If you’re asked about what you can contribute to the organization, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to convince the interviewer why you’re the right candidate for the job. You’ll be able to show the interviewer what you have to offer the company if you are hired.
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
The company wants to discover how you can help and what you’ll be able to accomplish if you were to be hired. For most positions other than entry-level jobs, the ideal candidate brings experience, skills, and qualifications to the role. When interviewers ask about your contributions, they want to learn whether you have the skills required to do the job, and the ability to succeed in the position.
How to Answer “What Can You Contribute?”
The best way to answer questions about your potential contributions to the company is to give examples of what you have accomplished in the past and relate them to what you can achieve in the future.
Use the STAR Interview Technique
This is known as the STAR interview response method. It provides a simple way to remember how to respond to interview questions: Situation (describe), Task (what you decided to do), Action (how you completed the task), and Result (the outcome of the situation).
Learn About the Company and the Role
First of all, be sure to have researched the company prior to the interview, so you are familiar with the company’s mission. Try to identify the company’s specific needs, and then respond by giving examples as to why your education, skills, accomplishments, and experience will make you an asset for the employer by fulfilling those needs.
Match Your Credentials to the Job
Match your qualifications to the job, so you’re prepared to share what you have to offer. Also, be ready to mention what you have accomplished in your other jobs. Your goal is to impress the interviewer with your accomplishments to date, and what you expect to accomplish if you were to be hired.
Examples of the Best Answers
Why It Works: This response works well because it shows the hiring manager what the candidate was able to accomplish in a prior role; in a quantifiable manner. Why It Works: As with the previous answer, this answer provides a quantifiable achievement in sales growth. An increase in sales volume will show the interviewer that you have the ability to contribute to the company’s bottom line. Why it Works: The candidate explains how their prior work experience is related to the position, and what they could bring to the company if they were to be hired. They are showing what they have to offer and how they have used those skills in the past.
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Here’s how to give the best response to the interview question, “What can you contribute to this company?” Emphasize What You’ve Accomplished. Provide concrete examples from past jobs to show how you have contributed to other companies. Sharing examples is a way to show employers the kind of work you will likely do for them. Talk about the depth and breadth of related experience that you have. However, you will want to conclude by explaining how you can bring your accomplishments to a role with the new company if you were to be hired. Use Data. Interviewers ask this question because they want to know how you will add value to the company. To show this, you might want to use numbers that show how you have added value in the past. For example, did you increase a company’s sales record by a certain percentage? Did you raise a certain amount of funds for an organization? Numbers offer a concrete example of how you have contributed to a company and how you will likely contribute in the future. Connect Your Answer to the Employer’s Goals. Whatever examples you focus on, make sure they are related to the particular job and company. It’s important to let the interviewer know that you have the skills necessary to do the job they are hiring for, the ability to meet challenges effectively, and the flexibility and diplomacy to work well with other employees and management. If there are any specific qualities or skills that are particularly important to the job or company, focus on those.
What Not to Say
There are some things you shouldn’t say when you’re asked about what you have to offer a company. Don’t let your ego get in the way. Even though you want to show the company how much you can contribute, you don’t want to come across as though your way is the only way to achieve its goals. Be flexible and consider the workplace, and the role, in your response. Don’t share examples that aren’t relevant to the job. Keep your responses focused on the job for which you’re applying. It’s important that the examples you share are specific enough to show the hiring manager that your credentials are a strong fit.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
What are your strengths and weaknesses? - Best Answers How did you impact the bottom line? - Best Answers Why should we hire you? - Best Answers Why are you the best person for the job? - Best Answers What can you do better for us than the other candidates for the job? - Best Answers
Brush up your interview skills: Make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for the interview, and that your interview skills are polished and professional, so you’re ready to make the best impression. Always keep it positive: When responding to interview questions, always frame your answers in a positive manner.
