2008

heheheheh.........
ok i will thank it

9th June 2008	#1 (permalink)
Avatar Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 349	The Big Question From: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Why should I hire you?" This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect." Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire YOU?" Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is, in fact, the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can so easily separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "Game Over" sign flashes above your head. The 'Story' Approach What they really want to know is, "How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position?" With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best "story" that answers this question, "Will you go the extra mile?" Why is the employer asking why they should hire you? Because there are only five areas of interest that they have about you as a candidate: Your skills Your knowledge about the company Your manageability Your affordability Whether you can go above and beyond your job description In this day of "lean and mean" operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties above and beyond their jobs. Demonstrate Your Accomplishments Realize that there will always be competing candidates with a higher skill level, more experience, more education/training, or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equalizer though, is the ability to demonstrate how you have risen above and gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task, complete the job or realize an important goal. Here, you recant that story of exactly how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills, or whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. If you can monetize (put a dollar value on) the end result, your story will only be that much more dramatic. Tell It Often Knowing this ahead of time, it's wise to put in the time beforehand to work on your answer to this question. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge and describe your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular set of skills in an extraordinary time to "give it your all" and produce a clear benefit to your employer. Since no other candidate can duplicate your own personal story here, you'll make a memorable impression. Not only that, but quite possibly you'll pull yourself ahead of that "perfect" candidate who preceded you.

11th June 2008	#2 (permalink)
Rainzy Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 40	that's a very helpful topic !!! indeediooooo that ia one of the MUST questions in a ny interview !!! okaaaaay now u gonna have to re-phrase what u said ..in a very simple way , so that i can get it all :P ( jks ) seriously give me some hints here !!! i mean how to say i got what it takes , when actually ma experience is so little , though i am soooo into that job !

12th June 2008	#3 (permalink)
Avatar Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 349	In a simple way : mention what u do or did differently from others. What extra thing you have done before. Even if you're not that experienced, you can think of anything different that you made at your previous job ,even if it's something simple. may be saying that you created or participated in a friendly environment might mean to the interviewer that you're a nice person who doesn't cause problems -mesh beta3et mashakel-. Mmm, that might be weird ,but that's my opinion anyway, just make a short list or even just 1 or 2 points that differentiate you from others. Even if it's one's first job, I think he/she can still mention some points in his/her character or skills that can differentiate them from others. Etkalemy 3an nafsek ya3ny

19th July 2008	#4 (permalink)
iman sami Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: cairo,egypt Posts: 10	wooooow... thank u

20th August 2008	#5 (permalink)
Avatar Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 349	ay khedma, thank yahoo jobs site not me

22nd August 2008	#6 (permalink)
iman sami Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: cairo,egypt Posts: 10	heheheheh......... ok i will thank it