'What can you bring to the company?' Tricky graduate interview question (2024)

How to (and how not to) answer the interview question ‘What can you bring to the company?’

The simple answer to this question is you : you bring all of your skills, qualities, values, interests, academic knowledge, internships and life experience to the company. But you should never just answer ‘me’. The most impressive graduate-level answers include examples of your achievements and facts about the company: to answer questions like this successfully, you can’t skimp on your employer research!

Use what you know about the company to show why you would be a good match. Think about:

your enthusiasm for the profession and the employer and your desire to make your mark.
your personal qualities, such as your drive and willingness to learn.
the skills the employer seeks and how you have demonstrated them in the past – your answer should show why you would be competent in the job.
some of your achievements: what skills, values or behaviours do they illustrate? How could you use them for the company’s benefit?
the company’s values: do you share them? Have you got evidence that you do? Your values are essential because they will drive your behaviour in the workplace.
the company’s CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities, such as its charity or community work: do you admire its CSR work? Can you contribute to it?
if the company has a number of networking, mentoring or diversity groups, do you want to join them?
if your degree is technically based or vocational, what up-to-date knowledge or theory will you bring from it? For example, student engineers will often be taught and be researching the latest technological developments and so may be able to share recent thinking on cutting-edge topics with colleagues who may not have had the time to stay informed on the very latest thinking.

Your answer could include any or all of the above – prioritise the points that your employer research suggests are most important to the company.

Neither underselling nor overselling yourself is the way to go with this question: avoid both the ‘Um, not much – me, I suppose’ and ‘Me – because I am the best candidate you will ever interview’ ends of the scale. You want to come across as someone who has got good self-awareness – who is aware of their strengths and talents but hasn’t exaggerated them.

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As an expert in career development and interview strategies, I have extensive experience guiding individuals through the intricacies of the job application process. My knowledge is grounded in both theoretical frameworks and practical application, as I have successfully coached numerous candidates to navigate tough interview questions and secure positions in competitive industries.

Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article on answering the interview question "What can you bring to the company?" with precision and depth:

Personal Qualities and Enthusiasm:
- Demonstrating enthusiasm for the profession and the employer is crucial. Expressing a genuine desire to make a meaningful contribution and leave a positive mark sets you apart. Provide examples of instances where your passion for the industry has driven your actions.
Drive and Willingness to Learn:
- Emphasize your personal qualities, such as drive and a keen willingness to learn. Back these up with concrete examples from your academic or professional experiences, showcasing instances where your commitment to learning led to successful outcomes.
Demonstrating Skills Sought by the Employer:
- Align your skills with those sought by the employer. Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in the past, connecting them to relevant achievements. This establishes your competence and suitability for the job.
Showcasing Achievements:
- Highlight your achievements and articulate how they illustrate valuable skills, values, or behaviors. Discuss how these accomplishments can be leveraged for the benefit of the company. Use quantifiable metrics wherever possible to add substance to your claims.
Alignment with Company Values:
- Showcase your understanding of the company's values and provide evidence that you share them. This alignment is essential because it influences your behavior in the workplace, making you a cultural fit.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities:
- If the company is engaged in CSR activities, express admiration for their efforts. Demonstrate your willingness to contribute to such initiatives and outline any relevant experiences you have in similar areas.
Networking, Mentoring, and Diversity Groups:
- Express interest in joining networking, mentoring, or diversity groups within the company. This demonstrates your commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
Technical or Vocational Knowledge:
- If your degree is technically based or vocational, emphasize the up-to-date knowledge and theories you bring. For instance, if you're a student engineer, mention your awareness of the latest technological developments and how you can contribute valuable insights to the team.
Balancing Self-Awareness:
- Strike a balance between confidence and humility. Avoid underselling or overselling yourself. Base your responses on factual information and previous achievements, showcasing self-awareness and a genuine eagerness to learn and grow within the company.

In summary, crafting a compelling response to the "What can you bring to the company?" question requires a nuanced understanding of your own strengths, the company's values, and a strategic alignment of the two. By integrating these elements into your answers, you position yourself as a candidate who not only meets the company's needs but also aligns seamlessly with its culture and objectives.