Many times, when you go in for a job interview, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is, “Why do you want to work here?”
Sometimes, you just want a job: any job will do, and you’re interviewing because this specific company appears to have employment available. Other times, you desperately want to work at a specific company or in a specific industry.
Regardless of your reason for pursuing employment with a specific company, however, your answer to this question can go a long way toward determining whether the company hires you.
Step One: Do Your Research Well Before the Interview
You already know how important it is to research a company before the interview. As you do your research, however, make sure you’re paying attention to the right details – including the ones that will contribute to your answer about this question. Consider what it is about this company that appeals to you.
Are you a good fit for the company culture? When you read about the company culture, does it appeal to you? Do you think that you’ll fit well in this type of environment?
Do you agree with the company’s mission or find it admirable? Many millennials are eager to work for a company that represents something they genuinely care about. If the company’s mission stands out to you, let the interviewer know why you’re passionate about this cause and why it’s important to you.
Does the company offer the type of opportunities you’re looking for? Are you excited about the training and advancement opportunities offered by this company? Are you eager to partner with them on the type of projects they do on a regular basis? All of this is information that could help set you apart from the crowd.
Your research isn’t just about learning about the company. It’s also an opportunity to learn whether you will be a good fit for the company, and help you explain what it is about this specific job that you want. By personalizing it to the company, regardless of the reason you are interviewing for this position, you’ll find that you’re more likely to impress your interviewer.
Step Two: Clearly Define Your Career Goals
Many interviewers ask, “Why do you want to work here?” not just because they want to understand your aspirations with the company, but because they genuinely want to understand how their company fits into your career goals. If you’re accepted as an employee, this can help define your role and the opportunities that are offered to you. More importantly, however, the company wants to know several key things about you:
- Do you want to stay with this company long-term, or are you hoping to use it as a mere stepping stone to something better?
- Do you have aspirations of moving up the career ladder, or are you content with this position?
- Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
Step Three: Showcase Your Enthusiasm
You really do want this job, and there are plenty of great reasons for it. Let your interviewer see them! No, you don’t have to be bouncing off the walls excited to work for a company, but you do want to show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in what their company has to offer. Let that enthusiasm show through!
Often, recruiters and interviewers will prioritize enthusiastic candidates that they believe will make a positive impact on their company over indifferent candidates who have little real interest in the position.
Are you looking for an opportunity to interview for the company of your dreams? Contact Atlantic Group today to learn more about how we can connect you with that ideal company.