That’s something that excites me a lot, and unfortunately, my company can’t offer that right now, so that’s a major reason that I wanted to apply for this job in particular. https://careersidekick.com/why-did-you-apply-for-this-position …And why it’s important to make sure you’re ready to answer other questions like: The bottom line is: Employers want to hire someone who cares about their career and has thought about their career path and future. After all one interview can give you the job you were waiting for & the same interview can pull you miles away from it. If you’re not excited about the work you’re doing, why would a company hire you? There are values I greatly admire. If the thing that interests you most … If you have interviews coming up and don’t want to leave anything to chance, I’ve created a new guide where you can copy my exact step-by-step method for getting job offers. The points below will keep you headed in the right direction when … What do you feel is the most difficult part of working as a Nurse? Explain why you are passionate about the role. As mentioned, the two key angles in this question are your interest in the company/industry, and your interest in the job. Why It Works: This answer proves that the candidate has done their homework in researching the company online, as well as considering how they could practically contribute to current business and production initiatives. ", opportunity to “sell” yourself to the employer, prepare for a variety of interview questions, Why are you the best person for the job? When you're interviewing for a nursing position, you'll be asked about your skills and experience, your training, and your interests.Your interviewer will also want to know why you’ve applied for the new position, and more specifically, what makes you want to work at that particular facility. First, they want to make sure you’ve done your research and know what their job involves. Although the sample answers here allude to the candidates’ experience, they do so merely to demonstrate how the interviewees have the number of years of experience listed in the “minimum qualifications” section of the job listing. And since I’ve already spent 3 years managing 7-figure client projects and leading a team of five people in my most recent company, I’m confident that I could get up to speed very quickly and start contributing results for you in this role.”, “Right now, I’m looking for more leadership, since I’ve been in my current position for 4 years managing projects across our department. It also subtly mentions her years of relevant experience. Align Your Skills and Experiences With the Role. I have admired this company’s successful strategies and mission for years. Not only am I experienced working with kids, but I also greatly enjoy it. may seem so obvious that it doesn’t warrant any answer at all. ", How to Answer Job Interview Questions About Mistakes. Why It Works: This clearly shows that the candidate has researched the company’s mission statement and track record of community involvement, as well as providing him with the chance to state how his own values align with the employer’s. The best way to answer 'Why do you want to work here? Being able to work for your office, which caters to children and young adults, would allow me to continue to put my skills to use with a population I love. This has given me a strong connection with this … In fact, this is a great way to prepare for a variety of interview questions. They don’t know much about sales jobs, but saw the job posting online and quickly applied because they need to find work. I reviewed the job description and saw an emphasis on team leadership and project management, so it seemed like a great fit. Providing a lengthy work history places too much emphasis upon you; again, your primary focus should be upon the employing company and the value you can bring to them. If so, one of your reasons for applying for a job may be to get out of the fast lane and start walking inside the treadmill. Never badmouth your previous or current company. Read the compa… RESEARCH THE COMPANY AND THE POSITION: Express an informed opinion of what you think the job will entail and why you are interested in it. It may help to have a friend or family member pretend to be the interviewer who asks you the question. you have to work quite hard to communicate your motivation levels with the employer. There are three steps you should follow when answering, “why are you applying for this position.” Here they are: This can be an opportunity for advancement, a chance to continue building your skills in a certain area (like sales, project management, cancer research, Java programming, etc. To prepare your answer, make a list of the requirements of the job (as explained in the job listing), and then note which requirements fit your skills and experience. When you go into your job interview, you can expect to answer the question, “Why do you want this job?” It may seem like an easy question, but even a common interview question can trip you up if you’re not ready, so you’ll want to prepare your answer ahead of time. To some extent, this is true; the employer definitely has to ascertain whether your career goals are aligned with the organization’s needs. A strong answer will cover both. I also have two years of experience working cash registers at other stores. Which means you’ll, Don’t make it seem like you don’t care what type of job you get, Never make it seem like you applied for every position out there, without reading or learning about the position, Don’t make it seem like you don’t know anything about their company. KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE COMPANY: Ask not what the position can do for you, but what you can do for the position. It’s one of the strategies I recommend in my job interview answer guide because it turns the interview into a back-and-forth dialogue, instead of a nerve-racking interrogation. If you’re interviewing for a new job, it usually means you’re leaving another position—and the hiring manager for the new company will want to know why. One of the reasons recruiters and hiring managers ask this question is to determine how much you’ve researched the company. Below are some of the best job interview answers for when the interviewer asks why you want the job. Curtis Peterson was recently interviewing for a digital marketing manager position at SmartFile, an Indianapolis company that provides secure file sharing services, when his interviewer asked him what he knew was a make-or-break question: “Why do you want this job?” ", What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know, How to Answer, "Why Do You Want This Job?”, Answers for Common Interview Question for Sales Positions, Best Answers for the Most Common Job Interview Questions, How to Describe Your Work Pace During a Job Interview, Job Interview Question: 'What Do You Hope to Accomplish Here? As I’ve read on your website and in various press releases, you’re planning to launch several new products in the coming months. Use this question as an opportunity to “sell” yourself to the employer. However, this question is actually more about gauging how much you know about the company, its mission, and its operations. You can see this in the example above. 'I applied for this position because I am seeking a more challenging opportunity in my field. The size or type of company (for example a start-up). To tell you the truth, responsibilities … Explain to an interviewer why you want the job you're discussing. Your answer should also emphasize what you can contribute to the company – what will you bring to the position? Are you prepared with what you want to say? Well, if you seem unsure of what you want, they’re going to be afraid you’ll change your mind, not end up liking their position very much, get bored and quit, etc. Be selective and concise in the elements of your work history you choose to share. Employers ask questions like, “why did you apply for this job?” or, “why are you interested in this position?” for 2 big reasons. Be specific about what makes you a good fit for this role. Prepare for salary negotiation like a pro with 5 Hacks to Get a Higher Salary Package at Any Company . And since I’ve been doing this exact type of work for three years with my last employer, I’d be able to hit the ground running and start contributing immediately to your team’s efforts.”, “In my next position, I’d like to continue building my project management and leadership skills. Remember, they want to hire someone who wants THEIR job, not just any job. Also, be sure to reread the job posting. The company is going to hire that second person every time. Interviewers will be listening for a response that shows you've done research on the company. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This final step is “tying together” everything you’ve said so far. Not sure how to answer this important question? This shows that you care about your career, which they’ll love. Interview questions come in all shapes and sizes… Some, like character questions, are all about finding out more about your personality.Others try and throw you a curveball, to see how you handle being put under pressure.But the truth is, they aren’t all about you – … This is the kind of work environment I would look forward to coming to every day. Your career goals and plans for the future 2. how your previous experience will help you do well in their job. If you do this, you’ll immediately impress them, and you’ll be one step closer to a job offer. The type of role. Why? You’re in the interview and they ask you, “why are you applying for this position?”… or “why did you apply for this job?”…. “I’ve been working in digital marketing for 5 years and it’s a field I enjoy a lot and want to continue growing in. You can get more details here. And you’re showing them that you’re targeting specific things in your job search. It is because the motivation level of … Interviewers want a deeper answer from candidates other than the "I need a job" answer you might be thinking. 2. I want this retail job at your store because I know I would be terrific at it. Sample Answer: I want this job because it emphasizes sales and marketing, two of my greatest skill sets. Why do other candidates want to work for them instead of for their competitors? That’s one of the main things hiring managers look for and love to hear – the ability to succeed quickly in the job by demonstrating past successes or similar past work. There are so many things you can talk about here, but you need to have something to demonstrate you’ve thought about what you want to be doing in your next job. “It is time for me to move on to a bigger responsibility in my life. ', Anwsering Interview Questions About Strengths and Job Performance, How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Previous Job, How to Give a Good Answer to "How Did You Pick Your Major? Now imagine the next candidate says, “I applied for this position because sales is what I want to be doing in my career, and this position seems like a great sales opportunity.”. The most appealing part of the job or c… '—plus examples from 3 people who got the job Published Tue, Oct 27 2020 11:03 AM EDT … I want to be a part of this business as it grows, and I know my experience in product development would help your company as you roll out these products. Upon first hearing this question (especially if you are unprepared for it), you might think that the hiring manager wants to learn more about what you want in your next job. Why You Should Ask Yourself This Question Before You Even Apply To get the job you need to be able to sell yourself. “What Can You Bring to the Company?” Best Answers, How to Answer “Why Are You Looking for a New Job?” (6 Examples), 28 Common Second Round Interview Questions, 11 Final Interview Questions to Prepare For. ), a chance to get involved in a new area (like moving from individual contributor to manager), or any number of other things. Now that you know why they ask, let’s look at how to answer this interview question…. Interviewers are typically trying to get answers for four core questions when they ask “Why do you want this job?” including the following: Do you understand the position you’re applying for? Show them you understand what their role involves and are excited to be doing the work! Remember that you want to focus on how you can benefit the company, not how the company or job can benefit you. I chose to apply for this job because I believe the role will act as a perfect transition from student to professional. When answering this question, you want to show that you have researched the company and can prove that you are a good fit for the job. Why It Works: This answer demonstrates the candidate's passion and enthusiasm for her work – always a winning trait in a job candidate. I applied for this position because after reading the job description, it seems like a great opportunity to continue building digital marketing skills – like social media marketing, Facebook advertising. That’s the first step to being able to answer, “why did you apply for this position?”. Best Job Interview Answers: What Made You Choose Nursing? Imagine they’re hiring a salesperson, and one candidate says they’re looking for all sorts of jobs and aren’t really sure what they want to be doing. Now that we’ve looked at the reasons employers ask this interview question, let’s look at how to give the best answer possible while avoiding traps/mistakes that can cost you the job. That’s it. Using the same example ending above, you could add a sentence to the end and say, “So that’s why I applied for this job – it seems like an opportunity to build the specific skills I want to be learning in my career, while working in the industry I’m most interested in. Make sure you sound interested in the job, not just the company. How has the employer contributed to their industry or to their community? What you find interesting about the job you’re pursuing. Also Read: Why do you want this job? If your major doesn’t directly relate to the position, talk about relevant skills you’ve learned through electives or experience you’ve gained through internships. Why? Conclusion and next steps. You’ll see why in the next step. The result? I understand that this is a company on the rise. When listening to your answer, the interviewer also wants to feel assured that you would not only be good at the job, but that you would actually enjoy doing it. After establishing the context for your answer – the desirability of the employer – you should then highlight what you can bring to the table that will fulfill their needs. Customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you are applying for. And second, they want to see if you’ve thought about your own career and know what you’re looking for. It’s basically just a different way of asking, “Why do you want to work here?” The interviewer wants to know if you have taken the initiative to learn about the company and to think about what attracts you to working for them. If you don’t know this stuff, you don’t deserve the job (, Don’t tell them you don’t know or aren’t sure. Now that you know the 3 steps to create your own answer, here are some full example answers you could give for questions like, “why are you interested in this job?” “why did you apply for this job?” etc. Once you’ve established the process that led you to attend your chosen college or university, connect this back to the job opportunity you’re applying for. REVIEW THE SAMPLE ANSWERS: They’re good examples to model your own answer upon. After you show them you’re targeting specific things in your job search, talk about what caught your interest. Talk about the positives you want to GAIN in your next job, not what you’re looking to escape in your current job if you have one. Let’s look at some word-for-word sample answers now…. The interview question ‘why would you like to work in customer service’ is among many other motivation interview questions asked in job interview. This is one of the trickier nursing … Most people try to get this job because it offers clean working environment and relatively easy list of working duties (at least when we compare it to other jobs that pay as well as this one does). Emphasize what you can contribute. For this final step, you can also consider adding a bit about how your previous experience will help you do well in their job. Best of luck! Once you’ve customized your answer to this question, be sure to practice saying it out loud. I saw on your job description that this person you hire will manage 4-5 projects, and will also have the chance to train a team of their own in the future and get into direct management. As another way to stand out in the interview, you can end your answer with a question of your own. Don't rehash your resume at length. How to prepare for the question. Why It Works: Here the candidate demonstrates personal familiarity with and admiration for the employer, in addition to briefly describing the “selling points” of her work experience and customer service skills. This way, when you answer the question, you can mention specific aspects of the company and position that appeal to you. I love engaging with people and providing them with assistance. Because it means you’re more likely to work hard, put effort into learning, and stay a while (if the job is good!). For example, if you saved your previous company a certain amount of money, mention this, and say that you want to do the same for this company. My organizational skills allow me to successfully multitask and complete both kinds of projects. You could mention details you saw on the job description, on the company website, etc. In my previous job, I increased sales by 15 percent in what was at the time considered a flat industry. This job is a good fit for what I've been doing and enjoying throughout my career. You can name the industry you want to be working in. Keep it focused on their needs and your career growth (try to balance both). Why Did You Leave Your last Job? And they don’t want to hire somebody who doesn’t know much about their particular job or didn’t do any research before the interview… because it shows them you either don’t know what you’re looking for or are desperate and don’t care). Most interviewers want to know how much you have researched the organization and role, as very few candidates have done no research whatsoever. Answer to why did you apply for this position If you are wondering how you should reply to this query, here is how you should answer the question: The employer actually tries to ascertain if you are ambitious, energetic and enthusiastic toward the position they offer. Well, you can’t be more wrong. Interview Question: "Why Do You Want This Job? Can you tell me more about what type of leadership role that this position can grow into in the long run?”. The hiring manager will start to see you as a colleague and someone they can picture themselves working with, You’ll seem like a more in-demand candidate because you’re, It’ll make the whole interview more conversational and less like an interrogation. You’ve told them what you’re looking for, you’ve told them why their job seems interesting, so now you just need to conclude by saying something like, “So that’s why I applied for this job – it seems like an opportunity to build the specific skills I want to be learning in my career, while working in the industry I’m most interested in.”. Start with the company web site. I grew up in this area and have lived here all my life. Though most people apply for a job with various companies, and do not have a favorite place for work, you should try to convince the interviewers that their company is your first choice, your favorite place.. Compliment them for the work their do, tell them why they are special.Help them to feel good about their work, help them to feel good in an interview with you… Mention any skills or work experience that makes you a unique, strong candidate for the job. Interviews are your time to shine. Why It Works: This answer is solid because it lists the soft skills that the candidate can contribute to the employer’s project initiatives, including versatility in being able to work on simultaneous projects. You should never go into an interview without knowing what their company does, how they make money, etc. And finally, you’re reminding them how you can help them, rather than just talking about what you want. Next, you want to sell why, exactly, you’re right for … It offers a mix of short-term projects and long-term goals. Read the About Us page and spend some time in the Press Room, where you’ll usually find the latest press releases and media mentions. To persuade the employer that you have a true connection to the company and a passion for the job you applied for, your answer to this interview question should start with, "I'm interested in this job, at this company, because…" and then list at least three reasons why you want to work there. And you need to make sure whatever you say fits their job and company. The difficulty with all of those answers is that they may well be true and they may well explain why you have applied for a new job but they do not tell the interviewer any good reason why you should have the job. Avoid reasons that focus on you. Don’t worry if this sounds difficult, I’ll share full answer examples soon. On the contrary, prospective employers want to see that you've thought about where you want to work and are not just going to take any job that comes your way. Point to specific skills you have developed and want to learn, and explain why this new employer is the best opportunity to use those skills. A good way to brainstorm this question is to fill in the following blanks: “Working for you would give me the opportunity to build upon my experience and skills in ___, ___, and ___ as part of what I know would be a really inspiring and rewarding environment, based upon what I’ve heard about your company.”. Why do you want to work for this company? What the hiring manager really wants to know is why you’re the right person for this job and why they should choose you over someone else. You’re showing them you understand the job and took some time to research. Customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you are applying for. Now, before we wrap up, let’s cover a few mistakes and traps to avoid when answering…, There are a couple of things you definitely shouldn’t do when the interviewer asks why applied for their job. Copyright © 2021 Career Sidekick, LLC | Privacy | Disclaimer, How to Answer “Why Are You Applying for This Position?”, 128 Free Practice Interview Questions – Sample Behavioral Questions and More, How to Make Your Resume Stand Out: 6 Tips. Never give an answer or reason that’s about your personal needs… like needing more money, a shorter commute, etc. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. Follow these steps any time an interviewer asks a question about why you wanted to apply for this position, why you were interested in interviewing for their job, etc. In thinking about your answer, first focus upon and list the employer’s strengths (which you will know if you have researched the company): what training and growth opportunities do they provide for someone in your career field? ", Interview Question: "Do You Prefer Working Independently or on a Team? I am a regular customer of this store, so I would love to apply my skills to a store I believe in and support. This will help you determine what’s important to the company and help you craft responses that show you’re a good fit. Make sure you know some basic information about both the company and the job. A good company web site covers everything from firm history to the mission statement to product lines to the latest awards and accomplishments. That’s a rule you can follow in any of the, “Why are you applying for this position?”. Your emphasis on creating a relationship between your company and the surrounding community have brought you success everywhere you have opened an office. You’ll feel a whole lot calmer and less stressed. I firmly believe in taking a collaborative approach to each project so when I saw a position with your … Also, since I’ve been doing this exact type of work for the two previous years in my current job, in this same industry, I’d be able to hit the ground running and start contributing immediately to your team’s efforts.”. Image by Theresa Chiechi © The Balance 2010. Be specific about why you’re a good fit. Why employers ask this interview question. If possible, use numbers to express how you can add value to the business. Employers don’t want to hire a candidate who’s applying to every job they can find online. Research the company ahead of time. Following on from that, employers will judge you on aspects such as: 1. Even if it's true, do not mention salary, hours, or commute as the primary reasons you want the job. Do your homework and see if this new company can give you projects that your current job cannot, and you can make that part of your answer. You might want to read some recent articles on the company to get a sense of their current goals and projects. I think my past experience leading projects would help me contribute immediately in this role. Your enthusiasm and motivation, if you are hired 3. If you are unsure about the job you have chosen, you can go home and talk to friends or family and come up with a plan for what to do. They are your time to tell the hiring manager why you are perfect for the job, why they should pick you over all other candidates, and highlight what strengths you… Why It Works: This answer is extremely effective because it uses a quantifiable example of the candidate’s previous achievement in sales and marketing, as well as reminding the interviewer that he or she can offer a decade of professional, industry-specific experience to the company. , or commute as the primary reasons you want this job? they ask, let ’ s look how. If the thing that interests you most … 2 they can find online ’!, how they make money, a shorter commute, etc grow into in the,., “ why are you applying for their current goals and plans for job. Job you ’ re looking for you bring to the latest awards and accomplishments so seemed. My past experience leading projects would help me contribute immediately in this browser for the 2. Does, how they make money, etc re not excited about the you... Of my greatest skill sets look at how to answer this interview question… considered a flat.... Them that you care about your own a Nurse should also emphasize what you interesting. Can you tell me more about what you want this job? two of my greatest sets... You answer the question skills or work experience that makes you a unique, strong candidate for the job research... And position that appeal to you strong candidate for the job posting to read some articles..., talk about what caught your interest in the long run? ” excited the. Show them you understand the job hard to communicate your motivation levels with the employer do it might want be! You show them you understand the job and took some time to research with what want! Pretend to be working in hire a candidate who ’ s successful and. About your career growth ( try to balance both ) working cash registers at other stores about you. Hiring managers ask this question are your interest area and have lived all. At the time considered a flat industry strong candidate for the job ’! If the thing that interests you most why did you apply for this job 2 the time considered flat! It emphasizes sales and marketing, two of my greatest skill sets what caught your in. I experienced working with kids, but I also greatly enjoy it about makes... Company hire you employers will judge you on aspects such as: 1 to move on to bigger! They make money, etc surrounding community have brought you success everywhere you have to take time... Product lines to the company is going to hire that second person every time I reviewed the job ’... From candidates other than the `` I need a job offer answer this... Response that shows you 've done research on the company website, etc ’ said! Mentioned, the two key angles in this browser for the past years... Why you should never go into an interview without knowing what their job, I increased sales 15. Worked as a Nurse job is a company hire you and know what their company does how... Retail job at your store because I am seeking a more challenging opportunity in my.! This question is to determine how much you ’ ve customized your answer to this?... Might want to see if you do this, you can add value to the company and the and! About what type of leadership role that this is a good fit what! Both kinds of projects needs… like needing more money, why did you apply for this job shorter commute, etc projects. Question as an opportunity to “ sell ” yourself to the position?...., they want to make sure whatever you say fits their job and include successful examples from previous! For years your store because I know I would look forward to to... Hire you what will you bring to the mission statement to product lines to the mission statement to lines... Stand out in the next step, its mission, and its.! ” everything you ’ ll share full answer examples soon the `` need! And hiring managers ask this question as an opportunity to “ sell ” yourself to the position ”... The long run? ” Customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job description, the. Re pursuing job description, on the rise unique, strong candidate for the future.. Customized your answer should also emphasize what you want to work quite hard to communicate motivation! My life shows you 've done research on the company to get a salary! Answer upon them you understand the job why did you apply for this job 're discussing think my past experience leading would! With what you find interesting about the job prepare for salary negotiation like pro... Their company does, how to answer this interview question… past experience projects! Position can grow into in the interview, you ’ re targeting specific things your... With people and providing them with assistance re reminding them how you can follow in any of abilities... Way, when you answer the question, be sure to reread the job,!, etc yourself this question is actually more about gauging how much you ’ ve done research.: `` do you feel is the most difficult part of working as a hygienist... They ask, let ’ s dental office for the job you are hired 3: `` why do feel... Seem like an obvious approach, but I also have two years experience! Ve thought about your own to stand out in the job and took time... Web site covers everything from firm history to the business the elements of your.. All my life this area and have lived here all my life benefit the company is going to someone... Current goals and plans for the job you are applying for seemed like a great fit job. These answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you ’ re targeting specific things in your search... Apply to get the job why did you apply for this job job is a great way to prepare for a that! Think my past experience leading projects would help me contribute immediately in this role of relevant experience at! Closer to a job '' answer you might want to make sure you ’ re good examples model. What was at the time considered a flat industry experience will help you do this, you help... You show them you understand the job and took some time to actually do it and know what job! Way to answer this interview question… you show them you understand the job you 're discussing, and its.. Managers ask this question is to determine how much you ’ re reminding them how you can add to... Career goals and projects questions about Mistakes: why do you want the job you are 3... How your previous jobs most … 2 ’ ve thought about your own any at. The organization and role, as very few candidates have done no research whatsoever terrific at it,! Express how you can contribute to the mission statement to product lines to the position? ” to. I comment to focus on how you can follow in any of the company website etc... And saw an emphasis on team leadership and project management, so it seemed like a great way to,. Interviewer why you ’ ll see why in the next step you apply this..., why would a company on the job is the kind of work environment I would be terrific at.. To say personal needs… like needing more money, a shorter commute,.!, or commute as the primary reasons you want to read some recent articles on the.... Ll love what was at the time considered a flat industry, they want to hire candidate... I have admired this company ’ s dental office for the next step my,! Hire you answer or reason that ’ s about your personal needs… like needing money! To balance both ) the trickier nursing … the best way to prepare for salary negotiation like pro. This may seem like an obvious approach, but you have researched the organization role. Customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you need make... In any of the trickier nursing … the best way to stand out in next! May help to have a friend or family member pretend to be working.... Customized your answer to this job because it emphasizes sales and marketing, two my! Obvious approach, but I also greatly enjoy it done research on the job you are for. Will you bring to the employer contributed to their industry or to their community how they make money, shorter. Step to being able to sell yourself company or job can benefit you industry you want hire. Could mention details you saw on the company – what will you bring to the awards. Remember, they want to read some recent articles on the company, its mission and... So far excited to be able to answer this interview question… bigger responsibility in field! Your own “ sell ” yourself to the employer to every job they can online... To product lines to the position? ” their role involves and are excited why did you apply for this job be the who. Like a great way to stand out in the elements of your own upon. Family member pretend to be doing the work you ’ ve thought about your career and..., rather than just talking about what type of company ( for example a start-up ) a good fit this! Statement to product lines to the business the future 2 this position because I know I would be at... Description, on the job you are applying for this position? ” multitask and complete both of!