Why should I hire you?
Answer:
TRAPS: Believe it or not, this is a killer question because so many candidates are unprepared for it. If you
stammer or ad lib, you've blown it.
BEST ANSWER: By now you can see how critical it is to apply the overall strategy of uncovering the
employer's needs before you answer questions. Knowing the employer's greatest needs and desires will
give you a big leg up over other candidates because you will give him better reasons for hiring you than
anyone else.
stammer or ad lib, you've blown it.
BEST ANSWER: By now you can see how critical it is to apply the overall strategy of uncovering the
employer's needs before you answer questions. Knowing the employer's greatest needs and desires will
give you a big leg up over other candidates because you will give him better reasons for hiring you than
anyone else.
Whether your interviewer asks you this question explicitly or not, this is the most important question of
your interview because he must answer this question favorably in his own mind before you will be hired.
So help him out! Walk through each of the position's requirements as you understand them, and follow
each with a reason why you meet that requirement so well.
Example: "As I understand your needs, you are first and foremost looking for someone who can manage
the sales and marketing of your book publishing division. As you've said, you need someone with a strong
background in trade book sales. This is where I've spent almost my entire career, so I've chalked up 18
years experience exactly in this area. I believe that I know the right contacts; methods, principles, and
successful management techniques as well as any person can in our industry.
"You also need someone who can expand your book distribution channels. In my prior post, my innovative
promotional ideas doubled, and then tripled, the number of outlets selling our books. I'm confident I can do
the same for you.
"You need someone to give a new shot in the arm to your mail order sales, someone who knows how to sell
in space and direct mail media. Here, too, I believe I have exactly the experience you need. In the last five
years, I've increased our mail order book sales from $600,000 to $2,800,000, and now we're the country's
second leading marketer of scientific and medical books by mail."
Every one of these selling "couplets" (his need matched by your qualifications) is a touchdown that runs up
your score. It is your best opportunity to outsell your competition.
your interview because he must answer this question favorably in his own mind before you will be hired.
So help him out! Walk through each of the position's requirements as you understand them, and follow
each with a reason why you meet that requirement so well.
Example: "As I understand your needs, you are first and foremost looking for someone who can manage
the sales and marketing of your book publishing division. As you've said, you need someone with a strong
background in trade book sales. This is where I've spent almost my entire career, so I've chalked up 18
years experience exactly in this area. I believe that I know the right contacts; methods, principles, and
successful management techniques as well as any person can in our industry.
"You also need someone who can expand your book distribution channels. In my prior post, my innovative
promotional ideas doubled, and then tripled, the number of outlets selling our books. I'm confident I can do
the same for you.
"You need someone to give a new shot in the arm to your mail order sales, someone who knows how to sell
in space and direct mail media. Here, too, I believe I have exactly the experience you need. In the last five
years, I've increased our mail order book sales from $600,000 to $2,800,000, and now we're the country's
second leading marketer of scientific and medical books by mail."
Every one of these selling "couplets" (his need matched by your qualifications) is a touchdown that runs up
your score. It is your best opportunity to outsell your competition.
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