Why Do You Want to Work Here? Answering Common Job Interview Questions

Regardless of what field you work in, job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience. That nervousness can strike any candidate no matter how qualified they may be since they only get one chance to make a first impression with a hiring manager. Morgan from Miami is dealing with some job interview nerves and has these questions for the WorkInSports Podcast:

"Hey Brian -- I've listened to so much of your advice over the years, and it has truly helped me with my confidence and approach. But I just went into an interview last week I was really excited about and the recruiter asked me a very basic question about ‘why I want to work here,’ and I froze. Two-part question – how do you handle your nerves and recover from an early flop? And also, how should I answer that question – everything sounded really cliché in my head."

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Morgan froze up at one of the most common job interview questions that hiring managers ask. Confidence is key to easing the tension in an interview setting, but interviewers will see through bravado quickly if there is nothing to back it up. One of the best ways to gain that confidence is by researching the company.

When a hiring manager asks, "Why do you want to work here," they are finding out if you have taken the time to learn about them. Forty-seven percent of employers would reject candidates who knew little about the company. So don't skip this crucial step in your preparation. Here's what your research should include:

• Their social media presence (how they brand themselves externally)
• Their business model (how they make money)
• Their competitors (who the big players in their industry are)
• Their history (newsworthy accomplishments over the years)
• Their culture (what it's like working there)

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Once you have answers to these questions, it should be easy to articulate why you want to work for their company as well as confidently answer other common interview questions that come your way. For more sports interview job tips, visit our resource center.

Enjoy the full episode of the podcast for more ways to research for your next interview. Also, subscribe to the WorkInSports Podcast for more sports career advice, and check out our YouTube channel for additional content.