CONTRACT TRAINING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS

Interview Series Part I

You’ve just finished telling the hiring manager a little bit about yourself as a professional. Then they ask the question you’ve been waiting for- “So why do you want to work here?” You may think that this is such an obvious question to answer. You need a job, and they have an open position that needs to be filled. It’s as simple as that, right? Well, not exactly.When you answer this question, you’ll need to show genuine interest and enthusiasm for the company as well as the role. Your answer should include a blend of what you understand and like about the company as well as how that ties in with your own skills and career goals.

Here is what the hiring manager really wants to know:

• Why are you interested in our company?
• Why are you interested in this particular role?
• How do your career goals align with this position?
• What do you know about our company?
• What particularly appeals to you about this role or with our company as a whole?

Here are three essential steps that you must take as you prepare for this question.

Research the Company

Part of your answer to this question will need to include a brief overview of what you already know about the company. Do your homework. Start by checking out the company’s website. Gather information about their mission and vision, how they got started, their products, any awards they may have received, as well as their culture.

It’s also important that you read reviews that previous employees have shared about the company. This will help you gain insight into specific roles, what they liked and what benefits they may have had.

Check their social media accounts and investigate any media coverage or press releases they may have been in recently. Some companies even have a Careers section which may provide valuable information about their interview process as well as sample interview questions. 

The more specific details you know about the company, the better off you will be.

Research the Interviewers 

If you were provided with the names and job titles of the interviewers, use that to your advantage! LinkedIn is a great tool to utilize to find out more about who you’ll be speaking with. Take the time to learn more about the roles they’re currently in. Perhaps you share something in common with them that can you can bring out during the interview to help you build rapport with them, such as their education, hobbies, hometown or even a previous employer.

Review the Job Description  

You definitely don’t want to seem like you’re the type of person who applies for just any role that pops up. Pay close attention to what the job duties and requirements of the role entail.

Think about how this role aligns with your skills, future goals, and how you would fit in with the company.

When giving your answer to the question, you want to make sure that you highlight specific areas of the job description that excite you. The interviewers want to make sure that you would actually enjoy doing the job.

What your answer should look like

A great sample answer would combine the elements from above and would sound something like the following:

Sample Answer: “As I was researching your organization, I was really impressed by your company’s core values and mission statement. On your website, it mentioned that you really focus on just making everyday life better for people and that’s something I’m passionate about as well. I take pride in my work and want to help make a difference with my contributions. Your organization has a reputation for also taking high pride in its work and what you stand for comes naturally to me. This position is very customer focused and will allow me to utilize my skills and bring me great satisfaction.”

Things you should avoid

• Coming off as desperate. Do not say “You guys are hiring, and I really need a job. Plus, the pay sounds great!”
• Being inappropriately funny. Do not say “Why wouldn’t you want me to work here? I’m the best candidate you’ll ever come across!”
• Being unprepared. Do not say “Uhh, you guys just seem cool and I love that you can bring your pets to work.”

Remember, each interview will require preparation and research on your part so that you can tailor your answer to really hone in on not only the position but on the company overall.

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