One of the more common questions that you’ll hear in a job interview is also one of the hardest to answer. When the interviewer asks you, ‘Why should I hire you?” it can be difficult to know exactly what to say. Every employee has a few basic reasons for wanting to sign on to a company, of course – a paycheck, a chance to get a bit of job stability, or even the opportunity to grow with a company. What the interviewer is looking for, though, is usually something a bit deeper. As such, it’s often helpful to have a bit of guidance when answering this question.

First and foremost, you’ll need to know what the company wants from you. If you’ve done your due diligence and have carefully read the information on the company’s website and social media accounts, you should already know what qualities the company finds the most important. Take your real desires and figure out how you can mold them to fit the desires of the company, and your answer should be well-received.

In addition, you should remember that this answer is another chance to sell your skills. You aren’t just telling them why they should hire you. Tell them exactly why they should be pursuing you as an employee. If you can come up with an answer that shows what you offer rather than focus on what you want to gain, you’ll make yourself a more attractive hiring prospect.

Finally, try to keep your answers concise. Don’t ramble on about your thoughts on the company or your position within it. Answer the question, providing just enough information for the employer to know that you know what you’re talking about. If the interviewer wants to know more, he or she will ask.

So how do you answer the question? Know what the company wants, mold your answer to sell your best qualities, and assert it in an easy and concise statement. You can be sure that you’re going to be asked this question in your next interview, so have your answer ready before the interview starts. Always attempt to come off as if you’ve put at least a bit of thought into it, so don’t be afraid to rehearse what you’re going to say.