How to Answer Why Do You Want This Job

How to Answer Why Do You Want This JobHow to Answer Why Do You Want This Job52It might be one of the most common job interview questions out there. And yet, it can still stump even the most seasoned job seekers. Why do you want this job? is one of those questions that if answered correctly, can make you leap frog to the top of the talent pool. But if you botch it, well, thanks for coming in and well call you if we have any further questions.Heres how to answer (and how to not answer) the question Why do you want this job?DO say you like the companys culture.Company culture is a big deal to job candidates. It is essentially the heart of the company, representing its beliefs on how workers should be treated, the companys mission, its humanitarian efforts, all rolled into one. If its true, in your answer you can say, This companys culture is notable for its ______ and ______, both of which are important to me as well. This shows a potential employer that a) you not only are well-versed in the companys culture, but b) you took the time to connect its core beliefs to your own.DONT say you hated your boss/company/colleagues.Weve all had that boss who welches mora bossy than brotherly, and colleagues who were more cutting than caring. But no matter how much you loathed the people you worked with, you should never, ever mention it to a hiring manager. Saying something like, I cant stand the people I work with and need a change, or even the softer, There was some personal conflict between me and my boss, wont bode well for a second interview. Switch it up instead to say, Ive heard that X boss is wonderful to work for and I look forward to learning from him.DO say you feel that you can grow in this job and with this company. Employers arent just looking to fill a position for a few months they want workers who will grow with their companies over time. By stating that you want to make roots with the organization and grow in your job, that can be music to a recruiters ears DONT say you hate commuting and want to work from home and never see another person again. Okay, so we exaggerate- but only slightly. If you make your Why do you want to work here? answer all about the flexible work policy (and your ability to work remotely), that just wont cut it. In fact, it will probably cut you out of contention, since that answer says nothing about how you can benefit the company, but rather, how the companys workplace flexibility will work for you. No matter how desperate you are to work from home (and weve been there, believe us), dont focus on it too much in your response.DO say why you think the fit is perfect.During your job interview, make it easy for your potential boss to see why youd be a great fit for the company by connecting the dots for him. Show him how this one position is exactly the perfect fit for your career at this moment in time (combining all of your skills and work experiences) and why its an exact match for how you envision your path in the future, too. A response that weaves in these elements helps an employer see that youve thought about why working for the company makes sense- for both of you.While there are many strange job interview questions that are designed to psychologically mess you up, dont let Why do you want to work here? be one of them. Know your whys, and then practice your answer so when youre interviewing for a job that you really want, you deliver an honest (and amazing) answerLooking for more interview advice? Check out our category dedicated to job interviewing tips.