Interview Chatter

Why Do You Want This Job?

by Darlene McDaniel on June 1st, 2007

Why Do you Want This Job?

This is a great question for you to consider before ever walking into an interview! Why do you want the job you are interviewing for? Is it just because you need a job? Maybe you heard from someone else how great the job is.

Here are a few ways this question can be asked:

Why should I hire you?
Why do you want to come to work here?

I believe that preparation is the most critical component for any jobseeker. This question should be a question that you have spent some time thinking about, pondering, asking yourself and penning an answer. If you are interviewing for three different jobs, you should have three different answers. There is not a one answer fits all. Each job/organization should be researched. You should have a good understanding of the organization you are considering.

Here are a few things to consider for your research and preparation:

1. Do you have a copy of the job description? If not, get one.

2. Match your skills and abilities to the specific job requirements outlined in the job description. This is a great place to highlight your strengths. Do you have a signicant amount of experience that you can discuss? Use it as a place to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

3. What do you know about this company? What do you know about their industry? Their competition? The challenges they are facing? Success they are experiencing?

4. What do you know about their mission, their vision and their values? I believe if you can thread pieces of the mission, vision or values into your answer, you will be speaking the language of the organization. This recommendation is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Example of what you could say:

Here is an excerpt from an article found on Monster, “Why do you want to work here?”, by Carolyn Martin.

“Based on the research I’ve done, this company is an industry leader. When I visited your Web site, I found some impressive information about future projects you have planned. I was also impressed with the founders’ backgrounds and the current financial statements. This is the company I’ve been looking for, a place where my background, experience and skills can be put to use and make things happen.”

This answer demonstrates interest in and enthusiasm for the company and what it stands for. This candidate demonstrates how he envisions he could be a member of the team.

Why Do You Want This Job? I would love to hear from you - What things have you used in past interviews? What worked or didn’t work?
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Tomorrow’s Question: How would your current or a previous manager describe you?

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POSTED IN: Preparation & Planning, The Interview, Tough Questions