How to Answer "Why Are You A Great Match for This Role?" Question And Hit All The Marks

Why Are You A Great Match for This Role
Created by CakeResume

All interview questions ultimately point to one thing. The hiring manager wants to see if you are the perfect fit for the job. Therefore, you will likely encounter the "Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?" type of questions.

It sounds like a question that's tricking you into bragging about yourself, but it's actually not. By explaining why your background and experience would be a good fit for this particular job, the interviewer not only can gauge your confidence but also your understanding of the role, and assess your qualifications.

Not all interviewers will use the exact "What makes you a good fit for this job?" question sentence. But don't be taken by surprise. Like any other interview questions, this question can take many forms too such as:

  • "What makes you a good candidate for this position?"
  • "Could you briefly explain why you feel you are the ideal candidate for this position?"
  • "Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?"
  • "Why do you think you are the best fit for this position?"
  • "Why are you a great match for this role?"

In this article, we'll give you the full scoop, from exploring reasons why interviewers ask "Why are you an ideal candidate for this position?", learning how to give a proper "Why are you a great match for this role?" answer, and also provide "Why are you a great match for this role?" answer examples.

Why Interviewers Ask “Why Are You a Great Match for this Role?”

Before going all out preparing your answer, first, you need to understand the reason behind why "What makes you a good fit for this job?" is one of the most commonly asked questions in a job interview. 

What exactly are the hiring managers looking for by asking you "Why are you a great match for this role?"

During a job interview, the interviewer would like to:

👀 Assess your understanding of responsibilities at work.

Your answer to the "What makes you a good fit for this job?" question will explicitly display how well you understand what is expected of you and your performance should you be onboard with the company. They are trying to figure out if you fully comprehend what they look for in a candidate.

👀 Decide if you are fit for the role.

In addition to evaluating your skills for the position, hiring managers will also observe your "Why do you think you are the best fit for this position?" answer to see if you are the right person to take the job. Aside from the written qualification on your resume, they use this question to get to know your abilities further.

👀 Know your character.

Remember earlier when we mentioned that the "Why are you a great match for this role?" questions might seem like a trick question? That's because this question also tests how confident you are. But, a good response is not bragging about your accomplishments. Interviewers want to know how articulate you are about your professional abilities and you as a person.

👀 Find out if you stand out from other candidates.

Demonstrating capabilities is one of the most important key points that interviewers look for in your "Why are you a great match for this role?" answer. But they also look for the wow factor. When explaining why your background and experience would be a good fit for this specific job, they also want to see what differentiates you from others.

How to Answer “What Makes You a Good Fit for This Job?”

Now that you know why employers ask "Why are you a good fit for this job?", it’s time to craft your response. Follow the steps below to provide an exceptional "Why are you a great match for this role?" answer.

Step 1. Review the job opening.

Take notes of important points from the job posting. The listing will most likely entail the job description and qualifications that the company looks for in a candidate. Take time to fully understand the experience and other requirements the company needs for the position. 

Here is an example of a job posting with highlights on the important keywords:

We're looking for a talented UX Designer who is customer-centric and passionate in the UX field. You will be responsible for curating UX designs of Posh AI's products to deliver world-class user experiences that delight our customers, communicate and co-work with cross-functional teams at all levels of the organization to achieve business and company goals!

[Requirements]

  • Bachelor's degree in UX, Psychology, Graphics Design or related field
  • Minimum of 2 years of hands-on interactive designs and UX and are experienced in designing user interfaces for web-based marketing design content.
  • Innovative in problem-solving, open-minded to solution feedback, highly adaptive to design iteration methods, and able to make informed design decisions that would maximize customer values.
  • Has excellent communication skills in both English and French and strong visual sensibilities and is able to communicate designs effectively through graphics.

Step 2. Identify your strengths.

Do a self-reflection and check which of your experience and strengths match the requirements. In this stage, try to narrow down the strengths to only ones that align with the job. Meanwhile, you should also brainstorm on what qualities you possess that make you unique.

For instance, for responding to the previous job listing example, you can write down these relevant strengths:

  • Masters degree in graphic design 
  • Worked part-time for 1 year as Marketing Design Assistant while finishing Master's degree and worked 2 years as a Junior UX Designer at an IoT company
  • French: Native language; English: Bilingual proficiency
  • Tools: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, GitHub, C++, Python
  • Possess great interpersonal skills and creative problem-solving skills

Step 3. Think of a couple of examples with specific details.

When giving answers explaining why your background and experience would be a good fit for this specific job, it's always better to back them up with concrete quantifiable examples. This will help prove your points and show the interviewer you are truly a capable candidate. When the job requires someone who has excellent communication skills, you can give an example of how you resolved a problem by demonstrating your adeptness in communicating.

For example, in your previous job, you encountered a problem where the client's brief wasn't clear enough for you to start drafting a design. You took the initiative to summarize the brief and called them to confirm if your interpretation was indeed what they requested. The confirmation only took a few minutes because your summary was very concise and the client appreciated your effort. Thus, you were able to deliver a design exactly like what they wanted.

Step 4. Answer to the point.

Keep it condensed with important information only when briefly explaining why you feel you are the ideal candidate for this particular position. Spiraling around will not only confuse the interviewer, but you might get lost in your thoughts and will likely end up missing the key answers to the "Why are you a great match for this role?" question.

Step 5. Practice and be confident in yourself.

When asked "Why do you believe you are suitable for this role?", the best answer is one that is presented with confidence, and that would be achievable through constant practice. However, for your "Why are you a good fit for this job?" answer to not sound so rehearsed like a robot, you can take notes during the interview and include them in your answer.

“Why Are You a Great Match for This Role?” Sample Answers

To get you started, here are some examples of how you can explain why your background and experience would be a good fit for these jobs:

• “Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Receptionists

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"In my previous role as a receptionist at Richmont Hotel, I have developed many skills including answering emails and phone calls, documenting data, and arranging paperwork. Additionally, I am fluent in 3 languages which allowed me to communicate with hotel guests easily. I used to help my coworkers in dealing with guests who only spoke Japanese and Korean. Aside from that, I am also adept at Microsoft Excel. My previous role had trained me into being proficient in utilizing Excel as we used it to do monthly statistics."

• “Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Warehouse Workers

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I have over 4 years working as a warehouse worker for Amazon. During my tenure, I introduced a new organizing system that's more streamlined than their existing one. The manager approved my suggestion and our efficiency was increased by 15%. In addition, I'm proficient in maneuvering forklifts and other heavy equipment. I have a clean record of negative drug and alcohol tests. Lastly, I always try to lend a hand whenever someone needs assistance."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Administrators

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I am very organized and well-versed in doing paperwork. For 6 years, I have been working for J&J Attorney as an Office Assistant. I was not only in charge of scheduling appointments, but I also made sure to keep a well-documented meeting record and other files. I am a self-motivated individual who goes above and beyond at my work. I would take home some paperwork to work on during my off hours so that I would have more time taking care of the clients during work hours."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Customer Service Roles

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I am naturally an easy-going person who enjoys engaging in conversations. Providing services and being able to help others are two things that excite me to go to work. In my 2 years of experience working in customer service, I've honed my conflict resolution skills tailored to the customer's situation. Moreover, my 98% email response rate throughout my work at Company A was acknowledged as one of the highest. Working night shifts is also not going to be a problem for me."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Nursing Professionals

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I'm a licensed nurse practitioner (NP) with 6 years of experience. Starting work in the ER, I've learned to be agile and precise in performing medical procedures. After 3 years, I was assigned to be in the surgical wing, and during those times, I was in charge of administering drugs and surgery preparations. My credentials and skills in administrative work made me a suitable person to oversee the organization of the hospital files. Additionally, I am passionate about helping people. My outgoing personality and great interpersonal skills come out naturally when I'm with a patient and make it easier for me to sympathize with patients."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Sales Representatives

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"My skill sets and experience are a match for this position. Working as a sales rep at CanCan for 2 years really improved my presentation and public speaking skills. For instance, I used to present a sales pitch for a potential client. And on top of that, I also prepared a unique pitch deck that appealed to the client's industry by myself. My strong research skills have sharpened my skills in understanding what a client needs even before they told me."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Marketing Specialists

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"Doing market research and analysis are two of my favorite things. As a Business major, I'm deeply interested in the creation of marketing strategies. I also have a creative side that enjoys creating visual art. Therefore, coming up with advertising ideas is something that comes naturally and is quite easy for me. In my last year of university, I worked part-time in offline marketing. I did location scouting and marketing research for Da Coffee to open new store branches."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Teachers

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I firmly believe that being a teacher is not only about educating what's on the book but also preparing students mentally and emotionally. In my 8 years of teaching 10th to 12th grade, I always focus on character building and cultivating values, something that I understand your school emphasizes. Furthermore, I have also been awarded Teacher of The Year for 3 years in a row. I was highly involved not only in students' academic performance but extracurricular too. I was responsible and the advisor for the MUN and Mathlete clubs."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Daycare Workers

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"With my experience in taking care of toddlers for 2 years, I believe I could be an asset to your daycare. I have started babysitting since I was in high school. And growing up, I also helped my parents raise my younger sister who's 14 years younger than me. Since helping my parents look after my sister, I've developed intuition and practical skills in child care. Other than that, I have professional training in taking care of children below 5 years old."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Architects

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I know that your firm is well-known for the green sustainable design, which is something that I'm very keen on pursuing. I did my Master's thesis about sustainable house design. With my knowledge in construction and green design, combined with my 3-year professional experience working for Lush Arch as Assistant Architect, my skill sets are well-suited for this position. I've worked with cross-functional teams and I enjoy discussing with clients. Presenting design concepts is one of the many aspects that I like working as an Architect, other than designing itself."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Personal Trainers

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"Health and fitness are my passions. I have a background in Nutrition and Biochemistry which allowed me to have an ever deeper understanding of human physiology. My work ethic is disciplined, encouraging, and consistent. In my previous role, I handled over 50 clients, and 85% of them successfully reached their goals within 1 year. As a people person, I enjoy working with other people and building connections."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Fashion Stylists

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I believe my extensive knowledge and experience in fashion make me a great fit for this role. I worked 5 years at Kleinfeld helping brides find their perfect wedding dress and matching bridesmaid dresses to the bride's vision. Consulting and calming frustrated brides and their entourages have made me an even better stylist. One time, there was a bride that wanted a dress within 2 weeks. Although it seemed impossible, with the alterations and fitting, I managed to provide her with 2 dress options, which she loved and she made the purchase immediately."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Hairdressers

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"What makes me an ideal candidate for this position is my experience in hairstyling. One year of hairdressing course and 4-year of hands-on experience at a SaSaLon have improved my craft. In my previous role, I had 20 regular clients, which I developed by establishing connections. I'm also very up-to-date with hairstyles trends. I believe my qualifications match the position in this salon."

“Why are you a great match for this role?” – Sample Answer for Chefs

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"My love for food and work experience aligns well with the requirements of this role. Other than my diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, I have worked for 3 years as a sous-chef. I am a very disciplined person with meticulous eyes. In my 3 years working, we would always complete service. I led the line cooks to work cohesively while assisting the head chef in inspection before sending any plate out of the kitchen."

“Why are you a great match for this role? – Sample Answer for IT Engineers

Here's a sample answer to explain why your background and experience is good for this job:

"I have a deep curiosity about technology and enjoy tinkering with gadgets. In my spare time, I have completed certifications in Python, big data analysis and have been implementing the related knowledge in my previous work. Also, I worked with multicultural teams and collaborated with other departments in developing new AI systems and improving the existing ones. The improved system that I led received positive feedback from users and stakeholders. I believe that my qualifications will be a perfect match for your company."


Below are the key takeaways on how to answer the "Why are you a good fit for this job?" interview question:

  • Do your research on the company and fully comprehend the requirements
  • Determine how you are qualified for the role--assess your strengths
  • Provide an example to support your strengths
  • Focus on matching your profile to the company's needs

Preparing your interview doesn't stop here. Check out other basic interview questions and how you should answer them!

With CakeResume, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!

--- Originally written by Teresa Edria ---

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