Best way to answer "Why should we hire you"?

[amritvela]

I'm currently preparing answers to common law firm interview questions and was wondering what would be the best approach/structure to answering "Why should we hire you"? if anyone has any tips?

Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Think about your USPs and strengths and focus on them.

try to focus on no more than 3 key “attributes” you think are your key selling points that would be stronger than other potential applicants.

try to link them to the firm’s values or competencies they assess against, where you can

 

[JW]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, when you are talking about your selling points should you provide examples of times where you have shown that specific competency etc? I'm unsure how to go about structuring my answer to a similar question of what my unique selling points are! Thanks

 

[Jacob Miller]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, when you are talking about your selling points should you provide examples of times where you have shown that specific competency etc? I'm unsure how to go about structuring my answer to a similar question of what my unique selling points are! Thanks

I would always be sure to include examples- these act as evidence that you actually do possess the skills you say you do rather than just arbitrary claims! The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Response/ Result) structure is a great way to incorporate these and keep a clean, easy-to-follow structure.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, when you are talking about your selling points should you provide examples of times where you have shown that specific competency etc? I'm unsure how to go about structuring my answer to a similar question of what my unique selling points are! Thanks

In what context is this question? On an application or at interview?

 

[Lawgirl123]

If its not a competency interview is the STAR structure appropriate?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If its not a competency interview is the STAR structure appropriate?

Generally no. STAR only really works in competency questions “tell me about a time you have done X” or if you are trying to demonstrate a particular competency within an answer (with the latter, the A part becomes far less relevant).

To expand on this:

I meant if the question is not actually a competency question (like the one in the thread is “why should we hire you” - that’s not a competency question) then if you are trying to demonstrate a competency within your answer you don’t need the whole rigmarole of STAR format, you can just really to the S/T and R parts (briefly) because otherwise you are not actually answering the question (and potentially going off on a bit of a tangent).

 

[JW]

In what context is this question? On an application or at interview?

Sorry- on an application!

 

[JW]

I would always be sure to include examples- these act as evidence that you actually do possess the skills you say you do rather than just arbitrary claims! The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Response/ Result) structure is a great way to incorporate these and keep a clean, easy-to-follow structure.

Thank you Jacob!