Page 21 The "Why should I hire you?" Question. The unspoken part of this question is: “Why should I hire you [above all the other candidates]?” This is your chance to shine, to really make a sales pitch for yourself. Use your Unique Selling Proposition to describe what sets you apart from other candidates. The employer will make a significant investment in hiring and training you, so tell the interviewer that this investment will be justified. For example, you could say: "I sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. Like other candidates, I have the ability to do this job. But beyond that ability, I offer an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job -- my drive for excellence. Not just giving lip service to excellence, but putting every part of myself into achieving it. Throughout my career, I have consistently strived to become the very best I can become. The success I've attained in my management positions is the result of possessing the qualities you're looking for in an employee." What are Your Strengths? Talk about strengths that are very specific to the job you're interviewing for. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? Employer may want to see whether you will trash a professor or former employer. Don't fall into the trap. And if you truly have NOT had a conflict, tell how you would handle it if you did. How would you describe your ideal job? Your description of your ideal job should sound like the job you’re interviewing for. Would your rather work with information or with people? Ideally, both, but tailor response to job and describe strengths in each area. Don't make yourself sound weak in either area. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have? The question has a two-fold purpose: How you will get along with management. How you see yourself as a manager. How has your education prepared you for your career? Describe your educational preparation as very specific to the job. Provide concrete examples, when possible. How much training do you think you'll need to become a productive employee? Key word is productive. You can be productive immediately. Make sure you express confidence in your ability to make an impact immediately. Why is your GPA not higher? Don't whine or make excuses. Response should enhance your value as employee. You were very involved with sports, extracurriculars that may have hurt your grades, but made you more well-rounded. You held a job while in school, which hurt your grades but gave you great experience. You made some mistakes early on, but you've worked hard to improve and have learned from the experience. YES or NO Questions: Are you a team player? Are you a goal-oriented person? Do you handle conflict well? Do you handle pressure well? Never respond with just "yes" or "no." Always elaborate and be prepared to give specific examples. Use fairly current examples. Examples from high school and before are probably too old. Use a variety of examples. Not all from sports, or being an RA, or fraternity/sorority. Previous Page Next Page Back to Job-Interview-Preparation Index Page