what makes you the best candidate for this position

Ah yes, the about dreaded question of them all… Or is it? I have no idea. Out of all interview questions, "What makes you an ideal candidate for this task" happens to be the one I fright the most. I don't count being put on the spot when stakes are high as one of my favorite pastimes. And -cartel I say it- you probably feel the same way. It's OK. I become collywobbles in my stomach as well. The affair is, you don't have to leave that moment to your improvisation skills; a little bit of planning can go a long way in engendering an aura of confidence every bit yous readily give your respond.

Here's the line of thought behind it, and what to do when the hiring director "drops the bomb."

Same question, different form

Equally far as why hiring managers enquire this question, information technology's pretty self-explanatory: They want to see whether you are compatible as a job candidate with the responsibilities and tasks of the position. This is your chance to sell yourself to the hiring manager, using your experience, credentials, and unique skill set as persuasive firepower, and therefore position yourself equally a strong and unique candidate.

This question tin also masquerade every bit other forms like:

"Why are you a good fit for this task?"
"What sets y'all autonomously as a unique candidate?"
"What makes you lot the best applicant?"
"Explain why yous are the ideal candidate."

Keep in mind that while the interviewer might elect to not inquire this question altogether, you lot withal desire to position yourself and convince them that y'all're the existent deal – 'cause your suit (or blouse) won't be doing the convincing.

How to retort your answer

Basically, yous want your answer to utterly floor the hiring manager. Or maybe non; having your interviewer on the floor, convulsing in awe and shock at how qualified y'all are for the position is not an ideal situation (sorry, my imagination likes to run costless sometimes).

That being said, yous nonetheless desire to impress the person who'south going to play a significant role in dictating your future. Here are a couple of ways to do and then:

Before the interview, take some time to see how your credentials/qualifications lucifer those found in the job posting.
This is why you should pick jobs you feel particularly qualified for. Come up up with potent arguments for each qualification or point to back up your case. Utilise real-life examples, anecdotes, and stories from your professional history.
Talk about your achievements.
Based on the research you've conducted prior, what feats, in particular, are going to impress the person sitting in front end of you lot? Be specific and deliberate with your choices (i.e., don't say irrelevant stuff). Bonus points if you are able to link them with the visitor's mission.
Flaunt your skills.
No, don't do that (that's physically incommunicable, anyway). The point: exercise you lot have a particular skill that not many employees are privileged to telephone call their own? Fifty-fifty improve, are you especially good with a skill that'southward listed in the job posting? Once over again, anything that tin can hook the individual'due south attending volition do you massive favors.
Rehearse your lines.
Don't sound rehearsed in the actual interview though. Loosen upwardly some. Yes, yous want to know what to say and how you lot'll say it by heart, but you lot don't want to turn into a robot in the process. A adept way to prevent this is to practice answering in a few different ways while making a conscious effort to vary your answers and thoroughly explain your instance each fourth dimension.

Example reply:
Working hard in previous jobs has provided me with a specific and ideal skill prepare for this position. I have a wide range of experience across multiple divisions, then I know how to handle many unlike types of problems. I'chiliad also highly organized and extremely personable, so I can receive a lot of calls or do well in situations where I have to run across a lot of people face-to-face. I'g too very flexible, so if a sudden change were to occur in my schedule, I'd exist able to accommodate it without slowing downwards my operation.

The above is a fictional case, simply information technology uses the aforementioned principles in playing off of what the hiring director is already looking for.

On the other hand, a bad example would be…

While I don't accept that much experience [red flag #1], I nonetheless take a lot to bring to the tabular array. As opposed to other candidates [cherry-red flag #2], I know how to bring my personality into my work. I'm honest, difficult-working, organized, cheerful, and nice to people [major red flag #3]. And then, the story goes like this: my mom had forgotten to wake me up on time for my first day at work because my alert had stopped working, and since I didn't own a telephone… [Lol, what?]

Stand (or sit?) tall, my friend…

When answering, await your interviewer in the eye (don't be creepy, though – decease stares are a big no-no). Speak slowly and clearly. Be unwavering in your demeanor. Show them confidence, that you lot're certain you are going to do well. It'll probably rub off on them and then you'll get the job. Who knows, it might just be the one thing that seals the bargain (y'know, in case your qualifications suck and then hard, lol… don't worry though, they probably don't).

For more than chore interview tips, tricks treat, and sweets, become yonder.