how to best answer "why you would be right for this role"
Discussion
I am currently completing an online application for an MI analyst role and this got me thinking what would be the best way to answer this question - It suddenly dawned on me how generic my answer may look by looking at what they want from the role what i have to offer and marrying them up - but is this really the best way????
any help would be great
any help would be great
rog007 said:
I can do the job, I'll enjoy doing the job and I'll be a 'fit' for your organisation. [then give an example to back up each of those claims].
Good luck!
This summarises the 'model answer' for me... I'd love to hear other's thoughts on this, but I really don't think there's really much else that can be said other than that you have the skills (be sure to justify this)/ enthusiasm for the task in hand and 'fit' their general ethic!Good luck!
angusfaldo said:
I ask candidates this question when I interview. When an applicant shows real interest and desire for the job - I mean he REALLY shows he wants to work for us doing the job (as opposed to just wants to do the job we're offering) he gets a lot of brownie points.
Flatter them
When a potential employer shows that they are interested in me doing their job - I mean REALLY sell the company, job and prospects then they get a lot brownie points too.Flatter them
angusfaldo said:
I ask candidates this question when I interview. When an applicant shows real interest and desire for the job - I mean he REALLY shows he wants to work for us doing the job (as opposed to just wants to do the job we're offering) he gets a lot of brownie points.
Flatter them
thank you for this, i think its its almost a different spin on answering th question, not so much why you are fit for the role but how you might be fit for the company Flatter them
An interesting question that, when I was in recruitment for a while, I told my candidates to ask (right) at the end of an interview is:
"Thanks for your time etc...is there any reason why you think I might not be perfect for this role?"
It's a wee bit cheeky - but I've never had bad feedback from candidates using it - and I've also used it myself!
It puts the ball back in the employer's court briefly - in my experience it usually elicits at least a grin from the interviewer - and more likely a response like 'um, er, oh - well, no other candidate has ever asked that, lol!'
Hopefully then you'll get an idea if the interviewer has any doubts, or spots holes in your cv / experience that he doesn't actually articulate back to you. Sometimes, they might cough it up - something like 'well, I think you might be ok - but I'm worried about X or Y actually'. So you'll hopefully have a chance to illustrate that you have done whatever it is they think you might not have, or whatever.
It might also give you an idea of how well you've done or not. If you ask that question and they say 'no, no reason - but we've got someone else to see etc.' then fine, but at least you know you haven't been discounted immediately, instead of waiting two weeks or whatever for a rejection! Then if the interviewer is honest enough to say 'well actually yes, the reason I wouldn't consider you is because of this or that' - great, everyone knows where they stand, you can leave and get on with your job hunt immediately.
I have interviewed lots of people in my roles to date - no-one has ever even hinted at asking me what I think 'on the day' - why people are content to sit back and wait for days on end for employers to get back to them is a complete mystery to me!
"Thanks for your time etc...is there any reason why you think I might not be perfect for this role?"
It's a wee bit cheeky - but I've never had bad feedback from candidates using it - and I've also used it myself!
It puts the ball back in the employer's court briefly - in my experience it usually elicits at least a grin from the interviewer - and more likely a response like 'um, er, oh - well, no other candidate has ever asked that, lol!'
Hopefully then you'll get an idea if the interviewer has any doubts, or spots holes in your cv / experience that he doesn't actually articulate back to you. Sometimes, they might cough it up - something like 'well, I think you might be ok - but I'm worried about X or Y actually'. So you'll hopefully have a chance to illustrate that you have done whatever it is they think you might not have, or whatever.
It might also give you an idea of how well you've done or not. If you ask that question and they say 'no, no reason - but we've got someone else to see etc.' then fine, but at least you know you haven't been discounted immediately, instead of waiting two weeks or whatever for a rejection! Then if the interviewer is honest enough to say 'well actually yes, the reason I wouldn't consider you is because of this or that' - great, everyone knows where they stand, you can leave and get on with your job hunt immediately.
I have interviewed lots of people in my roles to date - no-one has ever even hinted at asking me what I think 'on the day' - why people are content to sit back and wait for days on end for employers to get back to them is a complete mystery to me!
Ultuous said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
"Thanks for your time etc...is there any reason why you think I might not be perfect for this role?"
I think that's awesome - for all the reasons you've stated... Will store that one for use someday! It is a good technique to use, being an active rather than a passive participant, and it's one that can also be used to similar effect during mid period appraisals. Those I mentor and coach are always advised to ask their appraisers why they shouldn't be getting recommended for a promotion or a bonus come end of year? It certainly works.
IATM said:
doogz said:
I'm glad I'm a contractor, and I'm glad engineering doesn't seem to work like this.
"You have the technical skills? You want the job? Cool. See you Monday."
i really need to get myself in situations like this lol "You have the technical skills? You want the job? Cool. See you Monday."
I just like to turn up, do a decent job, and if I'm not the right fit then I'm happy to go.
98elise said:
IATM said:
doogz said:
I'm glad I'm a contractor, and I'm glad engineering doesn't seem to work like this.
"You have the technical skills? You want the job? Cool. See you Monday."
i really need to get myself in situations like this lol "You have the technical skills? You want the job? Cool. See you Monday."
I just like to turn up, do a decent job, and if I'm not the right fit then I'm happy to go.
IATM said:
If you don't mind me asking, what steps did you take in order to become a contractor in your field. I am in the finance/accountancy sector.
Find a contracting job on the t'interbob usually through agencies, e-mail the agency, call the agency, job done. Thats how I got my first contracting job. Popped in for an interview and was told to just come dressed casual no need for a suit, when I got there I was told not to worry its just a chat and a look around to see if I like the look of the place. I had the relevent skills on my CV, if I wasn't upto the job I'm only a one week rolling contract anyway. Contracting rocks.
Edited by robmlufc on Thursday 5th July 14:14
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