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Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

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Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#111

Post by rl3 »

dpark wrote: post #109
rl3 wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ... being unable to hold your temper ... I didn't mean to suggest the candidate should launch into a tirade or anything, just that the indignation would ideally be evident yet subtle. > If you can't handle this, how are you going to handle it when someone bluntly calls one of your designs terrible? The flip side of this is that candidates who find nothing wrong with the question are far more likely to not mete out…

> I didn't mean to suggest the candidate should launch into a tirade or anything, just that the indignation would ideally be evident yet subtle. I don't think that subtle indignation is a healthy response. If you're so bothered by this question, I think you should say so. A direct, honest response is far more mature way to handle it than acting annoyed by the question. I could respect a candidate telling me directly…

>A direct, honest response is far more mature way to handle it than being acting annoyed by the question. I could respect a candidate telling me directly that the question is insulting.

Then the interview quickly turns into a robotic caricature straight out of an HR manual. Why make the whole situation awkward and probably tank the interview just to state the obvious.

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#113

Post by djkrudy »

Humdeee wrote: post #88
djkrudy wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a hiring manager, I would never believe this response, because as an interviewee there isn't a company on the planet I could say all these things about AFTER working there for 30 years, much less before working there. I'd just laugh because anybody who says something like this has no idea how mucked up a simple task can get in the real world. Jeez, are you a second semester business administration UG student?

"So, did I get the position?"

"Do you have any questions for us?" "Um, how many days can I call in sick in a year before I get fired?"

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#114

Post by dpark »

rl3 wrote: post #111
dpark wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I didn't mean to suggest the candidate should launch into a tirade or anything, just that the indignation would ideally be evident yet subtle. I don't think that subtle indignation is a healthy response. If you're so bothered by this question, I think you should say so. A direct, honest response is far more mature way to handle it than acting annoyed by the question. I could respect a candidate telling me directly…

> A direct, honest response is far more mature way to handle it than being acting annoyed by the question. I could respect a candidate telling me directly that the question is insulting. Then the interview quickly turns into a robotic caricature straight out of an HR manual. Why make the whole situation awkward and probably tank the interview just to state the obvious.

Instead be snarky and annoyed and tank the interview by being a passive aggressive jerk?

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#115

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

mythobit wrote: post #43
b6 wrote: post #10

I hope I'm not alone in thinking "why should we hire you" is a bit of a dumb question and a bit insulting. If I was asked that, I'd be thinking something like: We're all adults here. We know why you're trying to hire someone approximately like me, and why I'm trying to get the job. Let's be friends instead of you trying to get me to trot like a show pony. This isn't a game show. Or if you think it is, maybe I don't w…

I wonder if you wouldn't be justified in following up their question with your own of "Why should I choose to work for you?". Seems only fair that they should try and sell you on being part of their team as well.

Of course you would. In fact, it doesn't have to be in response to anything they say. I think both questions are valid for both interviewer and interviewee.

There's only one of me to go around, so I'm pretty particular about where I am.

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#116

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

ryandrake wrote: post #77
awinder wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always asked teams why someone should come work there during the interview process. For one, a lot of employees are not terribly good actors, so you can read the room if you see people stammer through this question. Two, by even just asking that question, you can flip the tenor & tone of an interview by nicely showcasing that: you have options, so you're looking to understand why this is a fit for you and not ju…

That's pretty bold. I would imagine most companies' honest response would be "Well, you don't HAVE to come work here, we have 10 other people interviewing after you." I mean, congratulations if you have options, but in most employer-applicant relationships, there is a huge power imbalance benefiting the employer.

Please, please, please don't think this.

It's not bold, it's a perfectly reasonable question. In most parts of the US, it's a developer's market. Exploit that while you can.

FWIW, every time I've asked this question, the response is always for the interviewer (sometimes with a slight smile) to try to sell me on working there. Never have I gotten a response like you predicted, and I'd be very surprised if I ever do.

You're not a fungible assembly line worker; you're a highly skilled individual in great demand. Even if you don't really believe that, find a way to convince yourself of it temporarily before the interview: it will have positive results.

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#117

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

tqkxzugoaupvwqr wrote: post #81
dpark wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't ask this question because it's pointless, but I would expect the best candidates to answer the question reasonably. Indignation is not a mature attitude to demonstrate in an interview.

The question is an insult to the interviewee. The interviewee can stammer around and say something about great fit, being a team player or whatever … basically re-iterating the requirements of the job and state how well he fulfils those. What is the honest answer? It all boils down to “I fulfil the requirements, and then some!” In my eyes, the question shows hostility towards the interviewee.

You're thinking too much into it. Just say "because I rock and your team's life would suck without me." And leave it at that.

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#118

Post by rl3 »

dpark wrote: post #114
rl3 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> A direct, honest response is far more mature way to handle it than being acting annoyed by the question. I could respect a candidate telling me directly that the question is insulting. Then the interview quickly turns into a robotic caricature straight out of an HR manual. Why make the whole situation awkward and probably tank the interview just to state the obvious.

Instead be snarky and annoyed and tank the interview by being a passive aggressive jerk?

On the contrary, I was merely suggesting high-caliber people should be rightfully disconcerted if asked that question. Subtle indignation doesn't automatically mean passive-aggressive asshole.

Besides, the entire scenario largely depends on context. I'm sure most people would find it far more beneign if the question was posed by an HR person at BigCo, rather than by the founder of a smaller company.

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#119

Post by jfrisby »

Humdeee wrote: post #44

I'm a game-changer that can think outside the box. I bring forth a synergy that will leverage my ability to hit the ground running and go that extra mile. Pushing the envelope and reinforcing the company vision statement is what I'm all about. Goal setting and going after the low-hanging fruit is paramount to setting us up as a thought-leader and to pivot in a ruthless, competitive market. I understand that achieving…

Just saw your question on a thread from a couple weeks ago about building a TD game. As I'm only now seeing it, I apparently can't respond directly anymore. Email me -- jfrisby at MrJoy dot com and I'll be happy to offer some tips!

Re: Ask HN: How to answer properly “Why we should hire you” question?

#120

Post by tjalfi »

iamatworknow wrote: post #40
b6 wrote: post #10

I hope I'm not alone in thinking "why should we hire you" is a bit of a dumb question and a bit insulting. If I was asked that, I'd be thinking something like: We're all adults here. We know why you're trying to hire someone approximately like me, and why I'm trying to get the job. Let's be friends instead of you trying to get me to trot like a show pony. This isn't a game show. Or if you think it is, maybe I don't w…

Same goes for "where do you see yourself in [some amount of time]?" Is anyone ever truly honest in responding to that question, or is the intent to have the interviewee lie and pledge their long-term loyalty to a company that they don't even work for yet?

"On a beach in Mexico with a bottle of tequila, a girl named Juanita, and $5 million in embezzled funds." I saw the quip above on http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?joel.3.162121.... and have been saving it for a special occasion.
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