One of the most common questions asked within an interview is ‘Why do you want to work for our organisation?’ and you wouldn’t believe the number of people who get tripped up on answering this, and quite often a reason our candidates don’t get through to 2nd stage! Their answer may be too generic, or it may sound like they have memorised the company’s Wikipedia page from start to finish; some even reply with a simple ‘I just need a job’.
You may be thinking to yourself “but I just don’t know what my ‘why’ is”, and that is ok! Sometimes your ‘why’ may not be as clear as others around you, and this is something which is entirely individual to each person. So, let’s break it down and see if we can discover your why.
Your ‘Why’ should be made up of the following:
- Your Values
- Your Strengths
- Your Purpose
By identifying the above, you will discover your ‘why’ which will allow you a newfound clarity in your job search. You will feel your confidence is boosted; you have real enthusiasm for the roles you are exploring and have a great energy during interviews.
A well-thought-out answer to ‘why us’ also allows you to demonstrate the following:
- Your values
Perhaps their mission statement really resonates with you. You may even love some of the charity work they have been doing. These are all things that show your values align with the organisation. - Work Ethic
You are showing you have taken the time to research the company and have a strong work ethic to complete this task before even committing to the organisation. - What is important to you
The reasons you want to work for a specific company will say a lot about what is important for you when deciding which company to work with. Whether that be a clear and structured growth plan, or the fact they are a growing company, and you get to wear lots of hats; this says more about you and the way you work than you think!
Knowing your ‘why’ will allow you to unlock endless possibilities, putting who you are and how you want to spend your working life at the forefront of your job search. It is vitally important you don’t squash yourself into a box you think they are looking for. This is just one of the reasons people apply to jobs they are not motivated or excited by. Rather than considering roles you feel you ‘can do’ based on skills, why not focus on finding a position that would energise, excited, and motivate you.