Why do you want this job?

You may anticipate being asked "Why do you want this job?" when you walk in for a job interview, and you should be prepared to provide a response. Even a standard interview question has the potential to trip you up if you are not prepared, which is why you should practice what you will say in advance even if the topic seems to be straightforward.

In your response to this question, you should demonstrate that you have done research on the organization and that you can provide evidence that you are qualified for the position.

What the Interviewer Is Looking to Learn from You

You could imagine that the hiring manager is interested in learning more about what you are looking for in your future job when you first hear this question, particularly if you are unprepared for it. However, this is not the case. This is accurate to a certain degree; the employer absolutely has to determine whether or not your professional aspirations are congruent with the requirements of the firm.

Nevertheless, the primary purpose of this inquiry is to assess the depth of your familiarity with the business, its objectives, and its procedures. It's essentially the same question, but phrased in a different way: "Why do you want to work here?" The person conducting the interview wants to know whether you have made an effort to research the organization and what it is about working there that interests you enough to consider applying for a job there.

How to Respond When Someone Asks You "Why Do You Want This Job?"

Make the most of this question by using it as a chance to "sell" yourself to the potential employer. When considering how to respond, you should begin by concentrating on and listing the employer's qualities (which you will be aware of if you have done research on the company): What kinds of learning and professional development opportunities do they provide to those who work in the same sector as you do? Why are prospective employees interested in working for them rather than for one of their competitors? What kind of contributions has the employer made to the field that they work in or to the community that they serve?

After you have established the context for your response—the desirability of the employer—you should then emphasize what you can offer to the table that will meet their wants. This should be done after you have established the context for your answer.

Be sure to give it a few runs through your mouth once you've tailored your response to this question and then practice speaking it out loud. It might be helpful to have a friend or family member act as the interviewer and ask you the question while pretending to be the interviewer. In point of fact, doing so is an excellent method to be ready for a wide range of questions that may be asked during an interview.

The Very Best Responses, Exemplified

Do you have any idea how to respond to this vital question? The following are some of the most effective responses to the question "why do you want this job?" that may be asked during a job interview. Make sure that your responses reflect both your unique experiences and the requirements of the position for which you are seeking.

Example Response: I am interested in working for this company since it places a strong emphasis on sales and marketing, two of my strongest skill sets. In my prior position, I was responsible for increasing sales by 15 percent in an industry that was seen to be quite stagnant at the time. I am certain that I would be able to contribute my ten years of expertise in sales and marketing to your organization, therefore assisting you in maintaining your steady development over the years.

Why It Works: This response is extremely successful because it makes use of a quantifiable example of the candidate's previous achievement in sales and marketing, and it also reminds the interviewer that the candidate can offer the company a decade of professional, industry-specific experience. Both of these factors contribute to the answer's overall effectiveness.

It has been brought to my attention that this is a rapidly expanding business. According to what I've seen on your website and in the many press releases that you've issued, you have plans to introduce a number of brand-new goods in the months to come. I want to be a part of your firm as it expands, and I am certain that the knowledge I have gained working on product development may be of assistance to your business when you launch these items.

Why It's Effective: This response demonstrates that the applicant has done their homework by studying the firm online and thinking about how they may actually contribute to ongoing business and production activities.

For the last six years, I have been employed at a dental practice that specializes in the treatment of children as a dental hygienist. Not only do I have previous experience dealing with children, but I also take tremendous pleasure in doing so. Having the opportunity to work with your office, which serves a clientele that includes children and young adults, would enable me to continue putting my abilities to use with a group of people who I really care about. If I had to go to work, I would want it to be like this so that I could look forward to going to work each day.

Why It Is Effective: This response reveals the candidate's love and excitement for her profession, which is usually a desirable quality in a job applicant. In addition to that, it makes a passing reference to the years of relevant expertise that she has.

This position is a terrific match for what I've been doing throughout my career, which is why I'm enjoying it so much. It provides both short-term and long-term initiatives and objectives to choose from. My ability to organize my time well enables me to work on many tasks at once and see them through to completion.

Why It Is Effective: This response is persuasive due to the fact that it details the soft talents that the applicant can bring to the project initiatives of the business. These qualities include adaptability in terms of being able to work on many projects at the same time.

I am certain that I would do an excellent job working retail if given the opportunity to do so at your establishment. I really like interacting with people and being able to provide support to them. In addition, I have experience handling cash registers for a total of two years at several different establishments. Since I am a frequent shopper at this business, I would jump at the chance to put my experience to use at a retailer whose mission and values I share.

The candidate demonstrates personal familiarity with and admiration for the employer in this example, in addition to briefly describing the "selling points" of her work experience and customer service skills. This strategy is effective because it demonstrates personal familiarity with and admiration for the employer.

For years, I have looked up to and appreciated the successful methods and overall goal of this organization. Every location in which you have established a new office has been successful as a result of the importance you place on fostering strong ties between your organization and the community in which it is located. There are principles that I hold in the highest regard.

Why It Is Effective: This not only gives the applicant the opportunity to express how his personal values coincide with those of the employer, but it also demonstrates very clearly that the candidate has done research on the company's mission statement and track record of community participation.

Advice for Providing the Most Complete Response

Do your homework about the firm before the meeting. The people conducting the interview will be looking for an answer from you that demonstrates that you have done research on the organization. Be sure that you have a fundamental understanding of both the firm and the role you are applying for. You should probably read some recent articles about the firm in order to get a feel of the initiatives and objectives that they are working on right now. Be sure to give the job description another look as well. When responding to the question, you will have the opportunity to explain certain characteristics of the organization and the job that are appealing to you.

Be explicit about the reasons you think you would be a good match. Be explicit about the qualities you possess that make you qualified for this post. Make a list of the criteria of the position (as they are specified in the job ad), and then make a note of which of those needs are met by your talents and expertise. This will help you prepare your response. In your response, emphasize a couple of the skills that make you qualified for the position and offer instances of when those skills were successfully used at past employment.

Put the focus on what you can provide to the table. Your response should also stress what you can give to the organization; in other words, what will you bring to the job that you are applying for? Include in your response any qualifications, such as work experience or talents, that set you apart as a strong candidate for the position. When describing the value you can provide to the company, it is best to include numbers wherever feasible. Mention the fact that you were able to save a specific amount of money for your prior employer, and then state that you want to accomplish the same thing for this particular business.

What Should Not Be Said

Steer clear of justifications that center on you. Do not include things like income, hours worked, or travel time as the key reasons you desire the job, even if these things are true. It is important to keep in mind that the emphasis should be on how you can help the business, not on how the job or the company can benefit you.

Don't waste a lot of time going through your resume again. Although the example responses provided below make reference to the applicants' experience, this is only done for the purpose of demonstrating how the interviewees have the required number of years of experience, which is specified in the "minimum qualifications" portion of the job advertising. Again, the major focus of your attention should be on the employing organization and the value you can provide to them; placing too much emphasis on yourself by providing an extensive job history is not a good idea. When deciding which aspects of your employment history to offer, consider them carefully and do so in a succinct manner.