Personal Advancement

Hire me -- I have a puppy to support

"Why should I hire you?" It's a standard interview question, but the answers employers receive can be far from ordinary.
[ 2003-10-08 ]

Send to a friend
Print
Do you know your strengths, weaknesses and best job fits?
To find out, take this test by eCareerFit, the career assessment experts.

The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service providing marketing, advertising, creative and Web professionals on a project basis, recently asked 250 advertising and marketing executives to describe the strangest responses candidates have given when asked why they should be hired. Here are some of their responses:

  • "The candidate said he could be an asset to our company softball team."
  • "The applicant said she was bored watching TV at home."
  • "The job seeker pointed out that he had a great smile."

    • "When discussing why they should be hired, applicants should focus on their strengths most relevant to the position and how those qualifications ultimately will benefit the company," said Tracey Turner, executive director of The Creative Group.

    Employers are less likely to be interested in the following points made by job seekers:

  • "The candidate noted that there were no redheads in the company and said we should hire one."
  • "The job seeker said we should hire him because he just won big at the casino and was on a roll."
  • "One person said we should hire her because she was a cheerleader in high school."
  • "An applicant explained that his brother-in-law was successful in the industry, so he would be, too."
  • "Someone said she was a good reader at church, and that's why she ought to be hired."

    • Candidates should be sure to focus on the potential employer's needs -- not their own -- during the interview.


    These next applicants might have benefited from this advice:

  • "One person said I should hire him because he was tired of living with his parents."
  • "The applicant said he'd been rejected by all the good agencies."
  • "A guy said he was the sole source of support for his puppy."

    • Threats rarely inspire a job offer. To wit:

  • "The candidate said that unless we hired him, our corporate identity would disappear."
  • "One person said she wouldn't stop calling us until she was hired."
  • "The applicant said our company wouldn't survive without him."

    • While job seekers should show enthusiasm about the position, excitement about the company locale may not go over well, as these next examples show:

  • "He said we should hire him so he could ride his bike to work."
  • "The candidate said she'd always wanted to work in our building."
  • "The applicant said we should hire her because she lived close by."

    • Turner offered the following tips to help candidates showcase their strengths during the interview process:

  • Curtail cliches such as "hardworking" and "results-oriented." Instead, focus on your unique qualifications.
  • Get specific. Provide examples that highlight your positive attributes.
  • Focus on achievements. Quantify your accomplishments, such as bringing in 15 new clients in one year.
  • Do your homework. Research the firm thoroughly.


    • Send to a friend     Print

    Doing my part.coop Contest
     
     
    Your Opinion Matters

    Does your employer subsidize your commute to work?