This question regularly comes up.  It might feel as if you are being put on the spot with this one and it can initially feel rather awkward to respond to,  but with careful forethought this question provides the perfect platform from which you can reassure  your interviewers that you are the perfect answer to their problem, their problem being that they have a position open that needs filling.  

I never stop reminding candidates of the necessity to take time to diligently prepare for each and every interview.   To answer their question as to whether you are a ‘good fit’ authentically and truthfully you will have needed to have considered carefully as to what the position on offer is about, what the company says about itself, what the defining mission of the company means to you and then, looking back on your own experience and your own skills, why you are capable of fulfilling the role – and more.

Other ways of asking this type of question includes:

• Why are you well suited to this position?;

• Why would you like to work here?;

• Why would you be the best applicant?;  

• Why would we offer you the position?;

• If you were given this role, what do you hope to accomplish?;

• Why have you applied for this position?;

• What do you know about the competitors of this organisation?;

• What have you done thus far that tells us that you are capable of fulfilling this role?

Keep asking these types of questions to yourself as you formulate your potential thoughts about them.  It is not about ‘over preparing’ which can result in being stilted and too rehearsed, but rather about becoming fluent and equipped to field probing questions that comes your way.  

And as you research the company, below are a few things that you can investigate:

• What is their ‘tag line’?  What values do they adhere to (and do they resonate with you)?; What is their mission?;

• Who works here and what do current employers say about their company? (are there blogs and posts issued by the company that you can access?);

• What are they looking for in you?  

Another useful tip is to simply Google the qualities needed for the position that you are applying for.  How can you demonstrate from your experiences thus far that you have these qualities – or are able to acquire them with ease?

Finally, just keep going.  You will become better and better at interviewing along the way and there is so much that you will be learning as you go through through each stage of the process.