How to answer “Why do you want to work here?” and ace your job interview
In the job interview, you will inevitably face questions related to your motivation and why you want to work in this particular company. These are some of the most challenging questions that test your general knowledge, analytical skills and ability to respond on spot.
On one hand, it is natural to be apprehensive about them because they seem quite tricky. On the other hand, these are fair questions as an employer wants to know if you are really interested in working for them or if it’s just another job offer for you.
Working your way through a job interview is not easy but with practice and preparation, you can show recruiters that you’re the best choice for the job.
Here are five tips on how you can ace those tricky “Why do you want to work here?” questions:
1. Start with the company’s mission
The first step to answering “Why do you want to work here?” is to find out more about the company. You can start by looking up the company’s website to get a general idea of the company’s profile and mission. Generally, companies usually publish their mission statement and core values on their website or on their “About Us” page.
The mission statement is a core purpose or philosophy that a company has. Most companies have one to differentiate themselves from their competitors by describing what they really do and what they want to achieve.
Understanding the company’s mission statement will give you a good overview of the company’s activities and services. It will also help you understand why the company is unique and what makes it different from others.
2. Practice your answer
While researching about the company, make sure to find out as much information about the company as possible. You don’t need to memorize everything about the company, but have a general overview of their business and services. You can read about the company’s history, key executives, products and services, market share, etc.
There may be different sources of information about the company online, such as company websites, company reports, news articles, industry articles, company reviews, and much more. You can also connect with people who work or have worked in that company to get some inside information.
You can connect with your network on LinkedIn or reach out to potential interviewers or HR managers via email. Make sure to avoid bringing bias into your research.
3. Tell them why you’re a fit for their company
After finding out more about the company, the next step is to tell the interviewer why you are the right choice for the role. The best way to do that is to reference the company’s core values and explain how you align with them.
By demonstrating how your skills and experiences match their core values and mission, you will show that you have done your research on the company and have a good understanding of what makes them special.
For example, if your interviewer asks you “Why do you want to work here?” and you are interviewing for a position at a healthcare company, you can talk about how their core value is to “enhance the health of people in their communities” and how you can contribute to the company by “providing high-quality healthcare services” based on your unique skill set and work experience.
4. Mention benefits for the company
Apart from highlighting how you are a fit for the company, don’t forget to sell yourself and mention how the company will benefit from having you as an employee.
You can show how your accomplishments, experience and knowledge in your industry can bring value to the company and help them achieve their goals or mission.
To do that, you may need to do some research about the company’s current projects and future plans. You can show your interviewer that you have done your research and can add value to the company by sharing your ideas and insights regarding their future goals or projects.
5. Give specific reasons
Once you explain how the company can benefit from hiring you, you can also give specific reasons why you want to work for that company. You can show your interviewer that you have put thought and research into choosing that company and have a genuine interest in working for them.
For example, if you are interviewing for a position at a tech company, you can talk about how you have always been interested in the company since their products are some of the best in the industry.
You can also talk about how you have always been fascinated by the specific industry and how you have been following the company for years and are actually interested in working for them. This shows that you’re motivated and will most likely be loyal to the company, which are key things that recruiters look for.
Conclusion
Remember that you want to be prepared for any question an interviewer might ask you, so you can show them your confidence and how eager you are to get the job.
With these tips, you’ll be able showcase your unique skills and experiences that make you the perfect candidate for their open position.
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