Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

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

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 128 posts

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

#31

Post by dpark »

rl3 wrote: post #17
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…

These mirror my sentiments exactly. Not that I'd ever ask the question myself, but I'd expect the best candidates to respond with indignation.

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.

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

#32

Post by patio11 »

So what's your theory of the mind as to why they would ask this question.

I have two scenarios:

a) They don't want to hire you.

b) They do want to hire you, but are incompetent at interviewing.

A key realization from poker is that if you're in the a bucket your answer to this question _literally doesn't matter_, so you optimize for the case where they do want to hire you. I think that this would counsel a response which is chest-thumping by HN standards but still likely to be effective. (Think of how you would deliver the answer to that question if you were utterly indifferent to their approval, because it's so patently obvious, and a little bored before your next meeting.)

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

#33

Post by falsedan »

mydpy wrote: post #11

The answer to this will probably change based on where you are in your career.

I think devs at all levels can help a company reduce waste or increase output. The answer is always, "I will help your company be more effective (at making money/executing its non-profit work)".

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

#34

Post by in_cahoots »

rpeden wrote: post #6

Assuming they ask this at the end of the interview after you've shown your skills and discussed your experience: "I believe I've demonstrated that I'll deliver significantly more value with my work than I'll cost you in salary and benefits." That's pretty much the reason anyone should hire you, for any role, in any industry. Most interviews are really about demonstrating the value you'll deliver. Keep that in mind wi…

There may be multiple candidates who fit this criteria. How do you set yourself apart?

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

#35

Post by ashark »

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…

It definitely comes off as 1) "I don't know how to do my job, please explain it to me" or 2) "can you tell me why the salaried employment relationship exists?" I mean, I'd answer (while trying desperately to contain the sarcasm and not to talk to the person asking it like they don't know WTF they're doing) but the answer is always something like "you should hire me if you think I can and will complete tasks that are worth more to you than what I cost you". Obviously. You know your business, we've talked about what I can do... so figure it out.

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

#36

Post by thinkloop »

rm_-rf_slash wrote: post #12

I have two microwave-ready answers for this kind of question. 1: "I am always learning. I am not afraid to try a new technique or even an entirely new framework and programming language. All I need is time to learn and trust that I will arrive to the level of competence required of me. I may not know everything now, but I will not stop learning. Even if I know everything I need to do my job today, I will continue to…

> I am not a math person. I can do math, but my brain is wired for language.

Not a good time to introduce not's in my opinion. It might work (as it did for you), but it's high risk.

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

#37

Post by rm_-rf_slash »

thinkloop wrote: post #36
rm_-rf_slash wrote: post #12

I have two microwave-ready answers for this kind of question. 1: "I am always learning. I am not afraid to try a new technique or even an entirely new framework and programming language. All I need is time to learn and trust that I will arrive to the level of competence required of me. I may not know everything now, but I will not stop learning. Even if I know everything I need to do my job today, I will continue to…

> I am not a math person. I can do math, but my brain is wired for language. Not a good time to introduce not's in my opinion. It might work (as it did for you), but it's high risk.

Like I said the second answer applies to me personally. I often say this to convey my honesty and to plainly state that I have a minor weakness that is compensated by a superior strength.

If the job requires a math person to sit and code and not talk to non-technical people, then I am the wrong person for that job and both parties are better off if they hire someone else.

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

#38

Post by mlmlmasd »

in_cahoots wrote: post #34
rpeden wrote: post #6

Assuming they ask this at the end of the interview after you've shown your skills and discussed your experience: "I believe I've demonstrated that I'll deliver significantly more value with my work than I'll cost you in salary and benefits." That's pretty much the reason anyone should hire you, for any role, in any industry. Most interviews are really about demonstrating the value you'll deliver. Keep that in mind wi…

There may be multiple candidates who fit this criteria. How do you set yourself apart?

By being good at what you do, not by giving cute answers to retarded questions.

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

#39

Post by awfgylbcxhrey »

kohanz wrote: post #30
rpeden wrote: post #6

Assuming they ask this at the end of the interview after you've shown your skills and discussed your experience: "I believe I've demonstrated that I'll deliver significantly more value with my work than I'll cost you in salary and benefits." That's pretty much the reason anyone should hire you, for any role, in any industry. Most interviews are really about demonstrating the value you'll deliver. Keep that in mind wi…

Your reasoning makes perfect sense, but the answer is a bit dry and, I don't know how to describe it, robotic? As someone who has sat in the hiring chair, if I heard "You'll make more money from my work than I'll cost in salary and benefits.", I'd get the impression of that person someone who maybe views themselves as a profit-generating widget in the grand scheme of the company. I'd wonder a bit what enjoyment/passi…

I'd wonder a bit what enjoyment/passion that person gets from their work.

Why can't someone just be a professional who generates value?

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

#40

Post by iamatworknow »

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?
Post reply on HN