The Best and Worst Ways to Answer the Common Interview Question “Why Do You Want This Job?”
One common interview question you must be prepared to answer is, “Why do you want this job?”
As an experienced recruiter, I have prepared some simple pointers on how to answer the interview question, “Why do you want this job?,” so you can blow away the hiring team and seriously stand out over other competitive candidates.
KEEP READING FOR ADVICE ON:
- The 4 things an employer is looking for in your answer when they ask this interview question
- The BEST ways to answer this interview question
- The WORST ways to answer this interview question (Including the #1 worst AND most common answer to this question. Make sure you’re not using it!)
“Why do you want this job?” sounds like such an easy interview question, but job candidates almost NEVER nail the answer this question.
Your answer to this interview question tells the hiring panel SO MUCH. You must learn how to answer it well.
4 Things an Employer is Looking For When They Ask "Why Do You Want This Job?"
Employers are listening for these 4 things in your answer:
- Genuine PASSION for the work involved
- CONNECTION to the company’s mission, vision, and values
- Desire to SERVE the company’s customers
- Commitment, longevity, and STABILITY
So, with that in mind, what are the best ways to answer this question?
The BEST Ways to Answer the Interview Question "Why Do You Want This Job?"
The key to answering this question is that you want to differentiate your interest in ANY old available job vs. your interest in THIS job specifically.
More than anything, DO NOT make your answer self-serving above all. Let me say this again: Do not make your answer self-serving. Again?!
*** DO NOT MAKE YOUR ANSWER SELF-SERVING!!! ***
I cannot stress this enough. This question is about THE EMPLOYER. This question is not about you. Don’t make it about you.
Make your answer about the four things listed above:
1. Genuine Passion For The Work
Think about this question from the point of view of the employer. If I’m hiring for a job, would I rather have a highly experienced candidate who is only mildly interested in my position OR a highly motivated, capable professional who can learn the skills and is VERY interested in my position? Easy answer.
I want the highly motivated, highly interested person.
The hiring manager can teach technical skills. They cannot teach motivation. They cannot teach engagement. They cannot teach professional hunger. They cannot teach passion.
Motivation, engagement, professional hunger, and passion come along with a genuine and committed interest in the specific work this job involves.
You want to express your joy in doing the work for which you’re being hired, so share that passion and make it genuine. Explain specifically why it gives you satisfaction and drive in your professional life.
2. Connection To The Specific Job, Company, and Customers
When you answer the interview question, “Why do you want this job?,” talk about why you want this job specifically and at this company specifically.
In other words, why do you want to be a Data Analyst (versus any other job) at Google (versus any other company)?
Don’t be generic in your response. BE SPECIFIC!
PRO RECRUITER TIP
In a recruitment, employers have a need to fill a hole in their work group. They want to fill that gap with someone who:
- WANTS to do the work
- Wants this SPECIFIC JOB, in this SPECIFIC COMPANY
- Wants to give exceptional customer SERVICE
- Wants to do so for a COMMITTED period of time.
For example, you can be a Sales Manager at a MILLION different companies. Literally. So think about and explain clearly why you want this specific job. Try to answer the following questions:
- What in the job description stands out to you, is exciting to you, would be challenging and rewarding to you?
- What skills would you be able to contribute to this position and what skills would you be able to grow and develop?
- Do you have a particular connection to the company’s customer base?
- What about the company is so attractive and impressive?
3. Commitment, Longevity, and Stability
Talk about your commitment to the role and to the company. Speak about how this job will keep you engaged for the long term.
It is critical to demonstrate that the duties in the specific job have elements that will keep you excited. You want to show that you look forward to growth in this role, and that you’re not looking for the next promotion before you’ve even started.
You want to convince the panel that you are a STABLE and RELIABLE choice.
The last thing an employer wants to do is bring you on, introduce you to the team, spend time and money training you, only to lose you shortly after. Don’t give them ANY reason to think you may do that.
We’ll talk about this one more in the next section on how NOT to answer this interview question.
The WORST Ways to Answer the Interview Question "Why Do You Want This Job?"
Drumroll please…
The #1 WORST way to answer this question, and also one of the most COMMON answers to this question:
“I live close by, so that would be a really nice change to have a short commute.”
OR
“My family went on vacation there last year, and we just really want to move out there because it’s so beautiful.”
PRO RECRUITER TIP
For the love, DON’T TALK ABOUT LOCATION when you answer the interview question “Why do you want this job?”
DON’T DO IT. I’m not exaggerating when I say I hear a location-related answer at least 7/10 times. That is NOT an impressive reason for a company to pick you.
Do we understand it? Yes. Do we all like short commutes and beautiful places? Yes. Does that give us any attractive reason to pick you? NO!!
If you learn anything from this article, NEVER say this in an interview ever again.
From all recruiters around the world, thank you.
More of the worst ways to answer this interview question
Steer clear of these other common pitfall interview answers!
Self-Serving Answers
“I like the schedule.”
“I need benefits.”
“My job is very unstable and everyone is starting to get laid off, so I’m just looking around now before that happens to me.”
RECRUITER NOTES:
Are these things you can mention in your answer? Of course. We get it. However this should never be your primary or only response. It’s not about you, remember?
Foot in the Door
“I want to get my foot in the door at this company, because I really want to do (this other) job, and I know your company is really good at that.” (For example, you’re interviewing for an IT job, but you really want to be in Finance…)
RECRUITER NOTES:
With this answer, you are revealing that you have no real interest in this job specifically. You just want to get in with the company and you’re going to jump ship to another position as soon as possible.
Growth Opportunities
“I want growth and the ability to promote, and your company seems like it has a lot of growth opportunity.”
RECRUITER NOTES:
Again, we understand this answer. However, I’ve been in too many interviews where a candidate says this and the people in the two or three positions above the one the candidate is applying for, are sitting in the room.
The hiring panel typically sees this answer in two ways:
- They see it as a threat, particularly if the supervisors are not planning on leaving their positions any time soon.
- They think you’ll be unsatisfied with your inability to promote, and so you’ll leave quickly.
It’s ok to talk about your desire for growth, but be very careful and sensitive how you do so.
More Responsibility and Challenge
From a candidate who is in a very similar role in terms of responsibilities and scope: “I am not challenged in my current role, so I want more responsibility.”
RECRUITER NOTES:
This is a good answer if you really will have growth compared to your current job. However, if it’s almost the same job or a very similar level of scope and responsibility, the hiring panel will see this as a negative response.
The employer will be worried that you will leave right away because this job is the same as what you’re doing right now.
Excitement for New Skills to Learn
“I’m so excited to start doing (fill-in-the-blank) responsibilities and learn how to do (fill-in-the-blank)!”
RECRUITER NOTES:
By itself, this is not a bad answer.
This is ONLY a terrible answer when you fill-in-the-blank with things that are nowhere in the job description! This happens all of the time.
Make sure you know what you will be doing before you talk about your excitement to learn new things.
Otherwise it shows lack of attention to detail and a desire to do things you will never get to do in the job. That makes the panel think you will be unsatisfied in the role.
Wrap Up
Job Interviews are hard. They are stressful and high-pressure and demand a lot of every candidate.
The BEST thing you can do to succeed in a job interview is to prepare!
I hope these tips helped you think about how to interview well and how to answer the interview question, “Why do you want this job?”
Good luck out there! Be sure to sign up for my FREE Interview Prep Guide below!
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2 Comments
Maura
This article is a very interesting read. I especially like the recruiter notes included to get a sense of what the other side of the interview is thinking. Some things that may seem like a positive may actually be viewed as a negative.
Caitlin
Thanks Maura! I hope it was helpful perspective.