How to answer the interview question – “Why do you want this job?”

Why do you want this job?

One of the most asked interview questions which might sound like a simple question to answer, but it can be easy for candidates to slip up. Don’t underestimate the power of this question. Among the usual type of questions asked during an interview, including ‘tell me about yourself’, ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ and ‘what is your greatest weakness?’ it’s essential you can effectively communicate why you are interested in the job.

You may be tempted to respond with “because you’re a good company” or “I’m ready for my next challenge”, but these are generic answers the interviewer will have heard before and will most likely lower your chances. Your potential employer needs to see that you are passionate and enthusiastic for this job with this company

What a hiring manager really wants to know when they ask this question is how much you know about their company, how the role fits with your career plan, how it will help you develop and challenge you and why the company appeals to you. They are looking for someone who will provide value and who wants to progress with the company so ensure you feed this into your answer.

Firstly, it’s important that you show passion and enthusiasm for the role and company. Explain to them how you are aligned with some of their core company values. Let them know what projects or sectors excite you the most and give examples of recent achievements of the company that have impressed you.

Show your ambition and how you can add value in the long term. Explain how you want to develop your skills, how this role will help you and why you want to progress your career with his company.

Before the interview consider: 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 will the role develop and challenge your skills? Why the company appeals to you?

Just a few examples of ways to start answering ‘Why do you want this job?’:

• ‘This opportunity is really exciting for me because I will be able to…’
• I believe my skills are well suited to this job because…..’
• ‘I feel I will succeed in the role because I have experience in…..’

You will now see there are several ways to answer the “why do you want this job?” question but 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.