Do you want to know how to reply to this “simple” and important interview question? Let’s get started!
Today, I would like to share with you how I would answer a very “simple” interview question that is asked in almost 99.9% of cases. The question I am talking about is “Why did you apply for this role?”. It sounds like a simple question, but it is not.
Keep in mind that this question may be paraphrased and sound as follows:
Why are you interested in this position?
Why do you want this job?
What interests you about this job?
What motivates you to apply for this position?
The main purpose of this question is to solicit from you the answers to the following questions:
1. Why did you choose this PARTICULAR company to apply for?
2. What unique RELEVANT skills, knowledge, and ability can you offer?
3. What aspirations do you have that this job will help you with?
Let’s dive in and see what is the purpose of the 1st sub-question. To answer it in a way that will leave a good impression, you need to thoroughly research the company. I would suggest not to stop on just reviewing the mission, vision, and values of the organization or even the “About Us” section. I strongly recommend checking sections that you think maybe relevant in your case. For instance, when I look for a role in human resources, I make sure to check the following sections of the company’s website:
About Us — to see if this is the company and culture I want to be part of. In addition, it helps us to answer interview questions related to mission, vision, and values.
Public Policies and Procedure — to check what kind of policies and procedures they have. One of the questions employers tend to ask is about improvements you can suggest. Hopefully, revising the policies gives you a hint to elaborate on this question.
Team — to see how diverse is the team. Who does not want to be part of the diverse team?
Annual Financial Reports — to analyze how much money goes to the core services and how much into administration.
After researching the company, think about the THREE most important REASONS you want to work for the company of your choice. For instance, it can be projects they are working on, values, or a mission you have a personal bond with. Do not forget to praise for things they are probably proud of. They may have the title of “Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures” or “Canada’s Top 100 Employers”, etc.
The second part of our question is the core. Remember, the employer wants a team member who can articulate in such a manner that it is clear to everyone that you are capable of bringing value to the table. You can bring it only by sharing the RELEVANT skills, experience, and knowledge. If you start sharing what is not relevant, it is a waste of your and their time. So, this is the perfect time to build on top of what you have already shared and tell about THREE core skills, experiences, and education. For this part of the question, the job posting will be very handy. Usually, recruiters put the most important skills on the top of the list of required qualifications. Keep in mind not to deep dive into your skills and experiences while replying to this question. Believe me, they will probe down the road everything you have shared in the beginning. During this question, the purpose is to intrigue and keep your interviewer interested.
For the last part of the question, you can simply share your future professional goals and add how this job would help you to get there. If they understand that it is a win-win situation for both sides, they will be willing to have further conversations with you. The reason for this is that employers are highly interested in having high employee retention. They want their employees to stay and grow with them. So make sure to leave an impression that you want to grow with them and will look for opportunities for further development. This is the time to start creating a bond with the company of your choice.
In conclusion, to answer the question of why you want this job, you simply need to share three reasons why this particular company, three reasons what relevant skills, experience, and education you have, and last but not least what is your vision for your future as a professional.
I hope these tips will help you to ace one of the most important questions in an interview.
Good luck with your job search!
