In both your personal and professional life, “Why you?” is one of the most important (and frequent) questions you will have to answer. But it is amazing how many people struggle with how to answer this question. Whether you’re trying to ask someone on a date, land a big account or tell your boss why you think you deserve a raise, the way you answer this question will often determine whether you succeed or fail. As they say, you “never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
The difficulty of this question might explain why some companies spend large amounts of money to come up with mission statements that fully and accurately state what the company is all about. They will also pay big money for people to manage their social media sites and interact with their customers. It’s all part of defining who and what the company is, which is a critical first step to answering the question, “Why you?”
Here are a few tips to help you answer this question in a direct, concise way:
- Get to the point quick.
- State your strengths – and don’t be bashful or humble about them.
- Expand on your strengths. What do you bring to the party that other people don’t?
- Personalize your answer, but not too much.
- Learn about the company or person and tailor your response to emphasize the strengths or skills that will most benefit them. This is also an important point when writing a resume.
Here’s an example of how I would answer that question if a client asked:
- I have more than 26 years of experience in commercial real estate. I have successfully closed more than $800 million in commercial real estate transactions totaling more than 4 million square feet.
- I have a deep knowledge of the local market and an extensive network which help me create good long-term value for my clients.
- I have represented landlords and tenants on both sides of transactions. This experience gives me an advantage when negotiating deals because I am able to look at and understand where both parties in a deal are coming from, allowing me to do my best to find “win-win” solutions that satisfy both my clients and the other parties.
- I am known for bringing my legendary persistence to all matters, but I also try to mix in a bit of humor. My clients know they can rely on my integrity and “can-do” attitude, and they know I will always have their backs.
Whether you’re on a first date or a job interview, always be ready to knock this question out of the park. Here’s a little weekend homework for you: answer this question for both your personal and professional lives, and see what you come up with.
Have a great weekend,
Ro