Question 7 Why should I hire you?
TRAPS: Believe it or not, this is a killer question
because so many candidates are unprepared for it. If you stammer or adlib
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. If you know the employer’s greatest needs
and desires, this question will give you a big leg up over other candidates
because you will give him better reasons for hiring you than anyone else
is likely to…reasons tied directly to his needs.
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 is 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
all of my career, so I’ve chalked up 18 years of 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, 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.” Etc., etc., etc.,
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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