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Answers to “Why Are You the Best Candidate for This Position?”

answer why best candidate position

Do you find that behavioral interview questions can be rather intimidating?

There are several standard interview questions that are likely to come up during an interview. The good news is that understanding these questions in advance gives you the opportunity to prepare for them.

However, the downside is that most interviewers will have heard the common answers to these questions many times. Therefore, it is important to avoid giving a generic answer that could bore the interview and make them overlook you.

So, here are some answers to “why are you the best candidate for this position?” that will help you stand out.

why are you the best candidate for this position

What The Interviewer Really Wants to Know?

The key to answering this question well is understanding why it is asked in the first place. The main reason that interviewers ask this question is to find out whether you understand the job requirements. They also want to find out if you are confident in your skills and abilities.

It is important to understand that this question could be asked in a number of different ways. You need to be able to listen for the different variations and recognize them when you hear them. Regardless of exactly how the question is asked, your answer should basically be the same.

Points to Emphasize When Answering the Question

When constructing the perfect answer, it should consist of several points. While your answer should be brief and to the point, you need to make sure that several factors are emphasized. Here are some of the key things you should highlight when answering the interview question.

Match your skills to the job requirements

Before the interview, read the job description carefully and take a note of the required skills and abilities. Your answer should begin by highlighting your personal skills that match the requirements. Illustrate how you meet the requirements of the role and how this will allow you to excel.

Demonstrate how you fit with the company culture

Most successful companies have strong cultures that all staff members operate within. To make your research task easy, the culture is often referred to on the company’s website. Make it clear that you understand the company culture and demonstrate how it will help you to thrive as an employee.

Know what you can bring to the company

You should be aware of your most important attributes and be able to explain them to the interviewer. To do this, it is a good idea to make a list of all your core skills and strengths. Next, underline the skills and strengths that will be particularly useful to the company.

For example, if you are planning to work in a busy office, having strong organizational skills will be essential. You will also need to have strong communication skills if you are liaising with customers and working in a team. Make sure you mention these skills in your answer and give an example of how they will be useful in your job.

Explain how you can help the company

Make sure that the interviewer is aware of the special skills that will aid you in your work. This could be the ability to speak several languages, having advanced experience, or any number of other attributes. Make sure that your answer is tied to your work in the company and what gives you the edge.

why are you the best candidate for the position

Show enthusiasm for performing the required duties

No employer wants to hire someone who will simply go through the motions and do the bare minimum. It is important to make sure the interviewer knows that you are passionate and enthusiastic about the job. This indicates that you will be willing to go the extra mile to take care of business.

Explain what makes you stand out

Ultimately, the interviewer is asking why they should hire you instead of someone else. There are likely to be several different candidates competing for the same role. In many cases, you may have the same or very similar skills, at least on paper.

This is your chance to demonstrate that you are more than just your resume. If you have any specialist skills that will be useful, this is the time to mention them. You can also explain how your specialist skills have helped you to excel in the past and benefitted your employer.

Tips on Answering The Question Well

You only have one chance to make a first impression, and the same goes for answering interview questions. It is important to write out your response to the question before the interview and rehearse it. Taking the following tips on board will help you to craft a strong and memorable answer.

Be confident

No matter how nervous you may feel, it is important to appear confident in the interview. This is your chance to shine and show the interviewer what you can do. You should seek to portray confidence in your words, your tone of voice, and your body language at all times.

Be convincing

You should think of the interview as a sales pitch and the interviewer as an unconvinced client. Instead of trying to sell a product or service, you are trying to sell your skills, experience, and personality. By the end of the interview, the interviewer should be 100% certain that you are the best person for the job.

Be honest

However, it is important to avoid exaggerating or telling outright lies when talking about your attributes. At the same time, you do not want to be so humble that the interviewer is unaware of your achievements. If you have won any special awards related to your job, this is a good time to mention them.

Be unique

You need to make sure that the interviewer remembers you clearly when evaluating all the candidates. Therefore, you need to highlight one of your skills that is unique or especially unusual. By the time the interview has finished, the interviewer should have a clear idea of who you are and what you can do.

why are you the best candidate for a position

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if the interview has been going well, one false step can undo all your hard work. This is especially true when the interviewer has several potentially eligible candidates. Let’s take a look at some of the most common pitfalls when answering Why Are You the Best Candidate for The Position and how to avoid them.

Being too generic

The last thing you want is for the interviewer to get bored when you are giving your answer. This is likely to happen if you tell them something they have heard a hundred times before. No matter what you choose to say, try to give it a unique twist that will hold the interviewer’s attention.

Under-representing your experience or skills

It is essential to make sure that the interviewer understands what makes you special. If you do not impress the interviewer during the interview, you are unlikely to get another chance. Make sure you answer the question in full and that your key skills shine.

Rambling on

While your answer should be detailed, everything you say should be to the point. Practicing your answer will help you to keep it as brief and relevant as possible. This will ensure that there is no time for the interviewer to get bored.

Trash talking other people

You may be tempted to put down other candidates in order to make yourself sound better by comparison. However, this may indicate to the interviewer that you do not work well with other people. Focus on the skills that make you a strong candidate without being negative about other applicants.

Talking about money

It goes without saying that money is the key motivator when it comes to applying for a job. Saying that you are poor and willing to work hard to get a good salary may seem like a good idea. However, it is more likely to give the interviewer the impression that you are more interested in the salary than the job.

But What about Other Interview Questions?

No problem at all; just take a look around the site to start preparing yourself for all potential interview questions that you will probably be asked. So, take a look at my in-depth guides to answering Why Do You Want to Work Here?, Why We Should Hire You?, Answering Tell Me About Yourself in Interview, as well as How to Answer What is Your Greatest Strength in 2023.

I would also recommend brushing up on the Best Questions to Ask in an Interview, What to Wear to An Interview in order to make a good impression, or What to Do After an Interview.

And, if you’d like some recommendations on top resources worth investing in to interview at your best, check out How to Create Positive Impressions, Answering Tough Interview Questions For Dummies, and the superb Interview Like A Pro.

Back to today’s topic…

Final Thoughts

Like all types of behavioral questions, how you answer the question is just as important as what you say. This means that you need to focus on your body language when answering this question. It is important to make sure that you come across as confident and aware of your value without being arrogant.

Most interviewers are good at reading people and will know straight away if you do not believe what you are saying. You need to present yourself in the best light possible without stretching the truth. It is a good idea to practice your interview technique, ideally with a friend or relative, so that you can role-play.

All the very best with your next interview.

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