interview question help: why do you want to work for X?

[gotsmack]

What do you guys say for this question?

I'm moving for
1. Career advancement
2. I like the city the new position is in.

The new company is maybe slightly smaller/less prestigious than my company and the work is in my field, but the product is slightly different. So maybe I can talk about learning new product lines.

Thanks in advance.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Why do you want to work for x?

Do NOTHING but suck up to the company. Read their mission statements on their website, etc... stroke that corporate cock, they want you to tease them a little with questions like that.


Also sprinkle in some "I'm looking to challenge myself and further advance my knowledge/skills" and "x has the type of working environment that is appeals/is ideal for me and my skills" etc.. etc...

 

[Genx87]

money

 

[rudeguy]

I'll be the voice of reason:

OP: Do some serious research on the company you are applying for. Check them out on linkedin, Google, any possible information you can get on them will help you. Find out what their area of focus is and find reason that area interest you. If they are selling woodchippers, find out what the latest woodchipper technology is and find a reason to get excited about it. Same if they cell solar panels, igloos, midgets or goats. But do your research before the interview.

Keep in mind that the job market is still not fully recovered, so the HR drones have tons of people applying who just want any job. You want to find a way to make yourself stand out.

 

[OverVolt]

I'll be the voice of reason:

OP: Do some serious research on the company you are applying for. Check them out on linkedin, Google, any possible information you can get on them will help you. Find out what their area of focus is and find reason that area interest you. If they are selling woodchippers, find out what the latest woodchipper technology is and find a reason to get excited about it. Same if they cell solar panels, igloos, midgets or goats. But do your research before the interview.

Keep in mind that the job market is still not fully recovered, so the HR drones have tons of people applying who just want any job. You want to find a way to make yourself stand out.

Oh gawd all you did was read s0me0nesmind1's post and repeat it in your own words.

 

[rudeguy]

Oh gawd all you did was read s0me0nesmind1's post and repeat it in your own words.

No I skipped over his posts like I normally do.

He's on my list of people that I normally don't bother reading their posts. You're on my list of people that I normally read your posts looking for a reason to flame you :awe:

 

[cbrunny]

mission statement. its a values question. just regurgitate their mission statement.

 

[Rakehellion]

Looking for a new challenge. That's what I always say.

 

[slugg]

Why do I want to work for X?

Because I've been a fluffer for over 5 years and I think it's time to really get screwed.

 

[Insomniator]

Its such a stupid question that it should be banned from interviews. They act like people have 10 companies to choose from and you are picking from THEM. The reality of course is that 95% of people are ecstatic to have one offer and wouldn't care if the company's mission was to rid the world of puppies and sunshine.

 

[TechWiz365]

Say anything that would show them that you care for this company and want to help make it better and contribute positively.

 

[Markbnj]

Absolutely you have to kiss their asses. The only reason for asking the question is to solicit ass kissing, so if you don't deliver you aren't getting the gig.

Naturally, you carefully selected them for your job hunting attention based on the absolute awesome sauce that pours out of every corner of their utterly mediocre organization.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Its such a stupid question that it should be banned from interviews. They act like people have 10 companies to choose from and you are picking from THEM. The reality of course is that 95% of people are ecstatic to have one offer and wouldn't care if the company's mission was to rid the world of puppies and sunshine.

I came in here to post this.

 

[Platypus]

I feel like if you're struggling with this question there's kind of a serious problem there. Be honest, why do you want to work there?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I feel like if you're struggling with this question there's kind of a serious problem there. Be honest, why do you want to work there?

"I got bills."

 

[SSSnail]

"I'm a big fan of money, I have a little that I keep in a jar on top of my fridge. I'd like to put more in that jar and it starts with you hiring me."

Works every time.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I'll be the voice of reason:

OP: Do some serious research on the company you are applying for. Check them out on linkedin, Google, any possible information you can get on them will help you. Find out what their area of focus is and find reason that area interest you. If they are selling woodchippers, find out what the latest woodchipper technology is and find a reason to get excited about it. Same if they cell solar panels, igloos, midgets or goats. But do your research before the interview.

Keep in mind that the job market is still not fully recovered, so the HR drones have tons of people applying who just want any job. You want to find a way to make yourself stand out.

As a former hiring manager I agree with this. Don't be afraid to tell why you'd be excited, even if it's for the money. This is the opportunity to sell yourself (in a good way).

 

[BurnItDwn]

I work for the company that my father worked for my whole life. The one thing he did with us was talk about the company. He took us to company picnics. He was a total workaholic, and not the best father, but he steered me towards working for this great company. I knew why I wanted to work here. You need to know why YOU want to work there, not some bullshit retardo strangers make up for you.

 

[DrPizza]

"I'm a big fan of money, I have a little that I keep in a jar on top of my fridge. I'd like to put more in that jar and it starts with you hiring me."

Works every time.

Depending on how I gauge the interviewer, that might be my initial response, as a joke, followed with, "seriously though,... " point out how you feel the job would be rewarding professionally, maybe even point out some of the details of the compensation package that makes their company better than the competition. If company A is known for having a better compensation package than company B, I think it would be glaringly dishonest to at least not mention that you'd like to do the job at the place that will pay you better.

It's quite possible the interviewer never really thought about the reason for asking such a stupid question. By explaining the part about compensation with, "and I honestly have to also mention; I don't know how anyone wouldn't consider that your company has a reputation of treating its employees better..." might get the interviewer to reflect more on the question and realize that some of the other answers he (or she) received were just fluff bullshit canned responses to a common question.

 

[z1ggy]

"B/c I love hookers n blow, and that ain't cheap."

 

[reallyscrued]

I came in here to post this.

Same here.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I feel like if you're struggling with this question there's kind of a serious problem there. Be honest, why do you want to work there?

My coke dealer stopped taking EBT.

 

[mmntech]

"Why should we hire you?" and it's derivative "why do you want to work for us?" are two of the stupidest questions asked in job interviews. It's a brainless question that people feel they need to ask. Interviews should be a business conversation, not an interrogation.

Check out Forbes' columnist Liz Ryan's guide on how to answer 10 stupidest questions. I find it's helped me.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/02/27/smart-answers-to-ten-stupid-interview-questions/

 

[FeuerFrei]

• Conveniently located with ample parking - how can I say "no"? :awe:
  
• Hope to hone my interpersonal skills.
  
• Like to master your proprietary software.
  
• Feel like I'm contributing to the demise of environmentalism.
  
• People person - just like to help out.
  
• Need more exposure to design process.
  
• Like to surround myself with less-competent folk.
  
• Intend to transform the nickel-plating industry.
  
• Less demanding of my time than my last job.

 

[lxskllr]

"Beggars can't be choosers. I haven't heard back from Google."