Do you need help with telling an interviewer why you want this job? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with answering this question during an interview.
You should know why you want to work for a specific company. However, it could be not easy to articulate your answer into words, especially for a question as complicated as “Why do you want this job?”
Luckily, we’ve outlined several answers you can use in your interviews to formulate the perfect response. So keep reading to find out how to nail all your answers.
Why Do Interviewers Ask, “Why Do You Want This Job?”
“Why do you want this job?” is an open-ended question that employers ask to learn more about as a candidate and an individual. Interview questions allow interviewers to see how you handle difficult questions and your ability to think creatively.
Here are a few reasons why Interviewers ask this question:
- If you’re invested in the company’s core values
- Committed to performing well in this role
- If you see yourself succeeding in the company
Interviewers ask this question to determine if you’d leave a lasting impression on the company. They also want to know that you have thought about your career path and that you are going to do your best in the role.
What Is the Interviewer Looking For?
The interviewer is looking for you to give a small elevator pitch about why you’d be the perfect asset to the company, but they are also trying to determine if you have the desire to be a part of the team and the company. If a candidate seems unenthusiastic about a job during the interview, the interviewer probably won’t have much confidence in their ability to perform well.
Sometimes it’s challenging to express yourself through words, so interviewers are looking for a candidate who can thoughtfully explain why they’d be the best person for the job. Not only are they looking for a summary of your skills and qualifications, but they are also seeking a person that cares enough about the job they do that they can explain why they like to do it.
How To Answer “Why Do You Want This Job?”
The best way you can answer “why do you want this job?” is by standing out in the interview. You can stand out from the competition by using an elevator pitch.
Typically, an elevator pitch is a summary highlighting all the qualities and skills you have that make you a great fit for the position.
The one person you should know the most about is yourself, so you should confidently talk about yourself in the most precise way possible. Let the interviewer know where your mind is and display your communication skills by opening a dialogue with this question.
What To Focus on When Answering This Question
The main thing to focus on when answering this question is that your answer remains relevant to the position. Therefore, the best thing to do would be to read through the company’s mission statement to help formulate your response.
Here are a few more aspects to focus on that help you tell the interviewer why you want this job:
- Do research on the company
- Promote yourself professionally
- Share your career goals
- Speak with passion and be professional
- Tailor your answer to the role and company
you mustn’t talk too much while answering this question. At some point, you may stray from the integrity of your answer, especially if you’re mentioning relevant information about the job your applying for.
While you should focus on the correct ways to answer this question, there are always a few things you should avoid doing too.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Here are a few mistakes to avoid when telling an employer why you want to work for their company, which could hurt your chances of getting hired:
- Avoid memorizing your answer
- Don’t talk about job benefits
- Avoid going off-topic or speaking for too long
- Avoid embellishing the truth
- Avoid coming across as arrogant
You can easily avoid these a few common mistakes if you prepare an answer template ahead of time. Any template helps you to give a more impactful answer to an employer.
Examples: How To Answer “Why Do You Want This Job?”
To help you answer “why do you want this job?” we’ve put together a few sample answers that will leave an impression on an employer.
These examples showcase popular interview techniques, including what to focus on, what to avoid, and how to stand out from other candidates.
Example Answer 1
“As a recent graduate of [University], this company looks like it could provide me with the greatest opportunities to use what I’ve learned over the years and turn them into practical skills with this company.
Your company hires professional individuals that become leaders in the [specific field], and I want to learn from and work with these individuals.
Also, I want this job because I want to harness my current skills and then develop them into particular skills that will allow me to contribute to this company long-term.”
Why This Answer Works
This answer works because you’re highlighting what the company could do for you and mentioning that you want this job after being in school.
As a first-time job seeker, you’re not saying that you have no experience, but you’re talking about a fascination to learn from the best people in the specific business.
Example Answer 2
“I’ve been following your company for quite some time and know that you’ve consistently been a leader in the industry. I’d be proud to work for a company that prides itself on its reputation while leading the industry in [this field].
I would love to apply my previous work experience to this job and help your company grow through the various skills and education I have.”
Why This Answer Works
As the candidate, you’re highlighting what you know about the company and the job position you’re interested in. You’re talking about how you have the skills and educational history of succeeding at this job and that you’re looking to apply those skills here.
Example Answer 3
“After reading your mission statement and your job posting, it’s clear to me that this job is a close fit for my core values. I believe our values align with how to approach new and existing customers and the work ethic required to succeed.
I want this job because I strive to work for a company that allows me to grow professionally and work with individuals that’ll help me accomplish my work goals.”
Why This Answer Works
This answer works because you’re directly answering the interviewer’s question. However, you’re taking it a step further by explaining what working for this company is going to do for you in the long run.
No matter the company’s goals and values, you need to assure the interviewer that you can successfully collaborate with all people you come into contact with daily.
Additional Tips for Impressing an Interviewer Asking “Why Do You Want This Job?”
Now that you have an idea of how to answer the question, “why do you want this job?” We’ve compiled a few additional tips to help you impress a prospective employer during an interview.
1. Why You’d Enjoy That Position
Finding a job you enjoy doing can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible to find the perfect job for you. While answering the question, “why do you want this job?” make sure that you’re telling the interviewer about how you think this position will be satisfactory for you.
You can start by telling the interviewer about how you love working in the industry. Then, talk about the specific position your applying for and how it’ll make you happy.
2. Research The Company
The most important thing you should know is the company would want to work for. You must know all about the company’s mission, goals, and products. Use the information you find on the internet about the company to demonstrate how your values align with the company’s goals.
Make sure you tell the interviewer that you’re looking forward to working for this company specifically because it’ll allow you room to grow professionally.
3. Communicate Clearly and Effectively
During an interview, you need to make sure you’re conveying responses that clearly and effectively get your point across to the interviewer. When practicing for an interview, you should work on concisely communicating everything you want to say.
You can effectively answer any interview question by using a template to create the best response. In this template, you can jot down important talking points you want to discuss during this question.
For example, practicing your communication makes you sound professional and concise. In addition, the communication you use for this question at the beginning sets the tone for the remainder of the interview.
Additional Questions To Be Aware Of
These commonly asked questions will help you add another layer of depth to your responses and show your intelligence to an interviewer.
- Why Should We Hire You?: Interviewers ask this question to know why you’d be a better hire than the other candidates up for the job.
- Why Are You a Great Match for This Role?: Interviewers ask this question to uncover who you are as a person and what skills and qualities you have that make you a better match for this role than other candidates.
- Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?: Interviewers ask this question to hear about your career and personal goals.
- What Motivates You To Do a Good Job?: Interviewers ask this question because an interviewer wants to discuss who you are and why you chose your career path.
- What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?: This question shows that you have the right skills to help you excel at your new job.
Wrapping Up
“Why do you want this job?” can be a confusing question for even the most qualified candidates. You can use this question to start the interview on a high note. It can also leave a lasting impression on the interviewer through the confusion of similar questions.
The best way to answer this question is by preparing your answer ahead of time and formulating the response to the company you wish to work for.
