It seems pretty straightforward, but when asked in a job interview, many candidates struggle to answer the question of why they want the position they’re applying for. For some, it may be difficult simply because it’s a broad question. Others may miss getting to the root of what the interviewer is really asking; “Why do you want this particular job at this particular company and what will you bring to the table?”
Fortunately, “why do you want this job,” is a relatively easy question to answer when you include three key components. Having a solid understanding of the company, showcasing your skill set and tying it together with how you can make an impact will help you craft the perfect answer for this tricky job interview question.
Understand the company.
When answering, “Why do you want this job,” it’s important to know not only about the job itself, but also about the company. Before your interview, take some time to research the company. Visit their website and social media profiles. Read through their mission and vision statements. As you’re doing your research, it’s also a good idea to read through the job description of the position you’re applying for. This will help you not only learn more about the company, but also help you start to get a feel for where your skill sets will align with the company needs and goals. What excites you about the company or the job itself? Tell the interviewer! It’s important to express genuine interest in the opportunity.
Example: “I’m really excited about this position. The company core values of never giving up and locking arms to achieve goals really resonate with me. I also believe that my skills are well aligned with what you are looking for.”
Show your skills.
Once you have a good understanding of the company and position that you’re applying for, use that knowledge to tell the interviewer why your skills are a good fit for the role. Make sure you highlight some of the required skills and experiences listed in the job description. For example, if you’re applying for a sales manager position that requires at least one year of sales experience and strong communication skills, you may want to highlight that you’ve had more than two years of industry experience that included managing a small team of people at your previous job. Showing your skills and how they line up with the job requirements will help tell the interviewer why you want to work for them.
Example: “My background and experience align very well with this role. I have two years of experience working in both inside and outside sales. I also managed a small team of people at my previous company which gave me the opportunity to really grow my leadership and communication skills.”
Tell how you can contribute.
You’ve talked about the company and why your skills are a good match for the position, now tie it all together by telling the interviewer how you will contribute to the organization. What will you bring to the company? How can you help the organization reach its goals? If you have ideas on how to solve a problem, let the interviewer know. If you’re able to cut costs or help train additional employees, make sure to work that into your answer too.
Example: “I’m excited for the opportunity to join the organization on its mission of positively impacting lives by working with clients to provide an excellent sales experience and outstanding customer support. I have some great ideas on how we can break into some new markets and create more business opportunities in our healthcare division.”
Ready to tie it all together?
Example: “I’m really excited about this position. The company core values of never giving up and locking arms to achieve goals really resonate with me. My background and experience align very well with this role. I have two years of experience working in both inside and outside sales. I also managed a small team of people at my previous company which gave me the opportunity to grow my leadership and communication skills. I’m excited for the opportunity to join the organization on its mission of positively impacting lives by working with clients to provide an excellent sales experience and outstanding customer support. I also have some great ideas on how we can break into some new markets and create more business opportunities in our healthcare division. All in all, I would love to be considered for this role.”
Answering, “why do you want this job,” may seem tricky, but researching the company ahead of time, showcasing your skill set and putting it all together by stating how you can and will make an impact on the organization will help you create an answer that impresses your interviewer and lands you that job.
Ready to put your interview skills to the test? Visit jobs.medixteam.com to learn more about our current openings and apply today.