In job interviews, the question “Why should we hire you?” is one of the most common and also tricky questions. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and Tech icon, shared his approach to this question in an interview – with surprising insights.
What did Bill Gates say in the interview? In a simulated job interview with NBA player Stephen Curry in 2020, Gates explained how he would respond to the tricky question “Why should we hire you?” if he were applying as a software engineer. Gates stated that he would demonstrate his passion and competence through concrete examples of his work.
His long but clear answer was:
Look at the code I have written. I am a bit crazy and write software programs that go far beyond anything I have learned in courses, and I believe I have improved over time. Look at how ambitious I was. I believe I can work well with others, even though I sometimes criticize their code a bit harshly. Overall, I enjoy working in a team, like ambitious goals, and like to think about how we can shape the future. Software is cool, and I want to be involved.
How does this answer really work? Gates’ answer highlights three main points:
- Demonstration of expertise: He highlights his practical experiences and continuous improvement, which shows his competence and willingness to learn.
- Teamwork: While he admits to being somewhat critical of others’ work, he emphasizes his ability to collaborate and his pursuit of shared goals.
- Vision and corporate alignment: Gates shows his enthusiasm for ambitious goals and his ability to think ahead, which demonstrates his alignment with a potential corporate vision.
Authenticity is the key element
What further insights does Gates provide? The interview with Stephen Curry went beyond typical interview questions. For example, Gates also discussed how he would handle strengths and weaknesses, explaining:
I am not an expert in marketing or sales, but I am fascinated by defining and developing products. I read a lot about the history of the industry and the mistakes made to learn from them.
His response focuses on highlighting authenticity and honesty. It shows that according to Bill Gates, it is better to consciously highlight and contextualize one’s weaknesses than to hide them.
What can we learn from this? Gates’ approach offers valuable insights for applicants in any industry: It shows how important it is to focus on concrete results. Instead of mentioning abstract skills, Gates refers to measurable achievements and encourages in his example to look at the code he has written.
This approach illustrates that specific projects or successes can demonstrate one’s strengths much better than mere self-descriptions. At the same time, Gates demonstrates self-reflection. This openness signals authenticity and awareness of one’s weaknesses – traits that can often be viewed positively by HR managers.
With his answers, Bill Gates not only provides valuable tips for job interviews. However, before one can be invited to a job interview, the actual application must impress: An employee shares how his resume earned him a job for 280,000 euros at Amazon
