Posted By Amanda Collins on September 4, 2010

When working with resume clients, I always finish with the same question:

Imagine that you are in a second interview for the job you’re targeting. The interviewer(s) says, “Joe, we’re obviously interested in you for this position, but we’re still looking at a few candidates. We want to ensure we’re hiring the best person for the job, so tell me/us why you’re the best and why we should hire you.” What would you say?

I typically get a few responses to this question: something spot on, something about how they’re nice and a team player, or a deer-in-headlights look. I ask the question for three reasons:
1. Interviewers are asking this question.
2. It’s part of what I use in the summary section of the resume.
3. It can become a coachable moment.

Since I like formulas, here’s a great one for answering this question. It has three parts:

1. Sum up your career experience.
Talk about your depth of experience and how your career progression has led you here. If you’re new to the work world, focus on education and preparation. “I have been in this industry since college, working my way up with small firms as well as major players.”

2. Throw in an accomplishment.
Share a way you added value in a past situation. If you’ve already covered it in the interview, just remind them. “At my last position, I effectively increased sales 25% in just six months by streamlining processes and creating an employee accountability system.”

3. Bring it back to them.
Ultimately, the interviewer wants to know how you can help their company. Tie up your package with a bow: “I heard you say you’re looking for someone who can produce results and advance your efforts. I’ve done that throughout my career, and I’m eager to do that for your company as well.”

Simple tactics; great results!

Category: Job Search
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