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<\/p>\nAre you really the best person for the job? There’s no way to know for sure. You might have a long list of top-notch credentials, glowing recommendations, and a knack for getting results from any team.<\/p>\n
Still, “why are you the best person for the job?” is a question that sends chills down the spines of seasoned job hunters and fresh college grads alike.<\/p>\n
The question sounds pretty straightforward, but the goal here is to understand how you’ll fit in with your new team and add value to the role.<\/p>\n
Below, we’ll look more closely at this question and how to use it to your advantage during your next big interview.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some experts say that this question is a test. It\u2019s a way to figure out how you interact with people and how you handle being put on the spot. It\u2019s both awkward and vague \u2014 the perfect way to make you squirm in the hot seat.<\/p>\n
The best person question also functions as a way to establish whether you fit in with the company culture and can be an opportunity to showcase how you stand to add value to the organization.<\/p>\n
Selling yourself might not be the best name for this exercise in job hunting discomfort. Selling yourself, is, of course, a key component of the job hunting process, but it\u2019s awkward.<\/p>\n
But from an employer perspective, their role is to find the best person for the job. Should they fail, well, it makes them look bad. So, you need to convince them that:<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a tall order.<\/p>\n
Rattling off your list of accomplishments and skills can easily cross that thin line between confident and arrogant.<\/p>\n
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\r\n <\/div>\r\n How to build your personal brand online<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n Job hunters often go into the interview with the mindset that they need to talk managers into hiring them. And they do, but your goal is to come up with roughly 3-4 bullet point accomplishments that relate to the role. These can be industry awards, education, soft skills, technical skills, or the results you\u2019ve achieved in your previous role.<\/p>\n Tread carefully, because these things you mention should be measurable and framed in the way that you are there to solve a problem.<\/p>\n The thing is, your interviewer doesn\u2019t really care what you<\/i> think about yourself. They care about where you, your skills, and experience come together to solve their problems.<\/p>\n This might sound familiar if you\u2019ve worked in sales before. The idea is to listen to the interviewer\u2019s needs, then focus on where you reduce the burden.<\/p>\n Easy, right? Well, yes and no. Nerves are bound to take over. If you\u2019re shy, modest, or don\u2019t do well on the spot, practice and preparation are your BFFs.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at how to tackle self-selling and land that role.<\/p>\n Before the interview, you\u2019ll want to understand what the company does and how your specific strengths can help the organization. Candidates that do their research always impress employers, but you\u2019re doing yourself a favor, too. Learn about the company\u2019s culture, as well as their mission, their customers, and their goals.<\/p>\n Review the job listing again and scan for specific qualifications or skills they\u2019ve mentioned. Compare those skill keywords to your resume and jot down some \u201ctimes where you\u2019ve done X\u201d and how it\u2019s prepared you for this role.<\/p>\n The second part of the preparation process is preparing a response based on the research you\u2019ve gathered. Those bullet points we mentioned? Use those to craft a sales pitch. Your pitch should be a minute or two and should highlight the things that make you stand out the most.<\/p>\n How to prepare for a FaceTime job interview<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n It\u2019s not good enough to say that you\u2019re a team player, a hard worker, a pro multitasker. To really position yourself as the best person for the job, you need to do more.<\/p>\n Use examples to illustrate your strengths. This is a chance to tie things back to the desired qualifications in the original posting. So, if the role requires strong collaboration skills, it might be a nice opportunity to tell a story about a time you demonstrated your ability to be collaborative.<\/p>\n Anyone can say that they\u2019re great at communicating, thinking on their feet, or spotting the tiniest details. But few people can spin these buzzwords into a bonafide story.<\/p>\n Storytelling has become an increasingly valuable skill. As such, you should practice articulating your skills and accomplishments in an engaging, enthusiastic, and authentic manner.<\/p>\n LinkedIn report shows most coveted worker skills<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n Okay, this might sound counterintuitive\u00a0 <\/span>But, again, we\u2019re looking at how you can add value to the company. From an interviewer perspective, no one cares that this is your dream job or that you\u2019re running low on savings and need to land a role\u2014any role\u2014ASAP.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s kind of annoying, interviewers don\u2019t love it when you appear to be all about the paycheck and the flex benefits. Of course, you wouldn\u2019t be there if you didn\u2019t need a job\u2014however, the candidate that demonstrates excitement about the opportunity is the one that likely gets the job.<\/p>\n Granted, this often is another common interview question; the old what do you hope to get done within your first 30, 60, or 90 days on the job?<\/p>\n But, this is another example of where you can prove yourself as someone who can solve problems and think ahead. Prepare by looking at the job description and coming up with a plan of attack; how might you increase sales by 20%? What leadership style will you bring to the workplace?<\/p>\n In short, bringing specific examples for how you plan to enact change will serve you well.<\/p>\n Best apps and online tools to stay focused and be more productive<\/p>\r\n READ NOW \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n Before you go to the interview, consider this: does the job align with your goals and values? Does the role match up with your strengths? Will it challenge you? And does it fit your working style?<\/p>\n Ultimately, the \u201cwhy are you the right person for the job\u201d question serves as a means of figuring out whether you\u2019re a fit or not.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to remember that selling yourself is not about convincing someone you\u2019re right for the job when there\u2019s a mismatch. A lack of chemistry means that you\u2019ll struggle in that role no matter how many accolades you\u2019ve racked up in the past.<\/p>\nHow to sell yourself<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nPrepare<\/h4>\n
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\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Be specific<\/h4>\n
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\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Don\u2019t make the focus on how much you need the job<\/h4>\n
Talk about what you expect to accomplish<\/h4>\n
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\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Finally, make sure you are the right person for the job<\/h3>\n