This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It’s often preceded by the phrase, “I’ve already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect.” Then the killer question, “Why should I hire YOU$”

Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is, in fact, the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can so easily separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large “Game Over” sign flashes above your head.

What they really want to know is, “What’s special or different about you$”, or “How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position$”. With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best “story” that answers this question, “Will you go the extra mile$”

Why is the employer asking why they should hire you$ Because there are only 5 areas of interest that they have about you as a candidate:

1. Your skills

2. Your knowledge about the company

3. Your manageability

4. Your affordability

5. Whether you can go above and beyond your job description.