‘Why do you want to join our firm’ is one of the most frequent questions every job seeker will encounter during the interview question. Answering this common and open-ended in the best way question can make you stand out from others. Vague answers such as looking for ‘better career opportunities’ or ‘less travel’ will not take you so far.

It is incredibly challenging to answer the query; we know that. But, with a little forethought, your answer will help establish your credibility and convince the recruiter to like you. This article will outline how to prepare your answer for similar versions of questions.

How to create a response that can convince the interviewer to hire you during the interview question

There isn’t any particular answer to this query that can convince an interviewer to pick you to fill the vacant chair. But you can employ certain strategies to prepare a response that fits your circumstances. They are –

• Focus on the cultural fit.

Think about what you have observed so far about the atmosphere of the company.

• Did you pick up on any cues during your interactions with other employees at the office?
• Is the office pin-drop silent, or have you heard the employees collaborating and communicating freely?

What have you learned about the various policies of the firm that shed light on their culture? For example,

• Do they have a charity task force?
• Do they have a flat organization that encourages everyone to contribute ideas and limits bureaucracy?

Pointing these qualities in your response adds a personal feel to the interview.

• Highlight a company’s reputation as an employer.

Learning about the company’s reputation within the industry will be a great idea. For example, if you talk to current staff about the training they have received during their employment, you could reference this during the interview. You can also talk about the interactions with the product or service of the organisation.

• What are the products or services the employer offer?
• If you are not already a consumer, sign up for a trial period or test out an item from their catalogue.
• If you enjoy the experience, consider including that feedback into your interview responses

It will be a useful point for explaining why you want to work with the company, and the recruiter will be impressed by your initiative.

• Position your candidacy within the context of the firm’s objectives.

Review the online presence of the employer, including their website, social media pages, and news coverage. Look for new product launches and signs of the organisation’s plans for future growth. If any of these initiatives seem related to your area of expertise, raise the issue during the Interview question and explain to the recruiter about how you will support those objectives.

Along with all the other responses, you also should establish an emotional connection by expressing how much you have enjoyed learning about the company.

• Be specific.

Most of the hiring managers like to see that a candidate has spent time researching the company and preparing for an interview question. It shows that you are interested in the position and have already identified concrete ways that you can contribute to the organisation.

Don’t read your responses off the page, during the interview. Instead, focus on key talking points. Keep your answers organised and intentional but unscripted. Feel free to refer notes if that will make you more comfortable. But make sure you look up to meet the interviewer’s gaze and try not to look too stiff.

• Steer the conversation toward a shared future.

Spend an equal amount of time talking and listening for the duration of the interview question, and incorporate the information you learn into your responses. As you set the scene, keep the tone positive; spend as little time as possible discussing what you don’t like about your current or previous role.

You don’t want to project negativity or resentment, because this can seem like a red flag. If an employer asks a follow-up question about what prompted you to look for another job, try to frame your answer so that it reinforces what you like about the interviewer and their company.

In a similar vein, you also want to avoid making your response too personal. There might be circumstances in your personal life that make it imperative for you to find a new job—for example, an expected layoff or income gap. No matter how pressing, don’t discuss these problems with a potential employer.

If you respect the professional boundaries of a job interview, employers will be more interested in working with you.

• Show them your personality.

Choose one of these approaches that truly reflects how you feel about an opportunity. Your response needs to be warm and unreserved. Even though you might be nervous during the job interview, don’t fall into the trap of sounding too rehearsed or emotionally removed.

Answering this question doesn’t have to be about what differentiates you from other candidates based on skill but about showing the hiring manager what matters to you. If you answer this question effectively and efficiently, it will help to make the experience positive and memorable.

In the end, your response to this question should speak to what resonates with you about the employer. So be honest and focus on the real, human connection you have with the interviewer.