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“Why should we
Focused career / Credentials review:
It will be easier to answer this question if you’ve done some homework (on yourself). Make Some Lists:
- Your strengths and weaknesses
- Jobs you are qualified to apply for based on your experience and education
- Your accomplishments (including statistics, such as “saved $10,000 for the company”
- Promotions (and why you were promoted)
- Problems you’ve solved at work
- Review Your Lists: Take the key components from each of your lists – these are some of the reasons why you should be hired.
Create Your Elevator Speech:
Your elevator speech is your short marketing speech (your job search objectives) and can be used in a variety of situations including your answer to why you should be hired (and yes, even in an elevator). Convincing a potential employer why you are the right person for the job is a sales job. Your sales pitch should include (from the lists you created):
- Focus on the core of your experience (why a hiring manager should consider you for the position).
- Speak to your top 3 accomplishments in your career (include the benefit-cost savings, etc.) and how they relate to the position.
- Define the purpose (what are you trying to achieve).
- Include a “wow” factor, keep them interested and listening to you, focus on your strengths.
Body Language and interview skills:
You know the saying – “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”.
- First impressions are important; therefore make it a good one.
- Smile, maintain eye contact and offer a firm handshake when meeting your interviewer(s).
- Maintain eye contact during your interview (but don’t stare).
- Keep your posture upright and neutral. Don’t lean forward when questions are asked, but also do not lean back as if you are in a lounge chair.
- Minimize how much you use your hands in the interview (but don’t keep your hands on the table or in your lap the entire time).
Practice Makes Perfect:
- Practice for your interview at home in front of a mirror. Notice your hand gestures, posture, and eye contact.
- Get friends or family to help you practice.
- Speak with confidence (and don’t forget to smile).
- Keep positive (no matter how tough the interview).
And the Answer is (to why they should hire you) . . . .
- Your experience is a great match for the job description
- Your skillset is exactly what they need
- You’ve always wanted to work at (name of company)
- Your accomplishments support your experience.
You need to remember that you should be fully prepared for the interview. While this is a difficult question to answer, the interview will other difficult questions as well.