How to answer "Why should we hire you?"

Northern Ireland's government advice says to always be ready for this question. It adds that few candidates answer it well.

It asks you to make the case for yourself in one answer. The interviewer wants to hear it in your own words.

1. List the job's top two or three needs. The ad and the job description tell you.
2. For each need, pick a short example that proves you have it.
3. Add one time you took the initiative: you saw a problem or a chance, and acted on it.
4. End with one line on what you'd bring to this team.

That follows Northern Ireland's advice. Show you meet the job's needs, back each one with an example, and show you're proactive.

CareerOneStop's practice questions suggest a similar start. Give one sentence on your strongest qualifications, then the skills or experience that make you a good fit.

New Zealand's Tahatū puts it this way: explain how you'll use your personality, skills and experience in the job.

Use the STAR method, as England's National Careers Service sets it out. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result:

• Situation: where you were and what was going on, in a line or two.
• Task: what you had to do, or the problem to solve.
• Action: what you did, step by step. This is most of the answer, so say "I", not "we".
• Result: what changed, with a number if you can, and what you learned.

Aim for about 90 seconds out loud. Keep it short and to the point, and be ready for follow-up questions about it.

In this answer, each example can be two or three lines. Name the result, then move to the next need.

The National Careers Service puts this question with strengths. It suggests planning two or three examples that are relevant to the job.

• Saying you're better than the other candidates. You haven't met them.
• Listing qualities with no proof, such as "hard-working" and "a team player".
• Claiming skills or results you can't back up. Employers check references, and a stretched claim can cost you the job later.
• Going on too long. Two minutes is plenty.

Use the ad's top criteria as your list, in the same order. Use the ad's words, so the panel can tick them off.

If you don't meet one criterion yet, say so honestly. Then show how you're closing the gap, such as a course you've started.

Our guide to your greatest strength helps you pick the strength to lead with.

Here is a made-up answer for an IT help desk job. The situation names the ad's three needs, and the actions prove each one.

Sam doesn't claim to be better than anyone. He matches the ad's three needs with proof, then adds one time he took the initiative.

Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on 1 November 2026. Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.

• Common interview questions · nidirect, Northern Ireland Government
• Practice interview questions · CareerOneStop, US Department of Labor
• Tips for interviews · Tahatū, Tertiary Education Commission (NZ)
• The STAR method · National Careers Service (England)
• How to answer common interview questions · National Careers Service (England)