Why should we hire you? What makes you a good candidate?

"I feel like my personal makeup is ideal for a career as a civil servant. I enjoy monotonous work, thrive in a regimented and rule-bound environment, am hard-working and productive, and am self-managed in my work. I can adapt when needed, can work in either a solitary or team-oriented environment, and love helping people."

Your interviewer is asking if you have done your research and are aware of the qualities they are looking for in a candidate. Don't lead with assumptions. Do your research and take note of the specifics of what they are looking for in a candidate and how you meet those expectations. For example, they are looking for people who are motivated to serve the public and desire to improve the lives of others.

When deciding on a candidate, the Civil Service advises their interviewers to "consider each criterion carefully and decide whether it is actually essential rather than desirable. We may ask for evidence or a rationale as to why desirable criteria has been included. The use of desirable criteria in assessment should be clearly set out in the advertised material. Departments should note assessments must only be made against criteria that has been published. We recommend that desirable criteria are only used in the event of a strong field of candidates, and as a second stage after essential criteria have been considered. Desirable criteria can be used when there is a need to distinguish between candidates who are closely tied or the same after the initial consideration of essential criteria, either at sift or interview. We would ask you to consider carefully whether you should add a qualification as a desirable criterion. Our recommendation is that a qualification is either needed or it is not, and if it is needed it should be in your essential criteria or in the eligibility requirements for the role."