The Employer

Typical questions:

• · Why do you want to work here?
• · What do you know about our company?
• · What can you do for us that someone else can't?

• What the interviewer really wants to know: Do you know what we do? Why have you chosen to apply to this company?

The interviewer wants to know you've done your homework and that you know about the organisation and its aims. They want to know you've thought it through and you've chosen to apply to them for a good reason. Show your knowledge of the company by having some facts and figures at the ready, such as:

• · the size of the organisation
• · what the product or service is
• · last year's turnover figures
• · latest developments in the field
• · the history, goals, image and philosophy of the employer.

• When talking about why you want to work for the employer, focus on what you can do for them, not on what they can do for you.

Good answer:

• · 'Smith's is a respected firm with a reputation for high quality work, and I'd like to be part of that success. The quality of my work is important to me, so I feel I'd be at the right place. I've also heard you invest in your staff by training and developing them.'