How to answer: What Makes You a Great Match for This Job?

You are likely to get a variety of questions during a job interview. Interviewers want to know why you are a good fit for this job, what makes you unique from other candidates and what personal characteristics or experiences make you qualified for this role.

Interview questions and answers can make a candidate feel stressed and anxious, especially if they are coming from a career break. However, with some forethought and right preparation you can tackle these types of questions with ease.

Among these questions is “Why should we hire you?”. The open-endedness and abstract nature of the question might overwhelm a candidate and he/she might not know where to start.

No worries, we are here to help you with these off the cuff questions.

Note: Irrespective of your preparation for the interview, your answers should be strong, emphasizing your strengths and appropriately defining your career goals.

This article will explain why hiring managers ask “what makes you a good fit for this job?” and will offer you expert insight on answering these types of complicated job interview questions with some boilerplate examples.

What Makes You a Great Match for This Job: Key Takeaways

Research the company: Examine your JD thoroughly and research the company online to know the requirements of your prospective employer.

Emphasize what you bring to the table: Highlight the skills and experiences that could make you stand out from the crowd of competing applicants and explain the uniqueness you possess to add value to the company.

Address employer’s needs: By effectively answering this question you are telling the HR managers how well you understand their requirements. Remember! It is your chance to tell employers how you can bring value to their organization and not make a plea as to why you deserve this job.

Why Do Interviewers Ask this Interview Question?

Employers use this question to gauge your enthusiasm for the role and want to measure how exactly you are qualified for the job. There are a few alternative ways you might hear an interviewer ask, such as:

What makes you a good candidate for this position?

Can you describe why you’re the ideal candidate for this position?

Why are you a good fit for this position?

Why should we hire you for this position?

Why are you the best candidate for this job?

Why should we hire you over other applicants?

Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?

Hiring managers ask the candidates why they consider themselves a good fit for the job to learn about their self-perception. They are basically asking for a short elevator pitch to assess how you sell yourself as a professional resource. Their overall goal is to determine if you understand what the role is and how you present or sell yourself before the interviewer as an ideal candidate for the job.

When presented with this question, you should appear as confident, passionate and informed about the role you are being interviewed for. Coming up with an answer is not about your view of the company or how you feel about their culture. Your answer should focus on discussing the job specification and entailing your strengths and skills required for the role.

Tips: How to answer “ What Makes You a Great Match for This Job”

Now that we got familiarized with the topic, let’s talk about the tips you should consider when answering this question.

1. Carefully Read and Analyze the Job Posting

Properly read the job ad you are applying to. This job description mentioned in the ad can offer you valuable insights into the role’s exact responsibilities and required qualifications. Look for the keywords in terms of skills, experiences and qualities the employer is looking for in the candidate. By identifying the relevant keywords and analyzing the boilerplate HR ad you can tailor your answer according to the job description and explain how your background and existing skill-set aligns with the organization’s needs.

2. Highlight Your Skills and Experience (with examples)

The first thing you should do when answering “Why are you a good fit for this job?” is by highlighting any skills and relevant professional experience to the post you’re applying for. Don’t mention the skills that the employer is not interested in. For example, if you are applying for a job as a content writer, you should talk more about how good you are at writing, editing, publishing and SEO Optimized content etc., not about your photo-editing or your skills with camera.

To make your answer more convincing, make sure to substantiate everything you say with quantifiable examples. Highlighting your strengths and accomplishments with examples is a great way to back up everything you say. For instance, after narrowing down your strengths as a Senior SEO content writer you can quote following example in your reply:

Example

“I developed and implemented a comprehensive SEO content strategy resulting in 58% increase in the organic traffic of a client’s website. By generating engaging infographics and presentations, I improved the website ranking by 38%. Moreover, my on-page SEO prowess and keyword targeting contributed to 26% news readers and subscribers on the blog.”

Remember that hiring managers want tangible examples that back up your resume and claims you made in your job application. If you can tell them about your outcomes you achieved in the past roles for previous employers, they are more likely to believe you can repeat those feats or do even better with them also.

3. Be Honest in Your Response

When answering “why do you consider yourself the right fit for this job?”, be authentic and honest about why you feel you are the best candidate for this job. Be transparent, don’t overstretch your qualifications and skills and focus on how your strengths align with the role the employer is offering.

4. Highlight Your Unique Strengths

It is important to outline your skills and strengths that make you special as a candidate. Think about your greatest strengths, unique experiences, or abilities that distinguish you from others.

After mentioning your relevant skills and experiences for the job, it is never a bad idea to make mention of an unusual skill-set that could bring a fresh perspective. Apart from having core skills, you may have leadership skills or exceptional problem-solving skills.

Identifying that extra skill will enable you to come up with a memorable answer to the “why should we hire you question?” and you can tell the interviewer how you fare against other candidates that have applied for the job. Explain how your distinct qualities separate you from the competing candidates and allow you to contribute to the company’s success.

5. Explain Why You Want to Work with Them

Talk about why you want to work there, such as the goals, values and culture of the company resonate with you. Show your passion and enthusiasm as according to the US Department of Labor, it is exactly what employees expect from potential employees beyond skills and professional experience. As per this study, some employers would rather value enthusiasm and dedication over lack of experience and train the inexperienced candidate while rejecting the candidate who is qualified but has a negative attitude.

6. Emphasize Long-term Compatibility

When an interviewer asks why you consider yourself as the best candidate for a position you can emphasize long-term compatibility. Hiring managers often look for candidates who are dedicated and have long-term career plans instead of those seeking a short stint. Remember companies are more likely to welcome the candidates who intend to stay in a position for a long time and indicate a desire to become part of the company culture.

7. Compare Yourself Positively

Criticizing others job seekers is bad and may appear rude and negative on your part. Sell your qualifications without being considered domineering or arrogant and highlight positively what makes you stand out. For example, you should not say this: “As you have seen in my resume, my vast experience in the field allows me to fare better against others who can struggle with challenging tasks.”

You should sound confident and support your accomplishments but at the same time be respectful to others. Instead of coming up with anything negative about others, emphasize on your success in past roles. For example, in your response you can mention any award or accolades you received for your work in previous positions for driving more traffic as a content writer.

To make the most of our tips, you can explore our AI resume builder and start building your resume.

Sample answers to “What Makes You a Great Match for This Job?”

When answering the question "Why should we hire you?" It's helpful to align your skills and experiences with the company’s needs and values. Here are a few tailored responses depending on different contexts:

For a Technical Role: "You should hire me because my technical skills and experience are a perfect match for the needs of your team. I have extensive experience with [specific technologies or methodologies relevant to the job], and I’ve successfully [described a relevant accomplishment or project]. I’m also passionate about staying up-to-date with industry trends and continuously improving my skill set, which I believe will contribute significantly to the innovative work being done here."

For a Management Role: "You should hire me because of my proven track record in leadership and team development. I have managed teams in high-pressure environments, driving projects to successful completion while fostering a positive and productive work culture. My strategic planning skills and ability to align team objectives with organizational goals will help streamline processes and contribute to the company’s growth."

For a Creative Role: "You should hire me because my creative approach and diverse portfolio align well with your company’s vision and goals. My background in [specific area of creativity, e.g., graphic design, content creation] has equipped me with the skills to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table. I’m enthusiastic about contributing to your team and leveraging my creativity to develop solutions that resonate with your target audience."

For a Customer Service Role: "You should hire me because I bring a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and a track record of delivering exceptional service. I have experience handling various customer interactions and resolving issues effectively, which has enhanced customer loyalty in my previous roles. My empathetic communication skills and problem-solving abilities will help ensure that your customers receive the best possible experience."

For a Sales Role: "You should hire me because of my strong sales acumen and proven ability to drive revenue growth. I have consistently exceeded sales targets by understanding client needs, building strong relationships, and tailoring solutions to meet their objectives. My strategic approach to sales and market analysis will contribute to expanding your customer base and achieving sales goals."

In each case, it’s crucial to highlight specific examples from your experience that demonstrate how your skills and qualifications will benefit the company. Tailoring your answer to the company’s unique needs and culture will make your response even more compelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customers’ most common queries are addressed here, which are insightful for all stages throughout your career journey.

How should I identify the key qualifications and skills that make me a good fit for a job?

To identify the key qualifications and skills that align with a job, carefully review the job description and note the required skills, experiences, and qualifications. Compare these with your own skills and experiences to find overlaps. Focus on specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate how you meet these qualifications. Example: If the job requires strong project management skills, highlight your experience leading successful projects, including specific outcomes and any relevant tools or methodologies you used.

What are some effective ways to articulate why I am a good fit for a job during an interview?

When articulating why you’re a good fit, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide clear, structured examples. Focus on how your skills and experiences directly relate to the job requirements. Emphasize your unique strengths and how they will contribute to the company’s goals. Example: “In my previous role, I managed a cross-functional team to launch a new product (Situation). My task was to coordinate between departments and ensure timely delivery (Task). I implemented weekly check-ins and a shared project management tool (Action). As a result, we launched the product two weeks ahead of schedule and increased sales by 20% (Result).”

How can I demonstrate cultural fit during the application or interview process?

To demonstrate cultural fit, research the company’s values, mission, and workplace culture. Tailor your responses and examples to reflect how your personal values and work style align with the company’s culture. Mention any past experiences where you successfully adapted to or thrived in a similar culture. Example: If the company values innovation, describe how you have contributed to creative projects or processes in the past and how your approach aligns with their emphasis on forward-thinking.

What should I do if my qualifications don’t perfectly match the job requirements?

If your qualifications don’t match perfectly, focus on your transferable skills and relevant experiences that can bridge the gap. Emphasize your willingness to learn and adapt quickly. Highlight any related achievements or experiences that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the role despite not meeting every requirement. Example: If you lack specific software experience but have a strong background in similar tools, explain how your expertise in related software will allow you to quickly learn the new tool and apply your existing skills effectively.

How can I address potential concerns about my fit for the job during an interview?

Proactively address potential concerns by acknowledging them and providing reassurance with your relevant experiences or strategies to overcome these gaps. Show confidence in your ability to learn and adapt. Discuss how your unique skills and perspective will bring value to the team. Example: If you’re transitioning from a different industry, explain how the skills you developed are transferable and provide examples of how you’ve successfully applied these skills in new contexts. For instance, “Although my background is in a different industry, my project management skills and strategic thinking will bring a fresh perspective to your team, and I’m eager to leverage my abilities in this new environment.”