1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:03,789 Speaker 1: Shortlisted is brought to you by Future Women's Jobs Academy. 2 00:00:04,079 --> 00:00:07,250 Speaker 1: Getting back to work after a career break isn't easy. 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:11,319 Speaker 1: Future Women's Jobs Academy is a free online programme supported 4 00:00:11,319 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: by the Australian government. It's proven to increase confidence and 5 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:22,850 Speaker 1: connect women with meaningful and flexible jobs. Apply today at jobsacademy.uwomen.com. 6 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,229 Speaker 1: We'll support you to find the right job and thrive. 7 00:00:29,170 --> 00:00:31,799 Speaker 1: Nothing makes a person go weak at the knees quite 8 00:00:31,799 --> 00:00:36,449 Speaker 1: like a job interview. Enter shortlisted. A podcast by future 9 00:00:36,450 --> 00:00:40,060 Speaker 1: women where Helen McCabe and I hold your virtual hand, 10 00:00:40,330 --> 00:00:43,279 Speaker 1: walking with you every step of the way, right to 11 00:00:43,279 --> 00:00:46,810 Speaker 1: the interview door and straight onto the shortlist. 12 00:00:47,939 --> 00:00:50,779 Speaker 1: In this episode, we are going to help you plan 13 00:00:50,779 --> 00:00:56,009 Speaker 1: the best possible answer to another common interview question. Why 14 00:00:56,009 --> 00:00:59,659 Speaker 1: do you want to work for us? This question is 15 00:00:59,659 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 1: an incredible opportunity to communicate your values and show how 16 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,699 Speaker 1: your values align with your potential new employers. Let's get started. 17 00:01:10,330 --> 00:01:12,849 Speaker 2: You've done your homework and it feels like this is 18 00:01:12,849 --> 00:01:15,610 Speaker 2: the job for you, so how do you communicate that? 19 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,099 Speaker 1: Very good question, and I've been in a number of 20 00:01:19,099 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 1: interviews when I have asked this question, why do you 21 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 1: want to come and work with us, what excites you 22 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: about what we do? And the person says something like, 23 00:01:26,930 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: Oh, I don't, I, I don't know, really. Um, I 24 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,949 Speaker 1: think it'd be fun. You called me. Mm. You called me? Yeah. 25 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,239 Speaker 1: Something like that. All of those things are frustrating and 26 00:01:36,239 --> 00:01:38,199 Speaker 1: a reminder that you need to do your research before 27 00:01:38,199 --> 00:01:40,680 Speaker 1: you get to the interview stage. You wanna make sure 28 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:43,119 Speaker 1: you know a little bit about this organisation, both for 29 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:47,620 Speaker 1: your own purposes and so you can answer this particular question. Again, 30 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: I think the first thing we need to go to, Helen, 31 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,639 Speaker 1: is what the interviewer is actually trying to figure out 32 00:01:52,639 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 1: by asking this question. 33 00:01:54,209 --> 00:01:56,650 Speaker 1: Firstly, they're trying to figure out what motivates you and 34 00:01:56,650 --> 00:02:01,050 Speaker 1: what your career goals are. They're trying to understand how 35 00:02:01,050 --> 00:02:04,330 Speaker 1: long you're likely to stay with their organisation. Because if 36 00:02:04,330 --> 00:02:07,690 Speaker 1: the reasons that you wanna work for them is really 37 00:02:07,690 --> 00:02:10,089 Speaker 1: because you're using that organisation as a quick stepping stone. 38 00:02:10,779 --> 00:02:14,309 Speaker 1: Generally, that's not going to be appealing. Occasionally it might be, 39 00:02:14,460 --> 00:02:17,330 Speaker 1: but generally it won't be. They're looking for a cultural fit, 40 00:02:17,619 --> 00:02:21,779 Speaker 1: because if you're looking for values or security or a 41 00:02:21,779 --> 00:02:25,130 Speaker 1: particular style of work that is what that organisation does, 42 00:02:25,300 --> 00:02:27,859 Speaker 1: then that's really appealing because what you're looking for is 43 00:02:27,860 --> 00:02:31,059 Speaker 1: what they are. That means cultural fit is likely to 44 00:02:31,059 --> 00:02:31,859 Speaker 1: be maximised. 45 00:02:32,570 --> 00:02:36,130 Speaker 1: They're probably making sure you did your homework. And I 46 00:02:36,130 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 1: definitely do this when I'm interviewing people. I like to 47 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:41,410 Speaker 1: know that someone has gone to the website, has done 48 00:02:41,410 --> 00:02:43,889 Speaker 1: a bit of reading, has looked at our values, at 49 00:02:43,889 --> 00:02:46,850 Speaker 1: our mission, what we do, what we're about, what we're 50 00:02:46,850 --> 00:02:50,410 Speaker 1: focusing on today. I used to work in women's media, 51 00:02:50,490 --> 00:02:52,649 Speaker 1: and one thing I always used to ask in interviews 52 00:02:52,649 --> 00:02:54,970 Speaker 1: to begin with was, what did you like on the 53 00:02:54,970 --> 00:02:55,729 Speaker 1: homepage today? 54 00:02:56,380 --> 00:02:59,169 Speaker 1: What were you drawn to? And when people couldn't answer, 55 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,589 Speaker 1: it meant they really didn't like the website very much, 56 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: or they didn't bother to look at it. And that 57 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,139 Speaker 1: told me something very quickly. I think also an interviewer 58 00:03:07,139 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: is trying to understand the extent to which you've taken 59 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,759 Speaker 1: the time to really unpack this role and what it 60 00:03:12,758 --> 00:03:16,990 Speaker 1: might be about, and they're making sure that you understand 61 00:03:17,279 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: what this job is, and not that you've got a 62 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,070 Speaker 1: confected version of what this job might be in your head, 63 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,279 Speaker 1: and actually you'll end up disappointed quite quickly. 64 00:03:25,529 --> 00:03:28,339 Speaker 2: So, some general tips, this is much like tell me 65 00:03:28,339 --> 00:03:30,820 Speaker 2: about yourself. It's an open-ended question that allows you to 66 00:03:30,820 --> 00:03:35,130 Speaker 2: highlight your key strengths, skills, experience, and passions. So use it, 67 00:03:35,139 --> 00:03:38,179 Speaker 2: it's a really good opportunity to get across how passionate 68 00:03:38,179 --> 00:03:40,539 Speaker 2: you are about the role and your skills. 69 00:03:40,899 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 2: It's also a chance to show that you've done your research, 70 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: as Jamilla says. And that is always incredibly attractive when 71 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,270 Speaker 2: you're doing the interviewing. When you hear someone just go, Oh, 72 00:03:50,460 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 2: when you guys at Future Women did this, I was 73 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 2: so excited to see blah, blah, blah. 74 00:03:56,389 --> 00:03:59,350 Speaker 2: It's also your chance to give them confidence that not 75 00:03:59,350 --> 00:04:01,869 Speaker 2: only can you do the job, but that you're likely 76 00:04:01,869 --> 00:04:06,220 Speaker 2: to stick around because the role aligns with your broader goals. 77 00:04:06,229 --> 00:04:08,380 Speaker 2: And you can almost guarantee you'll be asked this question 78 00:04:08,380 --> 00:04:11,820 Speaker 2: or something similar. So make sure you rehearse this answer. 79 00:04:12,509 --> 00:04:15,190 Speaker 2: But that's all well and good, Jamila. What if the 80 00:04:15,190 --> 00:04:18,469 Speaker 2: job I'm going for is a company that produces chairs 81 00:04:18,470 --> 00:04:21,950 Speaker 2: or paper clips or toothpaste? Like, what if it's a 82 00:04:21,950 --> 00:04:25,309 Speaker 2: company that is just not super exciting? 83 00:04:25,890 --> 00:04:28,238 Speaker 1: I think you can be passionate about everything. And I 84 00:04:28,238 --> 00:04:30,678 Speaker 1: think if you're not passionate about the job that you're 85 00:04:30,678 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: going off to do, that's a problem. I remember the 86 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:35,959 Speaker 1: first job that I ever went for. I was 14 87 00:04:35,959 --> 00:04:38,558 Speaker 1: years old, and I got an interview at my local 88 00:04:38,559 --> 00:04:42,790 Speaker 1: Baker's Delight, and I got asked about halfway through the interview, 89 00:04:43,079 --> 00:04:45,309 Speaker 1: Why do you want to work for us? And I said, 90 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 1: I have a passion for bread. 91 00:04:47,769 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: And it remains true. 92 00:04:49,690 --> 00:04:51,529 Speaker 1: Uh, I do have a passion for bread? I like 93 00:04:51,529 --> 00:04:54,570 Speaker 1: eating it. Uh, that had nothing to do with how 94 00:04:54,570 --> 00:04:57,890 Speaker 1: good I would be at wiping down counters or chopping 95 00:04:57,890 --> 00:05:01,130 Speaker 1: up loaves or serving people using a cash register. They 96 00:05:01,130 --> 00:05:04,170 Speaker 1: laughed and they enjoyed it. And you passionate about bread? 97 00:05:04,209 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 1: I did. I worked there for 18 months. I got 98 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,079 Speaker 1: 4.95 an hour on weekdays. 99 00:05:09,970 --> 00:05:12,709 Speaker 1: I just I think you can always find a passion. 100 00:05:12,790 --> 00:05:15,119 Speaker 1: And if you don't have something that motivates you in 101 00:05:15,119 --> 00:05:17,559 Speaker 1: that job, then why are you going for the job? 102 00:05:17,820 --> 00:05:20,359 Speaker 1: You don't have to be deeply passionate about paper clips 103 00:05:20,359 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: or chairs, right? But if you're going for a job 104 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,480 Speaker 1: in HR, you should be passionate about supporting the people 105 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:29,229 Speaker 1: who are making chairs and paper clips. If you're going 106 00:05:29,230 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 1: for a job on the factory floor, then you should 107 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:34,678 Speaker 1: be someone who takes pride in your work and cares 108 00:05:34,678 --> 00:05:37,359 Speaker 1: about creating a product that's really of value. 109 00:05:37,970 --> 00:05:40,419 Speaker 2: So the point here is that the person that's interviewing 110 00:05:40,420 --> 00:05:43,459 Speaker 2: you already works in the bread shop or the paper 111 00:05:43,459 --> 00:05:47,299 Speaker 2: clip shop. He or she loves that job. They worked 112 00:05:47,299 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 2: in it for a number of years. They like the boss, 113 00:05:50,019 --> 00:05:52,099 Speaker 2: they like the company, and they're proud of their job. 114 00:05:52,220 --> 00:05:55,359 Speaker 2: So you need to tap into that bit and understand 115 00:05:55,359 --> 00:05:57,709 Speaker 2: that they want to hear, I guess, a, a, an 116 00:05:57,709 --> 00:06:01,289 Speaker 2: affirmation back at them that what they're doing is worthwhile. So, 117 00:06:01,700 --> 00:06:05,260 Speaker 2: we recommend responding to this question in two components. 118 00:06:06,029 --> 00:06:10,029 Speaker 1: Component number one is why you are interested in working 119 00:06:10,029 --> 00:06:13,549 Speaker 1: at this organisation. So, this is an opportunity for you 120 00:06:13,549 --> 00:06:16,750 Speaker 1: to demonstrate your knowledge of the company, the government, the, 121 00:06:16,829 --> 00:06:19,549 Speaker 1: the agency, the industry, the not for profit that you 122 00:06:19,549 --> 00:06:22,950 Speaker 1: are looking to work in or with. So to answer that, 123 00:06:23,029 --> 00:06:25,630 Speaker 1: I think you can do a few things. First, highlight 124 00:06:25,630 --> 00:06:29,428 Speaker 1: how the company's culture, its values, or it's mission matters 125 00:06:29,428 --> 00:06:32,910 Speaker 1: to you. Why that aligns with your own values, your 126 00:06:32,910 --> 00:06:34,149 Speaker 1: own mission. 127 00:06:34,829 --> 00:06:37,149 Speaker 1: Do your research here, do the Googling, have a look 128 00:06:37,149 --> 00:06:39,420 Speaker 1: at their website, have a look at their social media. 129 00:06:39,630 --> 00:06:41,670 Speaker 1: And I'd hope that you'd already done that, and that's 130 00:06:41,670 --> 00:06:43,869 Speaker 1: what sparked your interest in working for them in the 131 00:06:43,869 --> 00:06:47,589 Speaker 1: first place. Make sure you can refer to some particular 132 00:06:47,589 --> 00:06:51,190 Speaker 1: products or services or campaigns or initiatives that you are 133 00:06:51,190 --> 00:06:54,308 Speaker 1: passionate about or that you admire, and talk about why 134 00:06:54,309 --> 00:06:56,630 Speaker 1: you admire them, why you're passionate about them. 135 00:06:56,980 --> 00:06:59,669 Speaker 1: It always means something to me if someone looking to 136 00:06:59,670 --> 00:07:01,789 Speaker 1: work with us at Future Women is able to talk 137 00:07:01,790 --> 00:07:05,429 Speaker 1: about our programmes, has done their work to understand the 138 00:07:05,428 --> 00:07:08,890 Speaker 1: various different things that we do, not just the surface stuff, 139 00:07:08,988 --> 00:07:11,470 Speaker 1: but they've actually done a little bit of digging around. 140 00:07:12,140 --> 00:07:15,420 Speaker 1: And be able to explain why this organisation or the 141 00:07:15,420 --> 00:07:19,179 Speaker 1: leaders of this organisation and its reputation in your broader 142 00:07:19,179 --> 00:07:20,769 Speaker 1: industry is important to you. 143 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:23,839 Speaker 1: Everyone loves to be sucked up to. Everyone loves to 144 00:07:23,839 --> 00:07:25,959 Speaker 1: be told they're great. Even people who tell you they 145 00:07:25,959 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: don't need you to tell you that like to be 146 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: told they're great. So if you can explain to the 147 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: interviewer why you were attracted to this organisation and the 148 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,679 Speaker 1: people who lead it, that involves giving some compliments, and 149 00:07:36,679 --> 00:07:39,230 Speaker 1: you should be able to do that. Helen, what about 150 00:07:39,519 --> 00:07:43,679 Speaker 1: things to avoid in this step one? So you're saying, 151 00:07:43,690 --> 00:07:47,559 Speaker 1: why you're interested in the organisation? What should you not say? 152 00:07:48,549 --> 00:07:51,299 Speaker 2: Don't mention pay, even if that is a key reason. 153 00:07:51,630 --> 00:07:54,429 Speaker 2: Reasons related to convenience to your personal life, so no 154 00:07:54,429 --> 00:07:56,070 Speaker 2: one wants to hear that it's just because it's across 155 00:07:56,070 --> 00:07:58,950 Speaker 2: the road or around the block. That's just not a 156 00:07:58,950 --> 00:08:03,630 Speaker 2: big enough motivator, or any hybrid employee benefits, because it 157 00:08:03,630 --> 00:08:05,070 Speaker 2: does sort of go to the fact that you're just 158 00:08:05,070 --> 00:08:07,029 Speaker 2: ticking a box with the job and that everything else 159 00:08:07,029 --> 00:08:09,708 Speaker 2: you do outside your, um, work life is more important, 160 00:08:09,809 --> 00:08:13,429 Speaker 2: even if it is. General answers, I, it's a great company, 161 00:08:13,470 --> 00:08:15,190 Speaker 2: I'd love to work at it, gonna have to be 162 00:08:15,190 --> 00:08:16,269 Speaker 2: a bit more specific than that. 163 00:08:16,700 --> 00:08:21,059 Speaker 2: And describing the role as a stepping stone before your 164 00:08:21,059 --> 00:08:25,529 Speaker 2: next dream job. Now, I think that's OK if you're 20. 165 00:08:25,820 --> 00:08:27,940 Speaker 2: Everyone expects you to take a stepping stone job when 166 00:08:27,940 --> 00:08:30,739 Speaker 2: you're young, but if you're older, you're gonna have to 167 00:08:30,739 --> 00:08:33,179 Speaker 2: demonstrate that you really want to be in that role 168 00:08:33,179 --> 00:08:35,229 Speaker 2: and part of that company and that you, 169 00:08:35,609 --> 00:08:38,629 Speaker 2: are excited about its values and its mission. 170 00:08:38,799 --> 00:08:43,318 Speaker 1: Yeah, it goes back to those costly retention factors, right? 171 00:08:43,479 --> 00:08:47,119 Speaker 1: The process of hiring someone, of interviewing, of onboarding a 172 00:08:47,119 --> 00:08:49,299 Speaker 1: new person, of the friction that happens for a while 173 00:08:49,309 --> 00:08:53,629 Speaker 1: while they learn the job, that costs organisations money and efficiency, 174 00:08:53,879 --> 00:08:55,039 Speaker 1: and they don't want to have to do it again 175 00:08:55,039 --> 00:08:57,119 Speaker 1: in a few months' time because you didn't work out. 176 00:08:57,239 --> 00:08:58,878 Speaker 1: So they've got to have a sense that you're gonna 177 00:08:58,879 --> 00:09:00,158 Speaker 1: stick around and that's what you want. 178 00:09:00,849 --> 00:09:04,449 Speaker 1: So, step number 1, Helen, was why you're interested in 179 00:09:04,450 --> 00:09:07,690 Speaker 1: working at the organisation. What is step #2? Why 180 00:09:07,690 --> 00:09:10,890 Speaker 2: you're interested in the role. So, this is an opportunity 181 00:09:10,890 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: to demonstrate both your interest and ability to do the job. 182 00:09:14,619 --> 00:09:17,330 Speaker 2: Showing a genuine interest in the role signals that you're 183 00:09:17,330 --> 00:09:18,569 Speaker 2: likely to be dedicated. 184 00:09:18,989 --> 00:09:22,479 Speaker 2: And shows how the role links to your longer term 185 00:09:22,479 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 2: career goals. You can also use this as an opportunity 186 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:30,109 Speaker 2: to highlight your relevant expertise, skills, experience that are all 187 00:09:30,109 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 2: specific responsibilities in the job description. Always give examples to demonstrate. So, Jamila, 188 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 2: why do you want to work for us? 189 00:09:40,590 --> 00:09:44,309 Speaker 1: I want to work for you, Helen, because Future Women 190 00:09:44,309 --> 00:09:46,579 Speaker 1: is a company that I've admired for a long time. 191 00:09:46,789 --> 00:09:50,549 Speaker 1: I think my own values and mission, which are about 192 00:09:50,549 --> 00:09:55,510 Speaker 1: helping women to feel more connected to one another and 193 00:09:55,510 --> 00:09:59,340 Speaker 1: feel more economically and socially secure, align with future women. 194 00:09:59,590 --> 00:10:01,468 Speaker 1: And I've been digging around your website and I found 195 00:10:01,469 --> 00:10:05,380 Speaker 1: this great podcast that you've developed for your Jobs Academy members. 196 00:10:05,419 --> 00:10:08,700 Speaker 1: And that, in particular, made me really excited about joining 197 00:10:08,700 --> 00:10:09,309 Speaker 1: your team. 198 00:10:10,039 --> 00:10:12,439 Speaker 1: Now, I say all of that. The role that I 199 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:14,989 Speaker 1: have just applied for has nothing to do with podcasting. 200 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,309 Speaker 1: The role that I have applied for, Helen, is working 201 00:10:18,309 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: in your sales team. But I think what I've shown 202 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 1: is that I'm passionate about the kinds of products that 203 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:26,159 Speaker 1: you guys offer. And I think I'll bring that passion 204 00:10:26,159 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 1: to a role in sales, because ultimately, it's not really 205 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 1: about selling your organisation and your products, it's about selling 206 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,789 Speaker 1: gender equality, and I can't think of anything more fun. 207 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 1: You got the job. Thank you. Well done, me. 208 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 1: Shortlisted is produced by Future Women's Jobs Academy. To apply 209 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 1: to join, head to jobsacademy.uwomen.com or go to Futurewomen.com to 210 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:52,949 Speaker 1: become a future women member today.