Interview question: “Why should we hire you?” - plunges many into a stupor. Even if you edited the answer to this question a thousand times, it is quite difficult to answer. This question is asked to the applicant in order not only to get an answer to the question, but also to check the applicant’s reaction.

Let's tell you a secret: if your answer satisfies the HR or employer, It is likely that you may be offered a more interesting position. Now let’s look at the standard answer options depending on the position you want to get.

Also, before continuing reading, watch a short video on the topic.

How to answer the question at an interview: why should we hire you?

A position related to sales requires activity and communication skills of a specialist. Therefore, to the question “Why should we hire you?” you need to answer brightly, emotionally, and, if possible, professionally. For example: “Because I can convey the necessary idea to the buyer or visitors. I will be able to sell a product or service, as well as interest the audience in using our services in the future.”

To the question: why did you choose our company - answers at the interview are adjusted depending on what position you are applying for. If you are a sales consultant, mention that you are sociable and easy to find mutual language with people, you know how to convince and prove that you are right.

Essentially, all you have to do is speak confidently and honestly. Indicate all your advantages that relate to this position, indicate all your strengths.

When is it asked?

The question about your need and importance for the company is usually asked at the end of the interview. They often try to ask it at the most unexpected moment in order to test your reaction and ability to react quickly in unpredictable situations. But sometimes employers surprise you with such a question at the very beginning of the conversation.

This way, they save time: if you don’t answer in a way that the employer likes, the interview will be interrupted and you won’t get the position. In any case, be prepared for surprises at any time; each employer or HR has its own methods of “identifying” employees who are ideally suited for the job.

What should not be said?

You know, it’s only in books that everyone loves things that are too bright and showy. This may impress an employer if you are looking to fill certain positions that involve public speaking or management.

In all other cases, you must show that you have the skills, but at the same time you are flexible and willing to constantly learn. Therefore, the ideal answers, regardless of your future position, would be the following phrases:

“I have some experience that will help me do my job at the highest level.”

“Because I am willing to work and improve the quality of my work every day.”

“This job suits me perfectly: I have all the necessary personal and professional qualities for its excellent execution."

In no case should you list all your qualities, hold a talent parade and try to stand out with jokes or a witty but empty answer. Also, never say that you consider the position to be yours, especially if you do not answer such a question with confidence.

It will be even worse if you directly say during the interview that the company’s competitors have offered you a similar position, but with a higher salary.

Candidate assessment

We recommend that employers pay attention to three important things:

1. Response speed.
2. Originality of the answer.
3. Adequacy of the answer.

The faster the applicant answers your question, the better. This means, that even in an unusual situation this person will be able to react quickly.

It is also important what the candidate for the position answers. The answer should be as non-stereotypical as possible, without boasting and with a sound assessment of the situation. The applicant must be confident in himself as a specialist, but not overconfident. It is arrogant employees who undermine the already established team and do not allow the young team to unite.

Well, for applicants you need to be prepared for non-standard solutions. Be calm and confident that you are right. Remember that you are a specialist, you were called for an interview, which means that you have already attracted the employer’s interest, and you have every chance of getting this position.

Not only are you chosen, but you also choose. But at the same time, we should not forget that no ideal people, and you need to be tolerant. Therefore, speak only in professional themes, answer as rationally and competently as possible.

You can think through the answer to this and similar unusual questions, you can think through all the tactics of behavior during an interview, but no one is immune from the fact that something goes wrong. Therefore, get ready, but do not forget that you are first and foremost a specialist and will communicate with the employer only on work-related issues. Less unnecessary thoughts, more professionalism, and then the question “why should we hire you” will definitely not be asked during the interview, and if you are asked, you will know what to answer.

“What is your motivation?” - sometimes being asked to answer such a question can take you by surprise. Especially if you didn't think about the answer before preparing for the test.

In order to avoid getting into such an uncomfortable situation, it is better to prepare an answer about what your motivation for work is in advance. Such preparation will allow you to answer this question correctly, as well as appear before a potential boss as qualified and qualified. professional person who knows exactly what he wants.

Your motivation: what makes you run to work?

Why do you work and what is your work motivation? You will definitely hear this question during an interview. Why? An employer or headhunter wants to get a predictable employee by understanding his focus on achieving a goal (and whether he even has such focus!), as well as the motives that drive him. So, when going for a job interview, you are likely to be faced with the question of what is your motivation in work, in achieving career heights, and so on. It is important for you to have a clear answer to the question about your motivation at work, so as not to be misunderstood.

What is your motivation? What's behind the question?

When you are asked what your motivation is, they are not trying to ask why you wanted to apply for this particular position. You are not, however, expected to lay out a long-term plan for your own career development. So surprise your interlocutors! When you start answering the question about your motivation, tell them what exactly prompted you to come to this particular company, try to add why you associate working here with your own career expectations.

Usually, when trying to get an answer to the question about your motivation, a headhunter or employer simply wants to know what else in this life inspires you to get up in the morning and go to work, besides the ringing of the alarm clock.

The best answer to the question “what is your motivation?”

The best way to answer the question of what is your motivation for success or work is to answer it honestly. Considering the position you are applying for when you attend a job interview. The answer to the question should show your potential employer how motivated you are to take on this specific position. Your answers to the question about motivation will allow the recruiter (HR employee) to understand the following:

• What do you value and what do you love to do?
• What makes you sad and what happens when you get angry?
• how much are you?
• How will you feel in the team and what can others expect from you?

What is definitely worth mentioning when answering the question “what is your motivation?”

Every person can have many things that motivate them. It is hardly wise to remember all of them when talking with a potential employer. You need to ensure that the answers to the question of what your motivation is:

• did not have negative consequences for you personally;
• would be suitable for the position for which you are applying;
• would equally take into account your interests and the interests of your potential employer;
• would not reflect negatively on the personality or business of your potential employer.

No matter how psychologists try to tell us that people are motivated not only by money, the “not” particle in this sentence is the main one. Money is often the biggest motivator. This is the reason why most people go to work every day in exchange for a salary. At the same time, for some reason it is considered impolite to mention money as the main motivating factor. You will have to think about a more streamlined answer if you want to get the position you are applying for, without offending the employer, and at the same time not lying to either yourself or him.

It is advisable that, depending on the position for which you are applying, you would talk during the interview about factors such as challenges, new information that will help to take a fresh look at production problems, searches for solutions to such problems, and so on. And one more thing: do not forget to show the employer exactly how your motivation will benefit his business.

Your motivation. Main settings

Your motivation may have parameters that are common to people of a certain age or the same age. social group. So, at different stages of the career ladder, motivation can also be different.

For example, people over 30 years of age place greater importance on independence. Those who have just crossed the 20-year mark are mainly motivated to learn through work and gain new information, which may be useful to them in building a future career.

Think about your reasons and consider where and how you can mention each of them, or those that are most relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Here is a sample list of motives:

Your motivation. Examples of specific answers

In this paragraph we provide examples of answers to the question that the article is devoted to. You can either come up with your own answers or adapt ours to suit your situation.

Option 1.

Truth be told, I prefer stability and predictability to unbridled creativity. I have the necessary skills that I can use within my job responsibilities and enjoy my work. Once I've learned how to complete my current tasks, I enjoy doing them every day without the risk of ever losing motivation for what I need to do.

Option 2.

I have always had a desire to ensure that the company's clients receive the best possible service with my participation. I understand that this is vitally important both for the company and for me, since together with conscientious execution I gain invaluable positive experience from my duties.

Option 3.

I was responsible for various projects for which I developed algorithms and managed development teams for such projects. The efficiency of my work in many cases reached almost 100%. In my new role, I would like to be able to manage projects that I could complete ahead of schedule and again lead teams to achieve their goals.

Anna Voloshina, HR

Other useful articles:

Motivation of the sales department: team, goals, bonuses
Job interview. The employer's main question

So, you have been invited for an interview. Do you really want to work in this position and are very afraid of not passing the selection? Then you need to gather all your willpower and prepare for the conversation: think about your clothing style and rehearse your speech, taking into account likely questions.

11 basic interview questions and smart answers to them can be found here. How to answer complex and non-standard questions to please the employer? What questions the recruiter will ask depends on what position the employee is being hired for, however, as a rule, there is a standard set of questions that are asked to all applicants, which will be discussed below.

Before conducting an interview, the employer usually invites the applicant to fill out a special questionnaire, a sample of which can be viewed.

IN Lately Situational questions are very popular, when the employer describes the situation and asks the applicant to choose the correct behavior in this situation.

11 main interview questions with answers

1. How to answer the question - Tell us about yourself at the interview.

When answering this question and other questions from the interviewer, remain calm and speak in a confident tone. Tell us what will be important for the employer to hear: place of study and specialty, work experience, knowledge and skills, interest in this particular job and personal qualities– resistance to stress, learning ability, hard work. This point is discussed in more detail in, where an approximate story of the applicant about himself is given, as well as recommendations on how best to answer.

2. What to answer at an interview to the question - Why did you quit?

When answering the question why you left your previous job, do not talk about conflicts at your previous job and do not speak badly about your boss or colleagues. You may be suspected of conflict and inability to work in a team. It is better to remember the positive moments from past experience, and the reason for leaving is the desire to fully realize one’s abilities, the desire to improve professional level and wages.

3. How to answer the question - Why do you want to work for us?

Start with the positive aspects of the company's work - stability and a professional, well-coordinated team, interest in the field of activity, and then add what attracts you to the position and work schedule, proximity to home, decent wages.

4. Why do you think you are suitable for this position?

How to answer the question - why should we hire you? Here you must prove very clearly and convincingly that you are the best specialist in this field. Tell us about the work of the company and the industry in which you are going to work, do not hesitate to praise yourself, tell us about your achievements.

5. How should you answer a question about shortcomings at an interview?

The question of shortcomings is quite a tricky one. It’s not worth posting your disadvantages as best you can. Name such “disadvantages” that look more like advantages. For example: I’m picky about my work, I don’t know how to distance myself from work. And it’s best to say neutrally: I, like everyone else, have shortcomings, but they do not in any way affect my professional qualities.

6 secrets for a successful interview

6. What strengths do you have?

• communication skills;
• learning ability;
• punctuality;
• diligence.

These are standard examples of advantages that are included in almost every application; they do not carry any special significance for the employer, and do not distinguish the applicant from others in any way.

It is better to talk at an interview about professional advantages that will be useful and interesting to the employer:

• I have experience in negotiations at various levels;
• easily conclude important agreements and contracts;
• I can organize my work day rationally, etc.

Such answers will attract attention and stand out among other answers.

7. What salary do you expect?

The services of a good specialist cannot be cheap. There is an option - name an amount higher than the average salary, or focus on the salary you received at your previous job and inflate it by 10 -15%. Stick to the golden mean, otherwise they may think that you are either a bad specialist or too ambitious.

8. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

Persistent and purposeful people set long-term goals, plan their personal and career. If you haven't thought about this question yet, do so before your interview. Focus on your desire to work in the same company, but during this time climb the career ladder.

Do not hide your previous place of work; be prepared to give the phone numbers of former colleagues and managers. If, when answering this question, you hesitate or completely avoid answering, then the employer may believe that you want to avoid negative feedback.

10. Are you ready for professional workload?

The employer can hint at overtime in this way. In this case, ask how often they are possible: how many times a month or for how many hours. If you are ready for such conditions, then confirm your readiness for stress.

11. Do you have any additional questions?

It's time to find out the details future work: starting from the schedule and social. package, to the requirements for company employees. A person who does not ask questions after an interview shows disinterest. So there must be questions, and it is best to think through them in advance.

Examples of excellent, good and bad answers to interview questions:

Video - awkward interview questions

One of the most popular interview questions is “Why should we hire you?” Job seekers often perceive it as a call to aggressively sell themselves to the employer. However, the purpose of the question is different: first of all, to understand the candidate’s motivation.

When answering this question, you need to avoid three mistakes: too formulaic an answer, arrogance and comparing yourself with other applicants. Natalya Valdaeva, a partner at the recruiting company Marksman, advises instead to focus the recruiter’s attention on your strengths: “Try to answer like this: “I can’t say why I’m better than others, but I’ll be happy to tell you about mine.” strengths and qualities that set me apart from my colleagues.”

The main thing is not to overdo it with arrogance, warns the head of the personnel department of the Biplan agency, Olga Nikitina: “When talking about the company’s problems, we must offer solutions, and not criticize working specialists.”

There are at least 5 possible answers to this question.

1. Talk about practical skills and results

It’s banal, but it works, Natalya Valdaeva is sure: “Once we were looking for a specialist for the position of head of the press service large bank, which receives dozens of journalistic requests every day. The employer chose a candidate who, in addition to the qualities required for this position (knowledge of banking, contacts in the media, ability to work with content), had experience in daily multitasking. Answering a similar question, he named specific numbers: how many comments and other texts he prepared daily. This became his key advantage.”

2. Talk about motivation

“Tell us why you want to work in this company, why you are interested in this particular position. Study the company’s website, read its history, so that in a conversation you don’t end up with general phrases, but argue your interest with facts,” advises Tatyana Lamekina from the Step Consulting Center. You will be remembered by the recruiter if you show your sincere interest and knowledge.

3. Demonstrate competence

If you hear a trick in a recruiter’s question, perhaps you are not confident in yourself, warns Igor Korganov, senior trainer-consultant at CBSD/Thunderbird Russia. “The problem is that uncertainty may cause great candidates to be unaware that they are a perfect fit for the job,” says Korganov. - This happens because they do not know how to correctly evaluate their experience and knowledge. Take an inventory of your achievements using the STAR scheme - this is a technique that HR managers use when recruiting personnel. The letters STAR stand for situation - task - action - result (situation - task - action - result). Believe in your abilities, then you won’t need to convince anyone: at the interview you will speak about yourself confidently and with evidence.”

4. Make a joke

Use a sense of humor to make yourself memorable to the recruiter. “I once interviewed a man who was applying for the position of chief accountant,” says Tatyana Yanina, head of the personnel department. federal network Hermes. - When asked why we should hire him, he replied: “I’m pretty sure that many employers see only women in this role. I absolutely agree with them. The advantage of women in this position is obvious. But it so happens that I am a third-generation hereditary accountant, so this is fate.”

“You can start from the emotional component, focusing on positivity and the ability to energize the entire team,” recalls Olga Nikitina from Biplane. - Personally, I remember three answers to this question during interviews. A young man offered to regularly perform songs with a guitar, a girl promised to arrange furniture according to Feng Shui so that business would go well, and another candidate boasted about his football skills, although we didn’t even ask him about it. By the way, the football lover demonstrated not only his skills in working with the ball, but also extensive knowledge in the field of Internet marketing and became an excellent acquisition for the sales department.”

5. Summarize the meeting

Typically this question is asked towards the end of the interview. This means this is your chance to summarize everything you and the recruiter talked about during the interview. “The answer to this question is a kind of summary of your conversation,” says Tatyana Yanina. - You have already received enough information to understand what the employer needs. Project this onto your capabilities and the results you achieved in previous jobs. And if the employer’s expectations are still not completely clear to you, do not hesitate to ask additional questions.”

The answer can be formulated as follows: “As I understand it, here priority tasks, which will stand in front of your new employee. I have the professional skills that will allow me to cope with these tasks” - and provide specific examples of the skills and how they benefit the company's objectives.

Have you been asked this question at an interview?

Hello again, dear friend!

As you know, there are invited and uninvited guests. But a well-mannered person should greet and communicate with everyone. We can look at employers from the same perspective. How to respond to an interview invitation?

We have already agreed with you , is a project. And any project needs management and control. Reception of incoming calls and invitations, of course, should also not be uncontrolled.

You have sent your resume and are waiting for a response. If the employer is interested in you, he will call you or write to you by email.

It is advisable to always be in touch during the standard working hours of most companies from 9 to 18. If you sleep longer, make sure that your answer does not sound like the sleepy voice of a person who does not understand with whom and what he is talking about.

In order not to slow down during a conversation, you should decide in advance on the following:

• How to identify “nicanor offices” with which you will not cooperate. More on this below.
• Prepare your questions for the recruiter
• Prepare answers to common questions

Features of a telephone conversation-interview

• The first words you say are akin to an interview. It sets the tone for the rest of the conversation. If the caller hears something like “Who is this?” in a dissatisfied tone - consider that the conversation did not take place. A friendly “hello” is a completely different matter.

• The main tool for communicating on the phone is voice. He is the only one) I recommend smiling slightly during a conversation. A smile gives the voice a pleasant and welcoming emotional background.
• Each proposal or question from the recruiter should be confirmed with the words “good”, “understandable”, “excellent”, “of course”.
• If speaking is inconvenient, ask for an apology and suggest a time when you will call back yourself.
• If the conversation is interfered with by interference, such as traffic or other noise, it is also advisable to postpone the conversation. You may not hear important information

Recruiter's goal

1. Find out your interest in the job and the vacancy.
2. Make sure that you are not deprived of the gift of speech and know how to conduct a dialogue. Avoid such pearls: “I wrote this in my resume...”. Like, what don’t you understand? The recruiter may decide that you are from the cohort of gloomy @ovnyuks who are not hired anywhere.
3. To clarify some issues. For example: from previous jobs, your area of ​​residence, salary expectations. Sometimes you need to clarify your experience and skills that are critical to the job.

Your tasks

1. Show that you are a well-mannered person and have the gift of speech.
   
2. to questions.
3. Find out if the company is right for you. Ask your questions.
4. Write down the time and place of the face-to-face interview, and the recruiter’s contacts.

What questions to ask?

1. Territorial location of the company. If it's important. Although it is advisable to look at this before sending your resume.
2. Company name, website availability?Is it concluded employment contract? White company or gray? If everything is according labor code- they always say this is an advantage.
3. What criteria are used to evaluate work? The ratio of variable and fixed parts of payment.
4. Ask the manager of the vacancy looked at the resume or not. It is better for you that your resume is approved by the decision maker (the one who makes the decision). It happens like this: you talked with a recruiter, but the decision maker didn’t like the resume. You cannot influence this order, but you need to know. By the way, it makes sense to carefully ask the recruiter to show the decision maker’s resume before the meeting.
5. How many meetings will there be, on the same day or on different days? What format will the interview take? They won’t always say, but trying is not torture.
6. Be sure to contact by name. Why is this important - in article

You are unlikely to have time to ask all the questions. This is not necessary so as not to be considered a bore. Choose the ones that are most important to you. In conclusion, thank you for the call and talk about what you agreed on.

How to calculate “Nikanor’s office”

It’s sad, but a call you don’t expect is most often a reason to be wary. For example, they say that they represent a certain trading company, which recruits specialists.

What to ask:

a) Company name . If there is something vague like “trade and production holding”, the typical name is “Nikanor’s office”. Not having a website is the same thing.

No serious company hides its name.Always has a website.

b) Job title? Should reflect the functional direction. The head of an unknown direction, the head of a department of an unknown reason - the name was probably made up from thin air.

c) Functional responsibilities?

The list must be specific. The catchphrase in various leftist offices is “resolving organizational issues.”

If there are no clear answers, it’s worth continuing the conversation if you’re ready to try your hand at network marketing and other similar “works”.

They often say - we’ll tell you the details at the meeting. This is an attempt to delay the interview and process it there.

Main:

• If you did go for an interview -don't pay money!Training, some kind of fee. This is always a 100% scam.
• Never don't leave your documents ! They can be used for fraud, such as obtaining a loan.
• Remember - in the labor market the employer pays for everything

If you receive an email

I’ll say right away that the companies to which you sent your resume on job sites never write to you by email. They answer through the website or call.

If you received a letter from someone unknown, it is most likely “Nikanor’s office” or spam.

If you received a response from the company you sent by mail, that’s good.

Your answer should be short and to the point.

Example:

Hello, Ivan Ivanovich!

Thank you for the invitation. I will be glad to come to your office at such and such a time (indicate dates and times that are convenient for you. If already proposed, confirm).

Sincerely,

Full name, telephone

If you have questions, ask, there is no need to be shy.It should be clear where, when, with whom and on what issues you meet.
One way or another, before answering, you need to understand what kind of company it is and whether you are ready to work with it.

Thank you for your interest in the article. I would appreciate your comment (at the bottom of the page).

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Have a nice day and good mood!