WEBVTT
00:00:14.595 --> 00:00:17.196
Hey everyone and welcome to the Equipped Interview Podcast.
00:00:17.196 --> 00:00:25.106
With a combined 30 plus years of being interviewed and interviewing thousands of others, we're here to build your confidence, help you stand out and get your dream job.
00:00:25.106 --> 00:00:27.911
Your hosts are Joshua Tinkey and Linda Kamali.
00:00:27.911 --> 00:00:29.234
Let's get you equipped.
00:00:29.234 --> 00:00:37.768
As a reminder, in these short Monday episodes we bring you some motivation to help you keep interview prep top of mind, so you can always be prepping.
00:00:37.768 --> 00:00:42.183
We share quick, hit, practical tips, reminders and steps you can take to start your week strong.
00:00:42.444 --> 00:00:51.003
For today's topic, we're going to follow up on one of the top five items from last week, digging in a little bit deeper but also serving as a reminder to take action today.
00:00:51.003 --> 00:00:55.261
So last week I gave the top five interview secrets I tell my younger self.
00:00:55.261 --> 00:00:59.381
One of them was to prepare for certain questions, even if I didn't think I'd get asked.
00:00:59.381 --> 00:01:05.329
The most important one of these questions that you should prepare for, no matter what is, why should I hire you?
00:01:05.329 --> 00:01:06.992
So we talked about that last week.
00:01:06.992 --> 00:01:07.933
We're going to dive a little bit deeper.
00:01:07.933 --> 00:01:10.284
You may be asked this question directly, you may not.
00:01:10.284 --> 00:01:13.260
Either way, you should prepare to answer this head on.
00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:20.146
Even if you aren't asked this directly, preparing for it will be wildly helpful to you when answering almost any other interview question.
00:01:20.146 --> 00:01:40.549
The good news is, there's some easy ways to get ready and help yourself stand out along the way, and it really is critical for you to think through this response and how to answer it, and not just any response a good response, a bad response, obviously to this question can really significantly hurt your chances of getting the job offer, and so it really is a reason I harp on this question.
00:01:40.549 --> 00:01:43.406
It really helps set your mind and actually it might surprise you.
00:01:43.406 --> 00:01:45.084
It's actually better for you if you are asked this question.
00:01:45.084 --> 00:01:46.391
It really helps set your mind and actually it might surprise you.
00:01:46.391 --> 00:01:47.816
It's actually better for you if you are asked this question directly.
00:01:47.816 --> 00:01:49.421
I find it way more helpful than if I'm not asked.
00:01:49.421 --> 00:01:50.463
So why is that?
00:01:50.463 --> 00:01:58.432
Because it gives you a perfect opportunity to straight up tell the hiring manager why you think you're the best fit for the role, without feeling like you're bragging.
00:01:58.432 --> 00:01:59.200
Right.
00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:00.683
Isn't this overkill?
00:02:00.683 --> 00:02:03.829
I mean because in most cases, you won't be asked this question directly.
00:02:03.829 --> 00:02:05.513
Right, you may get the question what?
00:02:05.513 --> 00:02:06.896
Maybe 10, 20% of the time.
00:02:06.896 --> 00:02:11.126
If that, you still need to prepare for it, and not just in case you get the question.
00:02:11.406 --> 00:02:14.882
There is a ton of benefit to simply thinking this through well.
00:02:14.882 --> 00:02:22.943
You need clarity in your own mind why you're a good fit for the role and what you specifically bring to the figurative table.
00:02:22.943 --> 00:02:24.467
What's your value proposition?
00:02:24.467 --> 00:02:25.388
Why should they hire you?
00:02:25.388 --> 00:02:26.509
Think about that.
00:02:26.509 --> 00:02:28.532
You better understand the answer yourself.
00:02:28.532 --> 00:02:38.067
If you want to clearly articulate it to someone else in a simple, efficient way in an interview Separately, this always helps you navigate the entire remaining part of the interview.
00:02:38.067 --> 00:02:45.171
You can always draw from your prep for this answer to help connect the dots for the hiring manager as why you're the best fit.
00:02:45.171 --> 00:02:47.989
This kind of clarity always leads to a boost in confidence.
00:02:47.989 --> 00:02:49.876
So how should you prepare?
00:02:49.876 --> 00:02:53.669
Prepare, as if you need to answer, how would you answer it?
00:02:53.669 --> 00:02:55.415
Then Do these next four steps.
00:02:55.415 --> 00:03:02.443
Oh, and if you're driving, you're at the gym or somewhere, you can't write these down, I have a free template you can fill out that helps you fill in the blanks.
00:03:02.443 --> 00:03:09.522
So just go to equippedinterviewcom and go to the free resources section and choose the why should I hire you four-step template.
00:03:09.522 --> 00:03:12.711
It's just our website, equippedinterviewcom, free resources.
00:03:12.711 --> 00:03:14.649
Then choose the why should I hire you template.
00:03:14.649 --> 00:03:16.236
It's the first one on the list.
00:03:16.236 --> 00:03:17.700
Promise you'll find it Okay.
00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:18.461
Here are those four steps.
00:03:19.663 --> 00:03:21.185
One focus on your skills.
00:03:21.185 --> 00:03:22.407
What do I mean by that?
00:03:22.407 --> 00:03:24.088
More specifically, think about it.
00:03:24.088 --> 00:03:28.614
What skills are the hiring manager looking for and which ones do you offer?
00:03:28.614 --> 00:03:30.015
What are your strengths?
00:03:30.015 --> 00:03:30.902
I'll give you a hint.
00:03:30.902 --> 00:03:38.425
If you want to take this a little step further and add some credibility to the strengths and skills you talk about, make sure you've completed something like the StrengthsFinder assessment.
00:03:38.425 --> 00:03:52.985
When you receive your top five strengths, you can add that credibility to your own claim that you have a certain strength, because you can say, hey, I took this assessment, google it, search for it or other resources on our free resources page.
00:03:53.735 --> 00:03:56.042
Number two focus on your passion and excitement.
00:03:56.042 --> 00:03:57.346
Why do I want the job?
00:03:57.346 --> 00:04:02.520
What is it about this specific role, organization, industry, what attracted me to apply?
00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:04.020
Be really specific here.
00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:07.084
This is the framework for answering the questions.
00:04:07.084 --> 00:04:10.283
So the skills, the passion and excitement, why you really want it.
00:04:10.283 --> 00:04:13.383
What excites you, what fires you up about this opportunity?
00:04:14.436 --> 00:04:16.199
Number three focus on the unique.
00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:20.028
So what specific needs does the hiring manager have?
00:04:20.028 --> 00:04:22.461
This could be a specific skill the team is lacking.
00:04:22.461 --> 00:04:33.358
It could be a personality fit that the team needs somehow that you might know if it's an internal role you're going for, it could be a particular type of experience unique to this team in this time that they're looking for, or something that you have.
00:04:33.358 --> 00:04:35.362
Ask someone in the organization.
00:04:35.362 --> 00:04:36.706
Reread the job description.
00:04:36.706 --> 00:04:37.767
Try to read between the lines.
00:04:37.767 --> 00:04:39.641
Ask the recruiter, but find out something here.
00:04:39.641 --> 00:04:41.105
Then write it down, something that they need.
00:04:41.105 --> 00:04:44.204
Also, what specific skills do you uniquely offer?
00:04:44.204 --> 00:04:48.017
This could be a unique combination of experience and skill you bring to the table.
00:04:48.017 --> 00:04:51.776
It could be a connection or a network you bring to the role or organization.
00:04:51.776 --> 00:04:56.584
Maybe this is your second career and you bring a wealth of knowledge from a separate but related industry.
00:04:56.584 --> 00:05:01.119
Either way, write down something that all or most other candidates won't have.
00:05:02.180 --> 00:05:05.656
And then four, focus on making their decision and life easier.
00:05:05.656 --> 00:05:09.024
You may not realize it, but the hiring manager has risk, too right.
00:05:09.024 --> 00:05:15.398
They might be thinking what if I make the wrong decision, or I like this candidate, but what if I overlooked something in the interview process?
00:05:15.398 --> 00:05:17.202
Make their decision easier.
00:05:17.202 --> 00:05:20.480
Remove some of the common risks and hesitations on their mind.
00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:27.966
So, for example, that could be share why you'll learn quickly, making it up that learning curve faster than other candidates, and why that would be true.
00:05:28.735 --> 00:05:37.925
Explain how maybe your unique background means they don't have to train you on a particular system, which can be costly or a software program, or a designation, a license, something you already have.
00:05:37.925 --> 00:05:39.028
Focus on that.
00:05:39.028 --> 00:05:39.937
Make sure to call it out.
00:05:39.937 --> 00:05:41.786
Don't assume they'll connect those dots.
00:05:41.786 --> 00:05:50.718
Share how you transition seamlessly into a previous role, maybe a new job you took before, making things easier, how quickly you got up to speed with your former manager.
00:05:50.718 --> 00:05:55.228
So write down how you'll make the hiring manager's life easier by choosing you.
00:05:55.228 --> 00:06:06.747
So, to repeat those four steps, focus on your skills, focus on your passion and excitement, focus on the unique and focus on making the hiring manager's decision and life easier.
00:06:06.747 --> 00:06:09.475
Well, hope you enjoyed this Quick Hit Monday Motivation episode.
00:06:09.475 --> 00:06:14.117
Stay tuned for our regular episodes on Wednesday and another Quick Hit episode next week.
00:06:14.117 --> 00:06:17.158
That's all for today, but let's keep the conversation going.
00:06:17.158 --> 00:06:24.701
Check out equippedinterviewcom, be intentional, do the work and build your confidence to stand out in your next job interview.
00:06:24.701 --> 00:06:55.134
Thank you.
00:00:14.595 --> 00:00:17.196
Hey everyone and welcome to the Equipped Interview Podcast.
00:00:17.196 --> 00:00:25.106
With a combined 30 plus years of being interviewed and interviewing thousands of others, we're here to build your confidence, help you stand out and get your dream job.
00:00:25.106 --> 00:00:27.911
Your hosts are Joshua Tinkey and Linda Kamali.
00:00:27.911 --> 00:00:29.234
Let's get you equipped.
00:00:29.234 --> 00:00:37.768
As a reminder, in these short Monday episodes we bring you some motivation to help you keep interview prep top of mind, so you can always be prepping.
00:00:37.768 --> 00:00:42.183
We share quick, hit, practical tips, reminders and steps you can take to start your week strong.
00:00:42.444 --> 00:00:51.003
For today's topic, we're going to follow up on one of the top five items from last week, digging in a little bit deeper but also serving as a reminder to take action today.
00:00:51.003 --> 00:00:55.261
So last week I gave the top five interview secrets I tell my younger self.
00:00:55.261 --> 00:00:59.381
One of them was to prepare for certain questions, even if I didn't think I'd get asked.
00:00:59.381 --> 00:01:05.329
The most important one of these questions that you should prepare for, no matter what is, why should I hire you?
00:01:05.329 --> 00:01:06.992
So we talked about that last week.
00:01:06.992 --> 00:01:07.933
We're going to dive a little bit deeper.
00:01:07.933 --> 00:01:10.284
You may be asked this question directly, you may not.
00:01:10.284 --> 00:01:13.260
Either way, you should prepare to answer this head on.
00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:20.146
Even if you aren't asked this directly, preparing for it will be wildly helpful to you when answering almost any other interview question.
00:01:20.146 --> 00:01:40.549
The good news is, there's some easy ways to get ready and help yourself stand out along the way, and it really is critical for you to think through this response and how to answer it, and not just any response a good response, a bad response, obviously to this question can really significantly hurt your chances of getting the job offer, and so it really is a reason I harp on this question.
00:01:40.549 --> 00:01:43.406
It really helps set your mind and actually it might surprise you.
00:01:43.406 --> 00:01:45.084
It's actually better for you if you are asked this question.
00:01:45.084 --> 00:01:46.391
It really helps set your mind and actually it might surprise you.
00:01:46.391 --> 00:01:47.816
It's actually better for you if you are asked this question directly.
00:01:47.816 --> 00:01:49.421
I find it way more helpful than if I'm not asked.
00:01:49.421 --> 00:01:50.463
So why is that?
00:01:50.463 --> 00:01:58.432
Because it gives you a perfect opportunity to straight up tell the hiring manager why you think you're the best fit for the role, without feeling like you're bragging.
00:01:58.432 --> 00:01:59.200
Right.
00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:00.683
Isn't this overkill?
00:02:00.683 --> 00:02:03.829
I mean because in most cases, you won't be asked this question directly.
00:02:03.829 --> 00:02:05.513
Right, you may get the question what?
00:02:05.513 --> 00:02:06.896
Maybe 10, 20% of the time.
00:02:06.896 --> 00:02:11.126
If that, you still need to prepare for it, and not just in case you get the question.
00:02:11.406 --> 00:02:14.882
There is a ton of benefit to simply thinking this through well.
00:02:14.882 --> 00:02:22.943
You need clarity in your own mind why you're a good fit for the role and what you specifically bring to the figurative table.
00:02:22.943 --> 00:02:24.467
What's your value proposition?
00:02:24.467 --> 00:02:25.388
Why should they hire you?
00:02:25.388 --> 00:02:26.509
Think about that.
00:02:26.509 --> 00:02:28.532
You better understand the answer yourself.
00:02:28.532 --> 00:02:38.067
If you want to clearly articulate it to someone else in a simple, efficient way in an interview Separately, this always helps you navigate the entire remaining part of the interview.
00:02:38.067 --> 00:02:45.171
You can always draw from your prep for this answer to help connect the dots for the hiring manager as why you're the best fit.
00:02:45.171 --> 00:02:47.989
This kind of clarity always leads to a boost in confidence.
00:02:47.989 --> 00:02:49.876
So how should you prepare?
00:02:49.876 --> 00:02:53.669
Prepare, as if you need to answer, how would you answer it?
00:02:53.669 --> 00:02:55.415
Then Do these next four steps.
00:02:55.415 --> 00:03:02.443
Oh, and if you're driving, you're at the gym or somewhere, you can't write these down, I have a free template you can fill out that helps you fill in the blanks.
00:03:02.443 --> 00:03:09.522
So just go to equippedinterviewcom and go to the free resources section and choose the why should I hire you four-step template.
00:03:09.522 --> 00:03:12.711
It's just our website, equippedinterviewcom, free resources.
00:03:12.711 --> 00:03:14.649
Then choose the why should I hire you template.
00:03:14.649 --> 00:03:16.236
It's the first one on the list.
00:03:16.236 --> 00:03:17.700
Promise you'll find it Okay.
00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:18.461
Here are those four steps.
00:03:19.663 --> 00:03:21.185
One focus on your skills.
00:03:21.185 --> 00:03:22.407
What do I mean by that?
00:03:22.407 --> 00:03:24.088
More specifically, think about it.
00:03:24.088 --> 00:03:28.614
What skills are the hiring manager looking for and which ones do you offer?
00:03:28.614 --> 00:03:30.015
What are your strengths?
00:03:30.015 --> 00:03:30.902
I'll give you a hint.
00:03:30.902 --> 00:03:38.425
If you want to take this a little step further and add some credibility to the strengths and skills you talk about, make sure you've completed something like the StrengthsFinder assessment.
00:03:38.425 --> 00:03:52.985
When you receive your top five strengths, you can add that credibility to your own claim that you have a certain strength, because you can say, hey, I took this assessment, google it, search for it or other resources on our free resources page.
00:03:53.735 --> 00:03:56.042
Number two focus on your passion and excitement.
00:03:56.042 --> 00:03:57.346
Why do I want the job?
00:03:57.346 --> 00:04:02.520
What is it about this specific role, organization, industry, what attracted me to apply?
00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:04.020
Be really specific here.
00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:07.084
This is the framework for answering the questions.
00:04:07.084 --> 00:04:10.283
So the skills, the passion and excitement, why you really want it.
00:04:10.283 --> 00:04:13.383
What excites you, what fires you up about this opportunity?
00:04:14.436 --> 00:04:16.199
Number three focus on the unique.
00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:20.028
So what specific needs does the hiring manager have?
00:04:20.028 --> 00:04:22.461
This could be a specific skill the team is lacking.
00:04:22.461 --> 00:04:33.358
It could be a personality fit that the team needs somehow that you might know if it's an internal role you're going for, it could be a particular type of experience unique to this team in this time that they're looking for, or something that you have.
00:04:33.358 --> 00:04:35.362
Ask someone in the organization.
00:04:35.362 --> 00:04:36.706
Reread the job description.
00:04:36.706 --> 00:04:37.767
Try to read between the lines.
00:04:37.767 --> 00:04:39.641
Ask the recruiter, but find out something here.
00:04:39.641 --> 00:04:41.105
Then write it down, something that they need.
00:04:41.105 --> 00:04:44.204
Also, what specific skills do you uniquely offer?
00:04:44.204 --> 00:04:48.017
This could be a unique combination of experience and skill you bring to the table.
00:04:48.017 --> 00:04:51.776
It could be a connection or a network you bring to the role or organization.
00:04:51.776 --> 00:04:56.584
Maybe this is your second career and you bring a wealth of knowledge from a separate but related industry.
00:04:56.584 --> 00:05:01.119
Either way, write down something that all or most other candidates won't have.
00:05:02.180 --> 00:05:05.656
And then four, focus on making their decision and life easier.
00:05:05.656 --> 00:05:09.024
You may not realize it, but the hiring manager has risk, too right.
00:05:09.024 --> 00:05:15.398
They might be thinking what if I make the wrong decision, or I like this candidate, but what if I overlooked something in the interview process?
00:05:15.398 --> 00:05:17.202
Make their decision easier.
00:05:17.202 --> 00:05:20.480
Remove some of the common risks and hesitations on their mind.
00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:27.966
So, for example, that could be share why you'll learn quickly, making it up that learning curve faster than other candidates, and why that would be true.
00:05:28.735 --> 00:05:37.925
Explain how maybe your unique background means they don't have to train you on a particular system, which can be costly or a software program, or a designation, a license, something you already have.
00:05:37.925 --> 00:05:39.028
Focus on that.
00:05:39.028 --> 00:05:39.937
Make sure to call it out.
00:05:39.937 --> 00:05:41.786
Don't assume they'll connect those dots.
00:05:41.786 --> 00:05:50.718
Share how you transition seamlessly into a previous role, maybe a new job you took before, making things easier, how quickly you got up to speed with your former manager.
00:05:50.718 --> 00:05:55.228
So write down how you'll make the hiring manager's life easier by choosing you.
00:05:55.228 --> 00:06:06.747
So, to repeat those four steps, focus on your skills, focus on your passion and excitement, focus on the unique and focus on making the hiring manager's decision and life easier.
00:06:06.747 --> 00:06:09.475
Well, hope you enjoyed this Quick Hit Monday Motivation episode.
00:06:09.475 --> 00:06:14.117
Stay tuned for our regular episodes on Wednesday and another Quick Hit episode next week.
00:06:14.117 --> 00:06:17.158
That's all for today, but let's keep the conversation going.
00:06:17.158 --> 00:06:24.701
Check out equippedinterviewcom, be intentional, do the work and build your confidence to stand out in your next job interview.
00:06:24.701 --> 00:06:55.134
Thank you.
