Job Interview Question & Answer: Why Do You Feel You’re Qualified for this Job?
Why Interviewers Ask
“Why are you qualified for the job?” might be the most common interview question. Employers want to hire skilled candidates, so they ask this question to determine a good fit. However, this question has another goal that’s just as critical. Hiring managers are looking for articulate applicants who can describe their qualifications clearly.
Preparing for the Question
A strong, detailed answer for this interview question improves an applicant’s hiring chances. Standing out in a competitive job market means thinking about a reply before the day of the interview. These tips can help job hopefuls gain confidence in their response and craft an answer that appeals to hiring staff:
- Do research: Look up the necessary skills and abilities listed in the job ad or for similar positions. Knowing what employers expect and explaining how your experience makes you qualified will give interviewers confidence in your ability to do the job.
- Refer to your resume: A resume gives job seekers a way to showcase their skills in print as well as talking points to reference during interviews. Refer to abilities and positions from your resume to show consistency in your job history and proof of experience useful to the company.
- Be specific: Direct, detailed replies help interviewees display their expertise. Highlight achievements relevant to the job, then support those claims with evidence. For example, candidates could prove good communication skills by referring to customer interactions they’ve handled, service training they’ve received, or current efforts to improve their abilities.
Responses to Avoid
Confident answers impress hiring panels, so don’t hesitate to share why you’re a good hire. However, assess your qualifications honestly when positions call for more experience than you have. Employers know they may not find the perfect candidate and often hire workers who need training. Exaggerating credentials during the hiring process can lead to termination later.
Example Responses to “Why Do You Feel You’re Qualified for this Job?”
Interviewers prefer applicants who can express their ideas in a clear, focused manner. Creating an informed, direct, and detailed answer ahead of time will help job hopefuls stand out from the pack. Look at these sample replies as a starting place to develop your own, customized response.
Sample Answer 1 – Coffee Shop Barista
“I believe my customer service experience would make me a great barista. As a retail worker and restaurant server, I strove to exceed expectations by having recommendations ready, memorizing the stock or menu, and helping with a smile. Presenting myself as helpful and friendly earned me regular customers in both jobs who asked to sit in my section or sought advice on purchases.”
“While I haven’t worked with coffee before, prepping salads and desserts was part of my last server job, so I understand the work involved. Since I was also waiting tables, learning to balance my time between preparing food, cleaning up work areas, and getting orders out on time was a crucial skill to pick up fast. I’m confident I could do the same here.”
Sample Answer 2 – Grocery Store Cashier
“Volunteering as student council treasurer and working as a concession stand attendant has helped me practice the skills necessary for a grocery store cashier.”
“As treasurer, I gained a clear sense of why careful money handling is vital. I had to total fundraiser gains, report treasury status at planning meetings, and handle purchasing for events, so I could really see how accuracy mattered at each step. Working at a concession stand gave me the chance to practice accuracy with speed plus working one-on-one with customers.”
Sample Answer 3 – Automotive Store Clerk
“My work history and hobbies have prepared me to be an auto store clerk. My last job in a home repair store had similar daily tasks like stocking and acting as a subject-area expert. Helping customers troubleshoot issues and directing them to helpful products was part of every shift.”
“Restoring cars in my spare time has also helped me develop the knowledge base for this job and continues to teach me new things. Figuring out mechanical or electrical problems and finding replacement parts are just baked into working on cars. So, helping customers through those steps would be easy and natural for me.”
