“What can you contribute to the company?” Tips on answering this interview question

During a job interview, open-ended questions like “What can you contribute to this company?” provide an opportunity for the employer to assess whether you’ll be an asset to the company. This question is also your best shot at explaining your value proposition and why you’ll be a good fit for the company. 

If you’re wondering how to answer this question in the most impactful manner, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at:

• What to say when describing what you’ll bring to the company

• Copyable sample answers to this question

• What not to say when talking about how you’ll impact a company’s bottom line

How to answer the question, “What can you contribute to this company?”

Whenever an interviewer asks this type of behavioral question, their objective is to determine whether you’ll be able to perform job responsibilities and succeed within the job role. This question is commonly asked from job applicants who have prior work experience. Here’s how you can answer this question properly and effectively.

Do your research first

It goes without saying that you should research the company and the job role before going to an interview. Once you have a clear idea on the company’s culture and expectations, you can tap into your strengths and see how you can use them to make an impact on the company. 

Read the job description carefully and look for specific examples from your previous work experience, education history, and key skills that will prove valuable to the company. Try to align your personal goals with the company’s objectives. 

Use the STAR method

When it comes to answering behavioral questions that involve critical thinking, the STAR interview method is the way to go. STAR stands for situation, task, action, and result.

• Situation: Describe a situation that provides the basis for your answer.

• Task: Mention your key goals or the problem you were attempting to solve. 

• Action: Talk about the steps you took to tackle the situation at hand.

• Result: Explain how solving the problem helped you contribute positively to the company.

Leverage the STAR method to create a compelling narrative on what you have accomplished at your previous or current job role and how this type of approach will benefit the organization you’re interviewing for. 

Match your credentials with the job role

If you want to stand out among a sea of applicants, make sure your answers are aligned with your target job role. This means that all the strengths, accomplishments, and goals you mention during your interview should be in line with the requirements laid out in the target job role description.

“What can you contribute to this company?” sample answers

Here are a few examples of how to effectively answer this question.

Common mistakes to avoid when answering this question

When talking about your past accomplishments and how they translate to your new (potential) job role, it can be difficult to stay on track. Here are a few common mistakes you should avoid at all costs.

Lying or making exaggerated claims

There’s probably nothing more disappointing in the eyes of the interviewer than blatant lies and unsubstantiated statements. When discussing how you’ll add value to the company, don’t make any exaggerated claims (such as doubling sales in one month). Your interviewer has experience in interviewing people, and they can easily call your bluff.

Letting your ego get the best of you

While it’s important to focus on your individual strengths, it’s equally crucial not to get carried away. After all, you don’t want to come across as pompous and difficult to work with. For this reason, you must acknowledge your team members and showcase your ability to work well with team members with diverse backgrounds. 

Being vague and/or irrelevant

Instead of making generic statements, such as “I’m honest and hardworking,” try to be specific and back your claims with numbers and statistics. When you’re using the STAR approach, you need to be as detailed as possible and align your key accomplishments with the job you’re applying for.

Sharing irrelevant examples

Your responses should align with your target job role. If your answer is not relevant to the job role or a problem your potential employer is trying to solve, no need to mention it. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing job role and you have experience in payroll management, it can be difficult to look for a common element in the two job roles. 

Focusing on a shortcoming

Avoid sharing any incident at work that resulted in negative consequences. Instead, try to focus on the positives. If you were unable to meet a target, it’s best not to mention it during the job interview.

Dodging the question completely

Even if you don’t have an example on how you will positively contribute to your potential employer’s goals and objectives, you shouldn’t dodge this question. It’s okay to tell the interviewer that you cannot think of a practical example at the moment. 

Being honest not only makes a good impression on the interviewer but it also gives you the chance to tap into other strengths and skills that will prove useful for the organization.

Key takeaways

1. When hiring an employee, organizations would want to know what the potential employee will bring to the table to determine the employee’s suitability for the job.

2. It’s best to do your research on the company and the job role before heading into the interview so that you’re well-prepared for any trick questions.

3. Consider using the STAR interview method when responding to behavioral questions, especially the ones that involve discussing your long-term career plans and ambitions.

4. Be sure to match your credentials to the job you’re applying for. Give examples relevant to that role and back up your answers with statistics whenever possible.

5. Never lie, exaggerate, or come off as egocentric.Try not to use an example with negative consequences. If you can’t think of an example, be honest with the interviewer as it gives a better impression than making things up.