How to Answer: 'Why should I hire you?'

"Why should I hire you?"

This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect." Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire YOU?"

Sometimes the most innocent interview question can prove to be the key to the empire for some, while it can be the swan song for others. The next time an employer asks, "Why should I hire you?" see the question in a new light - as an opportunity to shine and pull ahead of your competitors.

Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "game over" sign flashes above your head.

What hiring managers really want to know is, "What's special or different about you?" or "How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position?" With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best "story" that answers this question: "Will you go the extra mile?"

Why is the employer asking why he or she should hire you? Because there are only five areas of interest he or she is concerned with:


1. Your skills
2. Your knowledge about the company
3. Your manageability
4. Your affordability
5. Whether you can go above and beyond your job description.


In this day of "lean and mean" operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties beyond their jobs.

Realize that there will always be competing candidates with a higher skill level, more experience, more education and training or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equalizer though, is the ability to demonstrate how you have risen above and gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task, complete the job or realize an important goal.

Here, you recount that story of exactly how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills or did whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. If you can put a dollar value on the result, your story will only be that much more dramatic.

Knowing this ahead of time, it's wise to put in the time beforehand to work on your answer to this question. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge and describe your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular set of skills in an extraordinary time to "give it your all" and produce a clear benefit to your employer.

Since no other candidate can duplicate your own personal story here, you'll make a memorable impression. Not only that, but quite possibly you'll pull yourself ahead of that "perfect" candidate who preceded you.


As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com/

By Joe Turner, author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked"

Copyright 2008 Joe Turner All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
Story Filed Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 5:33 PM

Are You Sabotaging Your Career?: 5 Ways to Make Sure You Aren't

Are You Sabotaging Your Career?: 5 Ways to Make Sure You Aren't

Though Alexandra Levit was a straight-A student, she freely admits her first job after college was a disaster.

"I had the attitude I had to be a VP by the age of 30, so at meetings I would talk and talk without deference to others," she says. "My first boss didn't like me, which made me visibly upset at work -- I'd burst into tears -- and I clashed with other colleagues."

But when Levit saw coworkers in the public relations agency with half her work ethic getting promoted ahead of her, she realized something was missing from her education foundation. She decided to take some personal development classes to improve her people skills.

"I thought it was all about the work you do, and wasn't concerned about the reputation I presented," said Levit, who credits a Dale Carnegie course her boss recommended with teaching her how to make a more positive impression and elicit more cooperation from others.

"It really did change my life," says Levit, author of "How'd You Score That Gig?" and "They Don't Teach Corporate in College," now a regular speaker at universities and corporations on workplace issues facing young employees. "This should be standard knowledge for every college senior."

Levit's early career mistakes -- overemphasizing technical proficiency at the expense of sales, strategic, people, and financial skills, and assuming she had already learned everything she needed to know to get ahead at work -- are just some of the many ways in which people unwittingly sabotage their career success. While she rebounded, others may not be so lucky.

Know Yourself

Self-awareness regarding your behavior and shortcomings is the most important challenge in any career development program -- without it, people keep their defenses and ignore helpful feedback, says Jason Seiden, president of Seiden & Associates, a coaching and management development firm, and author of "How to Self-Destruct: Making the Least of What's Left of Your Career," a tongue-in-cheek book on professional moves you shouldn't make.

Marginalizing yourself at work, boxing yourself into a job and shutting out opportunities to advance by making yourself indispensable, having an "entitlement complex," and using technology to your disadvantage -- like posting embarrassing photos of yourself or inappropriate comments about your employer or personal life online -- are all excellent ways to sabotage your career, notes Seiden, also an instructor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Accept Criticism

So is avoiding constructive criticism, which many workers disregard or misinterpret as insults or nastiness. When Seiden worked in his father-in-law's business some years ago, he came in eager to shake things up and told everyone what they were doing wrong. "I created a lot of friction. People were resisting me as I was pushing too hard and too fast. I got plenty of feedback but didn't interpret it right. We were talking past each other all the time."

Many people don't listen to criticism of their behavior from someone they have already typed as annoying, like a boss, but they believe remarks from someone they've already typed as worthwhile, such as a friend. Seiden says people behave this way because of the "fundamental attribution error," by which people explain behavior in terms of personality traits instead of the situation. "Because there is a tendency for humans to generalize about others from isolated observations, we are lousy judges of character," he says.

Keep Learning

The most destructive thing to do to your career is to think you're irreplaceable, says John McKee, a business coach in Los Angeles and author of "Career Wisdom."

"The ones who think they know all the answers become obsolete, as this usually means they're not keeping current with what they need to be successful in their industry."

Speak Up

Failure to self-promote is another career-killer, to which women are particularly susceptible, adds McKee, also author of "21 Ways Women in Management Shoot Themselves in the Foot."

"Women have a tendency to feel their work speaks for itself, while guys are likely to promote everything they do that's great. Thus, women are less likely to get promotions or raises, and if they get one, they accept it without a negotiation."

Get Out

Sometimes employees don't leave bad situations soon enough. The resulting stress takes a toll emotionally and physically, often infecting the person's ability to move on and perform well in interviews for new jobs, says Joni Carley, a business coach in Media, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, who cites an ad agency employee client who had trouble at work and was ultimately fired.

"If only she'd gotten her act together before she had too many wounds to lick," Carley notes. "She was always in state of discomfort, and those feelings just sabotaged her energy and her interest in life. She was bothered by all the cues but not acting on them, and it's self-sabotaging not to honor that."

by Sharon McDonnell, ClassesUSA.com
source: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-are_you_sabotaging_your_career-433

5 Lifestyle Activities That Can Get You Fired

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Can having a bacon double cheeseburger and a cigarette put your job at risk? Maybe. It may sound surprising, but many off-the-job actions and lifestyles could put your job in jeopardy.

Fair Game?

Employment experts point out five key areas that a company may scrutinize:

• Smoking, drinking, and overeating. Due to the cost of health insurance, more and more employers view "unhealthy" habits as a threat to their bottom line.
• Risky behavior. Likewise, a company might see your bungee jumping hobby as a liability.
• Speech. Will your employer consider your blogging to be destructive griping?
• Romantic relationships. Dating someone at a competitor's company has landed employees in hot water. And some employers might take issue with unmarried coupling or even same-sex relationships.
• Political activity. Volunteering for Obama could be trouble if you have a pro-McCain boss, and vice versa.

Job- or industry-specific behaviors can lead to termination as well. A Ford worker who drives a Toyota is probably safe -- unless he or she is president of Ford. But a bank employee who bounces a personal check could get the boot.

Cause or Just Because

If these reasons for termination seem unfair, they must be illegal, right? Not necessarily. Just because most employers don't let valued employees loose for off-the-job activities and lifestyles, doesn't mean they can't.

"Most workers in the private sector don't understand that, unless they live in Montana and Arizona, their job is at-will," Paul Secunda, an assistant professor of law at the University of Mississippi, told Yahoo! HotJobs. "At-will means an employee can be fired for good cause or no cause at all," Secunda said.

Federal job protections include gender, race, religion, and national origin, as well as disability. "Some state laws forbid discrimination on other bases, including sexual orientation, or status as a smoker," said Rick Bales, a professor at Northern Kentucky University/Chase College of Law. Smokers in the tobacco-growing state of Kentucky, for example, are safe from termination, he said.

Don't Be Fooled

Although union members and public sector (government) workers generally have more protections, employees in the private sector -- the bulk of the U.S. workforce -- can be fired at any time, and usually without recourse.

"Unless you were fired because you are a member of a protected class under federal law, or under another state statute, it's likely not illegal," said Kimberly Malerba, an associate who litigates employment cases with Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., a law firm on Long Island, New York.

The good news is that most companies don't go out of their way to snoop into employees' lives, Malerba told Yahoo HotJobs. "A company is most concerned with (off-the-job) behaviors that directly conflict with business interests."

5 Tips to Consider

Legal experts have advice for protecting your job from unexpected dangers:

• Understand the concept of at-will employment. Don't assume that termination must be illegal just because you think it was unfair.
• Be fully aware of your company's policies and terms of employment. Read the employee handbook, and ask HR if you have any questions.
• Be familiar with the company's internal dispute mechanisms (if any) for filing grievances.
• Think before you act. Could your employer see your actions off the job as potentially destructive to the company?
• Don't disclose. "You don't have to disclose lifestyle choices or off-the-clock activities unless there is a clear link to your ability to perform the job," Secunda said.

"My general advice is, don't do anything on your own time that, if reported in the local paper, would reflect poorly on you or your employer," Bales told Yahoo! HotJobs.

source: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-5_lifestyle_activities_that_can_get_you_fired-427

The 6 Most Annoying Coworkers: Are You One?

by Doug White, Robert Half International

Nearly every workplace has them: the Naysayer, who dismisses team members' ideas; the Spotlight Stealer, who claims credit for a colleague's efforts; and other annoying coworkers who make collaboration difficult. Following are six professionals whose irritating behaviors and irksome attitudes prevent them from forming productive relationships at work -- and what you should to do avoid following in their footsteps:

1. The Naysayer. This office dweller delights in shooting down ideas. Even during "blue sky" brainstorming sessions, where all suggestions are to be contemplated with an open mind, the Naysayer immediately pooh-poohs any proposal that challenges the status quo.

The right approach: Because great solutions often rise from diverse opinions, withhold comment -- and judgment -- until the appropriate time. Moreover, be tactful and constructive when delivering criticism or alternative viewpoints.

2. The Spotlight Stealer. There is definitely an "I" in "team" according to this glory seeker, who tries to take full credit for collaborative efforts and impress higher-ups. This overly ambitious corporate climber never heard a good idea he wouldn't pass off as his own.

The right approach: Win over the boss and colleagues by being a team player. When receiving kudos, for instance, publicly thank everyone who helped you. "I couldn't have done it without ..." is a savvy phrase to remember.

3. The Buzzwordsmith. Whether speaking or writing, the Buzzwordsmith sacrifices clarity in favor of showcasing an expansive vocabulary of cliched business terms. This ineffective communicator loves to "utilize" -- never just "use" -- industry-specific jargon and obscure acronyms that muddle messages. Favorite buzzwords include "synergistic," "actionable," "monetize," and "paradigm shift."

The right approach: Be succinct. Focus on clarity and minimize misunderstandings by favoring direct, concrete statements. If you're unsure whether the person you are communicating with will understand your message, rephrase it, using "plain English."

4. The Inconsiderate Emailer. Addicted to the "reply all" function, this "cc" supporter clogs colleagues' already-overflowing inboxes with unnecessary messages. This person also marks less-than-critical emails as "high priority" and sends enormous attachments that crash unwitting recipients' computers.

The right approach: Break the habit of using email as your default mode of communication, as many conversations are better suited for quick phone calls or in-person discussions. The benefit? The less email you send, the less you're likely to receive.

5. The Interrupter. The Interrupter has little regard for others' peace, quiet or concentration. When this person is not entering your work area to request immediate help, the Interrupter is in meetings loudly tapping on a laptop, fielding calls on a cell phone, or initiating off-topic side conversations.

The right approach: Don't let competing demands and tight deadlines trump basic common courtesy. Simply put, mind your manners to build healthy relationships at work.

6. The Stick in the Mud. This person is all business all of the time. Disapproving of any attempt at levity, the constant killjoy doesn't have fun at work and doesn't think anyone else should either.

The right approach: Have a sense of humor and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself once in awhile. A good laugh can help you build rapport, boost morale, and deflate tension when working under stressful situations.

It's fairly easy to spot the qualities that make the above individuals irritating -- at least when the behaviors are displayed by others. It can be a challenge to recognize when you exhibit them yourself. You may not realize, for instance, that you always pepper your communications with industry- or company-specific jargon, even when speaking with new employees or outside contacts. Though you may not be a full-fledged Interrupter or Stick in the Mud, take care to avoid heading down their paths.

The best advice: Remember common courtesy and act toward others as you want them to act toward you.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.

source: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-the_6_most_annoying_coworkers_are_you_one-431