Tough Interview Question - How would you describe your ideal job?How would you describe your ideal job?

Similar interview questions: If you didn't have to work, what kind of work would you do? What would you do if you won the lottery? What part of your work do you enjoy the most?

Why the interviewer is asking this question: The interviewer is asking this question for two different reasons: 1) to find out what you are really passionate about in your work; and 2) to potentially find out if you have an alter ego who would rather not be doing the work for which you are interviewing.

The best approach to answering this question: The ideal answer is to choose an element of your work tied to the position you are interviewing about which you are truly passionate. It should be something that naturally excites you, elevates your level of presentation and causes you to naturally show the body language that this is something you truly love doing (leaning forward in your chair, smiling while speaking, more animated speaking, etc.). If you want to excite an interviewer, get them excited about your passion for your work. If you're having trouble identifying an area for which you are truly passionate, think about that story you brought home from work where you saved the day, where you did something that no one else was able to do, where you were the superstar. This is your opportunity to shine as a superstar. However, be careful not to choose an area that is so limiting that it is a very small percentage (or perhaps no percentage at all) of the work for which you are interviewing. Also, try not to make the entirety of your ideal job focused on one minor element. For entry level, tie in a key aspect of your education or recent internship. The best way to answer is to start with the phrase, "My ideal job would involve…" and then go on to talk about that element as a component of a larger job, rather than the job itself.

An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates: "My ideal job would involve training others on best practices in auditing. In my current job, I've had the opportunity to spend time training others in our office on the latest updates in GAAP. In this past year I've also had the opportunity to travel to other offices in our region to train their new hires. It was quite an honor to be selected in the central region to do this training, since it has been only the elite auditors at our company who have been selected for this role. So being able to leverage my skills to help develop others around me would be part of my ideal job."

An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates: "My ideal job would involve working toward certification in my field. I've already completed the first test for industry certification and passed it the first time, which is a big first step forward. Most professionals, even with experience, don't pass the first test on the first try. I have two more tests to

pass, one of which I already have scheduled to complete before graduation. So my ideal job is to become a subject matter expert in my field. Going beyond just being certified to becoming the go-to person for others at my company."

An example of how you should not answer this question: "Wow, well I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be in this field! I just do this work to pay the bills. My ideal job would be one where I wouldn't have to work very hard, but get paid a lot of money. Where I could set my own hours so that I could do my own thing when and where I wanted. I think most people are working stiffs. My father worked for 45 years for the same company, then retired and died a year later. That's not what I want to do with my life. I would love to travel for a living, yeah, I guess that would be my ideal job."

Remember to answer each interview question behaviorally, whether it is a behavioral question or not. The easiest way to do this is to use an example from your background and experience. Then use the S-T-A-R approach to make the answer a STAR: talk about a Situation or Task (S-T), the Action you took (A) and the Results achieved (R). This is what makes your interview answer uniquely yours and will make your answer a star!

While this question may seem inconsequential at the time of the interview, this one can actually keep

you apart from others who share the same educational qualifications or even have the same

experience.

If asked about your ideal job, you should ensure the interviewer that you wish to have a job that

gives you professional progress as well as creative satisfaction, along with providing a stability that

is required by every person.

How would you describe your ideal job – Your ideal work environment?Your answer to this question should be:

“I would describe the ideal job as a job that makes the most of my qualifications and abilities, and

gives me a chance to constantly challenge myself. I look for a stable job with quality supervision, a

positive work culture at a successful company that will encourage me to work at my best.”

Other good answers to the ‘dream job’ interview question could be:

A job that provides opportunity to learn, progress and contribute to the organization.

A teamwork-oriented environment in a company that empowers employees to create and take

initiatives.

A job that my skills are utilized to the maximum and allows me to grow within the organization.

I would prefer the company culture to be very team oriented and focused on delivering real

measurable results while still maintaining a friendly and respectful work environment.

My ideal job would be – Open, supportive, entrepreneurial, stimulating, collaborative, inspiring,

focused on fostering strengths.

I would love to work in a job in which I can work both by myself and with others to achieve the end

result. I am very self-motivated so I am interested in working in an atmosphere where I can

continuously learn new things and improve my skills.

My ideal job is – Friendly, fast paced, available to learning new things, challenging and of course

opportunity for career advancement.

A workplace that is open to communication, staff that are approachable and willing to listen as well

as give feedback.

I flourish in an environment that allows me to grow my position and gives me learning opportunities.

Work environments where trust and team work are keys to success. I really enjoy working with

teams and feel mutual trust and respect is a necessary component to any job.

An environment with various sized teams of equally passionate, creative and intelligent people on

projects that are both exciting and practical.

I would prefer working in an interesting and professional job where everybody work hard and help

each other to succeed as a team.

A job where I can use my creative abilities to support, aid and mentor other professionals.

The workplace that gives enough space and helps employees to grow. There should be healthy

team work, good communication, mutual understanding between each team member. A workplace

where there is respect for individual’s ideas and always appreciate good work as well as knowledge.

My ideal job A job that provides opportunity to learn, progress and contribute to the organization. A teamwork-oriented environment in a company that empowers employees to create and take initiatives. A job that my skills are utilized to the maximum and allows me to grow within the organization. I would prefer the company culture to be very team oriented and focused on delivering real measurable results while still maintaining a friendly and respectful work environment. My ideal job would be – Open, supportive, entrepreneurial, stimulating, collaborative, inspiring, focused on fostering strengths. I think you got at least some idea from this.

Tough Interview Question - Why did you choose this career?Why did you choose this career?

Similar interview questions: Why did you decide to become a _____? What factors influenced you to choose this career path? Why do you want to become a _____?

Why the interviewer is asking this question: The interviewer is seeking to understand your underlying motivations for selecting this career. It is also a good question for the interviewer to learn how much planning and thought actually went into your career selection. Are you there by random acts and/or chance? Or is this part of a well-designed plan? For most candidates, it is somewhere in between, but the interviewer will likely drive into the details that you provide, so don't try to bluff your way through this answer (or any interview answer).

The best approach to answering this question: Spend time considering this question before the interview. This is one of the questions that often catches a candidate without a solid answer. You need to think about all of the factors which influenced your decision in advance. That doesn't mean you have to include them all. Be selective. Include the positive influences, not the negative ones. If you did advanced research and planning, this provides the solid foundation. If there was an individual (or individuals) who influenced your career selection, that provides a personal side to the story. Keep it positive.

An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates: "I committed myself as an Accounting major my Freshman year of college. I spent my energies in college preparing myself to become a world-class accountant. But it wasn't until my internship after my Junior year that I began to develop my interest in tax accounting. I was assigned a mentor that summer who continued to stay with me as my mentor after I graduated who helped me understand the field better and map our my career plans…"

An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates: "There were many influences that went into my decision to select this career field. One of my early mentors was a business friend of my mother, who worked in the insurance industry and encouraged me to explore opportunities in this field. She pointed me in the right direction to explore the possibilities. But it was the combination of my career research along with my professors in my major who helped to solidify my decision. My internship last summer helped me to get an inside view into the world of work in this field…"

An example of how you should not answer this question: "Well, I took a class with a professor I really liked, he made the class so fun that I thought this might

be a really interesting way to make a living. I didn't really connect the dots between the major and potential career until late in my Senior year. Although I love Chemistry, I wasn't really interested in working for a company in the chemical field. So I had to look around to see what else I could do with my degree. I guess I really just fell into this career field because it was the only thing out there available at the time for someone with my degree. I didn't really plan it that way."

No matter which position I hire for, one question always on the cards for me is to ask the interviewee " Why did you take up this career?". There has been numerous occasions where the candidates across the table was stonewalled by this query. Not less is the frequency where the candidate either groped in the dark or was trying to figure out an actual response. In some other scenarios the interviewee was seen brooding over the same for one or two minutes before which he/she delivered a rhetoric which would be sweet to the ears, but with strong attestation from your heart that its nothing but a cooked up answer. This post is revisiting how to be prepared to answer such a pivotal query from the interviewer.Remember, your response could make or break your job. Yeah, its aSURVIVE or SINK Shark attack !

Recently I interviewed a Designer who was accosted with the same question during the course of the interview. His answer was " After my Pre-University Course, I was stumbling across different career options. That's when someone told me a course in Web Designing would land me in job pretty soon and that I could make easy money. So I thought of giving it a shot". The problem here is the fact that the person who is sitting across the

table is not passionate about the job. He is just trying to levitate himself to a pedestal which would make his life secure. Does anyone on earth want to hire him? No sane person would answer YES to it.

When you answer this question, try to anchor on the following points and try to connect the dots.Skill and Talent appear on the A-ListNo Hiring Manager would want to hire someone who is not rich with his talent and skills. Revisit the skills and talent you have and try to map it to how important they would be to the career in question. You may want to hit some of those key areas of the KRA or Job description document and express how your skills would be able to hit the benchmarks.PassionGalelio Galilei once exclaimed "Passion is the Genesis of Genius". Rightly so, Hiring managers are looking out from the watch towers for people who want to enjoy their career through

sheer passion and not through obsession. So, make it out in the open how much you are passionate about the nuances and intricacies of the vocation. How the different challenges called for by the career would be of interest to you and why you want to take up those challenges could be comprehensively rendered to the Interviewer.Job SatisfactionResponsibilities sans Job Satisfaction could lead any career to be an albatross around the neck. It would only help in creation a JOB Burnout situation which would progressively amplify over the years

and finally you decide to quit. This usually happens when people make the wrong career choices. However, here, convince the Interviewer about how much job satisfaction you would derive from performing the key responsibilities involved in the career path ahead in question. Assure the interviewer that your personal goals could also be met as you are venturing into a career you seem would generate satisfaction.Future GoalsTry to pitch in the Career path which lays ahead and what ominous skills do you have so that you could fine tune and chisel them up through the right exposure to take up challenging responsibilities in the future. Let the hiring Manager be apprised about the long term career goals you have planned how you strategically aim to achieve them. This will send the message that you are serious about the career you are in and would stay abreast of new trends and updates of the industryValue AdditiionLast, but not the least, let the interviewer know and convince him how you could BECOME AN ASSET to their company and the job at hand through the VALUE ADDITION you would be able to provide in the total chain of operations. Remember, this question of your career choice has come up when you were being considered as a potential candidate for the Job. So, lets not forget that and try to use the question as a bedrock to grab your job Offer

Tough Interview Question - What goals do you have in your career?What goals do you have in your career?

Similar interview questions: What direction are you seeking to take with your career? What are you seeking to accomplish in your career What would you like to have said about you at your retirement party?

Why the interviewer is asking this question: The interviewer is seeking to get past the here-and-now to understand what plans, if any, you have made for the progression of your career. Many job seekers are unprepared for this question, since it is focused on the future. The interviewer can establish how committed you are to the career vs. it just being a job for you by how you answer this question.

The best approach to answering this question: Focus on the near term, covering the next two years. You can state broader goals of longer-term aspiration, but they should be mid-career goals, not end-of-career goals. For example, you should not state that you want to be President of the company one day (or any VP-level or above role, unless you are already at a Director level). While you might think that will define you as being big picture focused, most interviewers will view it as a level of expectation which likely cannot be met. So in spite of being able to do the job for which you are interviewing, you may be bypassed due to the fear on the part of the employer that they will not be able to meet your longer-term expectations for career growth. Keep it near term and keep it reasonable.

An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates: "In the near term, I am seeking to complete my certification coursework and the related work requirements, which would be in alignment with this role. Completing that as my near term goal will prepare me to take on expanded roles and responsibilities in the future, if and when they become available."

An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates: "In the near term, I would like to develop myself to become the best _____ possible, learning as much as I can about the role and about how I can best serve the needs of the department and the company. In the longer-term, I would like to become a subject matter expert in an area of greatest need within my role. I would like to develop to the point that I become that go-to person whom others rely upon for the most current information. And eventually I would like to become a lead and mentor to help others developing in their respective roles."

An example of how you should not answer this question: "Whoo boy, good question. Well, frankly, I just try to get through each day one day at a time. And for today, my goal is just to get through all of these interviews in one piece. I'm probably going to go out with my friends afterward for a celebration drink. And if I get a job offer, watch out, there is gonna be a PAR-TEE!"

What are your career goals? How do you plan to achieve these goals?

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While hiring an employee, a company would look for someone who is stable and consistent in their performance.

Since an interview is the best, albeit short timed way to find out information about the interviewee, the interviewer asks questions about career objectives, future plans (i.e. career plans).

What are your future plans?

Asking this question, the employer wants to observe two important things: What goals do you have in your career? And more importantly how will the prospective job fit your plans?

When you are asked about what are your long term career goals, consider it as a chance to speak about how you are stable in your professional and personal life, and how you would like to grow with the company that you are working for.Therefore, you should preset clear purpose, determination and commitment to own career goals by demonstrating how you plan ahead.In addition, you can explain why you see a merge potential in the said job opportunity and your career goals and objectives – The employer wants to learn how you see the company fits to your future plans (if you have already planned ahead)?

Serious employeesEmployers always want to hire people who take a serious thought on their career growth and professional development as it would benefit them as well – People with clear vision are most likely to become the company’s talents or the next leaders.

Since planning is a key factor in many jobs, showing that you are self-determined, focused person who knows how to make things happen, may make your job easy improving your chance of getting hired – Your ability to plan ahead can make the difference in their own results (if they hire you)…

When presenting your plans for the future, your answer should demonstrate honesty, realism and enthusiasm.Read more –

Career Goals: Examples of Career Goals and Objectives Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

What are your short term and long term goals/objectives? There are two kinds of objectives that a person can have in their professional life, the short term career objectives and the long term career objectives.

Short term career objectives are quite simple, like getting a higher post in a few years or months, or learning a new skill so that you can become more productive for the company or even earning a certain amount per month by a particular time. These are the answers that you can provide when you are asked what your short term career aspirations are. In some cases, you can also speak about any dream company that you would like to work with as your short term career aspirations.

When it comes to long term career aspirations, you can go a bit ambiguous and even out of the material world. For example, you can say that your long term career aspirations are to create a path that other people in the profession and line of work may follow. You may even speak about what are your career ambitions, like obtaining the highest post in a company in a while, etc.

These are generally the answers that you should give when asked about your short and long term career goals. Of course, the goals that you have in your career must not only be planned but also achieved – the next question could be about describing how you are going to set constructive steps for accomplishing your future goals.

Interview Questions: How do you plan to achieve your career goals?Written by  Alan Carniol

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Preparing for a job interview requires time and effort. Hearing this question during the interview should never be a surprise. Career goals are great, but preparation should not stop there. You must develop a plan for how to achieve your goals realistically.

To help you put your plan into action, here are some tips you can consider:

Work hard. Hard work pays off. So if your goal is to find a job, exert more effort in crafting the best cover letter. Go the extra mile in learning something about the company. As for your career goals, avoid losing momentum. If you slow down, it can be hard to get back on track.

Accept criticism. If you’re trying to build your career, don’t take negative remarks the wrong way. It is best not to take criticism to heart. Instead, use these remarks to improve for the better. Don’t let negative feedback distract you from doing a great job. Though this can be hard, especially for those who are sensitive, you have to keep things light and respond positively.

Follow your heart. Career goals driven by financial purposes can get tricky, especially if you don’t really love what you’re doing. To achieve your goals, build your career around the industry you really love and have the passion for.

Stay updated. Once you have an idea where your passion truly lies, get informed and learn more about the industry. This way, you’ll know whether the field really suits your interest. Perhaps you can talk to people involved in your chosen industry to learn about the ins and outs of the business.

Have fun at the end of the day. Hard work should always be rewarded.Have fun once in awhile. Working long hours with no breaks can affect the quality of your work and life.

Be consistent. Achieving career goals requires consistency. You can afford to relax for a couple of days and procrastinate as you wish. Though you can enjoy your free time, steady your ship and get back on your feet as soon as the party is over.

Be positive. A generous amount of optimism really makes a difference. If you can’t be more positive in life, things simply won’t change.

Set deadlines. To be a true professional, you should always meet your deadline, no matter what. Do what you have to do in order to get the job done. Once you accomplish something, create a new goal.

These tips should help you draft an answer for this tricky interview question. Don’t forget to be genuine and sincere and set realistic goals. Don’t daydream too often or set the bar too high. Understand that success comes gradually

As a follow-up to the interview question "What are your goals for the future?" the interviewer will often ask how you plan on achieving those goals. A good answer to this question will speak specifically about what you are going to accomplish and how you are going to accomplish it. Examples of good responses include:

I plan on gaining additional skills by taking related classes and continuing my involvement with a variety of professional associations.

I noticed that XYZ company (the company you are interviewing with) provides in-house training for employees and I would certainly be interested in taking classes that would be relevant.

I will continue my professional development by participating in conferences, attending seminars, and continuing my education.

How Will You Achieve Your Goals?Posted by Career Cruiser on July 18, 2011

Posted in: Interviewing. Tagged: answers to job, appropriate answer for job interview questions, how do you plan on

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This question concerns the mechanism of  your road to your goals and objectives. As a follow-up to

the interview question “What are your goals for the future?”   the interviewer will often ask how you

plan on achieving those goals. A good answer to this question will speak specifically about what you

are going to accomplish and how you are going to accomplish it.

Philosophy behind the Question

Your potential employer really wants to know what mechanism you will apply to achieve the goals

you are looking forward to as it may sound. This is an important questions in terms of letting the

interviewer know how you think like and if you have the ability to devise solution for the problems

and difficult situations.

Right Response

The right response to this question should be focused on the mechanism to achieve your goal;

“I believe in gaining additional skills by taking related classes and continuing my involvement with a variety of professional associations. It is therefore essential for me to continue my professional development my participating in conferences,

attending seminars, and continuing my education.”

Or

“I plan to achieve my goals by working hard, working smart, listening and learning from others who are expert in the field and

obtaining further education as needed.”

Sample excellent response:

I recently failed to meet a deadline in my communications course with a project I had to do

on the Internet. I did not meet the deadline because I underestimated the amount of time

the assignment would take me to complete. Therefore, the assignment was incomplete

when I turned it in. As a result I lost points on my final grade.I learned the importance of

examining tasks more carefully so I can better estimate the amount of time required to

complete them. I also learned to build some flex time into projects so that if my estimates

are wrong, I’ll still have time to complete the tasks.

Do you have reference list?

When a company hires you, it is both sides commitment to work together.

Therefore, the company would like to know about your background and whether you are the right

choice to work for the job. Because an interview is a very short time that they spend with you, and

because they cannot spend a lot of time with every interviewee, some of the aspects of the interview

are scheduled for further interaction – like questions about your reference list.

What is your reference list?This is a list of people whom you have worked with, or have come in contact with you professionally.

There are two types of reference lists, one is the personal reference list and the other is the

professional reference list. The personal reference list may contain friends, teachers, university

professors, is basically a list of people who can vouch for you, when it comes to whether you are

suited for a professional life.

A professional reference list is a list of people who know you on a professional level, and have either

worked with you or have come in contact with you on a professional level – superiors, co-workers or

customers and colleagues. Generally, the interviewer will ask a personal reference list to a newbie,

and a professional reference list to an experienced professional. The most commonly asked

reference list is the professional reference list.

Reference List Etiquette:While filling up the reference list, make sure that the person knows you on a professional level so

well that he or she would be okay with answering questions about you to an interviewer.

Also, while filling up the list, you would either need to fill up the name of a person who has been or is

your colleague and of the person whom you were immediately repeating to.

While it is okay to contact them and inform them that they might get a reference call, you should

refrain from tutoring them about what to reply to the interviewer.

  Who are your references?  

It is a good idea to type up the names and contact information of your references on a sheet of paper and present it to the interviewer when the topic comes up.  Ideally, one should provide the names of current and former supervisors as references since these are the people prospective employers most want to speak with about your work performance.  Giving the names of others as references -- such as co-workers, friends, family members, etc. -- might be an indication that you do not want the interviewer to contact your supervisor.   If you do not have any work history, use teachers, professors, or business people you or your family knows as references.  

A good answer to this question:  

"I have prepared a list of references here I would like you to have.  I have selected my current supervisor, Jane Doe, as my major reference since she can speak about my most recent work performance and accomplishments.  I also list the names of my previous two supervisors at Acme, Jack Wilson and Norma Smith."  

If one does not have any work references, a good answer might be, "I asked two of my engineering professors to be references for me and they agreed to do so.  I typed up their names, phone numbers and contact information on this sheet of paper.  They can attest to the work I completed as an intern over the past two years.  I also list Mrs. Sally Wilson, who is a prominent attorney and a friend of the family.  She has known me since I was a child and can attest to my character."  

Question 12:  Do you mind if I contact your references? 

You should always inform your present employer that you are looking for a new position and someone will be contacting them to discuss your work history. If you don't want your current boss to know you're searching for a new job, then tell the interviewer that:  "I would prefer that you not contact my current employer as she is not aware that I am looking for another position, but you may contact Mr. Jack Smith, my former supervisor at Acme.  He supervised me for four years and agreed to be a reference for me.  Of course, if you decide to offer me this position, please let me know so that I can inform my current employer, and then, yes, you may contact her once I have received an offer of employment and given notice."

On the other hand, you might have already informed your current employer that you're interviewing for other jobs.  In this case, your answer might be, "Yes, you may contact my present supervisor, Mrs. Smith.  She is well aware of the fact that I am searching for a new position and knows that you will be calling her in the near future."

What to answer to the question "Why do you want to work here?"The interviewer catches you off guard with the simple question: Why do you want to work here? Learn how to tailor your answer and stand out.

Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer

The hiring manager asks a rather simple interview question, yet it catches you off guard: "Why do you want to work for this company?" The obvious answer that comes to mind is, "Because you have an opening, and I need a job." While this may be true, it won't earn you any points in a job interview.

The interviewer is looking for an answer that indicates you've thought about where you want to work—that you're not just sending your resume to any company with a job opening. Researching the company and industry before your interview will make you stand out as a more informed and competent applicant.

When an interviewer asks you “Why do you want to work here?” you should use this opportunity to show that you've done your homework on the company and how you might fit into the open role.

For instance, Annette is the first candidate interviewed for an HR manager position. When she is asked why she wants to work there, she replies, "I have always wanted to work for this company. I love your product, and I have used it for many years. And it seems that this job would be perfect for me, a real opportunity for me to grow and develop."Annette's answer begins well, but then shifts to what she can get out of the experience instead of what she has to offer. Her answer would be stronger if she proved she had researched the industry and company, and therefore could discuss more than her own experience with the product.

James is another candidate, and he answers more directly: "Based on the research I've done, this company is an industry leader. When I visited your Web site, I found some impressive information about future projects you have planned. I was also impressed with the founders' backgrounds and the current financial statements. This is the company I've been looking for, a place where my background, experience and skills can be put to use and make things happen."

James's answer demonstrates his interest in and enthusiasm for the company and what it stands for. He also demonstrates how he envisions he could be a member of the team.

You must do research before the interview and come up with two or three reasons you want to work for the company. Search company Web sites for mission statements, product and service information, principals' backgrounds and contact information. Check company financials through the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

It would also be beneficial to think of at least two reasons this job is a good match for your skills, strengths, experience and background. What can you bring to the company? Write down your thoughts and rehearse them as part of your script.

There are no right or wrong answers to this question. Your answer should reflect that you have thought about what you want and have researched the company. Let the interviewer know you are being selective about where you want to work and you're not just going to take any job offered to you. Demonstrate that this is the company you want to work for—a little flattery will go a long way.

Don’t let this seemly innocuous question foul up your online application or interview for a graduate IT job.

...the question looks short, simple... Don’t be fooled.‘Why do you want to work for us?’ ‘What attracts you to this position?’ ‘Why do you want this job?’ However it’s phrased, the question looks short, simple, and not something to waste too much valuable time on. Don’t be fooled.

There are actually several questions you need to answer here:

What do you know about the company and the position? What evidence can you provide that you have an interest in the sort of thing

we do? What do you hope to get out of the job, apart from a salary?‘Evidence’ of your interest should be just that. Saying ‘I’ve always wanted a career as a software developer in the financial services industry’ won’t cut the mustard. Naming relevant internships, projects, university modules or active involvement in relevant societies will do.

You should also be aware of the ‘unspoken questions’ that the recruiter will have in their mind as they analyse your response:

Are you serious enough about the job to have bothered researching us properly?

Do you have a realistic understanding of what the job actually involves? Do you want the job? If you accepted the job, how long would you stick around?Recruiting and training graduates is a very expensive business. IT companies want to be convinced that the graduates they hire will be genuinely motivated to do the job and won’t leave after a few months or a year. You need to prove that you understand what the job is and that this fits in with your interests and long-term career goals.

Gillian Bray, HR manager at CHP Consulting, explains: ‘For a smaller company like us, we want to know that applicants really want to work for us. We want them to stay more than two years.’ Meanwhile a recruiter from a global IT company commented: ‘I think they really need to show that they believe in the company and what you do, that they’re choosing you.’

Good answers on your online application formA good answer on an online application to the question ‘Why do you want to work for us?’ will therefore include:

Evidence that you understand the employer’s business Evidence of interests or experience that relate to this

Clarification of your career goal and, if necessary, how this job will help you towards this.

See Online applications for technology graduate schemes and the TARGETjobs employer hubs for more help.

Good answers to ‘Why do you want to work for us?’ at interviewAt interview you may be asked directly ‘Why do you want to work for us’, or you may be asked related questions about the job, company and your motivation for joining. Either way, keep the above points in mind.

Gillian Bray comments that when students get to interview, ‘Sometimes they don’t think about what the company actually does. In interview they should talk about how their experience relates to what we do, and what benefits our products bring to our clients.’

Lisa Amis, graduate recruitment administrator at Accenture, also highlights the importance of understanding the day-to-day job. She states: ‘We want to know if they understand how our lifecycle works, so we might ask them to describe the process, or what Accenture does.’

Good employer research plays a vital role – but what type of information will impress? ‘Candidates sometimes come into interviews and just regurgitate what’s on the homepage,’ states Steve Rodgers, recruitment manager (technology) at Ocado. ‘We want them to be able to tell us something that isn’t there.’ A fellow recruiter flags up her global company’s profusion of information sources, including a YouTube channel, which candidates can use to get beyond the basics.

Again, see the TARGETjobs employer hubs for help with your prep.

Bad application form answers that say ‘I don’t want this job’In online applications, giving one-line answers to the question ‘Why do you want to work for us?’ suggests to IT recruiters the real answer is ‘Actually, I don’t’. Even worse, leaving in the wrong company name having copied and pasted the answer from an earlier application screams out both ‘I said the same thing to your competitors’ and ‘I’m really slapdash’.

Sadly, such mistakes are very common, and drive IT companies up the wall. Gwenyth Moore at IBM, for example, remarks that many candidates seem to use ‘a scattergun approach to applications’.

Why good employer research mattersSkimp on your research and you’ll end up resorting to empty flattery and waffle to fill space on your application. Both will go down badly.

‘I’d relish the opportunity to work for such a prestigious organisation…’ just screams out ‘I don’t know the first thing about you.’ Similarly, saying ‘I feel my unique blend of skills, experience and academic achievement makes me the perfect match for your requirements’ without actually stating what these are will get you nowhere. Recruiters see enough cliché-ridden applications every day as it is. Don’t let yours be one of them.

The job interview question “why do you want to work for us?” or “why do you want to work for

our company” or simply “why do you want this job” may seem similar to being asked why the

company should offer you the job, but look again. It’s a different question! (You can find a link

to how to answer that question later on.)

When an employer asks why you want to work for them, they’re looking to see how you connect

the dots from you and your past (choices you made, what you value, what matters to you in a

job) to the position that they have available now – and the company itself.

=>  EXTRA:  Answers to 12 commonly-asked interview questions!

 

Sample answer (template) for why you want to work here

Although I said that the best way to answer why you want to work for “us” (their company) is

not the same as answering why they should hire you, you still want to leave them with a feeling

that you are exactly the new employee they are looking for!

So they want to feel secure that, in explaining why you want this particular job, that you truly get

what the job is and have done some research on the company:

=>  READ MORE:  Answering “What Do You Know About Our Company?”

 

As always, this is only a SAMPLE ANSWER, and you need to use it as a template, adapting it to

your individual situation and personality. So here’s an example of why you might want to work

for this employer:

“I was very excited when I saw your ad for a Senior Bookkeeper and then did some research. For

me a job is not only something that pays me (although I really like that part of it), but for all the

hours and energy I put into my work, I want to feel good about the company I work for. I’ve

always been interested in widgets, and you’re (one of) the best in your field. I’d be proud to be

part of helping this company continue to grow.”

And, if applicable, adding something like this might be a good thing to show that you match the company culture – once again, adjust it to fit the truth for your own situation:

“Also, I spoke with someone who (used to) work(s) for you, and she has only good things to say

about QRZ. It’s important to me that you value your employees and show it in various ways. I

put a lot into what I do, and it’s this type of workplace that makes it worthwhile. She also says if

I do a good job, I’ll get to move up in the company. If you give me a chance, I’ll do my best to

become an essential part of your company. I’d really like that, and will do all I can to make sure

you feel the same.”

Now the question of why they want you to work for them

So we’ve taken a look at why you want to work for them. But what about why THEY should hire

you? Should you use the exact same answer? Probably not. Once again, it helps to show you are

listening to their words, and not just spouting prepared answers.

While you always need to adjust your answer to fit your situation and the precise question the

employer asks you, the idea is still to draw a connection between you, your history, and the job

you want. Here’s an article to help you give your answer a different slant:

=>  Sample Answer for “Why Should We Hire You?” version

 

A few more thoughts

An employer is looking to find someone who fits in well with the company, even while bringing

their own unique ideas and experiences. So when asked why you want to work for them, if you

can find a way to weave into your answer some similarities between you and your goals and the company culture, it will probably leave a good impression.

And as with all interview questions, create your answers in a way that clearly shows the match

between the job and your situation and personality. Don’t forget eye contact, body language, etc.

Also, when it comes to answering interview questions, so much of how well you do is about how

natural and conversational you are. “Be yourself” may sound corny, but it works.

Finally, don’t assume anything. Help them see the connections as best you can. Your goal in

any job interview is to help them see the you that they hoped for when they first spotted your

resume come to life before their eyes.

A question that, at first glance, seems almost insulting it’s so basic. And yet, those questions are the ones that are meant to trip us up,a stumbling block placed directly in the path of an otherwise stellar interview. And it’s tempting to come at that question, hot on the heels of a flawless interview (full of right answers and quick responses), and toss in a half assed sarcastic response meant to make the interviewer laugh and see you as a down-to-earth, relatable, totally hireable person… For many people that question is the almost inevitable “So, why do you want to work for us?”Groan.  Really? Shouldn’t it be obvious?! I mean, come on, bottom line is you need a job…they have a job they need filled…it’s basic math, right?! Actually, it’s not, and like any and all questions an interviewer is asking you, it’s not as simple as it might seem. In fact, this question is far from simple and while it seems like they’re asking you for just one straightforward bit of information, they are actually asking you for two very complex answers…and therein that complexity lies the stumbling block.Two questions?!?  In one?!  Are you serious!?!Are you confused?  Of course! Who knew such a simple question could actually be something so layered?  Well, don’t worry…unlike the average job seeker, you have us to help guide you and give you what you need to

not only answer this question…or rather, both questions…and knock the interviewer’s socks off. Are you ready?  Let’s get started!Why They Ask The Question “Why Do You Want To Work For Us?”First off, let’s explore why this question is even asked. As we stated above, this isn’t really just one single stupid question, but two much more complex and dynamic questions rolled into one:

1.Why do you want to work for this company?2. Why do you want this job?Now rather than deciphering the more complex layers, most job seekers will simply answer the question in a straight forward manner: Because I need the work and you guys are offering a great rate of pay.Okay, that’s honest…which might win you some points, but if you really want to impress your interviewer, you need to make sure that you’re not only answering it, but that you’re answering the layers…and tailoring your answer. 

(Don’t know how to “tailor” your answer? Check out our blog postJob In terview Questions and Answers 101 ).

Remember all that research you did on the company before you even got to the interview stage? Here is yet another opportunity for you to not only showcase what you know, but wrap it up with what you can provide skill wise. Not only are you taking a mature approach to what could otherwise be seen as a dumb question, but you’re using it as an opportunity to springboard forward in the interview process by providing thoughtful, intelligent, tailored responses.Again, your number one goal is to always be the perfect candidate and that includes making sure you align your skills and qualities with the values and needs of the company.First off, let’s start out with what not to say to an interviewer who has just asked you this question. 

Mistakes To AvoidBeing too honest:“Uh, because I’m totally unemployed and sorta desperate at this moment which means my standards for what I’ll do for

money are pretty low and flexible right now, including working for you.” Again, bonus points for being honest…but although we always encourage you to tell the truth, there is a fine line between being upfront and being escorted out the door.  Next.Being too generic: “Well, it seems like this is a super cool company to work for and it would be great to be able to get a job here.”Aww, I bet you tell all the hiring managers that.  Not only is it generic, but it doesn’t showcase any of the research that you’ve done on the company or the position.  Next.A boring apathetic answer:“I dunno.  I saw you were hiring.  Guess you wouldn’t be advertising if you didn’t have a job opening and I could really use one…a job that is.  So…we gonna do this or what?”Wrong.  Your job is to convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect candidate…and this job seeker is definitely not the perfect candidate for anything…except maybe going back to bed and getting some sleep.  Next!Being wishy washy:“Uh, I don’t know.  I mean, I need a job and well, you guys have a super cool website and I really like your company logo colors so I guess…give me a chance?”Oh man, I don’t know if I should give you a job or a sympathy hug. I think I’m gonna go with hug.  Next.Being inappropriately funny:“Because you guys need me.  I’m the best of the best and then there’s the rest.”Shockingly, out of the five example bad answers, this one is actually closest to what you do want to say…just maybe not in quite such a cocky way.  No, seriously, this is close.  Keep reading to see what we mean!

How To Answer “Why Do You Want This Job?”The first thing you need to do to prepare for this question is to ask it yourself.  Just “Why do you want to work for this company?“ 

What do they offer that makes working there enticing?  Is it just the paycheck? If that’s all you can find, then maybe you should continue to look for another job. Yes, money is a great incentive…but it shouldn’t be your only incentive…especially as you continue to advance your career.So why do I want to work here?Remember, every job is a stepping stone to your next position and a job that offers you nothing more than money can be just as big a roadblock as no job. Speaking of your next position, look at your career goals.  How does this company and this job align with your future plans?  Is this job a stepping stone or a holding cell?  Does the position AND company align well with your personal brand?(Personal Brand?  What, you don’t have one yet?  Head over to our article Personal Branding for Job Seekers 101 to learn how to build your brand now.)If you get this job, is it one you really want?  Is it a job you can see yourself doing with enthusiasm? 

Is it a job that, when review time comes around, your supervisor can see that you are not only motivated, but a dedicated employee worthy of advancement and bonuses or are you like a prisoner…just marking time until you get out? Can you honestly answer why do you want this job?Once you answer those questions, ask yourself about the company overall. As you’ve done your pre-interview research, have you come acrossaspects of the company values and goals that align with what you’re looking for?  Can you work for them in good conscience? Can you say that what they represent aligns with what you represent?  Would you be proud putting that job on your resume or telling people you work for that corporation in casual conversation?What is it about the company that attracts you?  What aspects appeal to you? Is it the job itself or is it something within the company?  Is it theiroutreach?  Their community service?  Their role in the bigger global market picture? Ask yourself, “Why   do   I want to work here? ”Once you start answering these questions, you can then in turn, refine them down into easy to remember answers that will not only impress your interviewer, but help answer an otherwise stupid question!Now that we’ve answered those questions, take them and work them into your own answers for the hiring managers…and remember, tailor, tailor tailor!When refining your answers in relation to the company, here a few key ideas to help spark your own answers:Focus your answers to include specifics like the company’s overall core values and reputation.  These can also include non-position related things like the company’s community

involvement, outreach programs, marketing campaigns,training programs…anything that you find about the company that intrigues you and draws you in.You can also reference incentive programs and employee awards and or management philosophies.  The idea is you’redigging deeply enough that you’re not only aware of these things but that they resonate with you and make you want to be a part of the corporate structure. Big insider secret:  all hiring manager want to bring in people who actually want to work with them!So, let’s practice a few!“Why Would You Like To Work For Us?” Example Answers

1.  “I saw a story a few months ago on the news about the outreach your company does with the community.  Giving back is a big part of my personal philosophy and I was excited to see that there was a company that felt the same way.  You can imagine how excited I was when I found out there was a job opening in my skill set here.  I would really hope to be able to come to work every day to a place where I knew not only are my technical skills valuable, but my personal philosophies are as well.”Uh, hello.  Perfect answer!  You’re not only aligning yourself with the company as far as philosophy goes, but you’re complimenting the outreach and promoting your skills at the same time.  It’s a triple threat!  Great job!

2.  “I have to be honest, the reputation your company has as not only a fair employer, but a leader in workplace education has played a huge part in my decision making process.  When I take a job, I want to make sure that I’ll be able to not only do my absolute best every day but continue to improve as well.  I believe in rewarding hard work and dedication so the idea that I

can take a job with a company that will continue to push me to become even more than I am right now is incredibly exciting.”Nicely played there!  This answer is great because again it shows that you’ve done your research.  It also demonstrates that you’re in it for the long haul but that you’re not content to stay at one level.  A good hiring manager wants to hire employees who are not only dedicated to the work they do, but who are constantly looking for ways to improve themselves…and the company over all!

3.  After reading a few articles online about your new CEO, I was really impressed to hear how she was tackling the environmental issues surrounding manufacturing.  I want to make sure I am working for a company that is not only a leader in the global marketplace, but does it in an environmentally responsible way.This one is short and sweet.  You’re not only showing that you’ve done your online research, but that you value what the company values and you’re also complimenting their leader.  Bonus!

4. “I have to be honest, before I sent in my resume for the position I reached out to a few of my friends who already work here and asked them about how they liked their jobs. Everyone I spoke to had nothing but positive things to say not only about the company but about the work environment as well.  In fact my good friend who is in the department I am applying for told me herself that the only reason the position is available is because the person who was originally filling it was promoted out.  A company that not only has such happy employees, but also promotes from within is a company I would love to be a part of long term.”Oh wow, we’re blushing!  What a genuinely sweet thing to say about a company.  Not only does this person demonstrate that they’re willing to dig into the position and the company overall, but that they want to be a part of the culture surrounding the position. 

“Why Do You Want This Job?” Sample Answers

1.  “I really believe in the value of teamwork and so when I saw a position with your company to join your engineering department I had to make sure my application was put in.  I believe strongly in working with other people towards a common goal and I know the skills I bring not only as an engineer, but as a team member will not only bring me work satisfaction, but will make me a valuable teammate as well.”This answer is great because it not only highlights your skills as an engineer but also as an individual who works well with others. 

2.  “When I saw your ad looking for help with your marketing department I was curious about what the position would entail.  One of the things I love about my job is continuing to explore new and emerging technologies and when I saw that your team is developing apps to help streamline the company client interaction I knew I had to apply.  With my background in programming and computer software I’ve always been interested in app building and I look forward to the opportunity to work with a department actively developing their own program.”This is a great answer because not only does it show that you’ve done your research but that you bring a unique set of skills to the table that could be incredibly valuable to a new area the company is developing. 

Putting It All TogetherAs we’ve demonstrated above, although there are definitely wrong answers, there are no set right answers to the question “Why do you want to work for us?” Each interview is going to require you to do your homework, your research and your tailoring…but once you do, and you really focus down your answers and target them to not only the position but the company overall, this one seemingly stupid question might just give you the opportunity to whip out your smartest answers yet!

Just remember to keep your answers short, sweet, honest (but not too honest!)…and above all…

After all, the whole interview process is about answering this question: Why

should we hire you instead of one of the many other well-qualified applicants?

Every interview question is an attempt to gather information to inform

this hiring decision.  Many interviewers will also specifically ask you to make

your case with one of these questions: Why should we hire you? Why are you the best candidate for the job? Why are you the right fit for the position? What would you bring to the position?

To close the deal on a job offer, you MUST be prepared with a concise summary of the top reasons to choose you. Even if your interviewer doesn’t

ask one of these question in so many words, you should have an answer

prepared and be looking for ways to communicate your top reasons throughout

the interview process.

 

Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?

The interviewer’s job is to hire the best person for the position. Most of the

candidates that make it to the interview stage are qualified for the job. The

winning candidate must be more than qualified, especially in a very competitive

job market.

Every hire is a risk for the company. Your interviewer will also be taking a

personal career risk in recommending a particular candidate to hire. If the

candidate performs well, Mr. Interviewer looks brilliant and gets a pat on the

back (and maybe a bigger annual bonus).

If the candidate turns out to be a dud(doesn’t perform well, doesn’t get along

with the team, leaves the job prematurely, etc.), the interviewer looks like a

dummy and his professional reputation suffers.

With this question, your interviewer is asking you to sell him on you and your

status as the best person for the position. Make his job easier by convincing

him that: You can do the work and deliver exceptional results You will fit in beautifully and be a great addition to the team You possess a combination of skills and experience that make you stand out

from the crowd Hiring you will make him look smart and make his life easier

 

How to Answer: Why Should We Hire You?

This is your chance to wow them with your highlight reel. Your answer should

summarize the top three or four best reasons to hire you. It’s better to

have three or four strong reasons with memorable descriptions and/or

examples than to rattle off a laundry list of twelve strengths without context.

This is an opportunity to reiterate your most impressive strengths and/or

describe your most memorable selling points, tailored to align with the top

requirements in the job description. Your 3-4 bullet points could include a

combination of the following: Industry experience Experience in performing certain tasks or duties Technical skills Soft skills Key accomplishments Awards/accolades Education/training

Accomplishments and success stories are always good bets, especially if you

can describe how a key accomplishment (a successful marketing campaign, for

example)demonstrates a desired competency (creativity, results-orientation).

One approach is to mention any unique combination of skills(s) and

experience that you possess. For example, many candidates may have strong

programming skills, but what if you combine those with team leadership

experience that others don’t have? Sounds like a great recipe for a senior

programmer. Explain why in your answer.

Most job seekers should be able to develop a standard answer to this question

that can be customized a bit for each opportunity. Here’s how:

Step 1: BrainstormTo get started, review the job description (or a representative job description if

you don’t have an interview lined up right now) and your resume and ask

yourself these questions: What are the most important qualifications for this position from the company’s

perspective? In which of these areas do I really shine? What are my most impressive accomplishments? What makes me different from the typical candidate?

Brainstorm and jot down everything that comes to mind.

Step 2: Structure Your Sales PitchNext, choose the 3-4  bullet points that make the strongest argument for you.

Use those bullet points to structure your sales pitch. Don’t write a script to memorize — simply capture the bullet points that you want to convey. Each

bullet will describe the selling point with a brief explanation and/or example for

context.

Keep it concise — you still want to keep your answer in the 1-2 minute range

so you won’t be able to rattle off every skill and accomplishment on your

resume. You have to really think about what sets you apart from the

competition.

Step 3: PracticeOnce you feel pretty good about the points you want to make, it’s time to

practice. Again, it’s not a good idea to memorize a script — you can end up

sounding like a robot or feel more nervous because of pressure to remember

specific wording.

The better approach is to capture your bullet points, study them, and then

practice until you feel comfortable talking about them off the cuff.  Your answer

should come out a little bit different each time, but it should always cover the

points that you want to make.

Remember: It’s also very important to come across

as confident and enthusiasticwhen you deliver your pitch. Make them believe

in you — your abilities and your commitment.

If you project confidence (even if you have to fake it a little), you’re more likely

to make a strong impression. As for enthusiasm, keep in mind that true passion

for the work required is a pretty compelling selling point. Yes, experience and

qualifications are important, but the right attitude can definitely give you an

edge over those with similar professional backgrounds.

After many years of experience in recruiting and hiring, I’d rather hire

someone who has a little less experience, but who is driven and motivated to

learn and succeed.

Examples Answers

Example Answer 1: Project Manager“Well, I have all of the skills and experience that you’re looking for and I’m

confident that I would be a superstar in this project management role.

It’s not just my background leading successful projects for top companies —  or

my people skills, which have helped me develop great relationships with

developers, vendors, and senior managers alike. But I’m also passionate about

this industry and I’m driven to deliver high-quality work.”

Why We Like It:She has a lot of confidence and is able to concisely sum up how she meets the

position’s top requirements (project management experience, relationship and

team skills). This answer is a little bit general and could perhaps be further

strengthened with examples(describing a successful project, naming one of

those top companies, offering evidence of those great relationships).

However, assuming that the candidate has already discussed some specifics of

her past roles, this answer does a good job of reiterating and emphasizing. She

doesn’t make the interviewer put all of the pieces together on his own.

She does it for him and naturally does it with a very positive spin. We also

really like the last line: What’s not to love about passion, drive, and high-quality

work?

Example Answer 2: Programmer“Honestly, I almost feel like the job description was written with me in mind. I

have the 6 years of programming experience you’re looking for, a track record

of successful projects, and proven expertise in agile development processes.

At the same time, I have developed my communication skills from working

directly with senior managers, which means I am well prepared to work on

high-profile, cross-department projects. I have the experience to start

contributing from day one and I am truly excited about the prospect of getting

started.”

Why We Like It:This is another good approach to summing up key qualifications and

demonstrating a great fit with the position requirements. In particular, this

candidate is likely to win points with “the experience to start contributing from

day one.” He won’t need much training or hand-holding and that’s attractive to

any employer.

Example Answer 3: New College Grad“I have the experience and the attitude to excel in this production assistant

position. I have almost two years of television production experience —

including two summers interning at The Ellen Show, where I was exposed to all

aspects of TV production and worked so hard the first summer that they invited

me back for a second summer and gave me more responsibilities.

During my senior year at UC San Diego, I have been working part-time for a

production company, where I have served in an assistant role but also recently

had the chance to help edit several episodes. I have a reputation for getting

things done — and with a smile on my face.

That’s because I love working in the television industry and am excited to learn

and get experience in every way possible.”

Why We Like It:This candidate has some nice internship and part-time experience, but she’s a

new college grad and doesn’t have any full-time positions to talk about.

This answer highlights the experience that she does have (and the fact that she

performed well — she was invited back to her internship and was given an

opportunity to edit at her part-time job).

She also expresses her enthusiasm for the job and her strong work ethic. These

qualities are important for an entry-level hire, who will likely be doing quite a

bit of grunt work at first.

Common Mistakes

Ask any salesperson. It’s tough to close a deal in a buyer’s market. Many

candidates sabotage themselves with avoidable mistakes.

Lack of preparation — Don’t try to wing it. You should take the time to

prepare your 3-4 bullet points and look for opportunities to customize for any

new opportunity. Then, you must PRACTICE delivering your sales pitch until it

feels comfortable.

Modesty — This is not the time to be modest or self-deprecating.  You must be

ready, willing, and able to talk about what makes you a great hire. This will

require some practice if you are naturally a bit modest.

You don’t have to be super-confident like the candidate in the video example

above. You can use your own style. If you’re not comfortable making value

statements about yourself(i.e. “I am the perfect candidate.”), you can stick to

fact (“I have ten years of experience, got promoted, broke the sales record,

won the award, delivered on time and on budget, received kudos from my

manager/client, etc.”) 

Another way to “sell” yourself with facts is to quote other people’s opinions.

Quote your manger, “My manager told me that he’s never seen anyone with

more advanced Excel skills.” You can also reference your general reputation: “I

have a reputation for always closing the deal” or “I have a history of always

completing my projects ahead of schedule.”

Being too general — Do your best to add some personality to your answer.

Don’t simply rattle off the bullet points listed in the job description. Really

think about what makes you unique and express it in your own voice.

Talking too much — Remember the law of answering interview questions:

You should limit each answer to 1-2 minutes in length (not counting any follow-

up questions or requests for additional detail).

If you try to walk through your entire resume when answering this question,

the interviewer is likely to tune out.

Focus on your most compelling selling points. Keep in mind that you’ll be more

believable if you focus on a few strengths and don’t try to claim that you are a

master of every business skill imaginable.

The question can also be:

“Why should we hire you over other candidates?”

“Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?”

So:

You should prove you have other qualifications that will help you in this position.

You should prove you’re ready for a change.

You should explain how all experience is relevant.

Then your answers can be:

“Why Should We Hire You?” Answer:

“I feel that I am the right person for this position because of my past experience, my

personality, and my education. I have the determination and necessary skills for this job.

My job references will tell you that I am dependable, a hard worker, and easy to work

with. I am impressed with ABC Company and would feel privileged to work here.”

“Why Should We Hire You?” Answer:

“I truly believe in XYZ company. If offered the position as (insert job position here), I will

use my education,and past experience, and skills to help XYZ company go above and

beyond the company goals. I am dependable, a fast learner, and very motivated.”

“Why Should We Hire You?” Answer:

“This position at XYZ company is exactly what I’m looking for. My degree in (insert

degree here), past job experience, and skills will make me a valuable team player for

XYZ company. I have a strong work ethic, am dependable, and will do a fantastic job.”

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

If offered the job, I will strive to help XYZ company increase profits, meet it’s goals and

reach it’s potential. I have the necessary education, am a strong team player and a fast

learner. This position is exactly what I’m look for, and if offered the job, I will be an asset

to the company.

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

You should hire me because I’m the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely

other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality

that makes me the best person for the job – my passion for excellence. I am

passionately committed to producing truly class results.

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

I believe I’m the perfect fit for this position. I’m very detail oriented, and I organize my

work and time very efficiently. But what makes me unique? If I were in your position I

would hire myself because of the passion for this industry and my optimistic personality.

I want to make more of an impact than just doing my job. I don’t want to blend in with

the company; I would rather want my addition to improve it.

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

There are two reasons I should be hired. Firstly, my qualifications match your needs

perfectly. Secondly I’m excited and passionate about this industry and the position and

will always give my 100%.

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

You should definitely hire me. I have a proven track record of success throughout my

education. My education graph always kept roaring with time. This position requires

someone who has the ability to solve problems quickly and who can logically add value

to the job. I believe my skills and abilities matches perfectly with the requirement and

what makes me the unique candidate is my passion towards my work and industry. So

I’m confident I’ll be the best candidate for this position.

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

I’m a perfect fit for this position. I have three years of experience in this technology and

my skills enable me to develop better products in less time. On top of that I’m a great

team player that gets a long with everyone.

“Why Should We Hire You” Answer:

This position seeks a Quality Assurance Manager, I’m confident I’m the best person for

this job. I have earlier worked with xyz Software Company and I was in charge of a

team that was responsible for the quality of three different applications. I have adept

knowledge in Quality assurance, Product support and even some creative processes

that will benefit a quality assurance team. I love mentoring junior employees since I

believe in sharing knowledge to everyone in the company who work with me. So I

strongly believe that I’ll be the best candidate due to the combination of my experience,

my management skills, abilities and my desire to provide growth in employees.

Why should we hire you? How to answer the dreaded interview questionBe prepared to explain why an employer should pick you for the job. Here are six ways to impress an interviewer • How to answer: Why do you want to work here? • Use psychology to help your job applications stand out

 Never directly compare yourself to others, concentrate instead on talking about yourself. Photograph: AlamyJenna AllcockTuesday 21 October 2014 06.30 BSTLast modified on Tuesday 29 December 201516.12 GMT

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If there's one question that strikes fear into the hearts of interviewees everywhere, it is: "Why should we hire you?" Unfortunately, this also happens to be the one question which every employer needs an answer to.

Quite often your potential employer will address this question themselves by assessing your overall interview performance against a set of requirements. However, if an interviewer does ask

you directly why they should pick you, you need to be able to impress. There are several simple tactics you can employ to ensure you do just that.

Refer to the job description

Read the job description thoroughly. Which skills and experiences are listed? Make a note of three or four of the employer's most prominent 'wants', ones you truly feel you can fulfil, and use these as the backbone of your answer.

Many job descriptions will list 'essential' and 'desirable' requirements. Keep the focus of your answer on demonstrating that you fulfil the 'desirables'; your interviewer will have already established that you meet the essential requirements before inviting you to the interview.

Focus on what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you

This question offers you a chance to pitch yourself as the solution to your employer's problems, so make sure you do this.

It's easy to get side-tracked and talk about why you want to work for the company, but this doesn't answer the question. Responses such as: "You should hire me because I really want this job" or "I've always wanted to work in marketing, so I feel like this is the ideal role for me" don't give your interviewer a reason for hiring you.

Be sure to identify how your own skillset will benefit your potential employer in a way they may not have experienced previously. Show them that by hiring you, they are gaining someone unique and innovative.

Never directly compare yourself to others

One mistake many candidates make when faced with the question: "Why should we hire you?" is to compare themselves to their

competitors. It's not difficult to see why – the question does appear to ask you to make a comparison to others, but don't be fooled.

Realistically, you're not going to know the strengths and weaknesses of your peers. You can't claim that you're quicker, better and more intelligent than them – you may not be and the interviewer has the knowledge of other candidates to challenge these assumptions. Therefore, it's safest to steer clear of these 'qualifier' phrases altogether, and concentrate instead on talking about yourself.

Avoid clichéd language

Never say that you should get the job because you're "hard-working", "reliable" or "work well in a team". Anyone can say these things about themselves, and these uninspiring adjectives are usually the minimum traits an employer looks for when hiring a new candidate, rather than something to boast about.

Evidence your answer

As this is a question inviting you to promote yourself, there's a fine line between being perceived as confident or arrogant; providing tangible evidence to back-up each of your points will prevent you from veering dangerously towards the latter.

Claim that you're a "diligent, accomplished and confident candidate with a history of success" and likely you'll find that these empty words will fall on deaf ears. You must provide your interviewer with evidence to verify your skillset.

For instance, if you say that you should be hired because you're analytical you might say: "I think my highly analytical mind-set and ability to crunch numbers quickly makes me a great fit for your company. This is something that I've shown during A, B and C work experiences."

Follow a clear structure

All interview answers should follow a logical structure, and your response to this question should be no different. Rather than launching into a long-winded, meandering reply, keep your pitch simple, short and memorable.

Begin by laying out the points you're about to make. "I think you should hire me because of X, Y and Z". Next, evidence each of your points, as discussed earlier. Round off your answer with a strong and confident 'closer' such as: "Overall I think X, Y, and Z make me a great fit for both your role and your company."

ere are some guidelines for wowing your interviewer with the answer to this

question:

1. Focus on results. Many candidates make the mistake of just listing their

job duties (they make this mistake in the job interview and also on their

resumes).  If you want to impress your interviewer, focus on how you

performed and how you went above and beyond the job description.

Stress any impressive achievements (a promotion, an award), statistics  (#1

sales person, 26 people managed), numbers (revenue generated, expenses

reduced), or other details.

2. Customize for the position. You can develop a standard approach to this

question. Again, don’t try to memorize a script (I repeat this advice constantly

because I really mean it). You just want an outline of the bullet points that you

want to cover.

Once you have a standard approach in mind, be prepared to customize it for

each new job opportunity. For some positions, your standard description may

work perfectly.

For other roles, it may make sense to add an extra line or detail if the firm is

looking for specific expertise that you don’t always highlight. Analyze the job

description and think about how you can show that your current position has

prepared you to master the new role’s responsibilities.

3. Be concise. Don’t try to describe absolutely everything that you do. Nobody

wants to hear about TPS reports. Focus on the highlights that this particular

interviewer will care about. Don’t feel obligated to explain details that could be

confusing or lead you off on a tangent.

Stick to the most relevant and impressive aspects of your job. If the interviewer

wants to dive into the details later, he will ask for more information.

Example Answers

EXAMPLE ANSWER 1: Describe Your Current PositionLet’s look at an example of how you might focus your description for a

particular position.

A. POSITION: Senior Program Manager, Technology Department at Major Financial InstitutionJob Description: The job holder will manage the planning, organizing and

implementation of a large complex internal governance system (highly visible

initiative crossing multiple disciplines and businesses.

S/he works with constituent Project Managers to monitor cost, schedule, and

technical performance of component projects and operations, while working to

ensure the ultimate success of the program.

S/he is responsible for determining and coordinating the sharing of resources

among their constituent projects to the overall benefit of the program. S/he is

responsible for stakeholder management.

S/he facilitates Steering Committee and regular program team status meetings

and all other communications. All team members within the program take

direction from the Program Manager for the duration of the project. The

Program Manager is accountable for the overall management and delivery of

the program on behalf of business, operations and IT.

B. JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Prior experience managing strategic and/or cross-

organizational projects and planning and tracking multiple complex projects or

programs required.

Must have experience coordinating work across multiple disciplines or

organizations and be adept at building consensus across organizational and

functional lines.

Experience managing vendors and contracts as components of a program.

Advanced degree preferred.

 

C. THE CANDIDATE: Josh is an experienced project manager in a senior role at another financial services organization.Josh’s Example Answer 1: Project Manager“For the last two years, I’ve worked as a lead project manager on the

redesigning of a trading platform used by 4,000 investment managers at

MegaInvestments.

In that position, I was responsible for a cross-functional team of 14 from

information technology, operations, and project management.

And I was able to complete the project under budget and a few months ahead

of schedule.”

Why We Like It: In his response, Josh emphasizes his successful completion of

a comparable project. This shows that he can get results. He also draws

attention to the fact that he managed a cross-organizational team from the

business, technology, and operations departments.

The job description clearly states that they are looking for “prior experience

managing strategic and/or cross-organizational projects” and someone able to

take responsibility for “management and delivery of the program on behalf of

business, operations and IT.”

Notice that Josh didn’t get into too much tactical detail in his answer. The

interviewer will certainly ask for more information about Josh’s approach and

any obstacles encountered. However, Josh’s initial answer is fairly big picture

and focuses on the complexity of the project and his success managing it.

 

EXAMPLE ANSWER 2: Describe Your Current PositionA. POSITION: Administrative Assistant for a cable television network.Job Description: This position provides complete administrative support to

the organization.

Works fairly independently, receiving a minimum level of detailed supervision

and guidance. Maintains close and highly responsive relationship to day-to-day

activities of the Executive.

Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills as well as an ability to manage

multiple tasks in a fast-paced changing environment.

B. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Schedule and maintain Executive’s calendar of appointments, meetings,

phone calls, appointments, expenses and travel itineraries

2. Prepare meeting materials, charts, and reports needed by Executive

3. Review and handle coverage on all scripts, books, and pitches as well as all

unsolicited submissions to the network – maintain submissions log

4. Handle a wide variety of situations and tasks involving the clerical and

administrative functions of the office

 

C. THE CANDIDATE: Lauren is currently an administrative assistant for a book publishing companyLauren’s Example Answer 2: Administrative assistant“I’m currently the administrative assistant for a senior editor at Big Book

Publishing House and I basically run his calendar and his office. I always say

my job is to take care of all of the administrative details so he can focus on his

projects. 

He travels a lot and I do everything from booking his flights to preparing and

printing his presentation decks to filing expense reports. I also keep the office

running smoothly — one of my favorite tasks is managing the manuscript

submissions log and bringing interesting submissions to my boss’ attention.

I actually revamped the whole submissions log system last year and my new

approach has now been adopted by the rest of the company.”

Why We Like It: Lauren wants to make the move from book publishing to TV.

Her answer focuses on highlighting why her experience is very relevant.

Lauren describes her experience as it aligns with the top responsibilities in the

job description (calendar management, preparing meeting materials, managing

submissions).

She also demonstrates that she can handle multiple tasks and can work

independently — in fact, she came up with a new system that has been adopted

company-wide.

Reading between the lines of the job description, you get the sense that they’re

looking for someone to support a high-maintenance executive. Lauren makes it

clear that she could do that very well.

Describing Your Other Positions

Once you feel comfortable with how to describe your current or most recent

position, take some time to think about how to describe all of the other

positions on your resume.

Apply the same approach described in this post. You should have a compelling,

big-picture description of every past role.

Focus on the most recent jobs, but be ready to talk about any position listed on

your resume. In fact, going through this process may help you to spruce up

your resume and make it more compelling. That will mean more interviews for

you and more opportunities to describe your current position.

Bonus: Borat “aces” his job interviews.

Main Photo Credit: Striatic

Job Interview Question: Why Should We Hire You?February 18, 2013 By Susan P. Joyce 10 Comments

inShare77

When an employer asks you this question, they are giving you an opening to launch a sales pitch about why you are a great candidate for this job and why they should hire you.  And they are expecting to receive a sales pitch, so don’t

disappoint them.  Show them what a great fit you are for the job.  This question also is an opportunity to showcase your approach to an important “project” like a job interview.  The better prepared you are, the more articulate and impressive you will be. Focus on Benefits to the Employer for Hiring YouThis question takes preparation for each employer and opportunity.  Always remember that what matters to employers is how they benefit from hiring you.  Answers like “Because you have great benefits” or “Because I need a job” are focused on how you benefit, not how hiring you benefits the employer.  So – wrong approach!   The right approach is to align your experience and accomplishments with their needs.Here are 3 steps for great answers to this question:1.  Analyze the job description (if you don’t have a copy, ask for one).

Print the job description, and highlight the requirements you meet or exceed.  Underline the places where you are weak or don’t meet the qualifications.  Where does your experience match the requirements and responsibilities in the job description?

If you have underlined more areas than you have highlighted, this job might not be a good fit for you.  Or it could be a great opportunity to do a lot of learning, growing into a great new career path. Take the time to develop some questions about the job to ask during the interview to help you determine if this is a good opportunity for you or one you should bypass, particularly if you have more underlined areas in the job description than highlighted ones. 2.  Analyze your experience and accomplishments as they compare with the job description.

Hopefully, you already have a list of your accomplishments and experiences.  If you don’t, make one, going back as far as you can in your career(s).  Read your past performance reviews and written (or emailed or LinkedIn) recommendations for reminders of what you have accomplished. Did you receive any awards for your excellence?  

Employee of the Month, Sales Rep of the Year,  Best Cupcake Baker, Most Reliable Team Member, etc.

Did you make any records?Greatest reduction in the use of paper (or some other expense reduction), greatest sales increase for a tough client, increased profitability (or sales) for a specific product or service, etc.

Did you work on any major projects or products that were big successes?

Have you worked on teams that were very successful?

Were you rated highly by your managers in any performance reviews?

This will take some thought, but your analysis of the job description should help you remember some of your accomplishments. Keep your Accomplishments List available for future opportunities, and add to it as you remember new accomplishments.  This list will help you communicate your value to employers in a concrete way,  provide you with good content to improve your online profiles and your resume, and give you good responses to interview questions as well.3.  Structure your answer to this question so that it shows how you meet the requirements of their job.

Based on your analysis, your answers should include whatever is appropriate for you that demonstrates that you meet – or exceed – their needs.For example, assume you are a very experienced administrative assistant looking for a new administrative assistant position with an energy company.  Make a list that looks something like this – Requirement: “Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite of productsrequired.”  

Assuming these are our job seeker’s qualifications, she can state: “I have been using Word, Excel, and Outlook since 2001 to maintain both financial and administrative records, create and distribute internal reports for management to monitor employee activity and asset usage which was received by 4 senior managers including the CEO and COO, and create

and distribute the internal organizational newsletter which was sent to over 200 staff members twice a month. “The financial reports were created and maintained using Excel, and both newsletters were written using Microsoft Word, using templates that I developed, and distributed using Outlook.“I have taken several workshops on Microsoft Office products, and have worked with the newest version and previous versions, going back to the 1997 version.  So, I am very comfortable with the Microsoft Office suite of products.” Preference: The description also states “Oil and gas industry experience preferred.”

Oops!  This one is more of a problem since our job seeker doesn’t have oil and gas industry experience.  However, notice they used the term “preferred” rather than “required” – this is a good sign that they may be flexible about this requirement.  So, our job seeker prepares to address this potential weakness in her qualifications for this job.She could state: “Regarding experience in the oil and gas industry, which you have indicated that you prefer, I have several years of experience working in a bank and also for a construction contractor.  The experience I’ve gained in those environments helped prepare me for working in the oil and gas industry.  Both banks and construction companies as well as the companies in the oil and gas industry operate in regulated business environments. “Working in the banking industry gave me a good understanding of how good banks operate and the many services banks can offer their largest clients, from special checking accounts to managing corporate credit cards effectively.  I developed a good understanding of the current regulatory environment for banks, and how they meet the tracking and reporting requirements.“Working in the construction industry gave me experience dealing with the impact of the weather and the regulations, with the different regulatory agencies, plus the availability (or not) of specialized equipment and people, contractors and sub-contractors, and all the documentation required for those projects.  I also learned the regulations for each agency and flagged issues for management if it appeared that we might be facing something that should be discussed with the legal department.“I adapted quickly and well to each different business environment and to the different sets of business risks and requirements, and succeeded in both jobs.  I expect to do the same with the oil and gas industry.”As our job seeker did above, compare the job description requirements with your accomplishments and skills.  “Connect the dots” for employers – describe how you have already done many of the things required of this job (if you have, of course).Write out these points for several of the most important requirements in the position, and also for the ones where you can make a good case about why they should hire you.  Read them out loud a few times, so you become familiar saying them.Don’t Create a Problem for Yourself

Don’t misrepresent your experience and qualifications.  People are fired for that, sometimes very publicly and spectacularly, and it can leave a long trail in Google and Bing search results.  You don’t need that – it will only make that next job search more difficult.Also be wary of talking your way into a job you won’t like or succeed at doing.  As much as you want and need a paycheck, being unsuccessful at a job can create an awkward situation for you in the future, creating the need to explain why you didn’t stay at a job very long, were let go, or have a gap on your resume that represents a very short-term, unsuccessful employment situation.