How To Answer “Why Are You the Best Person for This Job?”

Answering the interview question, “Why are you the best person for this job?” can be tricky. You want to highlight your skills and experience without coming off as overly confident. However, it’s a perfect chance to show how you’re a great fit for the role and how your unique strengths can add value to the company.

According to a 2020 survey by JDP, 93% of Americans experience interview anxiety, making it one of the most common fears. Only public speaking ranks higher, with job interviews even surpassing first dates and dentist visits in terms of anxiety. The survey also found that candidates spend an average of seven hours researching companies before an interview, looking at the company’s website and social media, and even researching their interviewer—important for getting a feel of the interview's tone and expectations.

Still, anxiety can affect interview performance. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Personnel Psychology revealed that anxious nonverbal behavior, like fidgeting, can negatively impact interview scores because anxious job seekers are often perceived as less competent. However, the study also found that anxiety didn’t affect how friendly or approachable someone seemed, so being personable is still possible even when nerves kick in.

Being prepared, knowing your value, and being able to articulate that value can all lessen interview anxiety. This article will share strategies to help you feel more prepared and confident when answering questions like, “Why are you the best person for this job?” along with example responses to set you apart from other candidates.

Why do interviewers ask, “Why are you the best person for this job?”

This common interview question evaluates your eligibility as a potential team member. The interviewer wants to know whether you’ve taken the time to research their company and the job requirements. They want to see that you understand what would be expected of you in the position and whether you have the necessary skills and experience to do the job.

This question also assesses your values and work style and how these align with their company culture. For example, if the company values teamwork and collaboration, then a candidate who has a history of working well with others and demonstrates a willingness to participate in group projects would likely be a good fit.

How to answer this job interview question

A clear and concise answer to the question, “Why are you the best person for the job?” can improve your chances of getting the position. It’s similar to the question “Why should we hire you?” as both assess your suitability for the role and your ability to add value to the company.

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To help with your next interview, we’ve compiled a list of tips for answering this question with confidence and clarity.

1. Research the company

Get familiar with the organization’s culture and needs by exploring the company’s website and social media posts. Look for the values they espouse to understand what the company is all about and what they expect from their employees.

2. Identify and reflect on your strengths

Assess your strengths and think about how they align with the job description. For example, if the job posting mentions great communication, think about work experiences where you excelled in this area, such as negotiating with vendors or addressing a customer’s concerns.

3. Use specific examples from past experiences

Always rely on specific examples from previous jobs or years of experience that convey your qualifications for the job. For instance, if you’re interviewing for a marketing position, you could talk about a successful campaign you led in your last job.

4. Use the STAR method

An effective way to structure your answers is by using the STAR method, highlighting the “situations, tasks, actions, and results” of your experiences.

5. Highlight relevant skills

Consider your technical skills, such as software applications or programming languages, and soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Focus on skills that match the duties in the job listing to help you stand out as the best candidate.

6. Discuss contributions to team success

Companies are looking for someone who can drive organizational success and work well within a team. Discuss ways you have prioritized collaboration and problem-solving through team-building activities or completing a project. Share quantitative improvements if possible.

7. Discuss work ethic

Any business can benefit from someone with a good work ethic, dependability, and dedication to their role. Highlight your experiences, showing your commitment to your work and your ability to go above and beyond what is expected of you.

8. Connect your values with the company’s mission

Showing a thorough understanding of the company’s mission and core values indicates that you have a genuine interest in the business and that you’re committed to its success. Connect your own values to the company’s values to create a sense of purpose and alignment in your work.

9. Practice your answers

Recite your responses out loud, either on your own or with a friend or family member. Practicing your responses out loud can help you refine your answers and ensure you can communicate your skills and experience effectively during the interview.

10. Prepare for follow-up questions

Consider any potential gaps that may need further explanation. Be ready to expand on any part of your response to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise for the job.

What to avoid when answering

Below are some common mistakes to avoid when answering, “Why are you the best person for this job?” so that you can ace your interview.

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• Being overconfident or arrogant. While you want to acknowledge your strengths and experience, avoid sounding like the job is already yours or that you’re above the position or any other candidate. Focus on your qualifications and show your willingness to learn and grow in the role.
• Using vague examples. Overly general responses won’t effectively convey your ability to do the job. Use concrete examples from previous roles or experiences to showcase your skills and achievements.
• Speaking negatively about previous employers or roles. Negative comments about previous positions or employers can raise concerns about your values and professionalism. Focus on positive experiences and highlight what you learned.
• Being too humble. Undermining your achievements can make you seem underqualified for the position. Present your accomplishments confidently to show the hiring manager that you are qualified for the job.
• Rambling or going off-topic. A great interview tip for any question is to keep your answers clear and concise. Rambling during the conversation can confuse the interviewer and waste their time. If you find yourself straying from the main point, take a moment to refocus and bring the conversation back to the topic at hand.‍
• Neglecting soft skills. Soft skills show your ability to collaborate and adapt to different situations. While technical skills are important, employers also value candidates with strong communication, time management, and leadership skills.

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Example answers to, “Why are you the best person for this job?”

When answering this interview question, showcase your core skills and work ethic through examples from your career. Here are some strengths to focus your answers on based on your career stage or industry, along with example answers to illustrate. Add relevant details from your specific experience to the general sample answers below, as these are to be used as templates for your own answers.

1. Diverse professional background

Emphasizing your diverse background in multiple industries, roles, or fields can showcase how your unique perspective and versatile skill set make you stand out from other candidates. This background can demonstrate how you’ll bring a fresh perspective to problem-solving, as you can draw from a range of experiences and knowledge. Diverse professional experiences can also make you more adaptable when situations change.

Example answer. I’m the best person for this technical writing role because of my diverse background in software development and content creation. My experience in software development has helped me develop a sharp eye for detail and the ability to explain complex topics in simple language. Meanwhile, my background in content creation has taught me how to communicate ideas in a way that’s easy to understand for different types of readers. I believe my skill set will help me bring fresh insights to this position.

2. Proven track record of success

Think about specific achievements in your professional experiences that align with the job’s objectives. You want to incorporate concrete examples, such as quantifiable metrics or specific projects you’ve successfully completed. This answer will help showcase your skills and illustrate how you can bring value to the company.

Example answer. Based on my sales experience and ability to exceed targets, I believe I would be the best fit for this role. In my previous sales position, I sold software solutions to healthcare companies. My target was to achieve a sales growth of 25% in the first quarter of the year.

To achieve this target, I created a list of potential customers and called them to introduce our solutions. I also scheduled meetings with decision-makers to demonstrate the benefits of our software, and I followed up with each lead. By the end of the first quarter, I exceeded my sales target and achieved a sales growth of 32% due to my consistent efforts in building strong relationships with customers.

3. Strong alignment with company values and culture

Talk about experiences that show your professional ethics align with the company’s mission and culture. A recent study by Berkeley Haas and Stanford researchers found that "culture fit" in a job has two sides: sharing the company’s values (value congruence) and fitting in by adapting to how people act and communicate (perceptual congruence). 

While sharing values may affect whether you stay in the job long-term, being able to adjust your behavior to fit the company culture has a bigger impact on your day-to-day success. For job candidates, this means you don't always have to align with a company's values, but showing you can adapt to its culture can still help you perform well and succeed. Sharing the same company goals and values can lead to a collective sense of purpose and commitment to the role.

Example answer. I am the ideal candidate for this nonprofit job because my personal values closely align with the organization’s mission to support underprivileged communities. My previous work with nonprofit organizations, specifically in community outreach, has given me valuable experience and skills that I can bring to the table. I’m committed to the values of social responsibility, empathy, and collaboration, which are central to your nonprofit’s culture. I’m confident that this alignment will help me to be a great team player and contribute to the organization’s success.

4. Exceptional teamwork and leadership

Share examples of projects you’ve led or previous leadership roles to showcase your decision-making skills and ability to collaborate well with others. Highlight any problems you solved or challenges you navigated during these projects, emphasizing the outcomes achieved.

Example answer. My experience as the project lead for a major product launch makes me the best person for this job. During that project, I coordinated a team of engineers and marketers. When our design team faced delays, I worked with our engineering team to rebalance our resources and ensure we could still launch on schedule.

Throughout the project, I maintained open communication with team members and stakeholders. As a result, we released the product on time and within our budget. With my leadership skills, I’m confident I would be a great asset to this team.

5. Technical expertise

Detail your technical skills by sharing concrete examples of your expertise in software or other technologies. Highlight how these skills can be directly applied to the role you’re interviewing for.

Example answer. With my extensive experience in the field and high-level technical expertise in Salesforce, I’m confident that I’m the best candidate for this job. In my previous role, I managed our company’s Salesforce database, implementing automation processes that improved customer satisfaction ratings by 15% in six months.

Having recently completed a Salesforce certification course, I’m always excited to stay updated on the latest industry trends. My technical skills, customer service, and passion for learning make me the strongest candidate for this job.

6. Commitment to continuous learning and growth

Learning new skills and prioritizing professional development shows your commitment to the field and willingness to adapt to evolving situations. Describe any courses you’ve taken or certifications you’ve earned, as well as workshops, conferences, or seminars you’ve attended. Highlight the skills you acquired and how you can apply them to the role you’re interviewing for.

Example answer. I’m the best candidate for this position because of my commitment to continuous learning and growth. I have always prioritized learning new skills and finding opportunities to expand my skill set.

For instance, in my previous role, I completed an online course on digital marketing to gain a better understanding of how to use social media platforms to increase brand awareness. Following that training, I developed a comprehensive social media strategy that significantly increased our online presence and engagement. My dedication and willingness to learn can help me tackle the changing demands of this position.

7. Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities

To showcase your problem-solving abilities, provide examples of times when you successfully overcame a challenge, resolved a conflict, or made a quick decision in an unexpected situation. These experiences demonstrate your analytical thinking skills and ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations.

Example answer. I’m the best fit for this position because of my strong problem-solving and analytical skills. In my previous role as a project manager at a fast-paced startup, I led a team of developers through various projects. One high-pressure project was falling behind schedule due to a technical issue.

After analyzing the problem, I quickly identified a solution that involved using a different software tool. I worked with the team to implement this solution, and we delivered the project on time as a result. This experience highlights my ability to remain calm under pressure and think critically to solve complex problems, which are skills I can bring to this position.

8. Excellent customer service and client management skills

Customer-oriented positions require excellent customer service and communication skills. Interviewers will look for candidates with a proven track record of client satisfaction. Highlight instances in which you resolved difficult situations or exceeded customer expectations through exceptional service.

Example answer. I’m the best person for this position because of my customer service skills. In my previous role as a customer success manager, I managed an extensive portfolio of clients. Once, a client had a critical issue that was impacting their business. I worked closely with our development team to identify the root cause of the problem and provided a solution within a few hours.

I also communicated with the client regularly during the process to keep them informed of our progress. As a result, the client was extremely grateful for the quick resolution and praised my excellent service in a company-wide survey. In this role, I can leverage my communication and client management skills to ensure our clients receive the best possible service.

Best practices when answering hard interview questions like “Why are you the best person for this job?”

When faced with difficult interview questions, preparation is key to giving strong, confident answers. By focusing on your strengths and aligning them with the job requirements, you can stand out as the ideal candidate. Here are some best practices to help you navigate these challenging questions effectively.

1. Show how you can add value  

Go beyond listing your skills and show how you’ll bring tangible benefits to the role. Describe the impact you've made in past positions, such as increasing efficiency or improving team performance. Emphasizing your ability to contribute to the company’s growth makes your answer more compelling.

2. Align with the company vision

When answering tough questions, focus on how your personal and career goals align with the company’s vision. A tailored response demonstrates your understanding of the company's mission and enthusiasm for contributing to it. The more connected you are to their long-term goals, the more desirable you become as a candidate.

3. Leverage feedback from past roles  

Mention feedback from former managers, coworkers, or clients that highlights your strengths. Quoting specific compliments or performance evaluations can validate your claims and show you’re self-aware and receptive to growth. This information adds credibility and helps interviewers see your value from a third-party perspective.

4. Be solution-oriented  

Frame your experience in terms of how you solve problems. Whether it’s troubleshooting a process or managing a difficult project, sharing how you approach challenges will position you as a proactive and resourceful candidate. Companies are looking for problem-solvers, so focus on your ability to tackle issues head-on.

5. Speak to long-term potential  

In addition to explaining why you’re great for the immediate job, touch on how you can grow with the company over time. This response could include mentioning your interest in leadership development, learning new skills, or contributing to larger initiatives. It shows you're invested in the company’s future.

6. Demonstrate your flexibility

Adaptability is highly valued in many workplaces. Talk about how you've successfully navigated change, whether it’s adapting to new technologies, shifting team dynamics, or managing tight deadlines. Your ability to handle change positively sets you apart and shows that you’ll thrive in the company’s evolving environment.

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Creating a compelling response to “Why are you the best person for this job?” involves showcasing your unique skills, relevant experience, and alignment with the company’s values. Using the STAR method to structure your answers and focusing on concrete examples will demonstrate your qualifications and suitability for the role.

If you’re on the job market and ready to apply your skills and land your dream job, explore the countless opportunities on Upwork. Our platform enables you to connect with clients worldwide who are looking for talented professionals in a variety of skill categories, including marketing, graphic design, technology, finances, and more. We also have interview support resources to help you excel in the interview process. Sign up today, build your profile, and start browsing projects that match your expertise.

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