{"id":11037,"date":"2018-08-02T18:26:20","date_gmt":"2018-08-02T18:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wayup.com\/guide\/?p=11037"},"modified":"2018-08-07T14:38:09","modified_gmt":"2018-08-07T14:38:09","slug":"how-to-answer-why-do-you-want-this-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wayupstudent.wpengine.com\/how-to-answer-why-do-you-want-this-job\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Answer: Why Do You Want This Job?"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most important questions you\u2019ll ever be asked in an interview is, ‘Who would win in a fight, Batman or Superman?’ Just kidding! (The answer is Batman BTW.) <\/span><\/p>\n

The most important question actually<\/em> is: Why do you want this job?<\/span><\/p>\n

Deceptively simple, this question has the potential to make or break your chances of landing your dream job. But don’t fret, because we’re going to walk you through crafting the perfect response. Plus, we’ll go over a few common mistakes that people make, too, just for good measure.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Batman approves.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Answering The Most Important Question<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are two parts to a great answer for \u201cWhy do you want this job?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The first part of your answer should focus on the position you\u2019re applying to. You want to start by describing why you\u2019re interested in that specific job. <\/span><\/p>\n

Say, for example, you\u2019re in an interview for the position of\u2014oh I don\u2019t know\u2014Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your answer should therefore highlight your passion for plants and animals. Think about specific things you\u2019ve done that would show this. <\/span>For instance, maybe you were president of Hufflepuff’s Herbology club or grew up on a Mandrake farm. The key is to take something from your past experiences that shows an interviewer you\u2019ll work hard and care about succeeding if you’re hired.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What most people think after answering that question.<\/em><\/p>\n

The second part of your answer should focus on why you want to work at THIS company.<\/span><\/p>\n

The key here is research, research, and more research. You want to find something unique and interesting about the company that shows you didn\u2019t just skim the \u201cAbout Us\u201d section on its website. Make sure you find something specific and relevant to the position you want. There are plenty of resources where you can easily access this kind of information, like <\/span>WayUp company profiles<\/span><\/a>, podcasts, company blogs, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Read ALL the articles!<\/em><\/p>\n

Some Common Interview Mistakes To Avoid<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Even if you have the makings of a great answer, there are a couple common mistakes we\u2019ve come across that will drive any interviewer insane. <\/span><\/p>\n

The first is answering the phone with just a simple, \u201cHello.\u201d or the painfully<\/em><\/strong> casual, \u201cHey.\u201d This leaves interviewers responsible for following up with something like, \u201cIs this Patrick?\u201d and gives them unnecessary work. <\/span><\/p>\n

A simple solution is to always answer the phone by saying, “Hello, this is Patrick.” If you’re answering a call for an interview, you want to sound as professional as possible. (Of course, don’t say “Patrick” unless that’s your name.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The next problem is a bit harder to tackle: filler words. For those unfamiliar with filler words, I present exhibit A:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Don’t think Patrick gets too many second interviews.<\/em><\/p>\n

We can promise that if you pepper your interview responses with \u201cummms,\u201d \u201clikes,\u201d and \u201cuhhhs,\u201d then your chances of getting hired plummet. It makes you sound like you didn\u2019t prepare ahead of time and don\u2019t really care about the job. <\/span><\/p>\n

The best way to avoid filler words is practice. Once you have your perfect response crafted, say it out loud over and over again until you\u2019re reciting it in your sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n

Do, however, leave some room for improvisation and try to sound natural. Some “likes” and “umms” are inevitable, but don’t make it seem like it’s a habit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Think Before You Speak<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re applying for a job, make sure you know why you want it. Any interviewer worth her salt will want to know, so think about why the position and company are right for you. Answering this well will distinguish you as someone who\u2019s not only qualified for a job but also ready to thrive and succeed in the long-run.<\/span><\/p>\n

P.S. If you\u2019re interested in seeing these techniques put into practice,\u00a0<\/span>check out my other article<\/span><\/a> about how I landed a job by wearing mismatched socks!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the most important questions you\u2019ll ever be asked in an interview is, ‘Who would win in a fight, Batman or Superman?’ Just kidding! (The answer is Batman BTW.) The most important question actually is: Why do you want this job? Deceptively simple, this question has the potential to make or break your chances … Continue reading “How To Answer: Why Do You Want This Job?”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":233,"featured_media":11056,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,40,38,20,21,42,25,43],"tags":[46,197,198,199,200,204],"class_list":["post-11037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-internships-part-time-jobs","category-guide-to-internships","category-guide-to-entry-level-jobs","category-resumes-cover-letters","category-interviewing-101","category-the-basics","category-top-culture-fit-questions","category-interview-questions-about-the-company-youre-interviewing-with","tag-interview","tag-underclassman","tag-postgrad","tag-senior","tag-preparation","tag-application"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow To Answer: 'Why Do You Want 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