When a hiring manager asks this question during an interview, how should you respond? Is there any do's and don'ts for this particular query?
According to experts, the following are the best responses to"What can you do for us that other candidates can't?"
Be prepared for all questions and think quickly
When you go to an interview, it is important to be prepared for all kinds of questions, and one of them is"What can you do for us that other candidates can't?"
There are somedomiIt is notwhen it comes to answering this specific question, and most of all the employer wants to know if you can work as a team and think independently.
To do:
Talk about your unique skills and specific qualifications
Make sure you've done your homework and read the job description so your answer aligns with what the company wants. Tell the employer what unique skills he has that set him apart from the rest.
Share past experiences and connect them to the position you are applying for
Reflect on your past efforts and think about how your experiences can help meet the employer's needs. Showing that you understand the company's needs goes a long way to impressing the interviewer.
rate your achievements
Talk about your accomplishments, especially those listed on your resume, and try to quantify them. If you successfully reached an audience through a campaign, how many people did you reach? How much have sales increased under your leadership?
Discuss what you can bring to the team
Share your interpersonal strengths and exceptional skills that set you apart. He remembers being humble and direct, but confident at the same time.
keep it short
The answer should be as short as possible. Show that you were prepared for this. Take your time practicing and make sure it doesn't take more than 60 seconds.
What not to do:
Don't criticize others
Even if the question asks you to compare yourself to other people, avoid putting them down. You still want to be seen as a team player, so don't brag or criticize your former colleagues. Stay positive and focus on yourself. The employer wants to know what he can bring with you.
avoid contradiction
This is due to lack of preparation or nervousness before the interview. Make sure you are ready to answer the question, and keep your answer short, full of useful information, and to the point. So you avoid going your way.
Try not to sound proud and arrogant.
When listing your accomplishments, you may be tempted to exaggerate, which can be rude. Don't focus on what you think of yourself, stick to the facts.
Don't say anything negative about the company's products, the employees, or the interviewer.
If you ask this question, you might panic, and your first instinct might be to blame the interviewer for putting you in an awkward position.calm downand then focus on what you can bring to the position.
don't be humble
This is your chance to talk about your skills, accomplishments, and what you can bring to the table.Trust. However, make sure you find a balance and don't come across as too cocky.
do not get surprised
Expect to be asked that question and prepare accordingly. Although it can be requested in another format such as"What are your strengths?"o"What would be special about you working here?"This is likely to come up in the interview, so make sure you don't seem surprised or confused when they finally ask you.
Related:What not to say in an interview
Explain why you are the best choice for the position.
During the interview, candidates are often asked for a variation of"What can you do for us that other candidates can't?"Anyone looking for a new job should be prepared for this topic.
know the job
Part of preparing for an interview is researching the hiring organization and the open position. During the interview, you must demonstrate your understanding of the position you have applied for and your passion for the position.
Your answer should start by saying,"You need someone who can do it[describe effectively but briefly the unique and essential requirements of the position]„
Describe your relevant past achievements
Once you've shown that you know what they need and want, you need to show past employers what you've done to set yourself apart.
you can say"I can very well[that competition they are looking for that you just described]. In my position at ABC Company,[Describe your most relevant significant achievement].“
Apply your skills to your organization.
Finally you can say:"Use of[Sales, communication, organization, etc.]Skills that allow me to achieve this for the ABC company, I believe I can[briefly describe what you want to achieve]for your organization.”
Bonus points are awarded in this step if you add a realistic time period (for example, first 90 days, six months, fiscal year, etc.). This is the most important of the three steps.
It would be better if you are sure that it promises:
- Something that they would define as a success
- Something you can really offer
By preparing well for the interview and using this formula, you can demonstrate why you are the best choice for the job.
If you are not asked this question, you can still give your prepared answer at the end of the interview:
"Thank you for this opportunity. I am excited about this position and I think I would be a good fit. It would be better if you had someone who could[effectively describe the unique and essential requirements of the position].
I'm particularly good at it[that competition they are looking for that you just mentioned]. In my job at ABC Company,[Describe your relevant achievements].
Use of[Sales, communication, organization, etc.]Skills that allow me to achieve this for the ABC company, I believe I can[describe what you want to achieve]for your organization during my first[Period]at work."
As CEO, I am conducting final interviews with my HR team and am excited to hear from the candidates."What can you do for us that other candidates can't?"
I often ask this question on purpose to analyze important factors:
- To find out if a candidate knows something about himself or not
- Understand why this job is so important to them.
- they are fit to work
Never lie about your abilities and skills to make a good impression.
Neverto lieabout your abilities and skills to impress the interviewer or to get selected for the job. If you have a talent, humbly mention it without bragging. If you're a newbie, tell them you want to grow and learn from the organization.
Align your skills with the job description
Connect the dots by matching how your skills, attitude, and experience are a perfect fit for this specific job.
Show confidence by being clear and concise in your conversation
Mention past job accomplishments that you are proud of to enhance your experience.
Example 1:
„Hello. Am[Your name]. I am a creative digital marketer with four years of professional experience. I led a team of twelve people and used my knowledge to help them develop the company and them as people.
I think my empathic attitude sets me apart, which helped me get promoted to manager when I started out as a freshman.[Name of your last company].„
Example 2: If you're cooler, you can answer like this:
„hey i am[Your name]. I am a hardworking graduate engineer majoring in mechanical engineering with a general CGPA of[are CGPA]. What sets me apart is that I put my heart into what I do. I pick things up quickly and try really hard to make it my skill.„
Example 3:
„What makes me different from others is that I am very calm and patient. I don't panic or get overwhelmed by difficult situations, which prevents arguments and disagreements with other beings, resulting in faster and easier problem solving.„
Recognize and appreciate their excellent work.
Instead of delving into their skills and achievements, learn a few things about their company, express your admiration for their work, and reassure them that you will help them achieve their goals.
Make a good impression on employers and increase your chances of landing the job by providing the information gathered in your study and showing a genuine interest in the business and industry.
A well-reasoned response provides an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and your position to the recruiter or hiring manager.
For example:
“I have gained the knowledge and experience necessary for this position throughout my five-year career.
Because I am ambitious and I want to go far in this business, I only want to work for the most talented professionals, and you are those people. I am confident that if we work together, we can achieve great things."
Instead of detailing their skills and achievements, express your appreciation for their organization and reassure them that their inclusion will lead to more notable results for your organization.
Identify and specify the key point for this organization
This is your time to shine and align your knowledge and experience with the requirements of the job. You need to identify (either in the job description or during the interview) what is the main pain point for that organization or role and reinforce it.
For example, hiring and developing people is a key requirement for a leadership role.
In this case you could say:
“I have a track record of growing my direct reports. Last year, two of my direct reports were promoted and another received a special assignment. I understand that you need someone to improve the team and take it to the next level. It's something I've done before and I'm very proud and happy about it."
Compare this with"I'm great at leading people."Don't make blanket statements that anyone can say. Be specific about how to resolve your main pain point.
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Director general,United Kingdom Connect
Give interviewers insight into your character, skills, and creativity.
Why do interviewers ask?"What can you do for us that other candidates can't?"
This question is not being asked to determine exactly how you would add value to the position, but rather to give interviewers an idea of your character, key skills, and creativity.
In general, a candidate's shield will go down and you will get a more realistic impression of him.
Avoid appearing arrogant and comparing yourself to other candidates.
If you answer, you must avoidappear arrogant and compare yourself to other candidates. Make sure you focus on one skill likely to make you shine.
Suppose you are applying for a leadership position. If so, you can mention a previous experience of leading a team and making a project a success, or if you are studying for a relevant qualification or skill, say so and how it will help you in improving your role.
Show your strengths and enthusiasm for the position.
The most important factor in getting a job is to sell yourself, make up your own stories and examples, and show the interviewer your worth.
Look at an interviewer's questions as an opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and enthusiasm for the position and why you are the best candidate.
The best way to answer this question is to start with your strengths related to this position and then reiterate your enthusiasm for this position and the company.
Tell the interviewer your top five position-related strengths and three you are not asked about!
Something along the lines of:
“I don't know how well qualified the other candidates are, but I can handle many of the responsibilities of this position well.
I have many strengths, skills, and valuable experiences gained in my previous roles related to this role that will allow me to make a significant contribution. (Now you can list your strengths!)”.
Related:List of strengths and weaknesses of the best job interview
Count your skills and passion with confidence
To be honest, there aren't any"On the right"o"incorrect"Answer this question. I say this because there have been candidates in the past who have given me one"perfect word"he responded and still didn't get the job.
When I ask this question is the most important thing I'm looking forTrust. I've had several different answers to this question and usually those who use their answers as an opportunity to confidently sell me their skills are the ones I hire.
I hear not only the words they use, but also the passion and confidence in their voices. Also, we are a marketing company and I want to know how creative candidates can be to say that there is only"disposable"Answering would contradict what I think about multiple solutions.
React on time, even under pressure
Also, this question helps me see how the candidate communicates under pressure. In the world of marketing, if you don't quickly and confidently answer customer questions, you risk losing their trust and often your account.
If a candidate is having a hard time coping with the pressure of a simple interview question, this indicates that they will have a hard time handling high stakes situations.
61.7% of active job seekers receive at least one interview for every ten applications. Therefore, we need to teach people how to answer interview questions efficiently and effectively.
Quantify your achievements in your previous company
You need to quantify your accomplishments at your previous company in order to answer this particular interview question wisely. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) when describing your recent job performance and productivity.
Express each as a percentage, number, or ratio. Also, if you measure your performance frequently, you should set a timeline or deadline. This will further increase the credibility of your story.
For example, you could tell the hiring manager that you increased your company's revenue by an astonishing 10% in just five months. Or you can tell the hiring manager that he has reduced operating costs by up to 15% in 10 months.
Also, you need to explain your strategy how you easily achieved the mentioned things.
Please list any relevant skills you have acquired in your previous companies
You can use your strong work experience to effectively present yourself to a recruiting officer. You can then go one step further and immediately discuss any relevant skills and training you've picked up at your previous companies.
Talk about your interpersonal strengths.
When asked this question in an interview, the hiring manager isn't necessarily looking for answers related to your qualifications, since they're already interviewing other candidates with identical resumes.
Instead, they want to know exactly what you can contribute and apply to improve their organization as an individual; So you need to focus on talking about your interpersonal strengths and how you plan to use them more clearly.
Don't be afraid to brag about your strengths, but don't be arrogant either. This is the time when you need to speak with confidence and you can even give some examples from previous work experiences where this was obvious to convince them of it.
For example, you can say something like this:
“I think one of the main qualities that sets me apart is my innate ability to come up with highly innovative ideas, even under pressure.
I can usually face situations with calm and composure, which allows me to assess a situation and plan the way forward.
For example, at a networking event for my former employer, the keynote speaker was canceled two days before the event. To his surprise, I was able to save the event by quickly contacting some of my personal contacts to help me find a replacement.
For this reason, I believe that if I am selected for this role, my creative brilliance will prove to be an invaluable asset to your company."
Start with a warning and show your unique strengths
Explain that you do not know the strengths of the other candidates. Also remember that you are sure that there are several excellent candidates looking for this attractive job.
You can continue with a detailed description of your unique strengths after using a disclaimer to avoid sounding too critical.
However, it is not enough to name your strengths in general. Must be able to listsix to eightStrengths in terms of skills, previous experience, areas of expertise, and personal qualities you bring to the role.
Review the job description and, prior to an interview, determine which responsibilities seem most important to the company. Try to include as many of your qualities as possible in relation to the key functions of the job.
The ideal strategy is to use these types of questions as an opportunity to show your strengths to a potential employer. Just make sure you don't imply that you are superior to everyone else in the room.
Example:
“I don't know the other candidates you are interviewing for this position, but I am sure there are many qualified candidates. However, I believe my unique background and experience make me a strong candidate for this role."
This works because this candidate kindly admits that other candidates may have talent before moving on to their own qualifications.
Avoid evasive answers and ramblings
Interview questions like"What can you do for us that other candidates can't?"they are complicated but also relatively simple.
Interviewers expect you to give a clear and direct answer about how you think you can benefit their company.
"When I read the job description for this position, I thought I was a perfect fit. I'm not sure what the other candidates you're considering can do, but I can tell you how I can help you and why I think my skills are unique.
My management knowledge and experience are exactly what you are looking for. I am convinced that my skills and knowledge will allow me to be successful in a project management role.
I have led teams for over five years and my region has won Region of the Year for the last two years in a row. My networking skills have helped me build strong relationships with customers, developers, and vendors, in addition to my track record of successfully leading team projects.
My professional experience, combined with my strong communication skills, work ethic, and pleasant demeanor qualify me for the position. I am confident that I can contribute to your team right away. I am very excited about the idea of joining your company.”
Related:Best answer: What can you contribute to this company?
Do a background check before the interview.
The best way to answer this question is to prepare it before the interview. Go to the website of the company you are interviewing for. Take a look at the careers section and see what qualities they are looking for in potential candidates.
Show them how good you are by answering questions.
When answering this question, please indicate that your qualities match the needs of the potential candidate the company is seeking. There is no right or wrong here. The interviewer wants to see how well you can answer this question.
“I don't know about other candidates. I don't even know how many other candidates there are. For practical reasons, I think I'm the only candidate.
I do not claim to know everything, nor do I claim to have unique abilities. I don't believe in judging or jumping to conclusions without enough data, especially about others. There are billions of jobs and if jobs were created for certain people, we would all be out of a job.”
Wear something that makes you stand out in a great way
If you find something in your work life that sets you apart, set it apart in that way.
Here are some things that can make it stand out in a good way:
diverse work experience– For example, I hire SEO specialists in my company. If a candidate says"Besides technical SEO work, I am also familiar with social media management and video editing",It gives me an idea that I can entrust them with more responsibilities compared to junior staff.
A creative way of tackling problems.– If you change careers in another industry, you can say that you have a unique vision of how to approach problems.
verifiable results– You can also demonstrate with real numbers (reduction of X processes, savings of X dollars for the company, generation of X dollars in revenue, etc.)
frequent questions
Can I answer this question with humor?
A little humor can be a great way to connect with the interviewer, but use it sparingly and appropriately. Here are some tips to help you use humor effectively when answering this question:
be decent:Make sure your jokes or humorous comments are appropriate for the situation and company culture.
Be subtle:Avoid overly exaggerated or distracting humor. Instead, try to keep it subtle and understated.
Use humor to highlight your unique qualities:Use humor not to distract from the subject or to brighten the situation, but rather to highlight your unique strengths and abilities.
Evaluate the interviewer's response:Pay attention to the reaction of the interlocutor to your mood. If they seem uncomfortable or uncaring, you should walk away.
Appropriate and effective use of humor will help you connect with your conversation partner and memorably highlight your unique qualities.
Should I worry about time when answering this question?
Yes. While it is important to provide a complete and well thought out answer, do not take up too much of the interviewer's time or ramble on too much.
Keep your answer short and to the point, and support your claims with specific examples. You can also ask the interviewer if you have any additional questions or would like more information about their qualifications and experience.
By keeping time in mind, you can make a strong impression without coming off as too wordy or inconsiderate of the interviewer's time.
What if I don't trust my qualifications or experience?
If you're not confident in your qualifications or experience, it's important to focus on what you can bring to the table and what makes you unique as a candidate.
Remember that the interviewer is interested in learning about your unique strengths and abilities and is not necessarily looking for a perfect candidate with perfect qualifications.
Here are some tips to help you feel more confident and prepared:
Focus on what you can bring to the job:Think about what you can offer the company and how your unique strengths and skills will add value to the job and to the company. Highlight your strengths and focus on what you can do instead of what you can't do.
Prepare in advance:Research the company and the position and prepare a compelling answer to this question. Practice your answer with a friend or family member to build confidence and improve your presentation.
Be honest and authentic:Don't try to exaggerate your grades or pretend to be someone you're not. Be honest and authentic about your skills and experience, and focus on what makes you unique as a candidate.
Focus on what you can bring to the job, prepare ahead of time, and be honest and authentic to help you feel more confident and make a strong impression on the interviewer.
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FAQs
What can you do better for us than the other candidates? ›
- Keep it positive. Avoid disparaging the skills of other candidates.
- Focus on your strengths. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight your most relevant and in-demand skills.
- Give lots of examples. Don't just say what you're good at—share examples of accomplishments.
An important skill that can set you apart from other candidates is being intellectually curious and wanting to learn new things. Having a genuine interest in the job and wanting to learn more is something hiring managers want from their candidates. It shows that you will strive to find new ways to solve problems.
Is there anything that makes you different from other candidates? ›You can mention unique technical skills/hard skills, soft skills, key personality traits, experiences, personal attributes, or any other factor that makes you an exceptional candidate… and different from other job seekers You could also mention a reason that you're passionate about this industry/work, if that's true.
What sets me aside from other candidates? ›- Demonstrate That You are a Leader. ...
- Show That You are Capable of Solving Problems. ...
- Exhibit Strong Work Ethic Skills. ...
- The Ability to Be Able to Work with a Team. ...
- Excellent Communication Skills. ...
- The Bottom Line.
Focus on directly related skills and experience
This can help you focus on sharing experience and skills that are relevant to the position for which you're applying. Sharing relevant skills can also aid you in showing an interviewer that you're familiar with the needs of the position.
Standing out often comes from hard, consistent work. Attitude. There's no denying that positive people have better relationships. Keeping an upbeat attitude and being pleasant to be around can really make you stand out from everyone around you, especially if you're surrounded by toxic people.
Why should we hire you over other candidates? ›Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.
What makes you a good candidate for this position? ›For example, you might explain that you are particularly motivated, or that you are known for going above and beyond for your employers. A second way to answer is to emphasize your unique skills. If you have skills that make you a strong candidate (especially if not many people have those skills), mention these.
What can you bring to the company? ›How to (and how not to) answer the interview question 'What can you bring to the company? ' The simple answer to this question is you : you bring all of your skills, qualities, values, interests, academic knowledge, internships and life experience to the company.
What skills can you bring to the team? ›- Communication. Communication is the foundation of effective teamwork. ...
- Time management. ...
- Problem-solving. ...
- Listening. ...
- Critical thinking. ...
- Collaboration. ...
- Leadership.
What values do you bring to the team? ›
- Consider your unique attributes or skills. ...
- Explain how your unique skills apply to the position. ...
- Explain your experience with similar teams. ...
- Express your enthusiasm for working in teams. ...
- Remain humble and provide honest answers.
- Decide what you can do. Pinpoint which parts of the situation you have the power to change or influence for the better. ...
- Get support. Find someone to talk to about your situation. ...
- Care for yourself. Take especially good care of yourself when stress in your life is high.
- Knowing Yourself. Standing out begins by having a good awareness of who you are as a person. ...
- Being a Second Mile Person. Become known as a person who does more than is expected. ...
- Believing in Yourself. ...
- Taking Calculated Risks. ...
- Being a Go-To Person. ...
- Being Authentic. ...
- Helping Others. ...
- Having a Good Attitude.
Let's have a look at an example: “Honestly, I've always aimed to work for the best in the business, so I've been following this company closely as I admire the quality of work you do here and the level of professionalism. I believe you could benefit from my punctuality, determination, and quick thinking.
How do you sell yourself during an interview? ›- Find Out Who You'll Be Talking To. ...
- Ask Good Questions. ...
- Practice Talking About Yourself. ...
- Study the Main Points You Want to Mention. ...
- Show Them That You're Excited About the Position. ...
- Give Examples of What You've Achieved. ...
- Keep the Needs of the Company in Mind.
- Critical thinking and problem solving.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Professionalism and strong work ethic.
- Oral and written communications skills.
- Leadership.
“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”
What makes you uniquely qualified for this position? ›What makes you unique should focus on your positive traits and strengths. The employer wants to know something unique about you to help you do the job better than the other candidates, and they don't necessarily need to know any negative traits.
What motivates you in your work? ›A great work environment
“The workplace environment often has the biggest impact on how motivated you are at work. You thrive when you are part of an upbeat, supportive environment that gets you "in the zone" that you need to be in so that you succeed.
- Embrace transparency. ...
- Recognize and reward valuable contributions.
- Cultivate strong coworker relationships. ...
- Embrace and inspire employee autonomy. ...
- Practice flexibility. ...
- Communicate purpose and passion. ...
- Promote a team atmosphere. ...
- Give and solicit regular feedback.
What are three words to describe yourself? ›
| Persistent | Genuine | Patient |
|---|---|---|
| Warmhearted | Loyal | Bright |
| Easygoing | Adventurous | Emotional |
| Optimistic | Affectionate | Honest |
| Versatile | Flexible | Loving |
Sample answers:
I am a hard-working and driven individual who isn't afraid to face a challenge. I'm passionate about my work and I know how to get the job done. I would describe myself as an open and honest person who doesn't believe in misleading other people and tries to be fair in everything I do.
I would like to be financially independent and gain more time-to-time knowledge in the company's goals. And to get a respected position that is my future endeavour to easy. As a person, I want to be a more skilled, more capable person. As a professional, I see myself as handling more responsibilities.
What 3 qualities can you bring to the team? ›- You understand your role. ...
- You welcome collaboration. ...
- You hold yourself accountable. ...
- You are flexible. ...
- You have a positive attitude. ...
- You commit to the team.
- Enthusiasm.
- Trustworthiness.
- Creativity.
- Discipline.
- Patience.
- Respectfulness.
- Determination.
- Dedication.
Examples of Teamwork Skills
Working well and developing effective relationships with diverse personalities. Developing and maintaining good relationships with co-workers and managers. Maintaining open lines of communication with others. Observing and coaching other employees.
And yes, dealing with work pressure is a skill you can learn. While some people relish the challenge of deadlines and love juggling multiple projects, others prefer to plan ahead and diligently work through things to prevent themselves from getting overwhelmed.
How do you handle stress and difficult situations? ›- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. ...
- Take care of yourself. ...
- Take care of your body. ...
- Make time to unwind. ...
- Talk to others. ...
- Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol.
- Breathe. Take a few slow, deep breaths. ...
- Count to 10. In the time it takes you to do so, you may be able to look at your situation with a fresh pair of eyes.
- Take a walk. ...
- Try a 3-Minute Meditation. ...
- Practice gratitude. ...
- Eat well. ...
- Get moving. ...
- Let it go.
“I can contribute to the company in several ways. Firstly, I am a very fast learner and worker. I will come into the role, fit into the team quickly and work at a very fast pace to ensure you see a positive return on your investment. Secondly, I am very good at taking care of customers.
Why should we hire you examples? ›
Thanks to my solid background and work in previous projects, I'm confident, but I have certain analytical and people skills that'll prove beneficial in tackling any task you throw at me. I'm a strong team player and a self-motivated one-person unit, and I'm a fast learner and always eager to improve.
What value can you bring to the company? ›Think about: your enthusiasm for the profession and the employer and your desire to make your mark. your personal qualities, such as your drive and willingness to learn. the skills the employer seeks and how you have demonstrated them in the past – your answer should show why you would be competent in the job.
What can you bring to the team? ›- Consider your unique attributes or skills. ...
- Explain how your unique skills apply to the position. ...
- Explain your experience with similar teams. ...
- Express your enthusiasm for working in teams. ...
- Remain humble and provide honest answers.