I have a phone interview coming up for a job. (Being unemployed for 2 years 8 months, I would take any job, but this company I'd actually be interested in working at.)

I'm doing all the prep work and feel I am ready to go....

'Why do you want to work for us?'

What's the right answer to a question like this outside of the obvious?


I interviewed for a floor sales job at a furniture store two weeks ago, and got stumped on that question. No little boy grows up wishing to do retail furniture sales for 60 hours a week and little money. I turned it on them and told them I was a fan of furniture my whole life and have been sitting on it as long as I can remember. It got a chuckle and I am sure they have heard variations of it in the past, but I am sure it played a part of why I didn't get the gig, despite being crazily over-qualified for the position.

I need a f*cking job is the real answer. I am a 39 year old professional male with a family and mortgage. Do I need any more motivation for wanting to work hard, be consistent, and stay employed? Shouldn't that be enough?

Unless I am being interviewed to play first base for the Yanks or to be Ellie Idol's personal fluffer, I don't really have any legit reasons why I want to work for your company outside of recieving a paycheck which will hopefully rise every year due to my hard work...


Why Do I want to work for your company?

What is a good answer for this?

I would answer that they have a stellar reputation, and you want to work for the best, or something like that. Don't answer just that you need a job.

Feign interest in something they do. Pretend they do something special that caught your attention.

Also, this is a bullshit question as the real answer is the same for 90% of the population....I need the fucking money even though I would really rather just sit around drinking beer all day. But, you have to pretend this basic fact of life is untrue and somehow this place motivates and inspires you. Stupid fucking game.

Or....just tell them you need more money for hookers and blow.

totally happened, and got a good genuine laugh out of it...

Part of me wanted to turn it on them....

"Christine, did you dream as a little girl to grow up to have a little desk with a phone and some pamphlets in an open showroom pushing recliners, matresses and dining room sets on families?"

No, you didn't....You sent your resume out to 100-200 places just like everyone else in the world who was not lucky enough to do what they want for a living and get paid for it....You got the job, realized that despite how much you hate it, it is better than being unemployed, and here you are...So, don't be all high and mighty on applicants when they find it hard pressed to feign what a Disney World like profession this may be for a new employee...

The point of a question like this is:

1. To determine if you know anything about the company and the position.

2. To measure your attitude and ability to be "part of a team."

Do some research and preparation to present something positive in both instances... using the furniture floor sales position as an example:

1. I know you've been selling at this location for 30 years and seem to be a stable, well respected company.
2. I've always enjoyed working with people. Helping customers who come in is something I would find energizing and satisfying.

Show you've done your homework. Show you have a pleasing, constructive personality.

No it's not. That's not their problem. Trust me. I went through this same process in 2010.

Bottom line, they're seeing if you're a good fit. They probably have lots of applicants. Tell them why you're qualified to do the job and the fact that you're interested in working there, all the better.

Tell them what is important to you in a job and that you're not looking for a job, you're looking for a career. Something for the long haul.

I told the place I work for that what was important to me was believing in what I was doing and being around people that felt the same. I wanted to enjoy the people I worked with. At least to an extent.

Turn the interview around on them. You're interviewing them as well. You're going to have to be working there every day. Ask them why they like working there. What is the work culture like there? Not only does this help you but it shows your interest in their day to day. Most people like to talk about themselves anyway.

It's a tough thing to do but you can't be afraid to lose the job. Just try to be comfortable and be yourself.

I know I know. Part of this post was done out of humourous frustration.

I know I have to play the game.
I also know that very few people actually do what they do in life and get to make a living (hopefully a good one) at it in the process.

I did so for 20 years in the music / horror business. I understand the reality. I can understand the reasoning for them asking the question.

Perhaps its me being cynical, but giving some PC answer (as shown by examples above) doesn't seem to be any more different than just being truthful (as I had posted earlier)....
It seems to be all an ego stroke for the employer as well....I'll drop to my knees and kiss a line of asses to get this job.

If you need me to stoke you and tell you how impressed I am with your companies initiatives, processes, successes and future considerations, I guess I will do it if that is what it takes.

I just want to feed my family. lol

that question suuuuucks.

the answer is that you're looking for a place where you have room to grow.

Got a good laugh out of me.

I have help, though. My job isn't a real one and when I interviewed they were more desperate to get someone than I was to get the job.

Well, you are probably a good enough actress to portray a young woman who dreamed of being surrounded by bowls, if the situation called for it!

I told them I had bowl fever.

Also, I meant I have no help. Of course.

ding ding ding

and also perhaps to try to gauge the level of your genuine interest in the job assuming that they'd prefer not to hire someone who is going to continue to look for something else while working.

The reason the question is tough to answer is that you really don't want to work for them.

I'd actually really like to work for this company.
Is it a dream job? of course not.
my dream jobs are NY Yankee position player or Ellie Idol fluffer (as mentioned).
But this job presents opportunities that are tolerable, present a good level of job security, and a whole lot of upward mobility. That's why I want to work there....All anyone would be doing is saying that exact same thing in words that stroke their ego...

I'm gonna play the game...

If it's anything that in any way involves contact w/ customers, the answer to this is some variation of "I really like to help people."

That's the base. Spice it up with the particulars of the job and the company's goals and objectives and you'll be cooking.

Good luck.

15 minutes till showtime.

Clean the pipes first.

Break a leg, Dov. Fingers crossed for you.

Damn Mrs... was suppose to take the kids out 30 minutes ago....

Uh-oh.

Phone Interview went well.
Was nervous, but didn't really stumble...Just kept emphasizing that I was more than capable of doing everything in the job description.
I think i passed her test, and now i ge to interview with my friend who is hiring the position...from there, it is her boss, then it's decision time...

these next few days are gonna do wonders for my already shaken disposition.
fun.

the best is when you get a phone interview and never hear another word from them, either positive or negative.

Write the phone interviewer a thank you note and put it in the mail. Doesn't need to be long, but just a "thanks for taking the time to talk with me, I hope I passed the test, and I look forward to proving myself to the higher-ups" Thanks, Dov.

(And do this every step of the way, even to your friend - if you don't get the job this time, they'll remember you for the next time or if someone asks them if they know anyone looking, etc. I get more fucking run off writing thank yous and follow ups than ANYTHING else.

trust the senator on this one.
handwritten thank you cards have helped nail many of the jobs i've been fired from or quit over the years.

Already in the mail!

The most important aspect of the interview process, I agree.

Passed the second test today with the actual woman I'd be working under..

Now I have to speak with the big boss on Friday morning, and then they'll make their decision...

trying to hard to be level-headed, but i think i may have nailed this....

fingers crossed!