Instead of generic answers, use a why-what-how framework: explain why you're the problem-solver, what concrete benefits you'll deliver like improving profitability or reducing complaints, then how you'd achieve them by assessing, planning, and executing.
Chapters
Sometimes towards the end of an interview for a job, the interviewer will ask you the question, why should we give you this position? And many candidates answer that by talking about their experience, their attitude, how they'll be a good team player, and their enthusiasm for the job. And those are all good answers, but I think there's a better approach, and it's what I call the why, what, how approach. So when the interviewer asks, why should we give you this job? That's normally towards the end of the interview. You've already covered a lot of your experience and the competency questions. It's towards the end. So I think you should answer like this. You should employ me because of what I can do for you and your department. The interviewer has a problem and you are there as the solution to that problem. And now's your opportunity to show how you're going to solve the problem. So you say, you should employ me because of what I can do. And he or she might say, well, what can you do? And then you say, I can help you. And then you go into a problem you've uncovered in the interview. I can help you improve profitability. I can help speed up the production process. I can reduce customer complaints. I can help train and develop the team. So it's a solution to a problem. And then typically the interviewer will say, well, how would you do that? And if they don't, you can prompt them by saying, would you like to hear how I could do that? And then you explain how you'd go about doing that. Now, there's a risk in doing this that you'll come over sounding a little bit arrogant, so just be careful how you phrase this. And typically, you might say something like, I would assess the situation very carefully. I would develop a plan. I would bring that plan to you for your approval, and I would implement the plan, and it would look a little bit like this, and I've done something similar in previous jobs. So, when you get to that final key question in the interview, why should we employ you for this position, use the why, what, how approach. You should employ me because of what I can do in solving your problems, and let me tell you how I would do it. And I think your chances of getting the job will significantly improve.
