Estimated read time: 4 minutes
So you've uploaded your CV, and you've been offered a job interview, but how prepared are you? One of the most common interview questions you might be asked is ‘why do you want this job?’ or 'why do you want to work for us?'. It may be one of the most obvious interview questions, but your response can mean the difference between landing the job, or not.
Among the usual type of questions asked during an interview, including ‘tell me about yourself’, ‘what is your greatest weakness’ and ‘why are you leaving your current job?’, it’s essential that you can effectively communicate why you are interested in the job and the company you are interviewing with.
Let’s go through some key considerations of what to expect in a job interview on how to best answer ‘why do you want this job?’
How to answer: 'Why do you want this job?' during a job interview
1. When to expect the question
It’s more likely to be asked early during the interview, cropping up before or after ‘what do you know about the company?’ and ‘tell us a little about yourself.’ It's also important to note that the question may be worded in a slightly different way, such as ‘why do you want to work for us?’ or ‘why did you apply to this role?’.
Even if the question comes up earlier than expected, remember that you have multiple opportunities throughout the interview to relate to it and can simply approach it by saying ‘I meant to say this earlier on…’ or 'that’s another reason I’m interested in this role'.
Related: How to answer: ‘Why are you leaving your current job?’
2. What does this interview question mean?
Let’s dig further into ‘why do you want this job?’ by understanding the question a bit more. The question itself is a good way for the interviewer to get to know you, so don’t worry if it comes across as quite upfront.
You may want to consider these three things when thinking about how to answer for a job interview. When you relate what to expect in a job interview back to the question, you may want to think about the kind of person, from the company’s perspective, that they want to hire for the role.
3. How to prepare for the question
The points below will keep you headed in the right direction when preparing your answer to ‘why do you want this job?’ prior to the interview.
The company and the job: During your interview prep, match your skills to the role, understand how the role will benefit you and what the company has to offer. You might also want to think about what to expect in a job interview concerning the company and the industry:
Tip: Check up on any upcoming industry regulations or changes that apply to the company too!
Your experience and achievements: The likelihood of getting the job can sometimes depend on your prior experience and what you have achieved in previous roles. This will provide the interviewer with insight into your skills which is incredibly important to relate back to the question. You can go into more details of your experience and skills when you answer for a job interview, such as:
What do you bring to the role: To demonstrate why you want the job a good answer for a job interview is to run through what you may bring to the role outside of skills and experience. This will be things like communication or emotional intelligence. Soft skills are highly valued and convey to the interviewer how well you will function within the team.
The “right” fit: A key thing for managers to consider when adding a new person to the team is the cultural fit. It’s important to make sure the new hire is the right fit for the team and the wider company culture.
Related: How to prepare for a job interview
4. 'Why do you want this job' example answers
The sample answers below offer different ways to start answering ‘Why do you want this job?’. When speaking, answer calmly and as clearly as you can. Remember that you are simply giving the reasons why you want the job and why you would be a good fit for the company.
- 'This opportunity is really exciting for me as I will be able to…'
- 'I see the role as a way of developing my career in a forward-thinking/well-established company/industry as…'
- 'I feel I will succeed in the role because I have experience in/softs skills that demonstrate/ I’ve taken this course…'
- 'I believe my skills are well-suited to this job because…”
- Are there any aspects of this job you want to highlight that excites you?
- What made you want to send in your CV when looking at the job specifications
- How it will develop and challenge your skills
- Why the company appeals to you
Related: How to answer “tell me about yourself” in an interview
5. Be careful of these job interview mistakes
Below are a few examples of what not to say when answering the question. These examples are here to help you avoid answering in a way that is certain to decrease your chances of being offered a second interview or the job.
- I need a job – this comes across as quite a desperate answer and lacking in regard for the job and the company, you need to be able to say why you are right for the role to prove your value.
- The money appealed to me – this can place harsh emphasis on your motivation to apply for the role. Salary and benefits are key things to consider when looking for a role, but by discussing this so early on may damage your profile.
- This is a great step for me before my next career move – this is a big red flag to a hiring manager if you already show an intention to move on from the role before you’ve even got it.
The interview
You’ll have a pretty good idea now on the type of questions asked during an interview that are similar to ‘Why do you want this job?’ and also the questions that are likely to come afterwards. The good thing about your response with help from our five step strategy is that there are a range of ways to answer for a job interview.
As long as you know why you applied for the role and are able to demonstrate why you are right for the role, the rest should come very easily and clearly for you to communicate. With that in mind, prepare well in advance of the interview and good luck!
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Robert Half is a leading recruitment agency. Send your CV to one of our specialist consultants if you’re looking for a new role or, if you’re planning to hire, tell us your hiring needs.
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