Job Interview Answer Do’s & Don’t’s: ‘Why Do You Want to Work Here?’

By Jane Gakaria,

“What is the best way to answer the ‘why do you want to work here’ question during an interview. I have an interview scheduled for next week and obviously I can’t give the real answer which is I’m unemployed, need the money and you’ve got a job vacancy. Please help. Lydia via email.

Speaking to Robert Wamai, HR Manager at The Big Picture he states that “when someone has been called for an interview they are in effect entering a competition only they may not know who their opponents are, so ensure you’re at your best.”

So how can someone effectively answer this question? The following are some of the dos and don’ts.

Dos.

One, do thorough research on the company and industry. This will make you stand out as an informed employee. “This is one of the mistakes that many candidates make. They don’t prepare well and it shows. They must do their CV right, look presentable and research about the company. Preparation also increases ones confidence.”

Also try to look for news articles about the company, their recent successes and challenges, any information in the press about the developments of the industry they work in. You could also search to see if the company has any youtube channel; if so watch some of their recent videos and see what information you can glean.

Two, come up with concrete reasons which show your interest and enthusiasm for why you want to work for the company. “Employees are looking for the best fit in the organization- do you possess the competence- education and experience and do you have the right attitude – character and personality.” That’s what the employer is testing.”

Furthermore you could also search the company website for its mission statement, future projects, product and service information, background and contact information etc. then base your answers according to these lines. A great example would be ‘when I visited your website I found out your carrying out project x and with my background in engineering, I think I would be an asset to you and the project’.

Three, try as much as possible to match your skills with the vacant position. Ask yourself what can I bring to the company? Then that way you would be able to know what specific skills, strengths, experience and background are needed for the position. Mr. Wamai states that “Ultimately for the employer, the interview answers two questions; does this person have the qualifications? And can we work together?”

Don’ts.

One, don’t bad mouth your previous job or boss. Even if going to work felt like someone was stabbing you in the gut or working for your boss felt like torture, don’t bash them. Bad mouthing sets a precedent that you’ll do the same to the new employer should you leave. Obviously the employer knows that you weren’t completely happy or satisfied with the previous job and that’s why you left, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. So be professional about the opportunities and learning experiences (if any) from your last job.

Two, don’t regurgitate everything you’ve read. Even if your employer may be impressed that you know much about their company, they don’t want you quoting every single thing, word by word, from their website. They would appreciate it if you took the time to digest the information and made it applicable to yourself. For example if a company’s mission statement is based around reducing poverty, you could say how you yourself have been involved in poverty reduction exercises like running charity campaigns.

Three, don’t talk too much about the money or perks. “It’s not wrong to talk about the salary and benefits,” Mr. Wamai states, “the mistake is when you make that the only reason.” Mentioning such makes you look like a gold digger and a potential job hopper, who’s more interested in the benefits rather than the organization.

Four, don’t waste your time on ‘irrelevant companies’. If you are busy researching on a company and nothing about them picks your interest then it might be time to move. Just as a company assesses you to find out if you’re right for them, so should you assess them as well. After all, employment is a two way process.

His parting shot? Do your homework, look the part, arrive on time, be confident and don’t tell lies however small they may be.

In conclusion, if you have prepared yourself, done the necessary research, have the required skills and expertise for the position, then there is no need to worry about anything. You have done all you could possibly do and the ball is no longer in your court but the employer’s

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