Today we’re going to be tackling the dreaded question, “Why do you want to work here?”
This is a very common question and chances are in almost every job interview you go on, you’ll be asked this question.
“Because I’m broke and I really need the money!”
As tempting and honest as that may be, what they really want to know is if you’re looking for their job or if you’re looking for just any job. If you come across as desperate and needy, then it just looks like you’re going to take anything that comes along and you may leave them if a better opportunity arises.
Your best bet is to focus on the company itself. I recently talked to Reisha, a hired Snagajob member who was hired at Kohl’s during a group interview. They went around the room and asked everyone the same question. When the, “Why do you want to work here?” question came up, everyone responded with answers like, “Honestly, I’ll do anything! I just really need the money!”
In order to set herself apart, Reisha said:
“I want to work here because I admire your staff’s friendliness and I want to be a part of that.”
She focused on the company itself and focused on what she admired about them, their customer service, something they take very seriously.
Keep your answers about them and how well the two of you can work together. Make sure you do your research on the company before you go in for the job interview. Take a look around at their website and see if they’ve won any awards, maybe for how they treat their employees or how they treat their customers. These are things you can specifically mention when answering the “Why do you want to work here?” question that show that you take your job search seriously and really want this job.
“I’ve been a fan of Build-a-Bear for years now and I think that this is a great place to put my customer service skills to work. In fact, I saw on your website that you won an award for being a great place to work, and every time I’ve been in your store I’ve seen how happy your employees were. I would love to join your team.”
The three things to remember in order to answer this question well are:
- Talk about how much you admire the company.
- Talk about what a great fit you would be in the position
- Show that you’ve done research on the company itself.
Interviewing can be stressful and the best advice we can give you is to practice, practice, practice! It will help ease some of your nerves so you can go in with the confidence that you know what’s coming ahead.
Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/snagajob for more job search advice. We will have a new video every Wednesday.
About Kim Costa
Hi Kim, I love your videos and the tips about the job interviews.
Thanks and keep them coming please.
I went to Home Depot after filling out my experience and they asked me about one of the very few areas in which I had none,I said I was willing to learn any aspect and i had already told them why I liked their store.Any suggestions?
Hi MRS. Kim,
I liked your videos. It was cool that you guys kept the bloopers in it. Keep it real.
Cliff
Great tips and advice .. Good Job !!!
Good Info. I would like to see more
Great advice look forward to hearing more advice on interviewing strategies.
great job tip ,from Kim . I apprieciate the advice.
Great video;; Really helps
http://www.snagajob.com/resources/video-why-do-you-want-to-work-here-2/#respond
I like the videos a lot, but NOT the closed captioning. There are many typos in the closed captioning and this sort of contradicts the emphasis put on spell checking resumes and correspondence before sending it. Since you have the text written down, there should be no reason for the spelling errors in the closed captioning.
Hi Julie! Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The closed captioning is something that YouTube automatically puts on there. We will work on getting it updated so there aren’t so many mistakes.
What about those potential ER’s who are just plain rude in the interview? AND all they wanna know is how much can I talk him/her down- moneywise? I have actually been asked, “So, you would be willing to work for less?” UGH!
That video was a big help. But I would like to see one on how to get past the job applications that ask about your age. Why does your age become such an issue? It seems like as soon as I answer there question about age, I am kick out of the loop. Also, I live in the USA and for some reason I am not eligible to be a cashier at Home Depot due to the fact that I am not bilingual. I believe that they are being presidential to the fact that I only speak English. How am I ever to find a job in this biased economy. Please email me some tips to finding a job that really wants a dedicated employee. I only need a part-time position. I have a child to take care of so full time is only an option if it is grave shift. Please let me know if you have any suggestions? Thank you, Sincerely yours. MJ
what happen to the email that i send you Kim Costa ?
Hi Butch! I don’t recall seeing an email from you. Can you send it again to facebook@snagajob.com? Thanks!
I am having trouble with employers telling me that i have to watch a 4 or even 8 hour video on computer to teach me how to run their register. They say little or no hands on training on register. I got burned out on one after 3 hours. I am not used to this type of cash register training. It seems too much is thrown at you too fast. I even had someone leave me on the register alone when I did not fully understand how to run it after 1 hour on hand training . Is there any way to get some better on hands training with this situation.
Thanks for the informative information on how to answer the question Why do you want to work here. I will implement what I have learned and hope for the best thanks.
Like that you aren’t afraid to be human and remember what it’s like to job hunt! Bloopers are always good too. Good job, girl. Or Lady, which ever. Good job.
Thanks, Rob! Let us know if you have any job-search questions you would like to see a video for
.
I liked it.
It is really hard to find a job when your my age over the age of 50 it is difficult and I had a business of my own and worked as a caregiver since most hire young teens to work.. I need to work part time and semi retied but need extra income but only want to work 20 hours a week.. Any one older should not be pushed aside since we want to work and would be willing to learn if had to.
Barb
January 14,2014 2:30 pm
I found the interview tips helpful. Thanks.
I am a store manager of fast food restaurant, and one of my duties is hiring hourly employees. I like to ask this kind of questions. I learn from their answers and how I feel about them. I hire lots of teenagers, high school kids who don’t have work history and want to get extra money and build their resume. It’s funny how some of them think working at fast food as cashiers is easy. They have no idea how hard dealing with difficult customers who look down on you because you work at fast food restaurant.
Learning a lot from the video’s. Keep them coming. Soon will be job hunting…
Hi Kim,
I really enjoy your weekly training videos, they are extremely beneficial and keep me coming back for more. I’m a US Marine with 22 years of service and your advice on image portrayal and communication skills seem to be spot on. As I transition from the military I’m facing what I’ve watched hundreds of Marines go through in the past, in fact ALL military members have to make the transition from military working environment to civilian job market. If possible, could you consider a training series on “changing career fields” I think it would be beneficial to all our military members as well as individuals seeking employment outside their realm of experience, whether it be their educational background, work experience, or both. Thanks again for the professional, well thought out classes you give – I’m sure your helping countless individuals get through a difficult economy.
Much Appreciation,
robert
Hi Robert! First, on behalf of Snagajob, thank you for your service to our country. I am so glad you are finding our videos helpful. We really like your idea for a ‘changing careers’ video and have added that to the list of the next round of videos we want to shoot. Please let me know if you have any other videos you would like to see! Be sure to check out this article: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/why-vets-make-great-hires/ and let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks for your tips. How do we find out about more home care assistant jobs in our local area? I want to be able to use my skills, and need to learn how to sell myself. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi there! Try using our keyword search tool to look for home care jobs in your area: http://www.snagajob.com/job-search and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks kim ur advise are very helpful keep it up tnks..
Kim,
I am a 25 plus year video producer and this is the first time I’ve seen any of your segments and you did a very good job….nice voice and genuiness in your presentation. However, you need to design some sort of icon that is impossible to miss since I’ve been using Snag a job frequently the last few weeks and just now found the videos. Also, you need to take the time to find a hair-do that looks more professional on-camera and maybe somebody who really knows how to do make up for on-camera. Also the video level was a little “hot” on your face, just barely washing out your complexion. Unfortunately, image is huge in the world today….as you certainly know. Overall I’d give you and your production a “B”
Finally, you might want to consider a green screen, which will give you the option to put you in different locations. And of course all of my suggestions are very inexpensive so why not improve your product.
These video tips are helpful. Maybe a bit vague but understandable given the wide-range of topics. Maybe some videos could be more narrow, giving more sample for specific fields such as working with children vs. a computer job . . .
I enjoy your weekly help videos. I have been looking for a position more than a year now. I feel a lot of the problem is age ( I am 60 ). I have filled out apps that say they only want my month and day of birth, not year, but when you go down the app farther it asks what year did you graduate from high school. A slick way to get around the year of birth. I think this is a growing problem with a lot of unemployed but your videos are geared more to young people looking for their first job. Will you please do a video for job seeekers over 50. Thank you, Kim
Hi Jeff! Thanks for the suggestion. I will add it to our list
.
This interview video is great and I am foing to have one of my client’s watch it. Wondering if I can save it in a file for future client’s?
I am an Employment Specialist in Port Townsend.
Hi Candy! Glad you like the videos
. Can you email me at Facebook@snagajob.com? Thanks!
Thanks, Cliff! Let me know if you have any ideas for future videos
.
hi