By Mike Simpson

Why are you the best person for this job? It’s a dastardly interview question that can be surprisingly hard to nail. After all, you don’t want to come across like a braggart, but you do want to showcase why you’re awesome. That’s a fine line to tread.

So, how do you tackle this tightrope walk of a question? Well, we’re about to show you. Come with us as we explore the tricky job interview question, “Why are you the best person for this job?”

What Is the Meaning of “Best Person?”

Alright, before we dig into example answers for this question, let’s pause a second and talk about something important: What does “best person” mean anyway?

In the absolute simplest sense, the “best person” for the job is an individual who can not just handle the duties associated with the role but exceed expectations while taking care of them. Usually, this means having a strong skillset along with a solid amount of confidence in what you can do or what you can learn along the way.

Now, it is important to note that this question can come in another form, the classic, “Why are you the best candidate for this position?” In this case, “best candidate” and “best person” really mean the same thing.

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask This Question?

So, why on Earth would the hiring manager ask this question? And is this question really all that different from “Why should we hire you?” and “Why are you a good fit for this job?” Yes, yes, it is.

Hiring managers ask this interview question for two main reasons. First, they want to learn more about you, preferably discovering that you bring something amazing and unique to the table. Second, it also lets them gauge your confidence.

Yeah, you are going to address “fit” in your answer here. And, yes, you’re sharing reasons that showcase why they should hire you. But you’re also digging deeper.

You’re giving them crucial insights about how you, as an individual, stand out, as well as your confidence in your capabilities. It’s partly about unique accomplishments and attributes, but it also involves how you feel about what you’ve achieved and what you think you can pull off in the future if you were hired for the position.

Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when answer “Why are you the best person for this job?” is being conceited, pompous, or egotistical. For 84 percent of hiring managers, culture fit is a main consideration when choosing a candidate. If you come across as aggressively arrogant, that probably won’t match the company’s or team’s vibe. And what does that mean? That you can kiss the job goodbye.

In many cases, confidence doesn’t require boastfulness. Yes, you can toot your own horn a bit (and you actually should). But you also need to add a hint of humbleness.

However, it can be just as problematic if you hedge. A lack of confidence in your capabilities is a killer. For example, using a phrase like “I guess” or filling your response with “maybes” is going to come across as unsure. Similarly, using “we” instead of “I” makes it seem like the team you were with are accomplished but that you weren’t a significant factor in its success.

Also remember, this is just one question the hiring manager could ask you in your interview! That’s why we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview.

Click below to get your free PDF now:

Tips for Answering This Question

Okay, we know you’re chomping at the bit for some example answers for “Why are you the best person for the job,” and we promise those are coming. Before we get there, how about some helpful tips that can make crafting your own answer as easy as pie?

These three tips are designed to make creating your response as simple as possible. They keep you focused on what matters, giving you a framework for creating compelling replies.

So, with that in mind, here are three awesome tips for this question…

1. Do a Ton of Research

As with all interview questions, research is your ally. If all you do is review the job description, you’re missing a critical part of the equation.

In the end, 59 percent of job seekers head to the company’s website after they find an intriguing opening. If you aren’t taking that trip, too, you’re already behind those candidates. That’s no good.

So, make use of every resource. Review the company’s website, especially its mission and value statements, and take a trip to its social media pages. Find the hiring manager on LinkedIn and, if their profile is public, learn a bit about who they are as a professional.

Yes, it can be a little time-consuming. But it pays off.

2. Choose Quantifiable Accomplishments

In the end, the proof is in the pudding. Since you can’t directly show the hiring manager that you’re amazing during the interview, you have to do the next best thing. And what is that? It’s sharing quantified examples.

During an interview, numbers can speak louder than words. Think about it this way; what sounds more compelling, “In my last position, I boosted sales significantly in a short time” or “In my last position, I boost sales by 25 percent in just two months.” The second one, right?

Numbers are powerful. When you choose accomplishments, select ones that let you share some stellar metrics. After all, you’re trying to say that you’re legitimately the best person for this role, and numbers can help you do that.

3. Add a Unique Twist

If you want to look like the best candidate for the job, it’s important to set yourself apart from the pack. Usually, the simplest way to do that is to showcase a unique skill or trait that you bring to the table that can help you excel in the position.

Typically, you’ll need to look beyond the required skills and traits for a role, looking for something a bit unconventional that can help you excel. Exactly what they will be depends on you, just don’t be afraid to think outside of the box to find it.

For example, if you were a user interface designer who also painted, your painting experience may be that unique thing. Usually, painters learn a lot about color theory and or have strong color acuity, and that may give you unique insights into how to design user interfaces that set the right mood.

How to Answer the Interview Question “Why Are You the Best Person for This Job?”

Alright, now it’s time for the nitty-gritty on how to answer “Why are you the best candidate for this position?” So, where should you begin? Well, with the right strategy, of course.

First, do that research. Check out the job description, review the company’s website and social media pages, and learn everything you can about what the hiring manager genuinely needs, both from a technical and cultural standpoint.

Next, take that information and choose quantifiable achievements that show you are the right person for the job. Tap on your technical prowess, valuable traits, and culture fit.

After that, it’s time to create highly targeted answers that speak directly to the hiring manager. That’s where the Tailoring Method comes into play. It’s all about customizing a response for epic alignment. That way, your value proposition gets even stronger.

Alright, ready to see how all of that can come together? Great. Here are three example responses to “Why are you the best person for this job,” with each one covering a different job field and career level.

1. Mid-Career Sales

Sales is always about numbers. However, the customer experience is increasingly at the forefront, particularly for companies that want to differentiate themselves from the pack.

Here is an example answer for an interview at a customer-centric company that’s still looking for growth.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“In the job description, I noticed an emphasis on both sales growth and customer retention. In my last position, I spearheaded a process improvement with those precise objectives in mind. While improving sales and retention was our goal, I didn’t want to go with aggressive hard sales tactics.

Like your company mentions in its mission statement, being customer-centric is a priority. We want to be a legitimate resource, one that customers can turn to with ease and without concern about pressure. It’s a value I personally hold and is part of what attracted me to this position.

By keeping my values at heart as I reworked the process, not only was I able to increase sales by 10 percent during the first 30 days and a total of 22 percent during the first 90 days, but I was also able to boost customer retention by 12 percent. In total, this led to a 16 percent boost in revenue, all while enhancing customer satisfaction and bolstering the brand.”

2. Entry-Level Customer Service

With an entry-level job, you may not have many numbers in your background to add to your answer, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean you can’t make a great connection and showcase yourself as the best person for the role. You just need to use a slightly different approach, along with different numbers.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“The reason I’m the best person for this job is two-fold. First, this is one of my favorite brands. I’ve personally been a customer for over four years, and I have a solid understanding of what your company offers, as well as the quality of the customer experience.

Second, I’m passionate about helping people. During my time in school, I launched an afterschool tutoring program to help students improve their understanding of various subjects. Along with coordinating the tutoring sessions, I also tutored 20 students in total. I feel that tutoring and customer service can be a lot alike, as you take complex ideas and help people with them.

Together, I think that makes me the best candidate for the position.”

3. Technology Manager

For management positions, the focus usually needs to be on leadership. However, it doesn’t hurt to discuss a little about your subject-matter expertise, showing that you have a solid understanding of the work the department handles and what the employees you supervise do.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“I believe I’m the best person for the job for several reasons. First, this position involves overseeing the networking department. Not only do I have a degree in networking and telecommunications, but I also have four certifications, including in network security and administration.

Second, I reached the management ranks by working up from an entry-level networking role. During my 12-year career, I’ve spent time as an individual contributor, project manager, and team lead. I understand the daily grind of the positions I would supervise, as I’ve personally experienced it.

As a team lead, I oversaw the work of three networking professionals. While working as a project manager, I coordinated the efforts of a cross-departmental team of nine highly skilled professionals, ensuring the project remained on course and on budget. In fact, we were able to complete a major implementation one week early, all without budget overages.

Finally, I believe I’m the best candidate because I am a tech geek at heart. Technology is amazing, and I will always be fascinated by how it can improve the lives of everyone when leveraged well.”

Putting It All Together

At this point, there’s a good chance you can answer “Why are you the best person for this job” with ease. Take advantage of everything above. That way, you can create a compelling answer that shows why you are really and truly the best around.

Good luck!

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