Job interviews are stressful events that we all must go through at least once or twice in our lifetimes. And it seems that no matter what type of industry you are going into, you get asked the same questions. It doesn’t matter if you are applying to be a cashier or an IT expert, a construction worker or a computer programmer, the hiring manager will ask you “Why do you want to work for us?”.

Your initial thought may be because you need a job, but it’s important that you go beyond that and explain why you have chosen that particular company to work for.

Before you provide them with an answer, you may want to ask yourself What interest do you have in the company? Can it help you jumpstart your dream career? Have you heard good things about the company that helped draw you to them? and Does your past experience and training play a part in your decision to apply for this position?

The answer that you give them could help to determine whether or not you are hired for the job. So, you should think about this and other common job interview questions beforehand so that you will be prepared to provide an impressive response.


The Reason Companies Ask, “Why Do You Want to Work for Us?”

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The reason why so many companies ask, “Why do you want to work for us?” is to find out more information about you. They want to learn more about your career goals right now and in the future, and how working for their company fits into your overall career plan.

They want to be sure that you are sincerely interested in the job position you are applying for, and that you will be motivated to perform well if you are hired. The company doesn’t want to give an opportunity to someone who isn’t motivated or will not perform on the job as they should. Doing that only takes a good job opportunity away from someone who is willing to work and do their best.

The company wants to find out what you already know about them and what they do. They want to see how much knowledge you have about the industry and how much you know about the everyday duties you would be responsible for if hired.

Answering the question “Why do you want to work for us?” will give the hiring manager more insight on your own personal work priorities and preferences. The answer you provide them with will tell them what aspects of the company or the job are the most appealing to you and why. The way that you answer the question will show if you are a good fit for this position or not.


How to Answer, “Why Do You Want to Work for Us?” And Get the Job

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The key to answering this and other job interview questions is to be confident while doing so. You shouldn’t simply give the hiring manager an answer that you think they want to hear. You need to provide them with an honest reply that shows how much you already know about the company, how experienced you are in the industry and why you are so attracted to this job position.

You may love what the company stands for and the innovative products that they produce, but now you have to prove it. To do that you have to ask yourself what attracted you to this particular job and why you decided to apply for the position.

Don’t focus on the fact that you needed a job, focus more on the reasons why you choose this job to apply for. Even when we are desperately looking for a new job while unemployed, many of us will not apply for the first available job that we see just because it will fulfill our financial needs. Usually, when anyone starts out on a job search, you will try to find a job that you are interested in, one that you are qualified to do, and something that you would enjoy doing.

Think about what led you to apply for the job position in the first place. What did you find interesting in the ad? That information should be part of your answer to “Why do you want to work for us?”. The other half of the answer should show that you have some knowledge about the company.

Do some research before your interview on the company and how they got started. Find out interesting facts about them such as how eco-friendly they are or what charitable organizations they have sponsored in the past. Gather as much information as you can and choose some of the most interesting and relevant points to bring up in your reply. Your answer should show that you will fit in with the rest of the employees at the company and that you will be a worthwhile addition to the team.

You can do research on the company by checking out the About Us section on their website. You may also want to look up their LinkedIn page as well. If you know someone who works for the company, they can give you insight on what it is like to work there and what traits the employers are looking for in their employees. Other resources include press releases and media coverage for the company that will explain their goals for the future. Be sure to like and follow their social media pages as well so that you will be up to date on everything that is going on.

Overall, keep in mind that all companies want to hire new employees who will be good at their job, and enjoy what they do at the same time. So, you should clearly state your interest in the company and the position, plus let them know about your ability to carry out the daily responsibilities of the job successfully.


How Not to Answer, “Why Do You Want to Work for Us?”

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There are plenty of positive things you can say in response to “Why do you want to work for us?” that will help ensure that you get the job. There are also some things that you can say that will make sure you don’t work for the company. Here are a few common mistakes that many people make when answering this popular job interview question.

Don’t Give a General Answer

While it may seem like a general question since so many hiring managers ask it, you shouldn’t respond to “Why do you want to work for us?” with a general, generic answer. It shows that you didn’t put much thought into the answer and therefore you may not put much effort into your job. You don’t want to give the employer the impression that you are only interested in the job because it is available. That may cause them to think you will quit as soon as something better comes along. Employers want to hire someone who will be reliable and dedicated to their work. And an effortless answer will not get you anywhere. Instead, you should try to impress them by talking about why you feel this position was designed just for you. Give them the impression that no one else could do the job better than you could.

Don’t Give an Unenthusiastic Answer

If you sound unenthusiastic when you give your reply to this or any other question, the hiring manager may wonder if you really want the job. It’s okay to play it cool to a certain degree, just don’t appear to be desperate or so excited that your enthusiasm seems fake. Be yourself and show that you are genuinely interested in the job and what the company has to offer. Explain how the job will fit into your career goals, especially if the job is one that allows you to move up the ladder quickly. Show that you are interested in staying with the company long-term and taking on more responsibility in the future.


The Best Way to Answer the Question is to First Ask Yourself the Same Thing

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While you are preparing for your job interview, it is a good idea to go over your replies for some of the most common questions like “Why do you want to work for us?”. You can even write down what you think will be good points and study them before the day of your interview.

By asking yourself why you want to work for the company you applied with, you challenge yourself to come up with a genuine, truthful answer that will encourage the interviewer to choose you for the job. You may not have given it much thought up until this point, so this is a good way for you to reflect on why you really want this job and why it is so important to you. By discovering why, you are interested in the job position and company first, you will be able to provide the hiring manager with a well-informed answer.

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