Best Interview Answer: What Sets You Apart From Other Candidates?

By Susan Gitonga

Do you have the mind of a champion? What sets you apart from other candidates when you attend an interview? Is it your sharp looking suit, or your expensive phone? I can guarantee that you will meet other candidates who might look better than you, or more qualified than you. But the secret to winning an interview is the weapon you arm yourself with.

In this article, I will explore how best to answer the question, ‘What sets you apart from other candidates’ and provide applicable examples that will help you get that job you are eyeing.

4 Secrets To Answer The Question, ‘What sets you apart from other candidates?

1. Forget the other candidates

You might find yourself in the waiting room with 10 other candidates, whom you don’t know, and have never met in your life. With that in mind, refrain from referring to the other candidates when explaining what sets you from other candidates.

For example, you can’t say “I have much more experience than every other candidate,” because you don’t know these people.

So, don’t refer to anyone you might have met along the corridors when going to the interview.

2. Focus on your own personal profile

As we said, you don’t know the other candidates, and so you can’t base your answer by comparing your qualifications against theirs.

Instead of fearing and trying to guess whether or not the next candidate has a Masters Degree while you don’t focus on what you can bring to the Company.

(This question is the same as what to do you bring to the table and why should we hire you)

Stay in your lane. Talk about yourself.

A good example of answering this question would be “I’m not sure what the other candidates can offer to your Company, but I believe that my 5 years experience in IT combined with my strengths in X, Y, Z and my passion for your Company and what you do here sets me apart.

I have special skills in Graphic Design which I know I will add value to your Company. There’s so much I can do for this Company to contribute to its success and growth.”

Read Also >>> Best Interview Answer: What Can You Offer Us That Others Cannot

3. Don’t bad mouth other candidates

If by any chance you know some of the candidates, it is not wise to talk ill about them to try and prove that you are a better candidate for the job. Bad mouthing them will make you appear malicious and very unprofessional.

In as much as it’s a competition, you need to run your own race.

An athlete does not run looking at their competition on their next lane. They keep their eyes facing forward, running towards the finish line.

What sets you apart from other candidates? The simple answer is You. Who you are is what sets you apart from other candidates.

There’s no need to badmouth them, it won’t add any value.

4. Remember the role you’re applying for

If for example you are interviewing for a HR job, it would be irrelevant to say that you are a good musician, or that you play the guitar.

Your answer should be related to the job you’re interviewing for.

Think about the job description of the job and tie your skills and talents to the role.

This is how you will prove to the employer that you are the best fit for the job.

Also add something extra you can do, that is not required in the job description.

Employers are always looking for ways to grow their companies, give them something extra.

So there you go, 4 great tips to Answer the Interview question, ‘what sets you apart from other candidates.’

Do you have an interview coming up? Schedule an interview coaching one on one session with a HR professional by clicking here.

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Susan is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Email: susan@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke