The Best Way to Answer – ‘Why Do You Want the Job?‘

May 16, 2021

When you are prepping for an interview, it is pretty clear that one question will cover why you want the job – find the best answer with our advice.

When you are readying yourself for an interview, one of the questions that you can be certain of is ‘why do you want the job?’. In reality, this seemingly easy question can be the difference between success and failure. Rather than giving a generic answer, take a look at our top tips so that you cover exactly what your potential employer is looking for!

1 – Know When to Expect It and What it Looks Like

Finding out your motivation for gaining the job is usually covered in the early stages of an interview, giving it the status of a ‘warm up’ question. However, it will come with a score and require you to hit certain points to get the positive outcome you are looking for.

Be aware that this question can be worded in a variety of ways, such as ‘Tell us a bit about you’ or ‘Why do you want to work for the company?’. The great thing is that if you forget to add specific points into the answer you give, you can return to this question as the interview progresses by using a phrase such as ‘I should have included this in my earlier answer…’ or something similar.

2 – Think About the Deeper Meaning

On the surface, this question seems pretty superficial, but it is important to understand what it means and why it gets asked. In reality, it is a quick way to find out more about you as a candidate, what you have to offer and why you want to work with them.

When you start thinking of your answer, then you need to consider what the prospective employer is actually looking for. For example, they will want someone that is willing to learn and adhere to the company expectations and who will be a good ambassador for their work.

3 – Preparation is Vital

As with any other questions, the best answers are ones that have been prepared and well-considered. Look at the company’s values and consider how you match with them. Plus, you will also need to consider your skills, experience, achievements and what makes you the right fit.

To be successful, it is important to think about all the things that make you great for the role and then summarise them in line with the company mission and values.

4 – Avoid Falling Into a Trap

Whilst it may be true, answering the question with ‘I need a job’ or ‘I wanted a pay increase’ will not make you a popular applicant as you will be demonstrating what you want rather than what you have learned about the company.

Try incorporating what is great about the opportunity in terms of development and share what skills you bring to the table so that they are aware of what you have to offer. Ultimately, people who take the time to link their response to the company goals and values are more likely to achieve success.