'Why Do You Want This Job?' Is A Trick Question--Here Is How To Intelligently Answer It
As an interviewee, you want to get the “Why do you want this job?” question. Compared to all of the other challenging brain teaser questions, this is the best one to use to your advantage—if you handle it the right way.
At the most basic level, an employer seeks to learn about the job seeker’s motivation to interview for a specific job. The manager desires to investigate if the applicant truly desires this position. She also wants to determine if he is merely seeking out any old job, running away from a bad situation at his current employer, solely cares about the compensation or is selfishly desirous of the prestige associated with having the company’s name on his résumé and LinkedIn profile.
When an interviewer asks why you would like this particular role, she is really saying, “Here’s your chance to sell me on why you’re the right person for this position.” By framing the question in this fashion, you now have an understanding of how to craft an answer. This is the time to mentally pull out your elevator pitch. You should share specific details of how your background, experience, talents, interests, education and other attributes make you a great fit for the job and asset to the company. Respond by adding that you will be intellectually challenged and afforded the opportunity to grow your career while creating value to the organization. Offer solid reasons why the company appeals to you, including the corporate culture, its reputation, the ability to advance and any other valid details as to why you would like to work there.
Stay away from the generic answers that everyone else gives. This is your chance to be yourself and talk from the heart. Remember to come across enthusiastic, dynamic, engaging and highly motivated. You can say the same thing in a boring monotone and the hiring manager will have no interest, but if you come across passionate and excited, you will get her rapt attention.
I believe that you should be authentic in the interview process. The probability of success measurably increases if you possess the right background and are truly interested in the job and in working for this particular company and demonstrate your interest. Your elevator pitch will ring true if you really feel that you possess the right stuff for the job and are undoubtedly excited about the opportunity. Conversely, your answers will ring hollow if you are not going after the job for the right reasons.
If a candidate seems only mildly interested, he will lose out to the passionate applicant. If the job seeker plays hard to get and puts the burden on the interviewer to answer why her workplace is better than others, you will lose out to someone who is all in on the job.
Here is a cheat sheet on how to answer the question:
- Compliment the interviewer and company by acknowledging something favorable about their reputation, products and services.
- Clearly articulate why this job jumps out and speaks to you.
- Match up your skills, experience, academic background and personality to the job description. Then, express how they are relevant to the job, will enable you to succeed within the organization and make the hiring manager’s work life easier.
- Discuss why the company would be a great fit for you and vice versa.
- Explain briefly why you believe that this job will help you grow and advance your career.
- Cite several examples of how you will help the company.
- Offer your best pitch to sell yourself.
Now, you’re prepared to ace it!
8 expressions never to use when answering a question
Think of this as a cheat sheet for your next big job interview.
Fielding questions is a crucial communication skill. It’s important for job interviews, chats with your boss, dealing with clients, and virtually every workplace situation.
But too often we sabotage ourselves by opening our answer with meaningless words. Sometimes we utter these expressions to give ourselves time to think. Other times, we resort to these terms because we’re afraid to pause. These empty expressions are often spoken unconsciously, but they undercut our ideas.
Here’s the solution: Pause before answering. As actors know, pauses are powerful. They show you’re thoughtful and take the question seriously.
Another suggestion: Role-play Q&A situations with a friend and record your remarks. You may find you’re using these filler terms and are unaware of it. (You can also check out my book, Impromptu: Leading in the Moment, for more tips.)
Below are the eight most common culprits. Cut them out of your answers, and you’ll sound stronger:
1. “UM”
Using “um”—or its near kin, “ah”—at the beginning of an answer makes the speaker sound tentative. That’s been the case for hundreds of years. As early as the 17th century “um” was identified as “a sound denoting hesitation.”
It can be tough to give up this behavior. But catch yourself once, twice, and every time you can, and eventually you’ll give it up.
2. “WELL”
This is another expression that creeps into our answers and is best left out. If you use it as a placeholder, you’re not alone. When Henry Blodget, editor-in-chief of Business Insider, asked Jeff Bezos, in a 2014 interview, “Can Amazon make money?” Bezos answered, “Well, and yes, and in fact we have in the past.”
The answer sounds tentative—the hesitation before saying “yes” makes Bezos sound like he’s not quite sure. Responding with an emphatic “yes” is stronger. Bezos could then have explained that they’d made money in the past.
3. “LET ME THINK”
Why ask permission to do what you should be doing with any answer? You won’t inspire confidence if your boss asks you when a project will be completed, and you reply, “Let me think, ah, it should be ready in a week.”
4 .”YOU KNOW”
Beginning an answer with “you know” or “as you know” is similarly a poor choice. If your questioner knew the answer, she wouldn’t have asked the question. If a recruiter asks you, “Why are you suited for this position in marketing?” and you reply, “You know, I’m a good fit for this job because of my experience in the field,” the “you know” distracts from your key point.
5. “THAT’S A GOOD QUESTION”
In working with leaders to develop their Q&A skills, I’ve often heard them begin answers with “That’s a good question.” Why do people begin this way? They’re buying time to think. I always say to clients, “You’re not there to evaluate the question, you’re there to answer it.” Individuals who respond with “that’s a good question” can sound condescending, as though sitting in judgment of the questioner.
6. “THAT’S A TOUGH ONE”
This opener is another example of a phrase that serves to evaluate the question. It also can be extra dangerous, as it suggests that the speaker is struggling to think of an answer.
If it’s truly a challenging topic that’s been raised, you might pause and then say something like, “That’s something we give a lot of thought to, and there’s no easy answer to it.”
7. “I’M ASKED THAT A LOT”
This opener is delivered when a speaker is silently thinking, “Oh, this one again,” or “I’ve answered this a million times.” But the expression gives a slight jab to the interviewer since it implies that the question is boring.
Instead you might introduce a touch of humor, for example, when you hear a probing question that is on everyone’s mind. You could begin your response, “I was wondering when you’d get around to asking me that!” Or, “I’m sure everyone in this room would like to hear the answer to that one! So, I’m glad you asked.”
8. LOOK!
I’ve noticed lately that politicians and media commentators frequently begin their answers with “Look!” as in, “Look, that’s not the reality at all,” or “Look, here’s the deal.” They may feel this expression makes them sound more authoritative, but it can come across as aggressive.
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