How to become an interview star
Nov 30, 2008
THIS is the classic question most folks hear during an interview: “Why should I hire you?†It is often preceded by the question: “I have already interviewed another person for this position, who looks perfect.â€
By Fred Ouma
THIS is the classic question most folks hear during an interview: “Why should I hire you?†It is often preceded by the question: “I have already interviewed another person for this position, who looks perfect.â€
Interviewers like this question because the answer can easily separate contenders from the also-rans.
Avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners since a wrong answer could send you packing. As usual, experts give tips
The’ story’ approach
What they really want to know is, “How are you different from the other candidates?†A good way of answering this is to tell your best story that answers the question, “Will you go the extra mile?â€
The employer is asking why they should hire you because there are only five areas about you they are interested in. These include: skills, knowledge about the company, manageability, affordability and whether you can perform beyond your job description.
“In this day of lean and mean operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties beyond their jobs,†says Peter Sematimba, a radio proprietor.
Talk about your accomplishments
There will always be candidates with better skills, more experience and education/training or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equaliser though, says Sematimba, is the ability to demonstrate how you have gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task or realise an important goal.
Recounting that story of how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills or whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. “If you can monetise, put a dollar value on the end result. Your story will only be that much more dramatic,†Fatmah Nabukalu, a senior human resources consultant at Exquisite Solutions, suggests.
Tell your accomplishments often
If you know this ahead of time, work on your answer. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge, your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular skills in an extraordinary time to “give it your all†and produce a clear benefit to your employer.
Since no other candidate can duplicate your personal story, you will create a memorable impression. You can also pull yourself ahead of that “perfect†candidate who preceded you.
The job interview is the main determining factor for obtaining employment. Invest some time preparing for it. And being selected for an interview is your first advantage in landing yourself the position you have been seeking.
Many job-seekers say their applications yield no results. This is because they don’t prepare adequately for the interviews.
Prepare for an interview like a ‘dress rehearsal.’ You may need someone skilled at interviewing to ask you these questions. Good luck!
THIS is the classic question most folks hear during an interview: “Why should I hire you?†It is often preceded by the question: “I have already interviewed another person for this position, who looks perfect.â€
Interviewers like this question because the answer can easily separate contenders from the also-rans.
Avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners since a wrong answer could send you packing. As usual, experts give tips
The’ story’ approach
What they really want to know is, “How are you different from the other candidates?†A good way of answering this is to tell your best story that answers the question, “Will you go the extra mile?â€
The employer is asking why they should hire you because there are only five areas about you they are interested in. These include: skills, knowledge about the company, manageability, affordability and whether you can perform beyond your job description.
“In this day of lean and mean operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties beyond their jobs,†says Peter Sematimba, a radio proprietor.
Talk about your accomplishments
There will always be candidates with better skills, more experience and education/training or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equaliser though, says Sematimba, is the ability to demonstrate how you have gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task or realise an important goal.
Recounting that story of how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills or whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. “If you can monetise, put a dollar value on the end result. Your story will only be that much more dramatic,†Fatmah Nabukalu, a senior human resources consultant at Exquisite Solutions, suggests.
Tell your accomplishments often
If you know this ahead of time, work on your answer. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge, your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular skills in an extraordinary time to “give it your all†and produce a clear benefit to your employer.
Since no other candidate can duplicate your personal story, you will create a memorable impression. You can also pull yourself ahead of that “perfect†candidate who preceded you.
The job interview is the main determining factor for obtaining employment. Invest some time preparing for it. And being selected for an interview is your first advantage in landing yourself the position you have been seeking.
Many job-seekers say their applications yield no results. This is because they don’t prepare adequately for the interviews.
Prepare for an interview like a ‘dress rehearsal.’ You may need someone skilled at interviewing to ask you these questions. Good luck!