Career Tips: How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

July 06, 2021

Career Tips: How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

How is someone supposed to answer a question like this without sounding like they're bragging?

Here is our formula:

  1. Relevant hard skills
  2. Relevant soft skills
  3. The unique value you bring

What are some examples of each?

Hard Skills: As you can see on my resume, I have all of the hard skills you’re looking for in a candidate. I have 5 years of accounting experience, I know how to use Excel and Qlik Sense, and I have a degree in Finance.

Soft Skills: I’m a team player and I love to take initiative on projects. I am adaptable. I am a great communicator.

Unique Value: I’ve been following this company for a while and I know that you’re looking for someone who can really take ownership of this role. I have a handful of ideas that I think will help this company hit its financial goals faster and more efficiently.

Let’s Put it All Together:

“That’s a great question. As you can see on my resume, I have all of the hard skills you’re looking for in a candidate. I have 5 years of accounting experience, I know how to use Excel and Qlik Sense, and I have a degree in Finance. But I also have the soft skills that you need for this position. I’m a team player and I love to take initiative on projects. I am adaptable. I am a great communicator. I’ve been following this company for a while and I know that you’re looking for someone who can really take ownership of this role. I have a handful of ideas that I think will help this company hit its financial goals faster and more efficiently, and I would love the opportunity to share them with the team!”

To learn more about how JF&CS can help your job search, click here.