How to Answer: What makes you a strong candidate for this position?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Apple job interview.
3. What makes you a strong candidate for this position?
The Goal
Your resume and cover letter got you this far. This question essentially asks why you are interested in this position, what you have to offer, what sets you apart from the other candidates and makes you uniquely qualified for this position and their culture, and why they should hire you. Tailor your answer to seem like a good fit with the rest of the team by aligning your answer with the company and its core values.
Perform adequate research on every purpose statement, mission state, and shared values. Learn as much as you can about them and the opportunities they offer. You'll also want to perform adequate research on yourself, what you have to offer them, and how you already embrace everything they do as if you are already a member of their team. From there, you should be able to construct an in-depth answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 24th, 2022
What You Need to Know
The assessment vendor will evaluate all your verbal and non-verbal cues to determine the authenticity of your answer. They'll know whether you believe what you're saying and if it is sincere and comes from the heart or if you're simply telling them what you think they want to hear to land the job. They'll evaluate whether you believe in what you claim makes you unique and sets you apart from the other candidates.
Once you begin and the interview question comes on screen, you'll have 20-30 seconds to prepare your response. You only get one shot to record your answers. There are no retakes. You'll get roughly three minutes to record each answer, but don't feel like you have to let the clock run out. Only take as long as you need to answer. Some questions may take longer to answer than others.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 24th, 2022
Answer Example
"I identify with every aspect of Apple's culture, values, and attitude as my own. In every position I've worked in, I was referred to as a Clutch-Player, and I feel that everyone who works at Apple is a clutch player by default. I'd love nothing more than to work amongst those I see as my peers, and in every aspect, including my qualifying skills, I envision myself being the perfect fit for your teams."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 24th, 2022