Why should I hire you?

Employers often discuss how most of the people they interview might have the required job skills, but employees sometimes cannot describe these skills accordingly and thereby prove that they can't do the job they seek. Many fumble at the basic question "Why should I hire you?"

Knowing and describing your skills is essential to do well in interviews. But more importantly, this same knowledge is important to help you decide what type of job you will enjoy and do well. For these reasons, identifying your skills is a necessary part of a successful career plan.

The three types of skills

Most people think of their skills as job-related skills, such as using Excel. But there are other types of skills that are important for success on a job—and that are important to employers. It's simplest to break these skills into three types—self-management, transferable, and job-related. Identify those that are most important to you.

Self-management skills

Self-management skills (also known as adaptive skills or personality traits) are the things that make you a good worker. They describe your basic personality and your ability to adapt to new environments, as well as provide the foundation for other skills. They are some of the most important skills to emphasise in interviews, yet most job seekers don't realise their importance—and don't mention them. Here are some: honesty, punctuality, ability to follow instructions, ability to get along with co-workers and supervisor, productivity, good attendance, deadline oriented, hardworking. Think beyond the list and decide what your self-management skills are.

Transferable skills

Transferable skills are skills that can be used on more than one job. Often these skills are things that you naturally do well or that are an essential part of your personality, and are the foundations for other skills. We all have skills that can transfer from one job or career to another. For example, the ability to organise events could be used in a variety of jobs and may be essential for success in certain occupations. Identify your top transferable skills. They can be: analysing data, budgeting, compiling/recording facts, researching/locating information etc.

Job-related skills

Job-content or job-related skills are those you need to do a particular occupation. A sound engineer, for example, needs to know how to use various studio equipment and wires and cables. Before you select job-related skills to emphasise, you must first have a clear idea of the jobs you want. It's best to hold off developing your job-related skills list until you have defined the job you want.