What key interview question do candidates struggle to answer in a way that blows the socks off their interviewer; “Why do you want the job?” It seems like such a simple question, and that’s likely why so many people in an interview setting aren’t successful answering it. Want to get to the second round of interview? Don’t answer the question in the four following ways.
You don’t answer the question
You are nervous. It’s been awhile since you’ve interviewed. And besides, it’s obvious that you’re interested in the role, otherwise you wouldn’t have applied. Right? This is what also likely led you not to prepare an answer to the question. So, you hear the question and say the first thing that pops into your head. Instead of talking about how excited you are about working for the company, you tell a story about how your first job out of high school helped you understand what it was like to work hard, and you explain that you’re a hard worker. While that would be a passable example if your interviewer asked what your biggest strength was, as an answer to “Why do you want the job,” it’s not as impressive as it could be.
You don’t talk about the company
You only focus on the perks of the role
This one is huge, and probably the most common mistake that happens when answering this question. You focus on the fact that their building is four miles from your house, or that you could really use the unlimited PTO that they offer, or you’re really looking forward to using the education reimbursement that you’ve heard is available. These kind of answers make the interviewer feel like you’re more concerned about what the company can do for you, and that what you can do for the company is less important to you.
You don’t explain why you’re the right person for the role
Another great way to answer the question is to talk about how the position fits into your career trajectory, or how it aligns with the skills you’ve already developed. This is another way to tell your interviewer that you understand what the job entails, and that you aren’t worried about being successful in the role. While it might be obvious that the interviewer is interested in your background because you’ve been selected to interview, you’re likely not the only candidate they’re considering. Get yourself to the head of the pack by explaining why you’re the best candidate for the job and will transition easily into the role because of your skills and experience.
Even the easiest interview questions can throw you off track. And if you’re the one that’s usually the interviewer, not the interviewee, it can be awkward to be in the hot seat. A friendly reminder that even the “easy” interview questions can be tough, and you should spend some time crafting an answer that will show that you’re the right person for the job.