Pop Quiz: What do you say in an interview when asked “Why do you want to work here?”

1. I heard the benefits here are really great.
2. You guys are so much closer to my home than where I currently work.
3. I really, REALLY need a job.
4. I’m ready to settle down and get married, and I figure my chances of meeting someone are much better in the workforce than at the bars.

Although answers A-D might be honest, chances are pretty good that they won’t land you the job. So what might be a better answer?

Prospective employers are usually pretty good at vetting candidates they are interested in (vet: to subject to thorough examination or evaluation). But many candidates have no idea of the positive impression they create when an employer sees that candidates have done a thorough vetting of the company they are interviewing with. Here are a few tips to get you started.

• Review the company Web site, especially the “About Us” and “Our Company’s Philosophy” pages.
• Read the executive and employee bios on the site.
• Go out to LinkedIn and read their bios there. LinkedIn profiles can be a goldmine of company information. An additional benefit here is that LinkedIn might show a shared contact that you weren’t aware of who could put in a good word for you.
• Read the company’s annual report if it’s online. By doing so, at the very least you should be able to get a feel for the company’s financials and business philosophy.
• Google the company’s products and services and see what’s out there on the Web.
• Check the newswire for press releases.
• Search the blogosphere to see what’s being written about the company.
• Check out the user forums and see what customers are saying about them.

Bear in mind that the Web is not always a source of reliable information, so there is no substitute for your own direct investigation of the company. Talk with as many current employees of the company as you can and don’t be afraid to ask “the tough questions.”

After you’ve done a thorough vetting of the company, your response to the question, “Why do you want to work here,” will likely be more refined, intelligent, and impactful. Compare the answer below to those at the beginning of this article:

“As you can tell from my resume, I’ve focused much of my career on embedded systems development in the medical devices industry. When I saw the posting for this position, I suspected that this might be a good match. I took the opportunity to review your Web site, and was very impressed with your product line. Additionally, a review of your annual report clearly demonstrated that you are a stable and growing company as well as a leader in this industry with innovative products such as X, Y and Z in your production plans. I also couldn’t help but notice that the reviews I read on ‘X Blog’ and ‘Y User Forum’ demonstrated that your existing products are being very favorably received by the public. So, when I originally read the requirements for the position, I had no doubt that my skills and experiences were an excellent match, and that I could make a significant contribution. But after a thorough review, I also had no doubt that this was a company I could truly enjoy working for.”

With an answer like that, you’ll certainly get an “A,” and you might just get the job!