Master 30 common interview questions that appear across industries and interview formats.
Question 4 of 30
The Goal
Example Answer
Manager
Admin
Sales
Retail
Teacher
Marketing
What to Avoid
Pro Tip
How to Answer
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Essentially, the interviewer is asking why they should hire you over anyone else. When it comes to hiring decisions, a company will choose the person they believe will help them solve a problem or a pain point. For this reason, the goal of your response is to clearly outline how you will address and help solve the hiring company's most significant needs and pain points.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"From our discussion, I believe that one of your company's most important goals is to increase sales numbers, and quickly. I am the best candidate for you because I consistently exceed my targets and goals. Because of my dedication to exceeding targets, I have been promoted two times in the last year, which is nearly unheard of in my current company. In addition to these successes, I have excellent cold calling skills, which I will immediately put to good use."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I understand your company is seeking a manager with a proven ability to lead a team of field sales reps. You seek a leader who can properly train, motivate, and encourage a boost in sales numbers while providing the tools for each team member to perform at their peak ability. My experience, and past results, align very well with this need. I am an experienced leader, having trained over 50 successful outside sales reps this year alone. My teams' retention rate is the highest in my company. Over 80% of my team members have exceeded their goals for this quarter already. I am a passionate trainer and mentor who is very hands-on and approachable. I would love to bring these skills and traits to your company."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I believe my success with your company will come from having advanced-level skills in a significant range of administrative programs and the ability to troubleshoot technical issues for the team. My technical abilities have saved my current employer hundreds of downtime and IT billing hours. I also have strong vendor relationships with local conference facilities, trainers, keynote speakers, and hotels, which makes me a highly efficient executive assistant who can save you a lot of funds when it comes to travel, bookings, and company-related events."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"As desired by your company, I have inside and outside sales experience, and I know the telecommunications industry very well. I have exceeded my sales goals for three years in a row. I have led the rollout of new markets in my current position, making me well-positioned to help you continue to build your sales proposition while breaking into new markets."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I believe I'm the best candidate for your company because I have a background in retail sales, and I've worked as a merchandiser and inventory specialist. Combining these skills, I will bring tremendous value to your retail organization when positioning and pushing products out at a faster rate. I am confident that my knowledge will bring an immediate and long-term impact."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I know that I would be an excellent fit with your existing Spanish team and the faculty as a whole. I will bring this unique and upbeat perspective that you mentioned is lacking in the Spanish curriculum. I am bilingual, and I lived in Spain, Mexico, and Colombia for eight years. I feel these cultural experiences uniquely position me to pass that real-life experience and energy onto your students. I can create an engaging classroom and ignite excitement in these deserving students."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I understand that you are looking for a marketing manager who can lead a remote team of graphic designers, copywriters, and ad sales professionals. I lead a team of 15 remote employees and 12 in-house employees in my current position. It has been a great experience learning how to merge these two teams, ensuring that projects come together on time. This year, I was awarded manager of the year after being nominated by my peers and leadership team. If you choose to hire me, I will bring tenacity and dedication, leading your remote team to optimum performance and success."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Avoid a response like, 'I am the best candidate because this is my dream job.' An answer like this is all about you, the job seeker, and not about the hiring company or how hiring you will benefit them.
Another common mistake is to respond by giving a general overview of your resume or work history. Your response should spotlight the reasons why your achievements, skills, and characteristics are a match for the hiring company's most pressing needs.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
This question is an opportunity to pitch yourself. The hiring company needs to understand how saying 'yes' to you will benefit them. You can also imagine that the interviewer is asking, 'What's in it for us if we hire you.' Consider telling a story along with your response. Studies show that when we provide an anecdote or a story, we become immensely more memorable.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Carefully look at the job description and dissect what the hiring company is genuinely looking for in a candidate. Try to uncover what problem the company is trying to solve by filling this role. Be prepared to discuss a few of your hard skills and soft skills that you know will help you succeed in the job. Hard skills are specific knowledge gained through training and education. Soft skills are traits you possess, like emotional intelligence and sociability.
Also, be prepared to talk about the present and the future. Rather than thinking only in the now, help the interviewer imagine you in the role for years to come.
Anonymous Answer
My seven years of experience at my previous company show my dedication. In my three years of working in another country, I gained a lot of international work experience, and have worked with many cultures. On the sales floor, I can create a fun environment in which my team can work.

Rachelle's Feedback
Try to dig a bit deeper, touching on what you bring that other candidates do not. For instance, do you speak multiple languages or have an educational background that will specifically benefit the company? Perhaps you blow your sales targets to oblivion every week :) Brainstorm a few ways you are unique! Your international experience is one reason, so you may want to address that in a more strategic way.
"You should hire me because I show a dedication rarely seen in retail. When I started at Apple, I did not have a strong technical background. That didn't stop me from becoming the #1 sales person in the company within six months. I am a competitive achiever, passionate for international business and learning new cultures. You won't be disappointed when you hire me."
Anonymous Answer
I feel like I have the experience you need. I'm a hard worker and a quick learner.

Rachelle's Feedback
These are great reasons to hire you! Try to make your response a bit more compelling by answering more affirmatively.
"I am the best candidate for you because my level of dedication is second-to-none. I am hardworking, and a quick learner. Also, I have the CNC Machine experience you are looking for."
Anonymous Answer
I have demonstrated in my current position my ability to successfully direct, plan, schedule, and coordinate the activities of my crew to safely and efficiently complete all assigned tasks making optimal use of available resources. I have established myself as a very good communicator that can actively listen, gather information, identify potential conflict and then make an informed decision to resolve any conflict that may occur.

Rachelle's Feedback
Well done :) You come across as a highly competent candidate, and a smart hire!
Anonymous Answer
I am the best candidate because of my passion for working in this field. I am driven to learn more about how to combine engineering with the human body and strive to increase that knowledge by working for your company. I am also a detail-oriented worker who does not stop a task until I finish it or if its lunchtime.

Rachelle's Feedback
This is a great answer!
Anonymous Answer
I am an extremely dedicated employee. At my current position, I will pull the hours needed to complete a task with no questions asked. I help lead our team and am usually the person someone will go to to help solve their issue.
I take personal pride in a project being successful and not harping on how we got there or who did what, instead, focusing on the fact that we did get there. I not only have the career background for this position but also have the experience as an end user with your software. I know how it is on both sides and can use my experience to help our end users.

Rachelle's Feedback
Fantastic! Your response makes me want to hire you!
Anonymous Answer
I am the best candidate because I have the experience, education, and required license that all are related to this position. I see the jobs that I have to do.

Rachelle's Feedback
Try being more detailed in this response. This question is basically asking - 'why you?' Other candidates will have the right licensing, education, and experience. So, what sets you apart? You could add in unique skills or characteristics that will be memorable.
"I am the best candidate for you because I show attention to detail and dedication rarely seen in the workplace. As a {job title}, my managers are always complimenting me on my thorough approach. I work independently, always completing jobs as I see them, rather than waiting to be asked. Should you choose to hire me, you will be very pleased with my blend of experience, education, licensing, and work ethic."
Anonymous Answer
I am the best candidate because of my experience in technology combined with my communication and overall leadership skills.

Rachelle's Feedback
Be more specific on your technology experience. This interview question is one of the most critical for any interview so it's important that you do an exceptional job 'selling' your skills to the interviewer.
"I am the best candidate for you because I am an expert user in {technology}, with a complete understanding of {technology or industry}. As a manager, I show the ability to lead a team with integrity and accountability."
Anonymous Answer
I have 20 years of experience with customer service. I am sincere, kind, friendly, professional, educated, hardworking, patient, and willing to learn.

Rachelle's Feedback
These are all excellent reasons to hire you! Well done, with a lot of variety.
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Written by Rachelle Enns
30 Questions & Answers • Common Interview Questions

By Rachelle

By Rachelle