Interview Question: "What Skills Can You Bring to This Job?"

During a job interview, the hiring manager may ask you many questions to see if you are the right person for the job. One common question is “What skills would you bring to the job?” or a variation of it. This is an important question to answer correctly, as your response will give your interviewer insight into your work ethic and style.

This guide reviews how to craft a memorable response to this question and provides some example answers.

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How to answer “What can you bring to the company?”

Understanding the goals of the company and linking them to your personal goals will help you answer this question confidently. Follow these tips when describing what skills you can bring to the company you're interviewing with to join:

1. Research the company before your interview

Before your interview, spend some time researching the company. Go on its website, and write down interesting tidbits you find so you can remember them in your interview if applicable. You can also visit the company's social media pages, which will help you learn what the company culture is like. This will give you an idea of how you should act during the interview and what you can expect from your coworkers in the future if you're hired. 

Example: “I understand being involved in the community is important to you based on the recent charity drive you hosted. I would love to contribute to this by talking to other leaders in the community to get them involved in your next event.”

Related: The Complete Guide to Researching a Company

2. Show them what makes you unique

This question gives you the opportunity to highlight any skills that would specifically benefit you in this job. Use the STAR method to describe a situation you faced at work, how you used your skills to approach it and what kind of outcome you received.

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. The STAR method will help you develop clear and concise responses to interview questions using real-life examples. Pick out one or two of your strengths and give solid examples of how you have used them in the past. This type of answer will not only show them that you can perform well under pressure, but it will also demonstrate that you grow from your experiences.

Example: “I can make anyone feel comfortable in a new environment, which makes me a good fit as a human resources assistant. In my previous position, a new employee came to me and told me that she didn’t think she was right for the company culture. After talking to her for a few minutes, we realized she felt too much pressure to participate in company events. I started introducing events that involved fewer competitions and more casual environments, and she quickly grew more comfortable with her team.”

Related: How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique

3. Focus on key requirements for the job

Research one or two main requirements for the job you're applying for, and let the interviewer know in detail how you meet those requirements. For example, if you know that customer service is important, state that you are excited to help out and interact with customers. You can also give a specific example of a time you stayed on the phone with a customer until you were sure their problem was resolved. 

Example: “I love being able to help customers with their problems, and I always look forward to the opportunity to assist a customer who may be upset. In my previous position, I continued helping a customer troubleshoot an issue with their laptop for more than an hour. When we found the solution to their problem, they thanked me and gave our company a five-star review.” 

Related: Interview Question: “Why Should We Hire You?”

4. Keep your answer concise

While you should include all the necessary details in your answer, you should also strive to keep it as concise as possible. Having an answer that tells the interviewer what makes you unique but remains an appropriate length is the key to making yourself look confident and competent in your interview.

Example: “I would do well in this job because I enjoy working with people and want to help them understand their insurance better. I’ve always been a strong communicator, and I excel in resolving problems and teaching others.”

Related: 21 Job Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression

5. Know what traits employers look for

Many employers value different traits depending on their industry. This can include being able to work independently and with a team. You may also want to include examples of ideas you had in other positions that improved company productivity, as this will show employers they can expect you to regularly contribute to their team as well. 

If you have education or knowledge in the particular field you're applying to, always make that known to your potential employer. While they may have read this information on your resume, an interview is your opportunity to expand on your unique skills and experience and let a company know exactly what you will bring to the job if hired. 

Example: “At my previous job, our team found a web design issue that prevented us from moving forward in our project. I used my attention to detail to figure out what was causing the usability problem, which allowed us to move on and finish the development before our deadline.”

Related: 17 Traits and Skills Employers Want You to Have

Tips for talking about skills you bring to the job

Here are some additional tips to consider when answering this question:

Bring up both hard and soft skills

It may benefit you to discuss both hard skills, such as design or word processing and soft skills, such as communication or critical thinking. Showing your interviewer you have a diverse skill set will help you establish yourself as an adaptable and hardworking candidate.

Keep your answer natural

While it’s always a good idea to spend time preparing for this type of question, remember to approach your interview as you would a conversation. Research the company and determine which skills will be the most beneficial to discuss, but leave room to talk about more experiences if your interviewer has follow-up questions.

Demonstrate the value you bring to the company

Explain how your skills and attributes would benefit the company in general, especially if you can find out what problems they might currently be experiencing. For example, if you’re naturally gifted at budgeting, you might discuss how you could reduce costs across your department and save the company a significant amount of money.