7 tips on answering, “Why are you a great match for this role?” at a job interview

As you move down your list of interview questions to prep for, you want to be sure to include, “Why are you a great match for this role?” It’s likely you will be asked this question during most job interviews, so you don’t want to miss out on prepping for it.

Some other versions of the question you might hear are:

• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• Why should we hire you?
• What makes you a great match for this job?
• Why are you an ideal candidate for this position?

It’s true that you’re unlikely to know who the other candidates are for the role, so how are you supposed to answer any version of this question correctly? By focusing on you and your unique qualities.

You don’t need to objectively showcase why you’re the top candidate in all aspects. Instead, your goal is to show that you’ve considered why you’re a great fit and can articulate it well.

Why do interviewers ask, “Why are you a great match for this role?”

Recruiters and other interviewers need to assess why you are a great match for the role, rate you, and pass on their opinion. However, they are looking for some additional insights when they ask job candidates this question. Interviewers want to know that you’ve taken the time to truly consider the position and why you’re a great fit—they want to know that you can connect your qualifications to the position and clearly articulate that connection.

Additionally, employers want to hire candidates that possess confidence in their ability to perform well on the job. Confident employees tend to need less oversight and are more productive since they spend less time second-guessing and more time taking action with the best options to move them forward.

7 tips to answer, “Why are you a great match for this role?”

Here are seven tips to help you articulate your best answer to this difficult question:

1. Review the job post

You want your response to align with the specific skills and competencies necessary for the job. By understanding what the company is looking for, you can highlight why you’re the perfect fit for not only the role but the team as well.

2. Research the organization

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network on LinkedIn, as well as connect with recruiters and employees of the organization where you’re interviewing to better understand the organization. This will give you even more insight into the company culture and the types of employees they seek, which can inform how you choose to answer.

3. Focus on your most relevant and unique strengths

Once you’re clear on what the role requires and the company needs, you can ensure you’re answer aligns with them. Consider the following questions to help you craft your response:

• What is your unique perspective on the company’s service or product?
• What is your unique perspective on the general industry?
• What pain points will you help the business solve?
• What additional skills and competencies do you bring to the position that go beyond what’s shared in the job posting?
• How do your values align with the company’s values in a way that will support you in going above and beyond in the position to meet those values, the company’s mission and vision, and the culture?

Pro tip: If the interviewer has expressed concerns about you not having a certain skill for the job, this is also the time to address the concern, such as sharing another relatable skill that you have.

4. Share quantifiable examples

When you answer any interview questions, it’s best to show vs. tell by offering up quantifiable examples when it makes sense to do so. Sharing quantifiable accomplishments, like how you increased sales by 10% year over year in a tough market, helps the hiring team visualize how you can be successful in the position and within the organization. This is also powerful advice for descriptions on your resume.

5. Don’t Be shy in sharing

It’s ok to toot your own horn, as they say, during your job interview. Think of it this way: you’re answering questions you’ve been asked with an honest response that includes why and how your performance rocked in past positions. Interviewers want to know how you shined in the past and seek candidates who are confident in their abilities.

Still, if you struggle with coming up with responses out of fear of feeling like you’re being too boastful, consider the following tips:

• Offer up specific numbers, details, and accomplishments that speak to your past performance
• Objectively connect your accomplishments to the role and job duties listed in the job post
• Share how others have praised your abilities and utilized them in the past

6. Remain focused

Another tip that goes for any interview question you’re asked is to remain focused and answer the question at hand. It can be easy to get distracted, be too vague, and wander into rambling territory when we’re nervous or overthinking things during an interview. When asked why you’re a good fit for the job, focus your answer on exactly that.

7. Practice

Add this question to the list of questions you’ll be practicing answering prior to your job interview. You can practice answering on your own by looking in a mirror, or better yet, ask a friend or family member to sit in so you can practice and become comfortable with your response.

Pro tip: Your answers aren’t set in stone or static. Depending on when you’re asked the question during the interview, you can tailor your response to match or incorporate what you’ve discussed up to that point.

Example answers to “Why are you a great match for this role?”

An entry-level HR professional applying for an HR Advisor role might share the following:

“We’ve already discussed my HR master’s degree and my experience working as an HR graduate assistant assessing collective bargaining agreements and supporting the department’s student-related HR needs. The degree itself has equipped me with the knowledge necessary to do well in any entry-level role. I do believe, though, that it’s my hands-on experience as an HR graduate assistant that will be a huge benefit to the position.

“I noted how much my supervisor relied on me to craft HR communications for the department and the level of priority assessment I had to do to ensure the tasks were getting done in the best order with the limited resources we often had to work with. My supervisor was impressed with my level of maturity in working with other members of the team and my discernment when it came to prioritizing. I believe those skills will serve the team well in this position as I navigate and prioritize the many client concerns that come in daily.”

An experienced Communications Manager applying for another Communications Manager role might share:

“I’m a great match for this role because not only do I have 10 years of experience in communications and 5 years of experience as a manager, but you can also see from my resume that I’ve worked with two award-winning teams in the public relations and energy sectors. That diverse experience provides me with the versatility and ability to lead teams that support a variety of industries, like your organization supports, with the know-how to ensure we are continuously offering award-winning, top-notch communication services to meet their needs.

“You also mentioned that the first project you’d like for my team and me to focus on is launching a well-designed, employee-worth, and intriguing internal company newsletter. I supported three client companies in successfully launching an email newsletter when I worked for XYZ Public Relations and redesigned the company newsletter for both internal and external use at ABC Energy. With the redesign, we increased internal employee engagement by 15% and external lead engagement by 20%. So, I’d love to see what we could do with launching your first-ever internal company newsletter here.”

After giving this question some thought, you’ll no doubt be well on your way to answering, “Why Are You a Great Match for This Role?” with confidence and ease. The tips and examples above can help guide you on your job search journey. For more free job interview advice, click here.