Interview Tips Interview Tips, Interview Questions and Answers

Why Should I Hire You? Thought it as an interviewer. (part 2)

Continue my last post http://tipsinterview.com/2010/03/15/why-should-i-hire-you-thought-it-as-an-interviewer/ 

The employer thinks ... you're not qualified enough.

So you ...  prove you have other qualifications that will help you in this position.

Interior designer and author Jeanette Simpson recommends job seekers draw upon what experience they do have to bolster their case.

"Give examples of how you have been a 'second miler' by going above and beyond what was expected by previous employers," she says. "Employers are looking for someone to solve problems and help with their workload. This can often be done by extra effort on [the] part of an employee. Also, point out how quickly you learn and apply knowledge to situations."

The employer thinks ... you're overqualified.

So you ... prove you're ready for a change.

Lisa Mininni, author of "Me, Myself, and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change," says workers who are classified as overqualified need to explain why they're perfectly happy taking on new roles.

"Consider focusing on where you are in your career. If you've historically had supervisory or management responsibilities, you may be in a career cycle where you are more interested in contributing at a different level," Mininni explains. Part of that process is about explaining your professional game plan.

"Outline the career cycles and how where you are in your career cycle can add value to the position.  Be an interested listener. Observe how the position fits in to the company and watch for signs of confusion, strong interest and agreement. Ask the interviewer what is most important to [him or her] about what needs to be accomplished by the person in that position and align your experiences with their needs," she says.

You obviously want the position, otherwise you wouldn't be interviewing for it. You can try to tell the hiring manager that you don't intend to leave the moment a better position comes along, but nothing you can say can prove it. Instead, address any potential issue he or she may have with your experience to build your case.