What can you bring to our company? Application question HELP

[Solitaireaddict]

Seven years out of work. What am I supposed to say to that without appearing to be conceited? I am sure there are better candidates than me and about 20 people will be reading my application, 10 of which I know already who will probably enjoy me floundering at this.

What sort of things are modest but true? Is there a secret to answering this question? It's a creative job. Bringing "ideas" is not really a thing because it's too general.

[Diddlydokey]

I am a dynamic, self-motivated individual with an enthusiastic attitude and ability to communicate at all levels. I am determined to achieve goals and committed to constantly improving personal performance and contribution to team based projects and activities. I am a well organised time manager, and excel in relationship building and influencing others.

Usually works!

[ShinyShinyShiny]

It's hard to say without knowing more about the job or industry, but I would talk about specific skills and experience and then the behavioural aspects such as drive, passion for the job, desire to succeed and deliver results, team player etc.

[DoreenLethal]

Diddly That's all a bit yada yada yada speak.

What DO you think you can bring? Put your most conceited thoughts here and get them refined. What are you fabulous at?

[Solitaireaddict]

I know a lot of people and have a lot of contacts internationally. I am really good at networking and connecting people. That's my thing. The problem is this is a huge media company who probably has all the contacts they need anyway, so I'm going to look stupid saying I can bring THEM contacts? Should I be focusing on the more unusual sort of contacts I can bring? Ones I wouldn't expect them to have necessarily? Or the more obvious "good for business" contacts that I am sure they have already?

Should I go down the road of how I am good at encouraging others? The good samaritan thing?

[Totallyoutoforder]

Being honest is the key. Say what you can do and are proud of.
I just found a job myself after 4 years and 5/6 months of job hunt. My criteria for a job were very specific, I negotiated a decent salary and flexible working. I am sure that out there there are millions of people wanting the job I got.
It is possible OP, have faith, believe in yourself.

[LadyWithLapdog]

What does the company need? You can use your contacts, skills etc to get that.

[Solitaireaddict]

They are an international media company. I have a lot of contacts abroad where they don't yet have offices or a reach. Do I talk about that? How do I talk about "contacts" without sounding stupid? Do I give examples?

[wickedwaterwitch]

They mean "tell us why we should hire you" so I'd refine what you've said about your skill set. So this kind of thing:

I have a lot of contacts internationally including in xxx and xxx, where I worked closely with Ms xxx on xxx project which delivered xxxxx

I'm really good at networking and connecting people: it's one of my strengths and is something I love about my job. For example, I put together xxxx and YY in xxx country which resulted in xxxxx

I'm enthusiastic and always put my hand up for additional challenges: in my current role I volunteered for xxxx and yyyy. This meant xxxx to my organisation.

[wickedwaterwitch]

Make sure you match those skill sets to their person spec / job description

[wickedwaterwitch]

And good luck. You say you know some of the people - can any of them give you any useful application info? Like what is the key challenge? What the hiring manager wants? Who they are? Look them up on LinkedIn if you can.

Try to use the tine of the organisation - read their website to see what that is. Check their vision, mission and values and if yours are similar, say so