This past week was full of job interviews for me. We are adding four new sales people and some engineering talent at IZEA. Over the years I have interviewed and hired hundreds of people at my companies. While each interview is unique (yesterday I interviewed someone dressed as Lobster Claus) I always ask one question that is the same.
Why do you want to work here?
I have had candidates respond with some awesome answers to this question, but more often than not people fall flat on their face. Here are some of my least favorite answers:
- To make more money
- So I can work downtown
- I hate my current job
The reason I ask this question is to determine the motives of the candidate and see if they have done any real research about the company. I don’t want to hire people seeking a filler job. I want to hire people that have done their homework, understand our services, appreciate our culture and have ideas on how they can impact the company in a positive way.
Interviewing is a lot like dating. There are plenty of companies out there, just like there are plenty of people.
Imagine you are on a date
Girl : Why do you want to date me?
Responses from Boy…
Boy : I really need a girlfriend.
Boy : You live close to my house.
Boy : I hate my current girlfriend.
Boy : I want more sex.
Yeah. Those wouldn’t go over so well. The same is true when you are on a job interview. When someone asks you a question specific to the company be sure to respond with an answer that is specific as well.
Employer : Why do you want to work here?
Candidate : I have been looking for the right company for some time and I think ACME is the one for me. I have done a lot of research on your website and through searches on other sites. I understand your products, your culture and appreciate your involvement in the community. I believe I am a great match for the position you have open now and I think we can grow together in the future.
Of course, that response only matters if you mean it. If you provide an answer like that expect the employer to be so happy that they will want to dig deeper.
They are likely to say – I want to be able to wear a Lobster Clause costume to work….and not for Halloween.
I think that mostly often people hate their current job, so it is uncomfortable to take any kind of interview.