When you’re being interviewed for a new job, you never know what kinds of questions will pop up, but there are a few questions that seem to be a part of every job interview, and one of them is, “why do you want to work for us?”

While this question might seem like a challenge to answer, interviewers often ask it because they want to know why you chose their company to apply to and if you did any research on them beforehand.

Companies like it when they believe a prospective employee has specifically chosen them as a place of employment, and if you’d like a few tips concerning this common question, some of them are discussed below.

More often than not, this question comes up early in the interview, while the interviewer is trying to get to know you a little.

In between comments such as, “tell us a little about yourself” and “what do you know about our company,” they may ask you why you want the job.

It sounds like a loaded question, but it isn’t something to catch you off-guard.

They may also ask it in a few different ways, including:

• “Why do you want to work for us?”
• “Why did you apply for this position?”

You’ll recognize the question even when it’s worded a little differently, but if you don’t give them an answer that you’re happy with because you’re caught off-guard, don’t worry because you’ll likely have other opportunities to add to that answer as the interview progresses.

For example, you could say something like, “this is another reason I’d like to work for this company,” or “I meant to say this earlier on”.

In other words, don’t panic if you give them an answer you’re not happy with because you can improve on your answer at another point in the interview.

If you know ahead of time that this question may come up, you can prepare yourself for it.

To do this, ask yourself a few pertinent questions, such as:

• Does the company offer a chance to do something I’m passionate about?
• Do I have any experience specific to the company’s industry or purpose?
• Will this company offer me the chance to learn and move closer to my professional goals?
• Does the company’s mission statement and my interests/experience fit together well?
• Do I feel like I can help the company provide its services or products in a better way?

In other words, if you truly feel that your talents belong at that particular company, then prove that to the interviewer.

Show the interviewer exactly why you think you’re the perfect fit and why hiring you will benefit them and help them grow and thrive.

When you’re asked, “Why do you want this job?” just remain calm and cool.

Again, they aren’t trying to catch you off-guard or make you say something that will negatively impact your chances of securing the role.

They legitimately want to know why you chose their company to send a resume to, and there are numerous ways you can answer this question and still sound professional and motivated.

Here are some things you can say when they ask you this question:

• “I feel like this would be an exciting opportunity for me because …”
• “I think my skills will go well with this job because …”
• “I think I’ll do well here because of my experience with …”
• “I believe I’ll have a chance to advance my career here because …”

In other words, anything you can add that tells the interviewer you believe their company goals match your career goals will impress the interviewer.

Make sure you answer the question with confidence but not overconfidence, and make sure the answer is sincere and honest.

Show your enthusiasm for the job the entire time to get a better reaction from the interviewer.

If you’ve been to enough interviews, you may already know why interviewers often ask this question, and it’s quite simple.

Essentially, this question is asked as a way to get to know you as a person.

They want to know your plans and goals, and this is a way for them to find out more about you without asking personal questions.

When they learn how you’ll answer the question, they learn more about you both as a potential employee and as a person.

In other words, they’re looking for a particular type of employee, and this is a good way for them to find out if you are the right fit.

When a company interviews you, they’re looking for a particular type of individual, someone who will work well with other employees, can take instructions well, work autonomously and develop into a leader, but most importantly, that you have a passion and a drive to do well in your new role.

Asking why you want to work there is a good way to determine what you’re looking for in a job and even how long you plan to stay with them.

It isn’t a “trick” question – it is simply a way to determine if you’re a good match for their company.

If you’re asked why you want to work for a particular company, there are some things you definitely should not say to a prospective employer.

For one thing, never tell them that the job is a step on the corporate ladder that you need to get to where you eventually want to be.

This is an immediate red flag to the interviewer.

One of the reasons is because companies like to hire people who are going to stay there for a while and saying something like “this is a great step for me in my career” tells them this job will only be temporary.

Also, never mention a high salary as the reason you want the job, even if you’re working with a company that finds jobs for people.

They’ll think that the salary is the only reason you’re applying for the job, and that won’t sit well with them.

Everyone, including employers, will understand that a competitive salary is a motivator for anyone taking on a new position.

Although the financial gain is a determining factor for the majority of candidates, focusing solely on money is going to inadvertently tell the employer that you will ‘jump ship’ as soon as a better offer comes along.

Having said this, it is always important to remain firm on what you are worth to the company and to make sure that you are compensated accurately for what you can bring to the business.

If you’re looking to find a new position to progress your career, take a look at our insights page for helpful tips on getting past the interview stage, leaving your current job, or finding out more information about being a contractor, and much more.

Written by Lucid Support