Interview Questions – ‘What makes you the best candidate for the job?’

For Service-leavers who haven’t got recent interview experience, the prospect can seem daunting. Here, we dissect another of the more common but no less difficult interview questions so that you can show your best side to interviewers and land your next post-Services role.

‘What makes you the best candidate for the job?’

Good so far
If the interviewer has got to the point where this question is in play, it shows you’ve done well so far. However, you’re not at the finish line yet. This might be a tie-breaker question designed to separate you from another similarly suitable candidate.

Something else
So, you’ve got the right skillsets and qualifications for the role. What else can you offer beyond those? This is a character question.

Open-ended
Questions that you can take in any number of directions, like this one, can be daunting. Don’t panic, take your time and speak honestly and from the heart.

Personality
Consider what sets you apart as a person. This might include qualities (not qualifications) such as those acquired in the Military. 

Compared with whom?
You don’t know the other candidates – so move away from the comparison paradigm.  Expand on what’s good about yourself. That said, keep cool and don’t abuse the situation as an opportunity to blow your own trumpet too loudly!

Experience
You’ve probably already discussed how your competencies are well suited to the role. Try to apply qualities such as integrity, pride in a job well done, leadership and the like – again, maybe you’ve had experiences while in the Military that you can refer to. 

What are you like?
The interviewer, as always, has two main aims: to find out if you can do the job and if you’ll get on with the people you’ll be working with. 

As a Service-leaver, you’ll be able to tell the interviewer about how you worked with your former colleagues in some very challenging situations. If they’re looking for a team player, they should pick you since the Military is just about the biggest team there is!

Keep it tight
As always, keep your focus on the job description. While the interviewer is looking for something extra, they are not looking for something pointless.