HOW TO ANSWER “WHAT CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMPANY?” AT INTERVIEW

This is another one of those interview questions that is worth preparing for in advance. It is all about assessing your potential fit for the job and the organisation, and you likely have a general idea of what to say. You know you can contribute to the company, otherwise you wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) have applied for the role. Your interviewer knows you can contribute, otherwise they wouldn’t have invited you for interview. Condense your ideas into a well-informed, concise response and you’re onto a winner!

Here’s how to answer, “What can you contribute to this company?” at interview.

RESEARCH THE COMPANY

Take a good look at the company website, LinkedIn page and/or social media. You’re wanting to get a feel for what is important to them. What is the company mission, their goals, values and objectives?

Company A’s mission might be “To ensure human connection is at the centre of the business” while Company B may claim “To inspire and prepare the chefs of the future”.

REVIEW THE ROLE

Have a good read through the job description for the role. What is the employer looking for? What are the role requirements?

Company A may be looking for a business manager who has demonstrated experience of building relationships with existing and prospective clients. Company B, on the other hand, might be recruiting a technical creative with the ability to translate their ideas into winning product designs.

REVIEW YOUR RESUME AND CAREER HISTORY

Now focus on you and what you offer. When you look at your resume, what stands out as relevant for the organisation and for the role? What knowledge, skills and experience can you single out that make you the best fit for both? Can you quantify your achievements?

For the role at Company A, you could draw on the two years you have spent as a regional sales manager in your current job. There, you have strengthened relationships with existing customers and engaged in cross-selling to increase sales by 20%. You have also increased your customer base and were named regional sales manager of the quarter last year. If you’re interviewing at Company B, you could talk about the range of medical play equipment you designed at a rival company, which is now one of their best-selling products.

Chances are you’re not interviewing at Company A or Company B. They are purely fictitious entities, after all! No matter. Simply tailor this approach to the organisation and role you are interviewing for, and you’ll demonstrate how you can make a winning contribution.

The Optimal Recruitment team recruits candidates for real-life roles and companies. Contact our professional team today on info@optimalrecruitment.com.au or 02 8416 4181.