Can you answer the inevitable interview question?

Whether you’re pursuing your next career move or sitting across the table trying to fill a key vacancy, this query is a fulcrum of the hiring process. Here’s what’s riding on the response.

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“Why should I hire you?”

It’s one of the most popular questions in interviews—and for good reason.

Employers want to know whether you’re right for the role, and they want to hear it from you.

It’s a question that fills most of us with trepidation. There’s no way to dodge it. You’ve got to explain in credible detail exactly why you’re better than all the other applicants for the job. You’ve got to convince them that what you’ve got is worth having.

The key thing to remember is that the hiring manager is putting his or her reputation on the line. Sell yourself with confidence, and this question can be the key to unlocking that job offer.

Do your homework

Your first step is research. Start by reading the job description. Then read it again-between the lines. The organization may be asking for soft skills like flexibility or high emotional intelligence, while what they’re really looking for is someone who can adapt to new tasks and be proactive, or who understands others and can manage effectively.

By decrypting the jargon in job descriptions, you can gain an understanding of the kind of experience and skills you want to show the interviewer.

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