Why have you applied for this vacancy?

Why have you applied for this vacancy?

Alternative and related questions

Why do you want this vacancy?
What attracted you to this vacancy?
Why do you think you’re suitable for this job?
What is it that you are looking for in a new job?

The meaning behind the question

The interviewer is probing to see:
•    if you fully understand what the job entails;
•    how well you might match their requirements;
•    what appeals to you most about the job.

Your answer

This is another very open-ended question where you might be tempted to say too much. By taking the time to think through your answer to this question in advance, you will be able to remain focused on a few key points.

Your emphasis should be on demonstrating to the interviewer precisely how you match their requirements – and, in doing so, to demonstrate that you fully understand what the role entails.
If you’ve done your research properly then you will have a good idea of what it is they are most looking for.

Yes, they have asked you what your motivations are in applying for the vacancy, but try to turn the question round so that the answer you give tells them why you are the right candidate for the vacancy.

EXAMPLE

I’ve applied for this vacancy because it’s an excellent match for my skills and experience – and because it represents a challenge which I know I’ll relish. I clearly already have extensive experience as a senior quantity surveyor, including previous experience of rail and station projects – an area I’m particularly interested in. I enjoy managing multiple projects simultaneously. I also enjoy overseeing and coaching junior and assistant quantity surveyors. I’m used to dealing directly with clients; developing productive working relationships with clients is definitely one of my strengths. This role is exactly the sort of role I am currently targeting and I am confident I will be able to make a major contribution.

Why do you wish to leave your current position?

Why do you wish to leave your current position?

Alternative and related questions

Why do you wish to leave your current employer?
What do you plan to say to your current employer in your letter of resignation?

The meaning behind the question

The interviewer is trying to understand your motivation to change jobs. They clearly want to know why you want to change jobs but they also want to know how serious you are about changing jobs. Are you really committed to moving or are you just wasting their time?

Your answer

There are a whole multitude of reasons for wanting to leave your job – but they won’t all be positive selling points for you.

Positive reasons include:

•    wanting a greater challenge;
•    wanting to diversify;
•    seeking greater opportunities;
•    seeking further advancement;
•    taking a step up the career ladder.

Negative reasons include:

•    problems with your boss;
•    problems with a colleague;
•    a financially unstable organisation;
•    ‘personal reasons’.

If your reason for wanting to leave your job is a positive one then your answer will be easy enough to construct. Explain to the interviewer what your motivations are and how the move to your next job will help you to achieve your goals. You are making a positive move for positive reasons and intend to achieve a positive outcome – simple as that.

If, however, your reason for leaving your job is in my list of negative reasons, then giving the right answer is going to be somewhat trickier. Because each of the situations is so different, I will deal with each of them in turn.

Problems with your boss: Having problems with the boss is the top reason people give (in surveys) for changing jobs. However, you should never say anything negative about either a current or a previous employer. It isn’t professional; it doesn’t portray you as someone who is particularly loyal – and it will reflect badly on you.

In almost all cases, I would recommend that you avoid citing this as a reason. Criticising your current employer is considered one of the top mistakes you can make at interview and will most likely cost you the job regardless of whether or not your criticism is justified. Aim to give an answer which focuses on the benefits you will experience in moving to your new job rather than making any reference to your having had problems with your boss.

BLOOPER!

Having delivered a particularly devastating critique of their current employer, one candidate was rather shocked to discover that their current employer was in fact the interviewer’s brother-in-law.
Problems with a colleague: Maybe you want to leave because of a persistently unpleasant colleague. However, explaining this to the interviewer will most likely open you up to expressing bitterness or recrimination – traits that are not attractive to a potential employer. Again, you should aim to give an answer which focuses on the benefits of moving to your new job, rather than drawing attention to your problems.

A financially unstable organisation: You may well have decided to leave your job before your employer finally goes bankrupt, but you don’t want to be labelled as a ‘rat leaving a sinking ship’. It doesn’t say much for your loyalty. Avoid giving this as a reason.

‘Personal reasons’: There are many different personal circumstances which might cause you to wish to leave a job – for example, you might simply want a better work–life balance. However, if possible you should avoid giving ‘personal reasons’ as an answer and instead leave the interviewer to believe you are leaving in order to pursue a more promising opportunity.

As for asking what you would write in a resignation letter, you should remember that, when it comes to resignation letters, it is well worth being as nice as possible about the matter. Harsh words in a letter of resignation could easily come back to haunt you in the future – not least if you ever need a reference out of that employer.

EXAMPLE

I would simply tell them that, after careful consideration, I have made the decision to move on to a new challenge. Naturally, I’d thank them for the opportunities with which they presented me during the course of my employment, reassure them that I will, of course, do my best to help ensure the seamless transfer of my duties and responsibilities before leaving – and wish them all the very best for the future.

Why do you want to work for this organisation?

Why do you want to work for this organisation?

Alternative and related questions

What is it about our organisation that attracts you?

The meaning behind the question

The interviewer is analysing your motivations and probing your expectations of their organisation. Why do you want to work for them in particular? Whilst this question doesn’t directly ask what you know about their organisation, in order to be able to answer it effectively you are clearly going to have to demonstrate that you have done your homework.

Your answer

If you have done your research properly you will already be fairly well informed as to the organisation you are applying to join. However, the key to answering this question is how to communicate that knowledge to the interviewer whilst tying it in with why you want to work for them.

BLOOPER!

One interviewee answered this question by saying, ‘Because you’re in Mayfair.’ He didn’t get the job.

Your focus should be on what in particular attracts you to their organisation. We’ll cover the closely related but more generalised question, ‘What do you know about us as an organisation?’ in the next chapter.

EXAMPLE

I’m particularly attracted by how progressive an organisation you are. I’ve seen how your sales levels have grown the past few years and I’m aware of your plans to expand into the United States. Yours is an organisation which is rapidly developing and evolving – and that’s exactly what I’m looking for. I want to work for an organisation which is forward-thinking and isn’t afraid to tackle new challenges.