You know that you'll exceed expectations in your new job – tell them that

Think of every advertisement you've ever seen or heard for a product or service. They all proclaim that the item being offered is the best – even though we know that it sometimes isn't. As a job seeker, you are a product. You have to sell yourself as the best candidate for an open position. It can be hard to do since you've probably not met any of the other candidates. 

It's not about besting the competition, though. Your response to “Why are you a great match for this role?” or something similar like, “Why should we hire you?” should let the hiring manager know you've put considerable thought into your chances of success in the position. They want to know they're not wasting their time hiring you. 

So, as you prepare for your upcoming job interview and come across the common question, “Why are you a great match for this role?” be prepared to let them know why you're the best person for the job.

Read on to learn how to answer “Why are you a great match for this role?” and see some example responses and alternative questions.

What the interviewer wants to know

If the interviewer asks, “Why are you a great match for this role?” it's because they want to make sure that you understand the job description and requirements of the position. They also want to know whether you have the ability to do the job to the required standard, should you be successful.

Since you've landed an interview, the hiring manager has already decided that you're probably a good fit for the role, but they want you to prove it to them. As you respond, think about what you read in the job description and align your career history and achievements with the requirements the new company seeks in an employee. 

On top of making sure your background mirrors what they need, it's a great time to find out whether the job is a good match for you and your career ambitions. Remember, an interview works both ways.

Be aware that there are a few ways the interviewer may ask, “Why are you a great match for this role?” including:

  • Why would you be a good fit for this position?

  • Why are you the best person for this job?

  • Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

  • What makes you a good candidate for this position?

  • Why should we hire you?

Your objective when responding to this question is to convince the interviewer that you're the right candidate for the role by selling your relevant achievements, abilities, and experience. If you're confident in your abilities to do the job and can portray this effectively, then the interviewer will be confident in your abilities, too.

How to answer “Why are you a great match for this role?”

Answering the interview question effectively is simple when you know the correct approach. Here's what  you need to know to get ready to craft a response: 

1. Do some research

How many times have you read that you need to research the company before you head off to your interview? Well, here's one more reason that research is important. When you learn about what they need in a new hire and learn about the company's culture, you can better align your response to “Why are you a great match for this role?” with what they need. 

Of course, research involves things like checking out the company website and going through their social media and any press releases. What you may not think of is that research also happens during the course of the interview. 

  • Check out posters hanging on the walls of the office

  • Pay attention to things the interviewer says during the conversation

Feel free to take notes and refer back to them during your conversation with the interviewer. It'll demonstrate that you're good at active listening in addition to preparing you to answer “Why are you a great match for this role?”

2. Highlight your relevant accomplishments

During your interview preparation, review the job description again. Like when you tailor your resume, scan through the job description and identify which of your experience and accomplishments match the company's needs. 

When answering the interview question, draw on your most impressive accomplishments that showcase your candidacy. Consider the following:

  • What is something from your career background that you're proud of?

  • What, if any, specialized skills do you have?

  • Is there any diversity in your background that will allow you to bring a unique perspective to the company?

  • Do your personal values match their mission, vision, and values?

Top tip: Usually, requirements in a job description are listed in priority order. If you can, choose to reference an accomplishment that matches the most sought-after requirements.

3. Emphasize your unique skill-set

As you formulate your answer to “Why are you a great match for this role?” remember to talk about specific examples from your past to accentuate the relevant skills that make you a strong applicant – especially if your skill set is unique or comprehensive. You'll present yourself as a rare breed, which is extremely appealing to prospective employers. Employers love stories as it helps them connect the dots between what they need and what you have to offer. 

Top tip: Use the STAR Method to respond to “Why are you a great match for this role?”

4. Your goal is to let them know what you can do for them

No matter what interview question you're answering, there is a basic formula you can follow:

  • Formulate your answer

  • Speak your answer as concisely as possible

  • Use examples from your career history to back up what you say

  • Circle back around to how whatever you're talking about will benefit the company

After all, the hiring manager is most interested in what you'll do for them!

Tips for how to answer “Why are you a good match for this role?”

1. Brag, but do it tastefully

Remember, no matter who else has sat in the interview chair before you, you are the best. That doesn't mean you can puff out your chest and enter the interview with an air of superiority. Your goal is to exude confidence. There are a few ways you can talk yourself up during an interview without coming off as arrogant.

  • Talk about praise and recognition you've received from others

  • Use examples to back up what you're talking about – it's even better if your examples include numbers

  • Stick to facts 

Another point of importance is that relevancy is critical for answering “Why are you a great match for this role?” Anything that you include as evidence of your candidacy in this response must refer to skills, accomplishments, and qualifications that are directly related to the vacancy. 

2. Keep your answer concise

The ideal response time is two minutes. If it's any longer, the interviewer may switch off or lose the point you're trying to make. And if it's any shorter, the chances are you won't have covered enough detail.

When you're practicing your response aloud, try to fit it into this two-minute window. Again, recording yourself is an ideal way to check that you're on time and aren't speaking too slowly or quickly.

3. Focus on the value you have to offer

The interviewer's aim for the interview is to ensure that you have the right level of skills and experience to fill the gap in the organization. As a result, you should always focus your response to this interview question, and every other question, on the value that you can contribute rather than what you hope to gain from the organization.

4. Don't throw shade on other candidates

You need to highlight why you're the best match for the role by explaining the accomplishments, skills, or personality traits that set you apart. However, don't criticize other candidates while you do so. Maintain a positive tone and keep the response focused on what you can offer rather than what others can't.

5. Practice, but don't memorize word for word

Practicing your answer is an essential part of job interview preparation. But you don't want to memorize your response by heart in its entirety for two main reasons. 

  1. You could end up sounding robotic and awkward. The interviewer wants to see the authentic you and how you could interact in the workplace day to day. 

  2. If the interviewer asks the question in a slightly different way, such as “why should we hire you?”, then this might catch you off guard, cause you to panic, and stumble through your answer.  

When you prepare, start by writing your response down, to paint a picture of what your answer looks like in full. You can cross-reference it with the job description along the way if you wish. Then, convert the response to bullet points, which will act as prompts, and practice your answer out loud. 

Top tip: Record yourself and play it back, to identify any areas for improvement.

“Why are you a great match for this role?” example answers

Here are a few example responses that you can customize as part of your interview preparation:

Example 1: Accomplishment-focused

“I believe my managerial skill-set, which I developed over the last few years in my previous role, makes me a great match for this position. For example, in the last quarter, I brought on my seventh team member. They commented that this was the smoothest onboarding process they'd ever experienced because their monthly goals were clear from the beginning. As a result, they knew what they were responsible and accountable for, enabling them to hit the ground running.”

Example 2: Skill-set-focused

“My most recent role as an office manager has provided me with the ideal experience for this position. Every week, I organized meetings, managed databases, booked transport and accommodation, organized company events, ordered equipment, and dealt with several types of correspondence and administrative systems.”

Example 3: Personality-focused

“I feel that one of my greatest strengths is my ability to listen, communicate, and empathize. In my last role, I often found myself defaulting to a pseudo-leadership position because I listened carefully when working in a team, and as a result, people rewarded me with their trust. While I acknowledge this is a manager position and I haven't formally held a manager title before, I believe I have the qualities and the drive to step into this role, upskill fast, and fulfill your needs.” 

Possible follow-up questions

“Why are you a great match for this role?” is a popular interview question, and there are additional common interview questions that could be asked in tandem that you should consider preparing for. They include:

Not a trick question

Preparing an answer to “Why are you a great match for this role?” is straightforward when you know how. 

If you're unsure whether your response showcases your enthusiasm for the position or conveys the right amount of detail to answer the question effectively, our TopInterview coaches can help you find the right balance. 

This article was originally written by Laura Slingo in 2022. It was updated by Marsha Hebert in 2024.

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