"Why Should We Hire You?" - 10 Best Answers For 2021: Challenging Interview Questions

“Why Should We Hire You?
” - 10 Best Answers for

2021
Job interviews can be daunting. You will find yourself sitting in a room with the hiring
manager, having to answer tough questions about your experience and qualifications
for the position you are seeking with the company.
Throughout the interview, it’s important to deliver specific examples as often as you can.
The more concrete examples you can give, the better you will be able to showcase your
value to the hiring manager.
That brings me to one of the most challenging interview questions you could potentially

face: Why should we hire you?
During the interview process, it is nearly inevitable that you will be asked to answer the
question, “Why should we hire you?” At this moment, you need to proceed with caution.
After all, you are comparing yourself to other candidates and trying to set yourself apart
from these unknown personas without seeming too boastful. You don’t want to risk
derailing the interview process by talking too much and sounding like a show-off.
The hiring manager is gauging your response to determine if you are the perfect person
for this job. When asked, “why should we hire you?”, tread lightly and have a few
different answers prepared in advance.
While the question might be archaic and intimidating, it is a favorite question among
hiring managers, so it's important to be well-prepared.
Read the full job description in detail and think of a few skills that make you uniquely
qualified to perform the job duties. While you cannot possibly know the qualifications of
other applicants, now is the time to sell yourself and state the things that make you the
best fit for the job.
Before showing you how to answer: “why should we hire you?”, let’s explore some
possible pitfalls and things to avoid when describing why you should be hired for a
position.
Don’t just respond with a generic answer like, “I’m smart, qualified and I want this job.”
Of course, you do, or you wouldn’t be sitting in this interview. It’s almost certain that
every other candidate is going to be saying nearly the same thing.
You need to be unique and separate yourself from the talent pool. Otherwise, you risk
falling into the same category as everyone else, which is what you're trying to avoid in
the interview.
While you don't want to sound like an overconfident show-off, now is the time to brag
about your skills and experiences humbly. It's great to list some bullet points that you
will want to emphasize in advance and prepare a few responses to this question. Don’t
memorize a script but proper preparation will set you apart.
Avoid talking too much in your response, just state the qualifications you want to convey
and move on. The more you continue to blubber about yourself, the more likely you will
lose the interest of the hiring manager, and they will move on to another candidate.
This is your sales pitch to show the hiring manager you’re ready to do the job. Think
clearly and prepare with vigor and you will be decorating your new desk in no time.
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Here are some examples to help you craft your response to this common interview
question:
Why Should We Hire You Answer - Example #1

That's a great question! You have a slight advantage over me since you know what
you're looking for and I am still learning about your company. From what I've learned, it
sounds like you are looking for someone who will be able to handle customer concerns
quickly and effectively, is that accurate?
(Assume the interviewer responds, “Yes.”)
In that case, I'd like to tell you about a time where I handled a customer issue, and they
walked away with renewed confidence in our capabilities and services.
Explanation: When responding to this question, you always want to thank the

interviewer for asking the question. This response poses a question back to the
interviewer, which helps you get further clarification on what they are looking for.
If you can confirm what they need in a candidate, you can then refer to a specific
instance where you performed that job duty with a positive outcome. The more specific
examples you can provide, the more memorable you will be to the hiring manager.
Why Should We Hire You - Example #2

This is a critical question in the process, thank you for asking. Based on what you've
said today and from the research I've done, your company is looking for a skilled
communicator and experienced marketer to grow your business and help your company
stand out from the competition. At my previous company, I increased their activity by
24% by implementing targeted social media advertising. I will bring that innovative and
entrepreneurial spirit to your company, and your success will be my top priority.
Explanation: This response uses a specific percentage to demonstrate the candidate's

ability to perform the job responsibilities effectively. The more descriptive and accurate
you can get, the better your chances of landing the job. If you can show your direct
impact on an organization, the hiring manager will remember that and will be more likely
to recommend you for the position.

I believe that my experience with technology, specifically in the web design space,
make me the best match for this position. In my previous job, I was responsible for
maintaining and updating our company website. This required keeping employee
profiles updated and continuously posting information regarding upcoming events. I truly
enjoyed what I was doing, which is what drew me to this position with your company. I
would love to bring the coding and content skills I learned there to this position.
Explanation: By highlighting your experience with a particular skill that the position
requires, describe in detail what that experience looks like and how you have used it
previously. This gives the hiring manager the chance to see some of your work and
determine if it fits what they are looking for in a candidate. If this is your strongest skill,
don't be afraid to say that in your interview.

I’m glad you asked. You explained earlier that leadership qualities are a bonus for this
position. In my 10 years of experience as a sales manager, I have effectively managed
teams of over 15 people. I developed motivational skills that earned my region the
“Region of the Year” five years in a row for consistently meeting and exceeding sales
goals. I will bring those leadership abilities to this position.
Explanation: Showing that you have “bonus” skills is a great way to separate yourself
from the other candidates. If the hiring manager explicitly states that they are really
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looking for someone that also has certain skills, answering this question by showing you
possess those skills will only strengthen your qualifications in the interviewer’s mind.

The job listing states that you are looking for someone with patience and superior
communication skills. While volunteering and holding an office for the Special Olympics,
I learned how to be patient with the athletes and participants at our state’s Special
Olympics. Coordinating the event helped me develop better communication and
planning skills which are imperative when performing the responsibilities you described
today.
Explanation: When you don’t have a lot of experience in the industry you are applying
to, you can use skills you learned while volunteering or in other aspects of your life to
demonstrate how you are the best fit for this position.

While I don’t know the experience of the other candidates, I can speak to the
qualifications that make me the best fit for this position. After working in this same
position with another organization for over eight years, I successfully managed a team
of 12 in our marketing department where I was responsible for approving and managing
budgets and developing creative campaigns. In fact, one campaign I oversaw generated
a 14% increase in awareness among our target demographic. Now, I’m ready to spread
my wings at a company of your size.
Explanation: Setting up your response by immediately calling out your inability to

respond directly to the experience of your competition gives you a look of transparency
and earns you credibility with the interviewer. In addition to your experience, you can
highlight why you are interested in this position with this company. This response
demonstrates the candidate's passion for the industry because, after eight years, they
are still looking to do the same job, but in a larger capacity.

As a recent college graduate, I know that what I'm lacking is career experience.
However, the qualifications that I bring cannot be measured by traditional experience.
After holding offices in four different organization and managing a full course load with a
job at the university's admissions office, I learned how to multitask and prioritize
responsibilities. In your fast-paced organization, the ability to effectively prioritize is a
significant component of success.
Explanation: By stating your lack of experience right off the bat, you can get that out of
the way and focus on what you can bring to this position. Without a lot of direct skills
and knowledge, highlighting soft skills like prioritization, communications or leadership
can serve you well in the interview process. If this is an entry-level position, those soft
skills will make you more appealing to the hiring manager.

For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in the job description, and I'm
confident that I can make an immediate impact on your company. It's not just my
background in leading successful projects for Fortune 500 companies, but also my
passion for the industry that drives me to succeed. If chosen for this role, I will continue
to deliver high-quality work for the continued success of your organization.
Explanation: While this response is a bit generic, it conveys a high level of confidence

and positivity which are essential qualifications for an experienced professional looking
for a high-ranking position. With the assumption that this candidate has already
discussed the specifics of their experience in earlier interview questions, it's okay to be
a little more generic here.
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I’m glad you asked. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the agency world, I
will bring my creative, motivational and strategic marketing skills to the client side with
your company. While I don’t have direct experience working in a corporate environment,
I have delivered results above and beyond the ask from my clients in the agency where
I’ve been a key stakeholder for over 20 years.
Explanation: This candidate who is switching industries can focus on their leadership

and strategic marketing skills to transfer over to a new company. Stating the tenure and
critical leadership role at your most recent position can demonstrate loyalty and the
ability to adapt over the years. Leadership is always a skill that can be transferred
between industries.

I know you have a big decision ahead of you and for that, I am not envious. In our
discussion today, I hope I've demonstrated my understanding of the financial markets
and analysis along with my passion for carbonated beverages. I'd love nothing more
than to join your team here and grow this business unit.
Explanation: If you’ve already had a lengthy discussion about the position and your
qualifications, this question may be best answered by showing empathy and reiterating
your passion for the company and your experience as it relates to the position. You can
also ask the interviewer if there is any part of your qualifications they would like to
expand upon.
The interview process can be filled with speed bumps and landmines.
Don't let the question of, “Why should we hire you?” trip you up along the way. The
hiring manager is trying to find out why they should hire you over the others waiting to
be interviewed, and if there are a lot of candidates, this response could make or break
your interview.
Study these examples, pick out your unique qualifications as they relate to the position,
be prepared, and you will ace the interview.
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Answers for Why Do You Want to Work Here?
In the search for a position, every job seeker will be faced with a question that may be
seemingly obvious. A question that does not seem even to warrant an answer. When
hiring managers ask you, “Why do you want to work here?”
They are trying to determine if you would fit in at the company and if you would add
value to their existing team.
An engaged employee that is aligned with the company's mission and values will be
more productive and stay at the company longer. The hiring manager is trying to find
out if that person is you.
You might be panicking, wondering how to answer, “Why do you want to work

here?” You never want to answer this question with a blunt and thoughtless response
like, “Well, the pay is good, and I need a job.”
While this may be true, you aren’t giving yourself much of a chance.
You need to prove that you’ve done the research on the company, that your core values
match the objectives of the company, and that you will enjoy working there.
The hiring manager won’t want to hire someone who is only in it for the paycheck.
It’s critical that you take the time before the interview to learn everything you can about
the company.
Visit their website and read the “About Us” section, check out their social media
accounts to get a sense of their culture, and search for press or articles about
innovative things the company might be doing.
If you don’t find anything that sparks your imagination and drives your desire to work
there, this may not be the right company for you.
When crafting your response, you will want it to be customized to the company you are
interviewing with. Hiring managers do not appreciate a generic answer like, “This is a
great place to work and I would love to be on the team.”
This doesn't say anything about the impact the candidate could have on the company
and what they bring to the table.
Instead, design a response that demonstrates how your personal goals are in line with
the values of the organization.
For example, if the company values community service, talk about your volunteer work
and how you want to be a part of a team that is doing good in the community. Always tie
your response back to your experience.
If you’re finding it difficult to draft your response, we’ve crafted some sample answers
that can inspire your own reaction. Take your time to understand what is truly important
to you and only interview at organizations that reflect those values.
Examples to help you craft your response to this common interview question:
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Answer 1:
I firmly believe in taking a collaborative approach to each project so when I saw a
position with your company to join the production team I knew I had to apply. I've seen
your work in theatrical production, and your behind-the-scenes video really inspired me
because I saw the teamwork in action. I love working with a team to achieve a common
goal, and I know my background in production has prepared me for this role. I look
forward to becoming a valued contributor to this phenomenal team.
Explanation: This response delivers everything, gift-wrapped and tied with a bow, to

the hiring manager. It demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of the company
because they are aware of their projects and even viewed a video of their work. The
candidate then relates it to their personal values and previous experience to drive home
the point that there is no better person for the team.
Answer 2:
I read an article a few months back on the outreach your company does within the
community. Giving back and volunteering is a significant part of my own personal
values, and I remember feeling excited that a company values the community as much
as I do. That excitement grew when I saw there was a job opening in my field here. I
would really love coming to work each day, knowing that I am helping to make a
difference in the community through my work here.
Explanation: By responding with the values that are important and demonstrating how
those align with the company, this candidate is showing that they would be delighted
and fulfilled working at this company. In turn, the candidate will likely be more engaged
and remain at the organization long-term. The hiring manager will love to hear
responses like this.
Answer 3:
I have used your software for many years and am consistently impressed with the
innovation and developments made in the space. I also appreciate your dedication to
education, providing your customers with free demos to learn how to use your products
effectively. I would love to be a part of this innovative team and use my skills to
continue the groundbreaking work you are doing here.
Explanation: The candidate directly refers to the quality of the company's products

here, which is flattering for the hiring manager to hear. As a user of the products, this
candidate demonstrates that they are already knowledgeable about what the company
does, and how much they want to be a part of the team.
Answer 4:
I've seen your company consistently listed as one of the top places to work. I've read
employee testimonials and heard of your enthusiasm for encouraging employee growth
through education, training, and vast resources. I already know that engaged
employees produce better work, and that is evident in the most recent campaign you
created. I would love to join your innovative team, continue to create great work, and
grow within the company by learning new skills.
Explanation: Speaking to the reputation of the company is something that the hiring

manager will love, as they are working hard to make their company a better place to
work and getting recognized for their efforts is something they will like to hear. It's
important to take it a step further than just speaking to what's in it for the candidate. This
response is excellent at then highlighting what the employee can bring – through
experience and innovation – and continue to develop.
Answer 5:
I’ve heard of your reputation in the industry, and I would be proud to work for a
company with such an excellent track record and a strong example of leadership in the
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industry. I have a friend that works in the accounting department, and he told me that
the culture here is top notch and that management supports continuing education and
learning on the job while rewarding hard work. Based on his assessment and
encouragement, I think that I would fit in perfectly with the team here to make an
immediate impact.
Explanation: By already knowing somebody who works at the company, the candidate
has an automatic leg up because they can speak to direct perks that their colleague
referenced. By demonstrating that there is a built-in network, the hiring manager might
be more likely to hire this person because they know the employee will be happy at their
company.
Answer 6:
I saw an article about your new CEO John Smith and the company’s renewed
investment in innovation. As a natural innovator, this drew me to the position with your
company because I know that I will thrive in a situation where innovation is at the
forefront of everything we do.
Explanation: For this candidate, the ability to innovate is one of their core values. In a
concise answer, they reveal that they are knowledgeable about the company and that
this position suits their natural abilities.
Answer 7:
This organization is internationally known for the technology products you create, and
my experience in technology and developing new products has me intrigued by this
position. I saw that last year you won multiple awards for the new processor you
designed, and I would love to be on a team that is collaborative, hardworking, and
resourceful.
Explanation: This response ties together the company, the role, and the candidate’s
values all in one. Sometimes, when the hiring manager asks, “Why do you want to work
here?” they are looking for two answers, why do you like our company and why do you
like this position. It could be beneficial to add in a small nod to what drew the candidate
to this position.
Answer 8:
It’s simple, I read your company’s mission and vision. After finding out more information
about your company from social media, I can clearly see how my goals align with the
purposes of the company. There's nothing I love more than when I am working with
other engaged individuals towards a common goal, and that's what excited me about
working here. My research has led me to four fundamental ways that my goals align
with yours, and here they are.
Explanation: This example calls out the alignment in values clearly and directly. By
saying the exact ways that the candidate’s mission matches the company’s mission, the
hiring manager will recognize that this person did their homework and is excellent for
further developing and upholding the values of the organization.
Answer 9:
I first found your company several years ago, and I was inspired by the tone and style
of your brand. You market yourselves to a millennial audience, which I can relate to.
After following you and observing your job openings for several years while working my
way up at a smaller marketing firm, I believe I am now ready to join your exceptional
team, enhancing and driving forward a brand that is a natural extension of my own
beliefs.
Explanation: This example ties together the candidate’s and the company’s values
seamlessly. By demonstrating that the candidate already lives in the messaging and
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branding, it appears to be a no-brainer to bring them on as a representation of the brand
and the team the company is building.
Answer 10:
Before the recruiter called me about this opportunity, I must admit that I didn't know
much about your company. I've been doing some research in preparation for this
discussion, and I need to say that I'm impressed by your work and your vision for the
future. I'm genuinely interested in getting more involved in the technological side of
marketing, and I read that you are growing in that area. As an experienced marketer
with an emphasis in technology, I know I can bring a lot of value to the team.
Explanation: Honesty is always appreciated by the hiring manager, and it’s okay to

admit if the candidate had no knowledge of the company before they applied. However,
that statement should always be backed up by the research the candidate did and what
they found intriguing about the company. They still need to demonstrate that they want
to work at the company and explain why.
Conclusion
There are different ways to respond when a hiring manager asks you, “Why do you
want to work here?”
The most important thing is to be authentic. Only pinpoint specific values or information
that relates to what you believe.
If you can’t find a way to answer the question, the company may not be right for you.
Always remember to show that you’ve done your homework and tie in the company
values to your own values and this interview question will never trip you up.
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What Are Your Career Goals - How to Answer
What is a Career Goal

Career goals are targets. Things, positions, situations related to your professional life
that you have set your mind on achieving.
They can be short-term, like getting a promotion or certification, or they can be long-
term, like running your own successful business or being an executive at your dream
company.
No matter what they sound like, they should be this sort of prize that motivates you to
get going in your career.
Why Is It Important to Have a Career Goal (And Why

Interviewers Care)
Firstly, the job interview aside, you should have a career goal simply because it’s
beneficial to you.
Not to impress the interviewer, your relatives, or your future Tinder date, but to improve
yourself.
Having a career goal will keep you focused and keep you from getting stuck on a cycle
where every day looks the same and you forget what you are working for in the first
place.
It gives you something to aim for, steps to follow, progress to make.
Now, back to the interviewer and why they’re asking the question. Your answer lets
them know about two things:
 How long do you plan on working for them

 What motivates you to work
All interviewers are curious as to why you want to work for them, and they will ask you
straight up about it. However, this question tells them something that the “Why do you
want to work for us?” interview question doesn’t.
Your career goal will give them an idea as to what type of employee you will be - long
term or short term. Is this position something that you will be staying in for a while, or is
this a temporary stop until a better opportunity comes along?
In 2020, hiring and training an employee costs between $4000-$7600. Money that

employers have no interest in investing in someone who will be working for them for no
longer than two months.
Having a career goal also means you are not applying for a position just because the
job ad randomly stumbled in your way and, being unemployed, you’d apply to just about
anything so… here you are.
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If you have a goal that you want to achieve, it means that this interview was no accident
and this job position really aligns with your aspirations. That means you will probably be
more dedicated to the job, work harder, and have a great attitude.
An alternative to the career goals question is “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”.
In both cases, interviewers are trying to get to the same point: your future.
4 Most Common Career Goals

Apart from the two main types - long term and short term - career goals can also be
sorted into categories depending on their focus.
The 4 most common ones being:
Goals focused on professional advancement

These goals are all about improving your work performance and being more efficient;
getting better and faster at what you do and climbing higher up the ladder because of it.
Short-term example: A sales agent increasing their monthly sales by x%
Long-term example: Make a senior partner at a top law firm.
Goals focused on leadership advancement

When it comes to leadership, there’s a lot of room for career advancement. These goals
are all about improving your management skills and aiming for positions with more
responsibilities.
Short-term example: Working my way up to the position of a manager at this

restaurant.
Long-term example: Working as an executive at X company.
Goals focused on educational advancement

Whether you just graduated or you’re a full-on professional, there’s always more to
learn. These goals are about keeping you up to date with the new developments in your
field or just learning something new and different.
Short-term example: Learning a new programming language.
Long-term example: Finish medical school, complete a surgery residency program,

and successfully earn a state license to practice medicine in no more than 11 years.
Goals focused on personal development

These goals put emphasis on self-improvement and skills like networking or teamwork.
Achieving them has a positive impact on your professional life, but they also show that
you are more than just work work work.
Short-term example: Becoming more proactive within your company.
Long-term example: Improving your networking skills.
How to Answer - “What Are Your Career Goals?”

There really is no formula for getting this question right. There are, however, some tips
we can give you to make sure your answer hits all the right spots.
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Be relevant to the company.
Let’s say one of your goals at the moment is to get a certification from an online course
in fictional writing. That’s an amazing goal, but if you are applying for a position as a
sales manager, this certification is not going to help you a lot at the interview.
So what this means is, your answer to this interview question should be related to the
position/company you’re applying for.
Correct Example
 My goal has always been to be a Certified Public Accountant. In one year I will have finally
fulfilled the education and experience requirements to enter the Uniform CPA Exam, which I’m
very determined on passing.
Incorrect Example
 I’m only an amateur photographer, but my goal is to have my own exposition one day.
Whenever I’m outside of work I try to dedicate myself to it as much time as possible so I can
expand my portfolio. I think it’s cool for an accountant to be engaged in something else like
photography, right?
Start with short-term goals and then move to long-term ones.
Short-term goals usually tend to be steps in the way of the bigger long-term goal.
They’re also more specific and clear.
When giving your answer, you can start talking about these goals, and then roll into the
long-term ones. Your answer will sound much more logical and your plans well thought
out.
Correct Example:
 I’m aiming to discover some new talented authors in the upcoming years. Delivering a
bestselling book would help me establish my name as an editor in the publishing industry and
help me gradually build a strong clientele of writers.
Incorrect Example:
 My goal is to be the editor of some major writers. I can see myself delivering a bestselling series
like Harry Potter in a few years.
Back your goals with an action plan
Laying out a list of goals doesn’t make for a very convincing answer. Instead, focus on
one or two main goals and briefly explain how you plan on achieving them or how they
will benefit your career in the long-term. This shows that you have thought these goals
through and are clear about what you want in the future.
For example, if your short-term goal is to learn a new programming language, explain
how you will achieve that (certification or auto-didactic learning) and how that improves
your work performance (does it allow you to work on more projects? Does the company
you work for benefit from that?).
Elaborating on that last sentence: Focus on the employer.
Yes, they’re asking about your career goals, but at the end of the day, they care about
their company’s best interest more. (No shocker here.) So, when talking about your
goals make sure to express how achieving them will also be beneficial to your potential
employer. Convince them it’ll be a win-win situation.
Correct Example:
 I’m trying to find the appropriate time this year to enroll in a course for learning SAP FICO. It
would help me as a financial analyst deliver more accurate reports, as well as help the company
plan and monitor costs better.
Incorrect Example:
 I’m aiming to improve the quality of my reports and analyses. I need to do some more research
on how exactly I can do that, but for now, that’s my goal.
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Preparation and Practice.
No matter how much you feel you have your future plans figured out, it’s still important
to prepare for this question in advance. Think about some short-term and long-term
goals, and take the time to practice your answer.
Tell me about yourself

The question sounds easy on paper, sure. After all, we talk about ourselves all the
time.
But when you think about it, it’s a really open-ended question.
Do you start with your background? Do you go through whatever’s on your resume? Or
do you introduce yourself more as a person than a professional?
Worried and unsure of how to answer?
Relax, you’re not the only one!
Most people struggle with this question.
Here’s some good news, though: there’s a very easy way to answer the dreaded
interview question.
Want to learn how?
Read on to find out:

 Why do interviewers ask this question?
 How to answer “tell me about yourself” with a simple formula
 4 essential tips to keep in mind when answering
 3 sample answers for experienced professionals, students, and prospective students
Let’s take it one step at a time
How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview

Question
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To better answer the question, you first need to understand why they ask it in the first
place.
Hint: the interviewer isn’t looking for your life story, or what you had for dinner last night.
Rather, the question is a way for them to ease into the actual interview and get a
general idea of what you’re all about.
It acts as an introduction and depending on how you answer, it’s going to help the
interviewer decide what to ask next.
This is your opportunity to leave a lasting first impression.
Give a good answer, and the interviewer will enthusiastically bombard you with more
questions.
Answer wrong, though, you’ll instantly be labeled as the “OK Candidate.”
So, what’s a “good answer?”
Well, it’s actually pretty straightforward. A good answer should be
Tailored - Applying for an accounting job? The recruiter doesn’t care about your work
experience as a real estate agent. Your answer should be tailored to the job you’re
applying for.
Based on Experience & Achievements - Your answer should be super-specific. Don’t

just say “so um, my name’s Mike and I’m a sales manager.” Your answer should consist
of background (what did you study?), top achievements (how do you stand out from the
other candidates), and interests (why are you applying for this job?).
...And...
Structured - Your answer should follow a simple, easy-to-follow format. We’d

recommend sticking to the tried-and-tested “Past-Present-Future” formula. Meaning,
structure you answer as follows:
 The past - what is your background and relevant work experience? How did you get to
where you are now?
 The present - what is your current role? What do you do and what are your top
accomplishments?
 The future - what are you looking to do next? Why are you interested in the position?
Keeping these tips in mind, here’s what a good answer to “tell me about yourself” would
look like:
Correct Answer:
“Sure, so, my name is Joe and I am 27 years old.
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For the past 5 years, I’ve been working as a business analyst at Company X and Y.
I have some background in data analysis, with a degree from University XY. What really
got me into the field, though, is the internship I did at Company Z.
Throughout my career, I’ve noticed that I’ve always been good with numbers and
handling data.
For example, when I was working at Company X, I led a project for migrating all
operations data to a new data warehousing system to cut down on costs. The new
solution was a much better fit for our business, which eventually led to savings of up to
$200,000 annually.
Moving forward, I hope to expand my experience across different industries. Particularly

fintech, which is why I’m interested in your company..”
Here’s what’s done right:
 The answer is tailored. Joe doesn’t stray off-topic, he talks about his experience as a
business analyst, and his past achievements in working with data.
 The answer is based on experiences and achievements. Joe talks about his work
experience as a business analyst, and covers some of his top achievements.
 The answer is structured right - past, present, future.
Sounds simple enough, right?
Awesome!
Now that we’ve covered the basics on how to answer “tell me about yourself,” we’re
going to cover several essential tips that can help you stand out even more.
So, let’s get started.
4 Essential Tips on Answering “Tell Me About

Yourself”
1) Keep It Professional and Brief
When answering, try to keep it under 1-2 minutes, at most.
No, the HR manager doesn’t want to know your entire life story.
They don’t care about which kindergarten you went to, how your first internship went, or
what you studied in high school.
You want to stick to your main selling points that are relevant for the job.
Pro tip: If you can see that the interviewer is getting distracted, you should take that as
a sign that it might be time to wrap up.
Here’s how you WOULDN’T answer this interview question...
Incorrect answer:
Well, I’ve always been interested in tech.
But it all probably started when I was a kid, and at the age of 9 I first got my computer.
I always loved playing around with code and learning new things. But it wasn’t until that
high school where I first had my first class about it that really made me fall in love with
the subject.
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Since then, I started learning more about it and decided to major in IT at University X
where I learned how to.
2) Practice, But Don’t Memorize

You’re bound to hear “tell me about yourself” on just about every interview.
So, all you have to do is practice your answer a bit!
Grab a friend and do a quick mock interview.
Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t memorize your answer. Sure, it might seem
like the safer option, but if you end up forgetting something on the interview, you might
mess up your entire answer.
Instead, come up with a general idea of what you’re going to talk about, memorize the
structure, and just wing the rest on the interview.
3) Know Your Audience

Or, know thy interviewer.
It’s important to keep in mind who you’re talking to.
Is it the HR? Business manager? The hiring manager? The CTO? CMO? CEO?
You might be wondering, why does this matter?
Well, the thing is, each of these people expect a different answer.
Let’s say you’re a software engineer, and you’re being interviewed by the HR manager.
If you start going on and on about how much you love coding in Assembly, you’ve
practically lost them.
See, the HR manager doesn’t know anything about coding or assembly.
They’re expecting a more generic answer about you, your career, and reasons for
applying at the company.
On the other hand, if you’re being interviewed by the CTO or the hiring manager, you
can geek out as much as you want.
4) Remember W.A.P. (Work, Academic, Personal)

Every good answer to “tell me about yourself” should consist of:
 Work - This should make up about 80% of your answer. Focus on your previous
experience and accomplishments here.
 Academic - 10-15% of your answer should then be about your academic background
(university, academic achievements, etc.).
 Personal - Finally the last 5-10% should be about you as a person, while still keeping it
relevant to the company.
Keep in mind, though, that the W.A.P. rule isn’t set in stone.
If you’re a student, for example, your entire answer could be about your academic
career and personal interests.
3 Tell Me About Yourself Sample Answers

Need some inspiration? Here are 3 sample answers for:
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 Experienced professionals
 Fresh graduates and college students
 University admissions
Ready? Let’s start with:
Sample Answer for Experienced Professionals

Sample answer for an experienced professional:
Sure, I’d be glad to. I’m an tech-focused project manager for up to 8 years now.
I graduated from University X, where I made the Dean’s List, with a major in business
administration and a minor in computer science. After that, I first got into the industry
working as an administrative assistant at Company X. There I provided clerical support
with interdepartmental communication, helped in managing schedules, and maintained
the digital filing system.
After that, I was working as a project manager for Company Y that provided cloud
computing solutions for about 6 years. There, I personally managed 5+ teams of
software projects, and made sure everything went smoothly in terms of business goals,
deadlines, budget, and more.
In my downtime, I enjoy reading about AI, tech, and robotics. Since you guys do all 3, I
thought I’d apply.
Sample Answer for Fresh Graduates and College Students

Sample answer for fresh graduates:
My name is Jane Doe, I’m 22 years old and I recently graduated from University X with
a B.A. in international business. While there, I learned a lot of theory in subjects like
corporate communication, international economics, corporate governance, and more. I
was also part of the student government, and maintained a GPA of 3.6.
I’ve worked hard in my education and now I’m ready to apply my knowledge into
practice.
While I don’t have any real-life work experience, I’ve had a lot of exposure to the
business environment. A lot of my courses involved working with real companies to
solve real problems.
Now, I’m looking to leverage everything I’ve learned in uni and get some hands-on work
experience.
Sample Answer for University Admissions:

Sample answer for university admissions:
So, my name is John, and I’m a senior at School XYZ.
This year, I managed to maintain a 3.7 GPA, while working on a few different school
projects. I started an ‘Ernest Hemingway Book Club’ which has up to 15 active
members as of now. And I also launched a recycling program for the campus, through
which we raised awareness and invited an outside guest lecturer to speak about the
subject.
I tend to be teamwork-oriented and reliable, as I’ve never missed a deadline. I’m also
proud of my ability to preserve and overcome any challenges as they come up. For
example, last year, I was having some trouble with trigonometry. I realized I needed to
dedicate more time to the subject, so, I met with a teacher outside the class and set
aside two extra hours per day for the subject. Eventually, I ended up with an A in the
subject.
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At University X, I’m planning to either major in English or Journalism. I love reading and
writing, so I think both programs are going to be interesting and relevant to my interests.
Key Takeaways
Now, to recap, here’s the most important tips on how to answer “tell me about
yourself…”
 Structure your answer in a way that makes sense. Stick to the past-present-future
format, and you’re all good!
 Keep it relevant and brief (1-2 minutes max). No one wants to hear your whole life story.
 Mention any of your top achievements and relevant work experiences.
Now, as this is only the start of the interview, expect them to follow up and ask a bunch
of other questions.
So, if you want to make sure you’re definitely ready for the interview, check out our list
of the most common interview questions and example answers:
List of Strengths & Weaknesses + Professional

Answers
One of the most common interview questions that most of us experienced or will
experience at some point is “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”.
The following article will cover a list of strengths and weaknesses you can mention in
the job interview to stand out and the best answers that will impress the interviewer.
First, we'll start with the Strengths.

During the interview process, it’s likely that the hiring manager will ask you
to describe your strengths at some point. Many candidates probably wonder how to
answer what are your strengths without bragging too much or risk appearing
narcissistic.
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You want to craft your answer with a high degree of self-awareness and
professionalism.
It’s important to be prepared for this question and have a statement ready. Even if you
aren’t asked this question, you will be aware of your strengths and what you can bring
to the position.
This will help you articulately weave those strengths into other areas of the interview.
Having a story ready to tell when you are asked this question will help you stand out
from the other people interviewing for the position.
Rather than just blurting out, “I'm detail-oriented and hard-working,” or merely listing off
your strengths, you can craft a compelling way to deliver your story while highlighting
what you can bring to the position.
When the time comes to answer this question, you’ll need to be very specific. Take
stock of what you believe to be your personal strengths or ask a friend to help you
identify what you’re good at.
Make sure to include a range of strengths, including knowledge-based skills,

transferable skills, soft skills and personal traits to demonstrate your versatility.
List of Strengths
 Creativity
 Versatility
 Flexibility
 Focused
 Taking Initiative
 Honesty
 Dedication
 Integrity
 Continuous Learning
 Self-control
Even the most experienced candidates can struggle with the question of describing
their strengths, so we’ve compiled a list of examples to inspire your strength story. You
can take tips from each of these key strengths examples to craft a compelling reason
that the hiring manager should choose you.
Examples: How to answer what are your strengths?

#1) Whenever new software is released, I’m always the first one to test and get familiar
with it. I love pushing the edge and learning every aspect of the new software. In fact,
just last week I found a software issue with one of my video games. I called the
developer, and they fixed it right away. This position will give me the opportunity to
apply my passion and help make programs better for your company.
#2) I’ve always preferred to work in groups and find that my collaborative nature is one
of my strongest attributes. On projects that I directed, I work well to inspire diverse team
members and work side by side with them to achieve the project goals. In fact, I’ve
increased productivity by ten percent over the course of two years.
#3) My greatest strength is my writing skills. I work well under pressure, and I've never
missed a deadline. One specific example that comes to mind is when I was asked to
complete a project that a fellow colleague forgot about. My editor didn’t realize this until
two hours before the deadline. It was an important piece, so I got to work, and with
feverish precision, I was able to complete the article. Not only was it finished on time,
but it was received very well by readers of the publication.
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#4) I’m relatively new to the finance industry, but I find that I’m good at working with
numbers and I truly love it. I love helping people save money and finding new
investment opportunities for my clients. Learning about their needs and finding ways to
help them achieve the lifestyle they want is so gratifying to me, and I’ve helped my
clients increase their net worth by 10% collectively.
#5) I’m an empathetic person who is skilled at relating to people and understanding

their needs. At my internship over the summer, I was working the support line and
received a call from a disgruntled customer who had been dropped from our service.
While the company couldn’t find a solution for her, I walked her through other options
she might have so she walked away with a positive interaction with the company. I
know the importance of a happy customer, and I'm willing to remain upbeat and
solutions-oriented.
#6) I believe that my greatest strength is the ability to solve problems quickly and
efficiently. I can see any given situation from multiple perspectives, which makes me
uniquely qualified to complete my work even under challenging conditions. That
problem solving allows me to be a better communicator. I am just as comfortable
speaking to senior executives as I am junior team members. I think my ability to see all
sides of an issue will make me a great asset to the team.
#7) I know the industry inside and out. After working in sales and marketing for over 15
years I know I have the skills to maximize your marketing dollars and improve your
bottom line. In fact, when I started at my last company, their sales were declining, and
under my leadership, I was able to increase revenue in consecutive years, by 7% and
5%, respectively.
#8) My strongest asset is my work ethic and my willingness to step in when needed. I’m
not afraid to take on a difficult client or do a project that nobody else wants because
those are the clients and projects that teach me the most. I typically love to work
outside of my job description and do whatever is asked of me. I'm not above any single
task, and I take great pride in my ability to step in and adapt to any situation to get the
best results for the company.
As you can see, the ability to tell a story with your response will give you a leg up on the
competition. The better you can articulate your biggest strengths while providing
examples will serve you well in your job search.
If you’re struggling with how to find your strengths, ask a close friend or former
colleague to help you or draw upon feedback from previous performance reviews. Once
you can clearly identify your strengths, the stories and examples will fall into place.
Second Part - Weaknesses

As you already know, throughout the interview process, you will be asked to answer
some tough questions. By now you should have a solid answer to that “What are your
strengths?”, but what do you say when you are asked to describe your greatest
weaknesses?
After all, you’ll seem arrogant if you say that you don't have any flaws, but if you
respond with too many negative attributes, you may jeopardize your chances of
securing a position.
You need to appear humble and willing to learn without scaring off the hiring manager
with a monumental weakness that you can’t overcome.
Preparation and having a response ready are paramount to a successful job interview.
When thinking about your weaknesses, it's essential to choose attributes that you are
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proactively working on or demonstrate steps you are taking to turn that weakness into a
strength.
Telling a relevant story or elaborating on how you are working to change this weakness
can only strengthen your case.
If you cannot identify how to find your weaknesses, turn to a friend or close coworker
to help you determine what you can improve on. Always remember that weaknesses
are not permanent, and just because you have a few weaknesses does not mean that
you are doomed.
Being able to identify areas of improvement demonstrates that you are a well-rounded
candidate.
List of Weaknesses
 Self-criticism
 Insecure
 Extremely Introverted
 Extremely Extroverted
 Creative Writing
 Too detail oriented
 Financial Literacy
 A Particular Software
 Too sensitive
 Presentation Skills
Knowing how to answer, “what are your weaknesses” will set you up for success in
your job search. If you have trouble crafting a response to this question, here are some
examples to inspire your response. Read them and apply the structure to your own
professional attributes.
Examples: How to answer what are your

weaknesses?
#1) I tend to be overly critical of myself. Whenever I complete a project, I can’t help but
feel that I could have done more even if my work received a positive response. This
often leads me to overwork myself and leaves me feeling burned out. Over the past few
years, I’ve tried to take time to look at my achievements objectively and celebrate those
wins. This has not only improved my work and my confidence, but it has helped me to
appreciate my team and other support systems that are always behind me in everything
I do.
#2) I am incredibly introverted, which makes me wary of sharing my ideas in a group

setting or speaking up during team meetings. I feel that I had good intentions, I just
wasn't always comfortable speaking up. After my team didn’t meet expectations on two
consecutive projects, I decided to start making changes to get more familiar with
sharing my ideas for the benefit of my team. I took local improv classes and started
trying to get comfortable discussing my thoughts. It's still a work in progress, but it's
something that I've improved dramatically over the past year.
#3) I tend to want to take on complete projects all on my own without any outside help.
In the past, this caused me to experience unnecessary pressure and stress. One
specific example was last year when I was responsible for planning our annual event. I
tried to do everything on my own, from the most substantial decisions like the venue to
the tiniest things like organizing the table settings. I was so stressed leading up to the
event, and I narrowly pulled it off. This taught me to take a step back and analyze when
I need help. After that experience, I am trying to teach myself how to ask for help so I
can keep my sanity. I've also found a team of people can produce a better outcome
than one harrowed person.
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#4) I'm not familiar with the latest version of the software that you use. I’ve spent my
time recently focused on generating a positive user experience and have always been
willing to learn new things. Throughout my career software has always changed and
I’ve always been willing to adapt to changing technology. I will put in the time it takes to
learn this new software.
#5) I always try to avoid confrontation, in both my personal and professional life. This
caused me to compromise sometimes on the quality of my work or what I needed to
complete a project just to keep the peace. This became a real problem when I became
a manager. One of the most critical aspects of managing people is telling them what
they need to hear and not what they want to hear. I recognized this weakness and had
been actively working to voice my opinions constructively and helpfully for the
betterment of the team.
#6) When I’m given a task, I am very goal-oriented and work hard to complete that task.
However, when new projects come across my plate, I sometimes jump right into those
projects and halt work on the projects I had in progress. Having to jump between tasks,
so many times throughout the day hinders my productivity and prevents me from
delivering my best work. I have been using a project management tool to help me
manage my tasks and my time, which has helped me become more aware of
prioritization. Since implementing this project management mentality, I have only
improved my efficiency and productivity.
The better you can articulate your most significant weaknesses while providing

examples and how you are attempting to overcome those weaknesses will serve you
well in your job search.
You ALWAYS need to show how to turn your weakness into a strength. If you’re
struggling with how to find your weaknesses, ask a close friend or former colleague to
help you or draw upon feedback from previous performance reviews. Once you can
clearly identify your weaknesses, the stories and examples will fall into place.
What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
Why Interviewers Ask “What Is Your Greatest

Accomplishment?”
Let’s start with the basics: what’s the point of this job interview question?
When asking this question, the interviewer wants to learn 3 things:
1. If you’re down to earth. If you brag endlessly about your accomplishment (especially if

the achievements aren’t that impressive), the interviewer will think that you’re not the
most pleasant person to work with.
2. What YOU think is success, and how you associate it with your job and career. If you’re
applying for a job as an accountant and your greatest achievement is baking the best
cake ever at your office party, you’re not making the cut.
3. If you’re success-oriented and if you’ve gone above and beyond in your work. E.g. If
your greatest accomplishment is that you were always on time and left work on the dot
at 5 pm, you’re not it. That’s not an achievement - that’s a minimum job requirement.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about how to answer this question.
How to Pick the Perfect Answer with the STAR Method

“What’s your greatest accomplishment?” is a behavioral job interview question.
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What that means is, the interviewer wants to understand your past performance, and
how you handle specific situations (for example, under pressure).
To answer just about any behavioral job interview question right, we recommend using
the STAR method.
The main idea here behind the STAR method is that every answer should cover the
following topics:
 (S) Situation - Describe the situation and the context in which the event took place.
 (T) Task - Talk about the tasks you had to complete (i.e. your challenge or
responsibility).
 (A) Action - Explain the actions you took to address the above-mentioned challenges or
responsibilities.
 (R) Results - Explain the kind of results you achieved. When describing the outcome, if
possible, mention numbers and quantifiable facts. E.g. “Improved cold lead response
time by 20%” VS “Improved sales.”
Now, let’s take a well-written behavioral job interview answer using the STAR method
Practical Example
Behavioral Interview Question:
“What is a professional achievement you’re most proud of?”
Sample Answer:
Situation - “Well, my last role was as a manager at a seasonal restaurant in Nantucket.

Out of the 4 months I spent there, 3 of them were a total nightmare. The restaurant was
completely packed 90%+ of the time, and we barely had any breathing room.”
Task – “We had to be very efficient at work to make sure that we wouldn’t get
overwhelmed.”
Action - “The most important part of making this work was being proactive. If we had
just rolled with the punches and focused on putting out fires, the whole thing would’ve
turned into a mess real fast. At the beginning of the summer, I created a very strict shift
schedule, which we adhered to 100%. I also started a reward system - if someone
called in sick, you’d get rewarded if you filled in for them. In case no one was available,
I personally filled in for them.”
Results - “Overall, the summer went pretty well with minimal incidents. 99%+ of the
customers were happy, and we didn’t receive a single bad review.“
See what’s done right?
The whole story follows the STAR method down to the T.
It uses numbers and data to describe the context and shows relevance.
Now, your answer is obviously going to vary depending on your background and where

you are in your career right now.
So, to help you learn how to answer behavioral job interview questions better, we’re
going to cover 3 more examples and sample answers below:
 Greatest achievement sample answer for mid-level professionals

 Greatest achievement sample answer for fresh graduates
 Greatest achievement sample answer for the service industry
So, read on!
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Pro Tip:
Other common behavioral interview questions include:
 Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working in a team. What
happened and how did you handle it?
 Have you ever failed to meet a client’s expectations? What happened, and how did you
attempt to rectify the situation?
 Tell me about a time where you set a specific goal for yourself. How did you ensure that
you would meet your objective?
Check out even more common interview questions, and sample answers here: 35+
Common Interview Questions and Answers.
3+ ‘What’s Your Greatest accomplishment’ Sample

Answers
Are you a mid-level professional in your field?
Your answer could look something like the following:
“What is Your Greatest Accomplishment” Sample Answer for Mid-Level Professionals

Sample Answer:
Situation - “I think my greatest accomplishment was during my last job as an HR
administrator. The hiring department had difficulty locating specific files and managing
documents, especially during busy periods, and this ate up too much time.”
Task – “So, I thought there was room for improvement with employee file management.
I wanted to increase productivity and efficiency, and in the end, save time spent on
looking for documents.”
Action - “I decided to take initiative and implement a new team HR document

management software. One that could also centralize file management within the
department, streamline onboarding, and also help with other small tasks (like bulk
document importing, automated backfile conversions and so on).”
Results - “In the end, our timesheets indicated that the time spent looking for files and
documents had been reduced by 5-10 hours. There was no more lag-time between
sharing documents with HR, Payroll, and supervisors. Each team or individual could
instantly access the files they needed in one HR filing system, and increase their overall
productivity.”
This answer is good because it:
 Shows relevance to the specific workplace.

 Shows resourcefulness, teamwork, and leadership qualities.
 Shows how the project was successful in the end.
Are you wondering what are some other accomplishments you can mention during your
interview? Check out our full guide on achievements here: 40+ Achievements to Write
in Your Resume [2020 Examples]
“What is Your Greatest accomplishment” Sample Answer for Fresh Graduates

Recently graduated college with not much work experience to speak of?
Let’s take a look at another sample answer.
Sample Answer:
Situation - “Well, as a recent graduate of XYZ University, I think my greatest
achievement was what I managed to accomplish during my time there. My scholarship
only covered half of the tuition, and my family was unable to support me financially. I
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also wanted to gain some work experience during my time there, so that I could start
working directly after graduating.”
Task - “So, I learned early on that I had to manage my time down to the hour in order to
be efficient and on top of everything.”
Action - “Through hard work and dedication, I managed to balance studying, working
part-time, and even volunteering to gain some experience. It was tiring at times, but I
scheduled pretty much everything I had to do in my personal calendar. I needed to
know my list of tasks, when each was due, and how long they would take. This way, I
never missed a deadline, assignment or any other responsibility.”
Results - “In the end, I graduated with a GPA of 3.8, almost no student loans, and also
interned as the university social media assistant during my last 2 semesters. There, I
also learned a lot about marketing, how to communicate with our followers, and
managed to organize the biggest university event where up to 300 students showed
up.”
Here’s what’s done right:
 Sets the scene and what the challenge was straightaway.

 It’s relevant to a fresh graduate who might not have a lot of work experience.
 Says a lot about the candidate’s values (i.e. education, discipline, etc.).
Wondering what a job-winning resume might look like as a recent graduate? Check out
our full guide on the topic here: Student & Graduate Resume Guide & Sample [Plus 10
Skills for Savvy Job-hunters]
“What is Your Greatest accomplishment” Sample Answer for the Service Industry
Work in the service industry?
Here’s what your greatest achievement might sound like.
Sample Answer:
Situation - “My biggest achievement was during my internship as a customer support
representative at Company X. I was the first custom support intern there, so I didn’t
have a lot to go off of and had to learn a lot by myself. A lot of it was fast-paced too, and
at first, I wasn’t even sure if I was doing things right.”
Task - “I felt out of place and I had to think fast if I wanted to move up in the company. I
wanted to improve, and a lot of the other employees were often too busy to help me out.
So, I didn’t really have a lot of instructions…”
Action - “I decided to start learning as much as I could about our product (a social media
automation tool) by talking with the other employees when I could, and reading up on
everything I could get my hands on that was related to the product. After a while, I
started noticing a trend with the questions I was getting from our customers. First, I
decided to create a document of the Frequently Asked Questions I was getting, for
personal use. This saved me a lot of time, and eventually, the document got repurposed
to its own web page. Over the following year, I got promoted to the Customer Support
Team Lead, and helped with scaling up the overall customer service efforts (consulted
with hiring, training new reps, communicating issues and questions with the product,
and so on).
Results - “In the end, we managed to decrease the average monthly ticket count by
around 25%.
Looking for a job-winning customer service resume you could use as inspiration? Read
the full guide here: Customer Service Resume [2020] - Examples & Guide
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Key Takeaways
So, let’s recap.
“What’s your greatest accomplishment?” might sound like an awfully complicated

question.
But it’s not.
It’s the perfect example of a behavioral job interview question, and as a refresher,
here’s what you need to know when answering:
 When asking this question, the HR manager wants to learn about your professional and
personal sides. The perfect answer here can set the ‘perfect’ candidate apart from an
“OK” one.
 Interviewers look for insights and examples from your answer. There’s a difference
between taking pride in your work and bragging about your achievements. So, make
sure to use examples and describe your thought process when answering.
 Make sure you sound down to earth, and think how your reply reflects your approach
to success and working hard.
 To structure your answer, we recommend using the STAR METHOD. Ideally, your
answer should include the following topics: S - Situation, T - Task, A - Action, R -
Results.
 And finally, if you’re looking for inspiration, you can always consult the examples above
to see what good answers look like.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Where do you see yourself in five years?” is probably today’s most dreaded interview
question all over the world. It doesn’t just shake anybody to the bones, it also comes in
different shapes and manners like:
 What’s your definition of success?

 What are your long-term career objectives?
 What do you expect from this job?
The questions listed above are just three of the numerous variations of the
dreaded “Where do you see yourself in five years”. As an applicant, while attending
interviews, it is important to know that it is very normal for you to have to answer this
question whether it comes in this form or other forms.
Before we talk extensively on how to answer “the where you see yourself in five years”
question, let’s look at why interviewers never fail to ask that particular question albeit in
different manners.
1. The first thing you need to understand is that interviewers are not asking you this
question because they expect you to be able to predict the future. And even if you do
possess any sort of psychic powers, do not attempt to predict your own future.
2. Another thing you should take into cognizance is the fact that this question as vague as
it sounds is an attempt to take a road trip into your mind and a perfect way for a recruiter
to gauge how you think as a person in relation to your career objectives, so do not be
surprised if you’re hit with this same question but with only differing semantics in one or
more interviews.
3. Most companies are always on the lookout for new employees who in one way or the
other fit into their long-term plans and not someone who’s not interested in commitments
but only looking to fill a space in their life just until they get better offers.
It is a good thing we took the time to look at the “why” as it has given us an insight on
how recruiters or hiring managers think when they pose this question and well if you as
25 | P a g e
an applicant already have an idea of what your hiring manager will hit you with, then
there’s nothing stopping you from securing that job despite the array of questions that
might be posed.
Now, let’s take a serious look at how to answer this question in whatever form it comes
at you.
The first thing to do when posed with this question is to realize that it has no definite
answer and no one knows where he or she will be in five years, likewise, the interviewer
does not expect you to.
Therefore, there is no particular script that should be followed as far as the question is
concerned.
Instead, what your interviewer is looking forward to hear is your career hopes and
aspirations and how they can fit into the company. Therefore, be simple and be down to
earth.
In some cases, honesty is very important but you should also know that if being honest
about your career goals might not fit into the company’s then simply tell the interviewer
what they want to hear and leave honesty outside the room, unless, of course, you have
a better offer somewhere.
You should also be aware that in your attempt to impress the recruiter by telling them
what they would rather hear, conduct a proper research before plunging in to tell them
how perfect you are for that specific role.
Many applicants out of excitement flunk their interviews because they sound too
ambitious and it looks like if employed they will be gunning for their boss’ jobs which you
never can tell might even be the one conducting the interview.
One of the best ways to answer this question is to predict where a specific position in
the said company can take you realistically and connect it with how you’d like to be
perceived in the general professional sense.
This gives your interviewer the sense that you’re not just thinking about growing
professionally, but you’re also thinking to grow hand in hand with the company.
How to Answer Where do You See Yourself in 5 Years Example

 I’m exceptionally delighted about being a part of Solution Logics Incorporated because in the
next five years, I’d love to be perceived as an expert petrochemical engineer and I believe
Solution Logics Incorporated as a leader in the petroleum industry is the best training ground for
someone like me who’s willing to contribute to the society. I’m equally excited about the
prospects of working with some of the most brilliant minds in Europe.
You should also be aware that revealing to your recruiter the possibility of a dream job
which is different from the one you’re currently applying for will ultimately lead to a dent
in your employment prospects as companies are usually not very excited by the fact
that they might be mere second choices.
Also, the job of a recruiter is generally not a very interesting one as recruiters usually
have to interview thousands of young aspirants just like you, therefore, it gets to a point
where their job eventually becomes mechanical and boring.
A recruiter in this position as you can probably assume will not be excited to waste their
time on applicants whom the first impression they get off them is that they are not
generally exceptional and might even just have dreams of making it in another industry
or company.
26 | P a g e
For example, as an applicant, if in five years, you see yourself as a leading Food
Technologist; it might be very hard to convince a recruiter that you’d be a good fit for a
Customer Service firm.
While considering how to answer “a where do you see yourself in five years question”, it
would be in your own best interests to avoid lying to your recruiter, although you are not
required to reveal all your plans especially if they might not be plans that are in
concordance with the company goals.
Lying to a recruiter might get you into a job but you’ll only end up shooting yourself in
the leg if eventually that lie is discovered.
Finally, while answering this question, let the interviewer realize how interested you are
in the opportunity to start work as soon as possible and, of course, how flexible you are
at this, therefore, opens you up to prospects of other positions in the same company in
case you’re not the best fit for the particular role you have applied for.
"What Is Your Greatest Strength"

What is your greatest strength?
That sounds like an easy question, right?
You answer “It’s time-management!” and wait for the interviewer to move on to the next
question.
Except, they don’t. They just keep sitting there, as if expecting more from your answer.
You freeze.
“What did I do wrong? I answered the question, didn’t I?”
Yes, you did, but not in the right way. There’s a lot more to this “simple” interview
question than it seems.
Want to learn what’s the secret behind the answer for “what’s your greatest strength?”
27 | P a g e
Read on to find out!
In this guide, we’re going to cover:

 How to answer “what is your greatest strength?”
 30+ Greatest strengths examples you can use (for different jobs)
 4 “What is your greatest strength” interview question answer samples
“What is your greatest strength” is part of our mega-guide to 35 most common job
interview questions. Want to ace that interview? Check out the complete guide!
How to Answer “What Is Your Greatest Strength”

Your strengths say a lot about you as a candidate.
By asking you about your strengths, here’s what the interviewer is looking for:
 They want to know if you know your own strengths

 They want to know if you’re realistic
 They want to know if your strengths are relevant for the job
While answering, the HR manager is going to expect examples from you.
So, to answer correctly, you need to convey the above 3 points in your answer and
provide a real-life, relevant example of the strength in action.
You can claim you’re the most hard-working person in the world and amazing at time-
management, but without providing an example, you might as well be making the whole
thing up.
So, when considering which strength to mention, think about when was the last time you
used it.
What happened? How did you react to the situation? How did your strength help solve
the problem?
Basically, the formulaic approach to answering the question is the following:
 State your strength

 Provide an example of when you used this strength and how
 (Optional) Describe what kind of impact you made
Here’s what a real-life example of what that might look like:
Sample answer:
“My biggest strength is that I can think on my feet and can work under a lot of pressure.
As an event manager at Company X, we were organizing an IT conference that needed
a number of last-minute changes - due to a speaker canceling because of an
emergency and 2 of our volunteers not being able to show up.
So, we allocated more time to each speaker and added a QA section at the end of each
speech. We also encouraged the present speakers to talk about their business and
personal experience more in-depth after they were done with their speech.
As for being understaffed, one day before the conference, I reached out to my network
and found 2 students who were willing to help out. I personally met them 2 hours before
the conference and got them up to speed with everything we were doing for the day,
and gave them their tasks.
In the end, everything went well without any other problems popping up.”
The more specific your example is - the better.
28 | P a g e
Make sure you also give some background and context if necessary and explain how
and why you made the decisions.
You want to make sure your example paints you in a positive light (obviously), but also
so that you’re not showing off.
Speaking of, make sure to be humble when talking about your strengths.
You want to flatter yourself, but not to the point where you’re bragging about it.
Talk about your experience matter-of-factly instead of singing praise for yourself.
Pro Tip
It’s a good idea to think about your strengths and examples before you go to the
interview.
So, sit down, list out what you think your top 3 strengths are, and come up with relevant
examples.
If you’re applying for different types of positions, make sure that the strengths you’re
going to mention are relevant.
Applying for a role as a waiter? The restaurant manager won’t care about your strength
in creative ad design
Not sure what your top strengths are?
Here’s a list of some of the greatest strengths you can use during an interview based on
your position and industry.
Analytical Jobs Strengths

Applying for a position as an analyst, software developer, database analyst, or anything
in-between?
Consider using the following strengths (as long as you can back them up with
examples, of course):
 Critical thinking
 Analytical thinking
 Problem-solving
 Detail-oriented
 Logical
Creative Jobs Strengths
Working in the creative industry?
You can say that your greatest strength is:
 Creativity
 Originality
 Open-mindedness
 Detail-oriented
 Curiosity
 Flexibility
 Versatility
Management Jobs Strengths
Born-leader, working as a manager? Use some of these strengths to show off your
managerial skills:
 Leadership
29 | P a g e
 Organization
 Communication skills
 Persuasion
 Teamwork
 Detail-oriented
 Diplomatic
 Responsible
Hands-On Jobs Strengths
Working in retail? Service industry?
You can say that you are:
 Hard-working
 Detail-oriented
 Motivated
 Good at multitasking
 Problem-solving
 Punctual
Communication Jobs Strengths
Finally, if your job involves sales, customer support, or something along those lines, you
can mention that your greatest strength is any of the following:
 Charisma
 Communication skills
 Energetic
 Persuasion
 Witty
 Social
To recap, here are the list of strengths based on the type of job you’re applying for:
4 “What Is Your Greatest Strength” Answer Samples

Looking for more inspiration on how to answer “what is your greatest strength?”
Here are 4 more sample answers for:
 Experienced professionals
 Recent graduates
 Service industry workers
 Prospective students
Greatest Strength Answer Sample for Experienced Professional
I’m a very good writer.
30 | P a g e
My last 2 jobs were 99% copywriting. So far, I’ve done pretty much everything writing
related: email marketing, website copy, blog posts, I’ve even ghost-written an e-book for
a client.
I’ve also guest-posted on several popular blogs, such as Blog X and Blog Y.
Greatest Strength Answer Sample for Student or Recent Graduate

I work pretty well under pressure. When I was studying at University X, I’ve had several
situations where I had to come up with a solution to some problem or another with a
very limited time frame.
During a class on Databases, we had to come up with a relational database for a fake
business. Our team lead turned out to be extremely unorganized - he organized a
single meeting, gave us some vague tasks, and we never heard from him again.
I already had some experience working with databases, so I did my part in advance and
started waiting for the rest of the team. I was in charge of doing the design, and the
team was supposed to translate the schema into an actual database.
Around a week before the deadline, I saw that no one was doing anything, so I
organized a sync meeting.
Turns out the rest of the team didn’t do anything, and the team lead was out of town.
So, I had to take charge of the team and make sure we had the project ready by the
deadline. I personally helped each of my teammates' help do their part, and also
organized 2 more sync meetings to make sure we did everything right.
Eventually, we ended up submitting the project on time AND getting an A.
Greatest Strength Answer Sample for Service Industry

I’m very communicative and really get along with people.
After 3 years of experience in the service industry, I have no problem with building
instant rapport and actively engaging with customers.
I’m also pretty good at performing under pressure. At Restaurant X, there was constant
chaos, especially during peak season.
The place was completely packed at all times, and the whole thing felt like a race
against time. I actually enjoyed the experience, though. Ended up going back 3
summers in a row.
Greatest Strength Answer Sample for University Admissions

I would say that it’s my time-management skill by far.
During my senior year, I managed to maintain a 3.7 GPA, while at the same time doing
a ton of different extracurricular activities. Specifically, I’ve volunteered, was part of the
student council, and part of the managing team of the business club.
I’m a huge fan of scheduling pretty much everything I do. I need to know what I’m doing,
when, and how long it’s going to take me. This way, I’ve never missed a deadline,
assignment, or any other responsibility.
On the other hand, you could also say that that’s my weakness, haha. If the
organization or team is unorganized, I’m not going to be too happy working with them.
Key Takeaways
31 | P a g e
And that’s a wrap!
Before we say “bye,” let’s quickly go through everything we’ve learned in this article…
 For each position you’re applying for, think of your top 2-3 strengths that are going to
help you excel. We’d recommend doing the thinking before you even go to the interview.
 When answering, mention what your top strengths are, provide examples on how you’ve
used them in the past, and finally, describe the results you’ve gotten.
 Be super specific with your answers. Don’t just say “I’m good at X” - really dive deep and
give the interviewer a comprehensive answer.
Need help with your job search? Maybe your resume needs work, or you want to learn
how to write a compelling cover letter?
Whichever the case is, be sure to check out our career blog. We cover industry-leading
advice on how to excel in your career!
32 | P a g e

"Why Should We Hire You?" - 10 Best Answers For 2021: Challenging Interview Questions

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“Why Should We Hire You?

” - 10 Best Answers for

That brings me to one of the most challenging interview questions you could potentially

Why Should We Hire You Answer - Example #1

(Assume the interviewer responds, “Yes.”)

Explanation: When responding to this question, you always want to thank the

Why Should We Hire You - Example #2

Explanation: This response uses a specific percentage to demonstrate the candidate's

Why Should We Hire You - Example #3

Why Should We Hire You - Example #4

Why Should We Hire You - Example #5

Why Should We Hire You - Example #6

Explanation: Setting up your response by immediately calling out your inability to

Why Should We Hire You - Example #7

Why Should We Hire You - Example #8

Explanation: While this response is a bit generic, it conveys a high level of confidence

Explanation: This candidate who is switching industries can focus on their leadership

Why Should We Hire You - Example #10

You might be panicking, wondering how to answer, “Why do you want to work

Examples to help you craft your response to this common interview question:

Explanation: This response delivers everything, gift-wrapped and tied with a bow, to

Explanation: The candidate directly refers to the quality of the company's products

Explanation: Speaking to the reputation of the company is something that the hiring

Explanation: Honesty is always appreciated by the hiring manager, and it’s okay to

What is a Career Goal

Why Is It Important to Have a Career Goal (And Why

It gives you something to aim for, steps to follow, progress to make.

 How long do you plan on working for them

In 2020, hiring and training an employee costs between $4000-$7600. Money that

4 Most Common Career Goals

The 4 most common ones being:

Goals focused on professional advancement

Short-term example: A sales agent increasing their monthly sales by x%

Long-term example: Make a senior partner at a top law firm.

Goals focused on leadership advancement

Short-term example: Working my way up to the position of a manager at this

Long-term example: Working as an executive at X company.

Goals focused on educational advancement

Short-term example: Learning a new programming language.

Long-term example: Finish medical school, complete a surgery residency program,

Goals focused on personal development

Short-term example: Becoming more proactive within your company.

Long-term example: Improving your networking skills.

How to Answer - “What Are Your Career Goals?”

Elaborating on that last sentence: Focus on the employer.

Tell me about yourself

Worried and unsure of how to answer?

Relax, you’re not the only one!

Most people struggle with this question.

Want to learn how?

Read on to find out:

How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview

This is your opportunity to leave a lasting first impression.

Answer wrong, though, you’ll instantly be labeled as the “OK Candidate.”

So, what’s a “good answer?”

Well, it’s actually pretty straightforward. A good answer should be

Based on Experience & Achievements - Your answer should be super-specific. Don’t

Structured - Your answer should follow a simple, easy-to-follow format. We’d

Moving forward, I hope to expand my experience across different industries. Particularly

Here’s what’s done right:

So, let’s get started.

4 Essential Tips on Answering “Tell Me About