HOW TO answer: ‘Why do you want this Job?’

Answering this question should be quite simple. The most common answers are:

“Well, I want a job.”

“I want to work.”

“I want to support my family and the household bills.”

“I want a challenge and this is a better suit for me.”

“I hate the job I’m in, I need to do something different.”

“My family are moving so I need to change jobs”

“I got made redundant”

“I’m a bit bored”

“I like the sound of this role”

The problem with these answers is that whilst they all may well be true and explain the reason behind your application, it does not give the interviewer any clear reason as to why hiring you, would benefit their company.

When you are going for an interview or applying for a job you need to give the interviewer compelling reasons for giving you the job and that starts with the basic question:

Why do you want it?

You turn your reasons into a compelling argument of why you should be chosen for the role.

Treating this question as an opportunity for your sales pitch will incredibly enhance the quality of your answer. By thinking about what it is that the interviewer wants in a candidate and what it is that they need to hear will help you tailor your answer for the best impression.

Here are 4 key steps to selling yourself into that job…

When you are asked about why you have applied for this role, why you want it etc… start with:

Step 1:

‘This is a great company /organisation because…….’  Everyone likes to be flattered, so tell them why you think they are a good company, what it is you like about the company etc.

Step 2:

Describe the challenges of the role, even if it is a job that is pretty routine. What are the issues they face in getting someone to do the role well?

Step 3:

Tell them the things that you have a passion for, the things you have just been doing, the challenges you really enjoy and give some brief examples.

Step 4:

Think about why they might not want to hire you and refute their logic.

For example:

“I think [company name] is a great organisation, I admire their ethical stance and I am always impressed with the way that they present themselves. That’s the sort of company I’d like to be in. I know you need employees who can work shifts, who have strong communication skills and who will make sure that the quality of work is at its highest. I really enjoy working with people; it’s really important to me to be polite and friendly, when I worked in retail I tried to get every customer to smile before they left…”

Keeping the bigger picture on your mind throughout the interview will allow you to answer questions in a well-rounded and appealing way. Companies would be crazy not to hire you!

Make Your First Impression Count

Before you can wow the interviewer with your skills and experience, you inevitably make your first impression as soon as you step through the door. It is your job to ensure that this impression is a good one.

Start as you mean to go on…

First things first, make sure you arrive ten minutes before your interview.  Time keeping says an incredible amount about your character and your commitment to the role you are interviewing for. If you are worried that this may let you down, give the journey a trial run before the interview if you are able to. This will hopefully highlight any potential travel issues or unexpected diversions.

Look the part…

Your interviewer will probably see you before they hear you, so knowing what to wear in an interview can put you ten points ahead of the opposition before you’ve even opened your mouth.

The interview starts when you enter the building…

Even before you get to the interview room or meet your interviewers, be well-mannered and positive with the reception staff and anyone else you encounter on the way to your interview. You could be working with them in a few weeks’ time. This is also a great opportunity to build up some confidence before your interview starts.

Let your body do the talking…

Your body language and handshake are vital in creating the right impression. Make sure you’re not avoiding eye contact, glancing nervously from side-to-side, playing with your clothing or fiddling with the zip on your bag.

Building up the right impression…

Interviews are often nerve-wracking and intimidating but don’t be freaked out by it all; remember why you’re here, be clear about what you want to say and what you want to ask, and keep your cool.

Preparing properly for your interview should put you at ease as you’ll have confidence that you know enough about yourself, the role and the company to answer the common interview questions.

Positivity personified…

Showing a positive attitude is the single most valuable first impression you can make. If you are excited and up for it, your potential employer will probably be considering you for the job within two minutes of you walking through the door. The right attitude really can have that much impact.

 

Making sure you factor these ideas into your interview will only benefit you – Good Luck!

 

And the Oscar goes to…Four Tips for an Award-Winning Interview

Never is personal branding more important than when you’re going for a job interview, particularly if it’s a job you really want. However, most of us enter an interview feeling nervous and powerless and with that mindset, it is hard to feel comfortable and ultimately succeed. What you need to do is take control.

Here are four tips you should take on board in order to perform at your best in your interview.

1. The first 15 seconds are the most important

People make up their minds about you in a matter of seconds. Whether you like it or not, a first impression is based on snap visual impressions; the way you look when you enter the room, the first 15 words you say, your clothes, hairstyle, eye contact and smile are all critical visual messages that need to convey the right message for you, the job and the company.

2. Lean in, literally

We have mentioned to you before about the importance of body language.

New research by Harvard Business School shows that some poses actually affect our performance because they change our body chemistry.

Poses such as standing tall, leaning in toward another person, or expansive hand gestures convey high power, gravitas and confidence. Crossing your arms across your chest or crossing your legs conveys low power. So, ensure you think about your ‘power poses’ before you get to the hot seat.

3. Own your value with a memorable ‘brand sentence’

Be prepared to identify your Unique Selling Point (USP); what is different and special about you in comparison with others and why it matters.

You should also be able to tell interesting stories about your professional adventures that bring your USP to life.  Employees want you to have a proven track record of why your USP will contribute to the success of their company.

4. Turn the tables on the interviewer

A powerful tactic is to turn the tables on the interviewer so the interview is a two-way conversation. As soon as you can, ask the interviewer questions. Ask them about key initiatives and projects, and the company culture.

Listen more than you talk. It’s a very powerful tactic, because if you work a series of questions into the conversation, you immediately level the playing field and you will come across as a serious, professional candidate for the role in question.

6 Essential Prep Tips to follow in order to Ace Your Interview

A great way you are sure to have a successful interview is if you start your preparation the minute you receive an invitation for an interview.

Research the company extensively

It’s never too early to figure out what a company does, how it does it and what competitive challenges it faces from its peers or from the economy as a whole.

Carefully review its website and profile on LinkedIn. Make use of Google, Yahoo or Bing to learn about product launches and mergers or acquisitions the company is involved.

If you expect to learn these things at an interview, you’ll lose your own competitive advantage over other job hunters who will make certain to know all this and come into the interview prepared to capitalise on their research.

Learn about the people with whom you’ll speak

Check out each interviewer’s LinkedIn profile, paying special attention to anything they may have in common with yourself or their fellow colleagues.

Shine your shoes, take your suit to the dry cleaner, iron your shirt and comb your hair

Even if the company has a casual dress code, appearances count.

Anticipate questions you might be asked

You can never know for sure what questions are going to be asked during an interview, but you can imagine yourself in the role of the interviewer.

With this in mind, engage in some role-play. This will make you more confident and assured when it’s time for the real interview.

Assemble the materials you should take to the interview

While the company will already have your CV, it will never hurt for you to bring copies of it for everyone to have at arm’s length in the interview room.

Also bring business cards, even if they only have your name, address and contact information on them.

Make sure you know where you’re going

There are too many unfortunate stories of people who show up late, report to the wrong building or simply get lost on the way to the interview.

To avoid this happening to you, practice driving the route to the interview to get a sense of how long it will take and what delays you might encounter.

Follow these steps and you are sure to make a great impression on the interviewers.

Good Luck!