How to Answer “What Makes You the Best Candidate” in English

In today’s competitive job market, mastering the art of answering interview questions is crucial, especially when it comes to the pivotal question: “What makes you the best candidate?” This article will guide you through crafting a compelling response that showcases your unique qualities and sets you apart from other applicants.

Understanding the Question’s Importance

When interviewers ask, “What makes you the best candidate?” they’re essentially inviting you to sell yourself. This question is your opportunity to highlight your strengths, experiences, and unique qualities that align with the job requirements.

The Interviewer’s Perspective

Interviewers assess candidates based on several factors when they pose this question:

1. Professional skills: They want to know if you have the necessary technical abilities for the role.
2. Soft skills: Your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are under scrutiny.
3. Cultural fit: They’re evaluating how well you’d integrate into the company’s environment.
4. Motivation: Your enthusiasm and drive for the position are being gauged.

Interviewer assessing candidate

Crafting Your Response

To answer this question effectively, follow these steps:

1. Research the Company and Position

Before the interview, thoroughly research the company and the specific role you’re applying for. This knowledge will help you tailor your response to their needs.

2. Identify Your Unique Selling Points

Reflect on your skills, experiences, and achievements that are most relevant to the position. Consider what sets you apart from other candidates.

3. Use the STAR Method

Structure your answer using the STAR method:

• Situation: Briefly describe a relevant context.
• Task: Explain the challenge or responsibility you faced.
• Action: Detail the steps you took to address the situation.
• Result: Share the positive outcome of your actions.

4. Align Your Answer with the Job Requirements

Ensure that the qualities and experiences you highlight directly relate to the job description and company values.

Sample Answer

Here’s an example of how to answer this question for a marketing manager position:

“What makes me the best candidate for this marketing manager role is my combination of creative thinking, data-driven decision-making, and proven leadership skills. In my previous position at XYZ Company, I led a team that increased our social media engagement by 150% over six months. I achieved this by implementing a new content strategy based on customer data analysis and A/B testing. This experience, coupled with my ability to mentor team members and collaborate across departments, uniquely positions me to drive results in this role at your company.”

Analyzing the Response

This answer is effective because it:

1. Highlights specific, relevant skills (creative thinking, data analysis, leadership).
2. Provides a concrete example of past success.
3. Uses numbers to quantify achievements.
4. Connects past experiences to the potential value for the new role.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When answering this question, be careful to avoid these pitfalls:

1. Being too modest: While humility is a virtue, this is your chance to confidently showcase your strengths.
2. Speaking negatively about other candidates: Focus on your own qualities rather than comparing yourself to others.
3. Providing vague or generic answers: Be specific about your skills and experiences.
4. Failing to connect your abilities to the job requirements: Always relate your answer back to the position you’re applying for.

Common interview mistakes

Handling Follow-up Questions

Be prepared for potential follow-up questions such as:

1. “Can you provide another example of how you’ve demonstrated leadership?”
   Suggestion: Have multiple examples ready that showcase different aspects of your leadership style.

2. “How would you apply your skills to overcome challenges in our industry?”
   Suggestion: Research industry trends and challenges beforehand, and be ready to discuss how your skills could address them.

3. “What’s your biggest professional achievement, and why?”
   Suggestion: Choose an achievement that’s relevant to the role and explain its significance and impact.

4. “How do you stay updated with the latest trends in your field?”
   Suggestion: Mention specific resources, conferences, or courses you use to stay informed.

5. “Can you describe a time when you failed and what you learned from it?”
   Suggestion: Be honest about a failure, but focus on the lessons learned and how you’ve grown from the experience.

Conclusion

Answering “What makes you the best candidate?” effectively requires preparation, self-reflection, and the ability to articulate your value proposition clearly. By following the strategies outlined in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to impress interviewers and stand out from the competition. Remember, confidence and authenticity are key – believe in your unique qualities and let them shine through in your response.

For more tips on acing your job interview, check out our article on how to answer questions about your qualifications.