In any interview process, the employers would want to know how you can add value to the job description.
This question is to confirm that you’re confident in your skills, to know what you think your strengths are, and to hear how you want to contribute to the success of the company if hired. Basically, the company wants to know what’s in it for them and how you intend to show them.
You might be asked a few variations of this question such as: why do you want to work here and why do you think you are fit for this role.
Here are some ways to prepare and answer any variation of this question;
- Carry out in-depth research about the company
It is not advisable to go for an interview without knowing what the company is about. Familiarise yourself with their goals, mission statement, target audience, and the company culture.
Read through the about us page on the company’s website and check if they have any social media accounts to help you learn about help you learn more about the types of leaders they hire.
- Identify your values and skills
List the skills and values you have and check if it aligns with the values of the company. Start by asking yourself questions such as
- What motivates me?
- When I studied the company’s values, which ones did I identify with?
- What personal skills do I admire and want to develop?
- What gave me the most energy in my previous jobs? Would I use those skills here?
- Use the STAR method to answer the question
This is an interview technique you can use to prepare for situational interview questions. STAR stands for situation, task, action and result.
- Situation:
At this stage, you are to describe relevant past work situations, be it volunteer or academic work. It’s important to point out a specific instance rather than the bulk of what the role entailed.
Example:
In my last role as a software designer, there was a point in time when my team was facinis technical challenge. The managers were setting unrealistic deadlines, which was causing stress for my team.
- Task
Discuss the goal or task set out for you and illustrate in two to three points.
Example: “As senior developer , it was my role not only to ensure that we met the deadlines but also to keep my team motivated.”
- Action
Explain the steps you took to solve that particular problem. While it’s common to say that you worked with your team to solve the problem, it’s important to emphasize the role you played and focus on what you did in the situation.
Example: “I had to set up a formal request for project timeline extension to set better expectations. I also kept my team informed of the new changes, so they could be at ease knowing the issues were going to be addressed.
- Result
What was the outcome of the action you took? Provide solid examples of the impacts of your actions if possible. Also, point out what you learned from the experience and how you grew as an employee because of the experience.
Example:
“I learned how important it is to communicate clearly across teams and managers while providing more transparency into my team’s processes”
In all, you would want to come across as someone who is self-aware, show that you understand the company, and know why you would be a good match by relating it with your experiences.