One of the most important things you can do when you're applying for any job is to consider why you're the best candidate for the position. The reason for that is simple: you need to be ready to respond to an interviewer who asks, “Why would you be a good fit for this position?”

In this article, we'll explain why employers ask the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question and offer some simple tips that can help you prepare a great response. We'll also provide some useful example answers that you can customize to fit your own interview needs.

Related reading: How To Prepare for Company Culture-Fit Interview Questions

Why do employers ask the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question?

Before you can formulate a great response to the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question, you first need to understand why it's being asked. After all, isn't it their job to decide whether you're the best candidate for the role? As it turns out, employers who ask this question are hoping to learn several things about you, including:

  • How well you understand the job you're seeking and the needed qualifications

  • Which of your skills, experiences, and achievements you believe best fit the role

  • Whether the job aligns with your career passion

  • How confident you are in your own qualifications

  • Your ability to effectively sell yourself as the best candidate for the position

Related reading: How to Answer “What Can You Bring to the Company?”

Tips to help you answer “Why are you a good fit for this job?” questions

Now that you know why employers ask some variation of the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question, it's time to create an effective answer. To do that, you need to craft a simple elevator pitch that briefly covers the following points:

  • Your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments

  • How the job aligns with your core career motivations and passion

  • Specific qualifications that show how you can add value to the company and contribute to its success

The following tips can help you develop a response that's sure to make the best possible impression on a hiring manager.

1.      Research the company and the job description

Before you can create a great answer, you need to know which traits and qualifications the job requires for success. By researching the company – its values, mission, etc. – and the job description, you can better identify the key skills and experiences that will enable you to do the job in an effective way.

2.      Focus on the unique strengths that make you a great candidate

Once you've identified the needed qualifications, you'll be able to figure out which of your own skills, experiences, and achievements align with that role. Make a list of your top qualifications and take note of how each of them can help you add real value to the company if they decide to hire you.

Related reading: How to Answer “What Makes You Unique?” – Interview Question Examples & Insights

3.      Cite one or two specific and measurable achievements

Consider your previous work achievements and identify one or two that demonstrate how you've used those relevant skills to achieve positive outcomes for your former employer. Briefly describe those achievements using the STAR method – detailing a specific situation, assigned task, actions that you took, and positive results you achieved.

Related reading: Using the STAR Method in Job Interviews: A Strategy Guide

4.      Highlight your long-term goals with the company

Make sure your answer includes some mention of your longer-term goals with the company. Emphasize your plans for adding value over several years to demonstrate that you intend to be committed to the role for more than just a few months or years. Employers typically appreciate planned loyalty and will prioritize it over candidates who are always looking for better opportunities.

Related reading: Vision for the Future: Answering the 5-Year Question

5.      Demonstrate your commitment to the company's values and mission

Remember how we told you to research the company's values and mission? There was a reason for that, of course. Your answer to the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question should also briefly mention your appreciation of the company's goals and values. Employers are always looking for candidates whose personal goals and vision are aligned with the company's mission and values.

Things to avoid when you're asked, “What makes you a good fit for this job?”

It's also important to avoid certain types of responses that could make a bad impression on employers. For example:

  • Never respond by highlighting money or benefits. Make sure your focus is on how you can benefit the company, not how it can benefit you.

  • Don't be overly confident or assume that you're the only real candidate for the position.

  • Never lie about your qualifications.

  • Resist the temptation to come across as too needy. Nobody's going to hire you just because you need the job.

  • Avoid generalities. You need to provide specific reasons why you're qualified for the job.

  • Don't drone on for more than a couple of minutes. Keep your answer brief and to the point.

  • Don't over-rehearse your response. Practice your response, but don't practice so much that you end up sounding like you memorized your answer.

“Why would you be a good fit for this position?” – example answers

Of course, it also helps to see some examples of sample responses to the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question. Below, we've provided two great examples that demonstrate how you can effectively showcase your fitness for the job in a way that should make any hiring manager sit up and take notice.

Example answer #1

“I've been following your company's success for some time now and believe that my skills and experience align perfectly with this role's needs. In my seven years of experience as a Marketing Manager, I've helped hundreds of companies expand their market share, increase sales volume and profitability by more than 30%, and establish powerful and profitable brands. Should you choose to hire me, I'm confident that my proven track record of success can help to add value to this company's bottom line for many years.”

Example answer #2

“This company's commitment to sustainable development aligns well with career goals and personal values. In my previous role as an Architectural Engineer, I took pride in my team's successful record of meeting our clients' sustainability goals while successfully bringing in projects at a 100% on-time and under-budget rate. I would love the opportunity to use those same skills to achieve similar results in this role.”

Related reading: Crafting a Compelling Response to Why This Position Appeals to You

Make sure you know how to answer the “Why are you a good fit for this job?” question

When an interviewer asks the “Why would you be a good fit for this position?” question, you need to have an effective and meaningful response if you want to capture their attention and interest. By following the tips and advice in this article, you should have no trouble creating an answer that showcases you as the best candidate for the job.

Need more assistance answering the “why would you be a good fit for this position” question? Contact our professional interview coaches today!

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