In most interviews, you will face a variety of challenging questions. Each interviewer is trying to find out how well suited you are to the open position and the culture of the company. One of the most intimidating questions is “Why are you the best person for this job?”
This is often a closing question after the hiring manager has asked their more specific questions. It’s a chance for you to sell yourself in a final, closing argument. As you can imagine, the pressure to give a fantastic answer is high.
The Intent Behind This Question
The interviewer is hoping to determine whether you fully understand the job responsibilities. They want to leave the interview feeling confident in your competence and skills. They want to hear about your problem-solving capabilities, dedication, and willingness to work.
Your answer will – hopefully – show them all these things as well as highlight your confidence in yourself. You need to confidently show that you’re the best person for the job and the company.
Prepare for This Question in Advance
This is not a question where you want to “wing” your answer! Preparation is essential for nailing it.
First, make sure you study the job description to get a full grasp of the requirements. (You should do this before every interview anyway.) Because every position is unique, make sure you note the differences between this position and others you may have seen posted.
Next, research the company. Analyze their website, social media channels (especially LinkedIn), and any other search results that come up. Read and understand the company’s mission statement, which will give you insight into what they stand for. If there are any recent news articles about the organization, make sure you are up to date on their current events.
You should also try to learn about the company’s culture. This information will primarily be found on social media, although they may have a web page devoted to culture. Look for photos of staff celebrations, announcements about promotions, and other people-centric posts. More importantly, try to find clues about their company values from the things that they share.
Finally, you should list your strengths, skills, and experience that directly relate to the position. This is not the time to be modest! Highlight the key points that will best sell yourself as the right person for the job.
Build Your Answer – But Don’t Write a Script
Now that you’ve done your research and compiled your list of attributes, it’s time to practice your answer to the question. But don’t write out a scripted answer! It’s much better to respond thoughtfully with your own words. You don’t want it to sound too templated.
First, be sure to show your enthusiasm! You want there to be no doubt in the interviewer’s mind that you are excited about this position. Explain why you are interested in the job and discuss the responsibilities that excite you most.
Then, give a real-world example of how your capabilities will bring value to the company. Share an anecdote from your past work experience that shows your skills in action. Make sure you share a skill that will benefit the company in this role! Draw parallels between that example and the work you would be doing if you were hired for this position.
So, why are you the best person for this job? Your final answer might go something like this:
“I’m so glad you asked that question! I’m excited about this position because I’m a certified Project Management Professional and I’ve built my career on being the go-to person for IT projects. For example, in my last job I spearheaded a transfer project of all our company servers. I was the point person for the project and created a detailed project management plan complete with staff assignments. I ensured the plan was followed, handled any issues that arose, and completed the project on time and under budget. This example of my IT and project management expertise shows the value I can bring to your upcoming IT projects. I’m excited by the prospect of making a difference at your company!”