Question forms part of
Civil Service Question Bank
Project Manager Question & Answer Sheet
Other interview questions that are similar
- What interests you about this role?
- What motivates you to apply for this position?
- What do you hope to gain from working here?
- How does this job align with your career goals?
- What attracted you to this company?
- What do you think you can contribute to our team?
- What specific skills or experiences do you have that make you a good fit for this job?
- What challenges do you see in this role, and how do you plan to address them?
- How do you see this job fitting into your long-term career plans?
- What sets this job apart from other opportunities you have considered?
What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
There are probably an infinite number of questions that the interviewer could ask you on the day. Some questions are incredibly common appearing in almost every interview you will have, while other questions you might hear once and never again regardless of how many jobs you apply for.
Fundamentally though all interview questions are really trying to find out one of 3 things:
1 – Can you do the job? (Do you have the skills/experience needed?)
2 – Will you do the job? (Do you have the drive/motivation to get the job done?)
3 – Will you fit in? (Does your personality match the workplace culture? Are you likeable?)
That’s it. Those are the 3 things that the interviewer is trying to ascertain. Every question that is asked of you will fundamentally be trying to resolve one (or more) of these 3 things.
The question “why do you want this job?” is commonly asked by interviewers as it helps them assess various aspects of a candidate simultaneously. When you explain why you want the job, you have the opportunity to emphasize your skills and experience that make you a suitable candidate. By discussing how your abilities align with the position’s requirements, you demonstrate that you have the capability to perform the tasks involved in the job. This helps the interviewer understand your potential for success in the role.
Your response to this question can also showcase your motivation and passion for the role. Expressing enthusiasm for the job, its challenges, and the company’s mission or values indicates that you are genuinely interested in the position and willing to put in the effort to achieve success. This demonstrates to the interviewer that you have the drive and motivation necessary to excel in the position.
Finally, the way you articulate your reasons for wanting the job can reveal aspects of your personality and how they align with the company culture. By highlighting your personal values, goals, and work style, you provide the interviewer with a glimpse into how you might fit in with the team and contribute to a positive work environment. A well-thought-out answer can also convey that you are a likable and approachable candidate, which is important for fostering good working relationships.
How Best To Answer ‘Why Do You Want This Job’
The best approach to answering the question “why do you want this job?” involves a combination of research, self-reflection, and effective communication. While the B-STAR method is particularly useful for behavioral interview questions that ask for specific examples from your past experiences, you can still apply some of its principles to craft a compelling answer to this question.
The best approach to answering the question “why do you want this job?” involves thorough preparation, self-reflection, and effective communication. To craft a compelling and authentic response, consider the following steps:
- Research the company and the role: Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission, values, culture, and the specific job requirements. This will allow you to tailor your answer to show that you are well-informed and genuinely interested in the role. Discuss how the company’s mission or values resonate with your own beliefs, or mention specific projects or initiatives that excite you.
- Reflect on your motivation and strengths: Engage in self-reflection to identify your strengths, motivations, and personal goals. Consider how these align with the job description and the company culture. This will help you demonstrate that you are not only capable of performing the job but also motivated to succeed and likely to fit in with the team.
- Structure your response: Begin by expressing your enthusiasm for the company and the role. Then, highlight your skills, experience, and personal traits that make you an ideal candidate for the position. Be specific and provide examples where possible to make your response more persuasive.
- Connect your goals with the role: Describe how the job aligns with your professional aspirations and how it will help you grow in your career. This will show the interviewer that you have thought about the long-term implications of the role and that you are committed to making a meaningful contribution to the company.
- Be concise and articulate: Practice your answer to ensure that you can deliver it confidently and clearly during the interview. Aim to strike a balance between providing sufficient information and being concise. Remember to maintain a positive and enthusiastic tone throughout your response.
By following these steps, you can create a well-thought-out and genuine answer to the question “why do you want this job?” This will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are not only capable of doing the job but also motivated and likely to fit well within the company culture.
What You Should NOT Do When Answering Questions
Do not avoid the question.
Do not reject the premise of the question.
Do not give a one-sentence answer.
Why Do You Want This Job – Example answers
Developer Example
I am truly excited about the Developer role at this rapidly growing FinTech company. Your commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions aligns with my passion for creating efficient and user-friendly applications that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Having researched your company, I found that your focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology in financial services resonates with my interests and experience. I am confident that my skills and background in software development make me a strong fit for this position.
What particularly attracts me to this role is the opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative environment that fosters professional growth. I believe that working at your company will not only allow me to broaden my knowledge of the FinTech industry but also provide me with the chance to contribute to projects that shape the future of financial services.
Overall, I am enthusiastic about this Developer role because it perfectly aligns with my career goals and passion for FinTech. I am confident that my skills, experience, and personal traits make me an ideal candidate for this position, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success.
Civil Service Example
I’m really excited about joining the Civil Service as a Business Analyst. I’ve come to appreciate its important role in supporting government functions and driving improvements across various sectors, which aligns with my desire to contribute to meaningful projects.
My experience as a Business Analyst has helped me develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which I believe would be valuable in this role. I enjoy collaborating with diverse teams and developing solutions to improve processes and achieve goals.
What draws me to this role is the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects that directly influence citizens’ well-being. I’m eager to apply my skills in a context where I can make a tangible difference and help shape policies that benefit everyone.
I see working for the Civil Service as a chance to grow professionally, learning from experts in various fields. I’m enthusiastic about this Business Analyst role and confident that my skills, experience, and personal traits make me a great candidate for this position.
Newly Qualified Teacher Example
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