How to Answer – “Why do you want this job?”

“Why do you want this job?” Sounds easy right? But this is the kind of question that can get even the most prepared people disqualified from the hiring process. This is the question on which the hiring managers evaluate a lot of aspects of someone’s personality. Therefore, with a little amount of preparation, one can easily nail the interview process and be a strong contender for the job.

Why do Interviewers Ask “Why do you want this Job?”

Interviewers ask this question for several reasons. The main purpose is to assess the following things about you.

• Motivation: By this question, the interviewer can judge whether you are truly passionate about the opportunity and the company or just applying for any job you want.
• Enthusiasm: Are you excited about the prospect of working for the company? Your level of enthusiasm would help the interviewer to predict how much you will contribute to the team along with your overall engagement in the role.
• Interest: Interviewers can easily evaluate your answer about your preparation and interest in the company’s mission and work.
• Fit: Are your skills, experience, and personality a good match for the job requirements and the company culture, and whether you have the necessary qualifications to mix well in the company’s environment?
• Career goals: This question assesses if your long-term career goals align with the company’s direction and if you see yourself contributing to its future success.

How to Answer “Why do you want this Job?”

1. Do prior research on the company

Doing prior research on the company is a great way to show potential employers that you are very enthusiastic about the job and the company.

• Be aware of their objectives and get a review of their previous and present projects. 
• Check the company’s “About Us” section to learn more about their history.
• Read recent articles about them to know their current goals and objectives. 

It will help you to explain the specific aspects of the company that interest you rather than simply saying that you are only interested in money.

The role of [job title] at [company name] really resonates with me because of [company’s achievement or initiative you admire]. Your commitment to [specific value] aligns perfectly with my own passion for [related value], and I believe my experience in [relevant skill] can contribute significantly to it. I’m excited to be a part of a team doing such innovative work.

2. Show your excitement for the position

Give clear examples of what makes you suitable for the position and what you can contribute from the beginning.

• Explain how you would apply your relevant experience and skills to the role and highlight your worth as an employee.
• Include long-term initiatives of the company that you’re passionate about and how they will enhance your skill set. By doing this, you can show the interviewer that you are dedicated to the company and won’t simply go when the next opportunity comes
• Mention any skills or prior experience which sets you apart for the position. List the necessary skills for the position from the job description, making a note of which ones align with the skills you have. Then, to show why you’re the most suitable applicant for the position, highlight these qualities when this question is asked.

The [job title] role at [company name] absolutely electrifies me! The chance to [unique responsibility or challenge] directly contributes to [company’s impact]. I’m eager to leverage my skills in [relevant skill] to join your team and push the boundaries of [industry advancement]

3. Compare your qualifications and experience to the job requirements

The best way to answer, “Why do you want this job?” is to highlight how your skills and experience for the role are outstanding.

• Identify the most significant duties of the position and explain how your skills, experience, and professional strengths make you a perfect fit for the role.
• Emphasize your most relevant experience and express your enthusiasm about the chance to join the team.
• Just be sure that you keep it brief and don’t keep talking about how amazing you are. When the interviewer asks follow-up questions or asks other interview questions like “What are your greatest professional strengths?” you’ll have a lot of chances to do so.

This role is perfect for me as I’ve done my education in the same field. Moreover, my internship and job in a similar domain have extremely helped me hone my skills and widen my horizon of knowledge. All the knowledge and years of experience I’ve align with the current role and will help me make a significant impact on the company’s growth.

4. Show how you would blend in with the company culture

Employers may decide whether or not to make a job offer to you based on how well you’ll get along with your co-workers and fit into the company’s culture.

• In your answer show the interviewer that you are a great team member and that your values and objectives align with the company.
• To understand the company’s values and culture go through the company’s social media profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

These might provide a more accurate view of their company culture. Include a note in your response if whatever you discover aligns with your personal beliefs and objectives.

The collaborative spirit and focus on [company culture value] at [company name] truly resonated with me. My experience working in [similar environment] honed my skills in [relevant soft skill] and I thrive in teams where [positive attribute relevant to culture]. I’m excited to contribute my ideas and learn from such a talented group of individuals.

5. Link the position to your long-term professional objectives

Highlighting how the position aligns with your long-term professional objectives is a wonderful approach to respond to the question, “Why do you want this job?” and has many benefits:

• The interviewer will feel more comfortable investing in you as a candidate if you indicate that you intend to stay rather than just use them as a temporary solution. 
• Recruiters and hiring managers prefer to work with candidates who want to climb the ladder within the same organization. 
• Don’t only highlight your qualifications for the job but discuss how it will serve as the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between you and the employer.

I’m particularly drawn to the [job title] role at [company name] because it aligns perfectly with my long-term goal of [your long-term professional objective]. The opportunity to [specific task or project related to the objective] would be a significant step towards achieving this, and I’m confident that my contributions in [relevant skill] would make a valuable impact on your team’s success.

Sample Answer

This position really excites me because it fits both my interests and my career goals perfectly. I have an excellent background in [relevant field], and I believe that this is a great opportunity to apply and nurture my talents even further in this position at [business name].

Common Mistakes while answering the question

1. Discussing how you will profit: The interviewer is aware that you require a job in order to pay your bills and receive certain perks. That’s not what they’re seeking here.
2. Any discussion of salary, scheduling, or benefits should be avoided: Focus on what you can offer them first; once they send you a job offer, you can worry about what the employer can provide you.
3. Answer memorized: This is true for all of the most often-asked interview questions. Being prepared is excellent, but your reaction must seem natural. Come across as genuine by recollecting the main points of what you want to say rather than reciting your response like it’s a school book report.
4. Rambling: You cannot go on and on about why you want this job, especially if it’s your dream job. Stick to your main points and finish your response in under two minutes. The more you can say in less time, the better your communication abilities will appear.
5. Resume-reciting: If you are asked this question at the beginning of your interview, you may be tempted to tell the hiring manager or recruiter about all of your most outstanding achievements and qualifications. While you can surely mention one or two in your response, always return to what you can offer to the company.

Conclusion

The question “Why do you want this job?” is very crucial and can have an impact on your chances of getting hired. It allows the hiring manager to evaluate your interest and enthusiasm for the company and the role. To answer this question effectively, it’s important to be prepared and research the company beforehand. All you need to answer this question is explained thoroughly in this article. We hope it clears all your doubts and will enable you to answer and ace the interview smoothly. All the best.