h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Because I haven't had a blaady job in 6 months!!!

Ok. So I can't answer that particular question like that, but seems as I have an interview tomorrow , just how do you answer the question of "why do you want to work here"?

"Because I prefer being able to buy food to starving to death."

Would that be the kind of thing, or would

"I was bored writing stuff for my book at home so I thought this way I'd have a more stimulating environment in which to write and you'd be paying me too. "

be better?

I like the second option, but I doubt the person interviewing me tomorrow would!

who is the interview with?

*reading this from upstairs*

Just tell the truth.

Had they not closed the Chester office, you will still be working there.

Same goes for the other place it happened to.

Things happen for a reason, sweetheart

She's the boss of her company. Its a tax firm. Since I've worked in two firms of accountants for a total of 11 1/2 years, I'm pretty well qualified for the job advertised, its just that I've never been able to answer that particular question very well. I just sort of mumble an answer that they can't make any sense of.

a good general answer is to say that

you are highly impressed by the company and their track record, that for find them to be a dynamic enterprise who's leverage within the market ability to achieve forward mobility during the current economic situation shows them to be proactive in remaining competitive in tomorrow's world. Also that you feel that your employment within the business would benefit both yourself and your employer.

*record, that YOU find them to be...

*within the market AND ability to achieve forward mobility...

*scribbles down answer onto a piece of paper*


Thanks TB!

Next time we meet up I'll buy you a pint of soda water!

According to VC, that could be sooner than you think, dear

It doesn't actually mean much except you like the company and expect them to still be around in six months time. That last bit could mean as little as 'it will benefit the company as they'll have someone doing the job they want doing and you'll benefit by getting paid.'

However it all sounds impressive, which is what counts.

'Because I love a job that is taxing rather than mundane?'

'I really love a job where I am held to account!'

'It's the division of labour that really sums up my enthusiasm, along with the multiplicity of the tasks set for me. And the pluses far outweigh the minuses!'

'This job had one real plus! Re: Venue... It is so much better than the last place!!!'

Any winners there?

No?

<footprints

Back to the abacus!

MMF

Oh MMF!


and mumsie...what did that comment mean? Is the Scottish Brummie coming for a visit?

Ask your sister, darling

The question "why do you want to work here?" is not, in my experience of interviewing, asked with the intention of finding out why you want to work here.

When I ask that question, what I want to know is whether or not the interviewee understands the job requirements. If I'm interviewing for an admin position, and the answer is "mainly the scuba diving and the company ocelot", we have a problem. If it's something like "it's a good match with my skills, and it looks like this job has some variety and autonomy", that's much better.

Seriously, a good answer is one that shows that you understand what you're letting yourself in for. If it's a tax firm, say something that shows awareness of what kind of tax firm, and what *exactly* the job description says. Say it's a good match for your skills, or that it's a bit like x which you did in place y, and you enjoyed that.

"why do you want to work here?"

I haven't quite figured that out

Good Luck

"I have nearly 12 years of accountancy experience which I've gained at firms X and Y. I enjoy this type of work and I know that I'm good at it, so I'd like to use what I know I can do well (specify if you can - tax, payroll, reports for the board etc...) in a new position, as well as giving myself the opportunity to try...(something which the new firm is known for)"

Good luck!

I want to work for a firm that has a company ocelot

We lost our ocelot in the last round of budget cuts. These days we have to make do with the back end of a pantomime horse. It just isn't the same, somehow.