1. Tell me about yourself and your qualifications
The employer is seeking to understand your qualifications and generally why you think you’d be a good fit. Your answer should be concise and direct. Include information about your background, your key achievements, and why you think the job would be a good fit.
“I’ve been a hostess at XYZ Restaurant for just over two years and I greet and seat customers, assess wait times, fulfill to-go orders and answer the phones. I love the lively and busy environment and I am able to multi-task and seat customers quickly, even on our busy weekend nights. I’ve enjoyed and grown in my current role, but I’d like to utilize my customer service expertise in an elite restaurant environment. I am interested in your restaurant because of its reputation for delivering first-in-class service to your patrons in a lively, dynamic environment.”
2. What makes you unique?
Employers often ask this question to identify why you might be more qualified than other candidates they’re interviewing. To answer, focus on why hiring you would benefit the employer. Since you don’t know the other applicants, it can be challenging to think about your answer in relation to them. Addressing why your background makes you a good fit lets employers know why your traits and qualifications make you a strong candidate.
To help you prepare this answer consider the following:
- Assets the employers find valuable: Review the job description for role responsibilities as well as required and desired skills, qualities, experience and qualifications. For example, if a position emphasizes cross-collaboration, you might communicate your ability to unite a team around a common goal.
- Ways you’ve been successful in previous roles: Reflect on past accomplishments and list the qualities that helped you achieve them. For example, if you received an award for your marketing skills you might share this along with the project or experience that earned you the award.
- Traits or skills you’ve been praised for: Consider your strengths and qualities commonly recognized by previous employers or coworkers. Think back to positive feedback you’ve received from performance reviews and completed projects. For example, if your employer consistently brings up your ability to motivate others in your performance reviews, it’s likely a trait they highly value and other employers would also appreciate.