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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?

#71

Post by WhoBeI »

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?

"In the mirror?"

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

#72

Post by ryandrake »

awfgylbcxhrey wrote: post #61
chias wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because your enthusiasm is your most valuable asset. Enthused employees tend to be a lot more productive, and also drive up the morale among their peers.

Because your enthusiasm is your most valuable asset. Wow, no, that's not even remotely true. My years of experience and track record of delivering completed products is my most valuable asset. Enthusiasm doesn't get the job done. Enthusiasm and passion are fleeting. Honestly, I cannot express how horrified I am by your reply.

I've had to deal with enough code fueled by enthusiasm. I much prefer working with code fueled by best practices, focus, and competence.

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

#73

Post by mlmlmasd »

karthikb wrote: post #48
mlmlmasd wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Sure, but unless I hire all the candidates and compare them after a week, I have I rely on some fallbacks.

That's why you have interviews... use them wisely instead of asking silly questions.

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

#74

Post by travisjungroth »

chias wrote: post #50
awfgylbcxhrey wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Because your enthusiasm is your most valuable asset. Enthused employees tend to be a lot more productive, and also drive up the morale among their peers.

If that were true, interns would be worth $300k and 30 year experienced devs would work for free over the summer.

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

#75

Post by djkrudy »

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…

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?

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

#76

Post by rpeden »

djkrudy wrote: post #63
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…

This is not an answer to the question. The question is actually "Why should we hire you, INSTEAD of the next person in the door. I'd be weary about working for a company that fell for the "You give me money I give you work worth more money" answer. This question is asked to discern why or how you cannot be generalized into being just another grunt who will be the first to be laid off. What qualities, morals, connecti…

You make good and fair points.

The first answer I wrote assume you've already described your unique qualities, skills, perspectives earlier in the interview. Because all of those non-monetary contributions absolutely provide value. And they definitely can be, and often are, the difference between success and failure for teams and companies.

I think if you've spent the interview gently highlighting all of the ways you provide value, then when you're hit with a closing question like "Why should I hire you?", you likely won't need to spend too much time describing what that value is. Reiterating a few of the points would often be a good idea, though.

The second, more blunt answer I wrote is probably most appropriate if you're a contractor who has to come in, deliver something valuable very quickly, and then go away.

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

#77

Post by ryandrake »

awinder wrote: post #65
mythobit wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

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.

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

#78

Post by ErikVandeWater »

WhoBeI wrote: post #71
iamatworknow wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

"In the mirror?"

Well, I would hire you. Don't know about others.

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

#79

Post by kohanz »

awfgylbcxhrey wrote: post #39
kohanz wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Yeah, the "passion" term is a loaded one and I regret using it. I don't require someone to be "passionate" about the product we're working on to see them as a good fit. In fact, as someone who works in medical devices, when someone came in and said they really wanted meaningful work and that's why they wanted to switch to medical devices, I'd slightly roll my eyes to myself because I saw a younger version of myself in them, knowing that they would quickly realize how far-removed they and their work are from the bed-side or OR and that feelings of making a meaningful contribution are a lot more rare than they might imagine.

Personally, I wouldn't ask the "why should I hire you" question, because it's a dumb question IMHO, but if I did and someone answered "Because I will make you more money than you'll pay me" and left it at that, I'd have some misgivings about that answer. It's tough for me articulate exactly why, but I just can't say I'd be thrilled with that answer. Someone who optimizes themselves for "make the company more money than I'm paid" doesn't really say much about what it's like to work with them. The statement doesn't do a good job of "selling yourself", IMHO.

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

#80

Post by mlmlmasd »

neurobot wrote: post #59
in_cahoots wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Yes, there are a multiple candidate, 8 peoples including me. I'm the only one from my country that apply for this position (how do I know? they tell me). This interview process, is not the first process. before the interview, there is a "skills assessment" session, that I am passed.

The fact that they tell you how many other candidates there are for the same position is a bad sign about their hiring process to be honest.
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