When applying for a job, one of the most common interview questions you may be asked is “Why are you a great match for this role?” This question can be tricky to answer, as you need to balance promoting yourself and your skills with tailoring your response to the specific requirements of the job.
In this article, we'll provide tips and examples to help you craft a strong response to this question and stand out from the competition.
A teaser…the best way to answer is to…tell them why you’d be great for the job.
Video: “Why Should We Hire You?” Interview Question: Best Answer
Jenn in the video explains what you could read below. Except, you find our example samples at the bottom of this page for various roles!
1. Research the job and company
Before you can effectively answer this question, it's important to have a clear understanding of the job and company you're applying for. Take some time to research the company's mission, values, and culture, as well as the specific requirements and responsibilities of the job.
This research will help you tailor your response to the needs of the company and show that you've done your homework. It will also help you identify which of your skills and experiences are most relevant to the job and highlight them in your answer.
2. Highlight your relevant skills and experience
Once you've done your research, it's time to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Look at the job description and identify the key skills and qualities the company is looking for. Then, think about how your own skills and experience align with these requirements.
Be specific and provide concrete examples of how you've demonstrated these skills and qualities in past roles or projects. For example, if the job requires strong communication skills, you could mention a time when you effectively communicated with a difficult stakeholder or led a successful presentation.
Remember to focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job, rather than listing everything you've ever done. This will show that you understand the needs of the company and can speak to how you can contribute to their success.
3. Show your passion for the job and industry
In addition to highlighting your skills and experience, it's important to show your passion for the job and industry. This can help demonstrate that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in this particular role and company.
Talk about why you're excited about the job and how it aligns with your career goals. Mention any relevant industry experience or knowledge you have, and explain how you stay up-to-date on industry trends and developments.
By showing your passion and enthusiasm, you can help differentiate yourself from other candidates and demonstrate that you're a great match for the role.
4. Provide examples of your teamwork and collaboration skills
Many jobs require strong teamwork and collaboration skills, so it's important to highlight these qualities in your answer. Provide examples of how you've worked effectively with others in the past, and how you've contributed to a team's success.
For example, you could talk about a time when you collaborated with colleagues from different departments to solve a complex problem, or when you took the lead on a project and successfully coordinated the efforts of a team.
By demonstrating your teamwork and collaboration skills, you can show that you're a team player and that you'll be able to work effectively with others in the company.
5. Practice your answer
Once you've crafted your response, it's important to practice your answer so that you feel confident and prepared when you're asked the question in an interview.
Practice answering the question out loud, either on your own or with a friend or family member. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and body language, and make adjustments as needed.
By practicing your answer, you can help ensure that you deliver a confident and polished response that highlights your strengths and
Also see: How to use the STAR-interview response technique
6. Emphasize your unique qualities and value proposition
While it's important to highlight your relevant skills and experience, it's also important to emphasize your unique qualities and value proposition. This can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate how you can bring a unique perspective or skill set to the role.
Think about what makes you different from other candidates and how your unique qualities can benefit the company. For example, you could mention a specific achievement or project that demonstrates your creativity, leadership, or problem-solving abilities.
By emphasizing your unique qualities and value proposition, you can help the interviewer see how you can contribute to the company in a way that other candidates may not be able to.
7. Be specific and provide quantifiable results
When highlighting your skills and experience, it's important to be specific and provide quantifiable results wherever possible. This can help demonstrate the impact you've had in previous roles and show that you have the ability to deliver results in the new role.
For example, if you're applying for a sales role, you could mention how you exceeded your sales targets by a certain percentage or how you closed a particularly challenging deal. If you're applying for a project management role, you could mention how you successfully managed a project with a tight deadline and limited resources.
By providing specific examples and quantifiable results, you can help the interviewer see how you can contribute to the company's success in a tangible way.
8. Tailor your response to the company culture and values
In addition to researching the job and company, it's also important to research the company culture and values. This can help you tailor your response to the company's priorities and demonstrate how you align with their culture.
For example, if the company values innovation and creativity, you could mention a time when you came up with a new idea or solution that had a positive impact on your previous employer. If the company values teamwork and collaboration, you could talk about a time when you worked effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
By tailoring your response to the company culture and values, you can demonstrate that you're a good fit for the company and that you share their priorities and goals.
Why are you a great match for this role? Answers
Example Answers:
Sales role:
“I'm a great match for this sales role because I have a proven track record of exceeding sales targets and building strong relationships with clients. In my previous role, I increased sales revenue by 20% year over year and was able to close a particularly challenging deal that had been stalled for months. I also have a strong understanding of the industry and the company's products, which I believe will help me effectively sell to clients and contribute to the company's growth.”
Marketing role:
“I believe I'm a great match for this marketing role because I have a strong background in digital marketing and a passion for creating engaging content that resonates with the target audience. In my previous role, I was able to increase website traffic by 30% through the use of targeted social media campaigns and email marketing. I'm also familiar with the company's brand and values, and I believe that my creativity and attention to detail will help me effectively communicate the company's message to the target audience.”
Project management role:
“I feel that I'm a great match for this project management role because I have a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects with tight deadlines and limited resources. In my previous role, I was able to successfully deliver a project on time and under budget by effectively coordinating the efforts of a cross-functional team. I'm also familiar with the company's culture of collaboration and teamwork, and I believe that my strong
Customer service role:
“I'm confident that I'm a great match for this customer service role because I have a natural ability to connect with customers and resolve their issues in a timely and effective manner. In my previous role, I received multiple customer service awards for my outstanding performance and was able to consistently exceed my targets for customer satisfaction ratings. I also have a passion for helping people, which I believe will make me an asset to the company and help to build strong customer relationships.”
Software engineering role:
“I believe I'm a great match for this software engineering role because I have a strong technical background and a passion for solving complex problems. In my previous role, I developed a software solution that streamlined the company's workflow and increased productivity by 25%. I'm also familiar with the company's technology stack and have experience working with similar technologies. I believe my strong analytical skills and attention to detail will help me effectively contribute to the development of the company's software products.”
Human resources role:
“I feel that I'm a great match for this human resources role because I have a strong understanding of HR policies and procedures and a passion for helping employees thrive in their roles. In my previous role, I was responsible for implementing a new employee engagement program that resulted in a 20% increase in employee satisfaction ratings. I'm also familiar with the company's culture and values, and I believe my strong communication and interpersonal skills will help me effectively collaborate with employees and management to drive positive change.”
Accounting role:
“I believe I'm a great match for this accounting role because I have a strong background in financial analysis and a passion for helping companies make data-driven decisions. In my previous role, I developed financial models that helped the company identify cost-saving opportunities and increase revenue by 15%. I'm also familiar with the company's financial reporting requirements and have experience working with similar accounting software. I believe my attention to detail and strong analytical skills will help me effectively manage the company's finances and contribute to its overall success.”
By tailoring your response to the specific requirements of the job, as well as the company's culture and values, you can demonstrate that you're not only qualified for the role, but that you're also a good fit for the company's environment and goals.
