How to Answer, ‘Why Do You Want to Work Here?’
Answering the question, “Why do you want to work here?” can be one of the most important parts of an interview—and it’s a question that you should prepare for ahead of time. Your answer not only helps the hiring manager understand your skills and experience, but also shows your enthusiasm for the position—and can be the difference between being offered a job or being sent home empty-handed.
06 Tips for Preparing your Answer, ‘Why Do You Want to Work Here?’
If you want to get hired for a job, you need to answer the question “Why do you want to work here?” The more you know about the company’s products, services, processes, and people, the better off you will be.
1. Determine the Job Descriptions
Before you can determine the job descriptions you want to apply for, you need to know what jobs are available and who is hiring. The best way to identify these is to ask your current or previous employer, friends, and family.
If you don’t have any contacts in the industry, you can also search for job postings on LinkedIn.
The most important thing to remember when doing this research is, to be honest and specific. Don’t say I want to work at a company that helps people. That may be true, but it doesn’t help you find the right job.
Instead, be clear and specific about what you’re looking for. For example, if you want to be an account manager for a marketing agency, you should say so.
It’s also important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying things like “I’m great at public speaking” or “I’m really good at writing.”
This is a mistake because the hiring manager is not going to take you seriously if you are only looking for a job based on your strengths. They need to know what you are capable of doing and how you can add value to their business.
2. Identify Your Strengths
When it comes to identifying your strengths, it’s essential, to be honest and specific. I’m great at public speaking, don’t say things like that. That may be true, but it doesn’t help you find the right job.
Instead, be clear and specific about what you’re looking for. For example, if you want to be an account manager for a marketing agency, you should say so.
It’s also important, to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying things like “I’m great at public speaking” or “I’m really good at writing.”
If you are only looking for a job based on your strengths, the hiring manager is not going to take you seriously. They need to know what you are capable of doing and how you can add value to their business.
3. List Benefits
When it comes to listing the benefits of a potential job, it’s essential, to be honest and specific. Don’t say something vague like “I’m great at public speaking.” That may be true, but it doesn’t help you find the right job.
Instead, be clear and specific about what you’re looking for. For example, if you want to be an account manager for a marketing agency, you should say so.
It’s also important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying things like “I’m great at public speaking” or “I’m really good at writing.”
This is a mistake because the hiring manager is not going to take you seriously if you are only looking for a job based on your strengths. They need to know what you are capable of doing and how you can add value to their business.
Related: What is the Perfect Answer to “Tell me about yourself”
4. Prepare a Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your chance to prove that you’re a perfect fit for the job. It’s your chance to convince a hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job.
The answer to the question, “Why do you want to work here?” should be prepared in a short personal statement.
If you have a LinkedIn profile, create a brief summary of what you’ve done in the past and what you’ve accomplished. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you can use your resume to answer this question.
This is also a good opportunity to talk about your career goals and how working at the company will help you achieve them.
5. Practice Your Pitch
After you’ve prepared a personal statement that answers the question, “Why do you want to work here?,” It’s time to practice pitching the job.
When preparing for a job interview, it’s a good idea to rehearse the pitch you’ll be giving during your interview. This can be done by writing out the exact words you’ll use during your interview.
Before your interview, it’s a good idea to practice your pitch by watching yourself give a presentation or answer questions in front of a mirror.
It will help you answer questions about your skills, experiences, and why you want to work for the company.
You’ll also want to have a few questions ready to ask the hiring manager about the job. These questions can be anything from how long the job is expected to last, to what benefits the company offers.
6. Get the Job
After you’ve practiced your pitch, it’s time to get the job. Your goal is to land the job.
The more you can do to get the job, the better off you’ll be. That means doing everything you can to improve your chances of landing the job.
The easiest way to get the job is to make sure you submit a resume and cover letter that is 100% tailored to the job posting. A resume that’s not tailored to the job posting will increase your chances of being overlooked.
If you do land the job, don’t forget to thank the hiring manager for their consideration.
