“Why do you want to work here?” is a common interview question that seems simple at first glance but is surprisingly tricky. After all, it practically invites candidates to discuss salary and the perks of the company.
However, recruiters want to test whether you’ve truly considered this position and if you are a good cultural fit. As a result, your answer must be thoughtful, professional, and specific.
In this article, we will show you how to answer this question in the best possible way, give you sample answers for inspiration, and highlight some common mistakes you should avoid.
Key Takeaways
The “Why do you want to work here?” question aims to test whether your values and goals align with the company you’re applying to.
To prepare for this question, you should analyse the job description, research the company, identify your motivators, and consider how your skills overlap with the requirements.
Common mistakes when answering this question include providing vague answers, discussing salary and perks, and copying your responses from the company website.
Why Employers Ask “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
Employers ask “Why do you want to work here?” because they want to assess if you’d be a good fit for the job and whether your career goals align with what they have to offer.
In other words, though it may sound like a trick question, it only aims to explore your values and goals. Furthermore, answering this question thoughtfully shows that you’ve done your research and aren’t blindly applying to just any open position.
How to Prepare Your Answer Before the Interview: 5 Basic Steps
To prepare your answer before the interview, you should examine these interview question tips in more detail:
#1. Analyse the Job Description
The job description provides crucial information about what’s required for your desired role, so you should analyse it carefully. This will help you answer this question, write your CV, and impress your hiring manager in general.
Essentially, if you know what a specific position demands, you can easily match your skills to the job and present that as your main reason for applying.
#2. Research the Company
Researching the company is another crucial aspect of interview preparation, as it provides valuable insights into its mission, values, and culture. This will help you specify what exactly attracts you about the company, and the more concrete your answer, the better.
Also, be sure to check recent company news and achievements; you may find interesting projects that you can highlight in your answer.
#3. Identify What Motivates You About the Role
Though you should meet interviewers’ expectations in your answer, you can’t only focus on what they want to hear. You should also be honest and discuss your genuine motivations and interests, as they relate to the role.
Luckily, this shouldn’t be too difficult to do after you’ve reviewed the job description and researched the role.
#4. Find the Overlap Between You and the Company
Again, your research will help you understand what the company can offer you, as well as how you can contribute to it. This information is crucial when answering the “Why do you want to work here?” question, so try to define this overlap between you and your potential new workplace as accurately as possible.
#5. Practise and Refine Your Answer
Answering interview questions on the spot isn’t easy, so it’s better to prepare and practise in advance. That way, you’ll minimise the effect of anxiety and feel more confident.
You can practise in front of a mirror or record yourself for later examination, but we recommend conducting a mock interview. Ask one of your friends or family members to pretend to be an interviewer, then rehearse your answers with them.
3 Proven Strategies to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
Proven strategies to answer the “Why do you want to work here?” interview question include the “company first”, “role alignment”, and “career growth” approaches.
Here’s how these strategies work:
#1. The “Company First” Approach
The “company first” approach focuses on the company’s values, goals, and culture, which the candidate expresses admiration for. For this strategy to work, you need to do thorough research and prepare one or two specific aspects that impressed you.
For instance, your answer could be something like this:
The “Company First” Approach Example
“I’m impressed by how XYZ Company is creating state-of-the-art technology that focuses both on innovation and user experience. Both are equally important, and I’m glad to see that your company isn’t willing to sacrifice one for the sake of the other and is, instead, looking for unique, out-of-the-box solutions.”
#2. The “Role Alignment” Approach
The “role alignment” approach highlights how your skills and experiences measure up to the role’s specific requirements. So, if you want to use this strategy, focus on the job description and identify what, in particular, makes you an ideal candidate.
Here’s what your answer might sound like:
The “Role Alignment” Approach Example
“I want to work here because I possess the relevant skills and experiences required for this role. You’ve mentioned looking for someone with excellent time management and task delegation skills, both of which I possess. Actually, in my previous position, I mastered ClickUp and Asana, teaching the basics to other employees and improving my team’s efficiency by 26%.”
#3. The “Career Growth” Approach
As the name implies, the “career growth” approach emphasises your professional development and demonstrates how the company of your choice fits into it.
Consider formulating your answer like this:
The “Career Growth” Approach Example
“I want to join your company because I see it as an excellent new step in my broader career journey. In my past roles, I’ve gained extensive editing skills and contributed to delivering high-quality content to various clients; however, I would like to be given additional responsibilities. My goal is to learn about content management, which is, hopefully, the next rung on my career ladder.”
11 Example Answers for Different Scenarios
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at example answers for different scenarios, industries, and career levels:
#1. First-Job Applicant
“I’m eager to start working for ABC Hotel since this will be my first professional role, and I believe your establishment would give me an excellent opportunity to learn. I’ve seen that you offer hospitality courses to your employees, where they can learn customer service and teamwork skills. This, in particular, is what motivated me to apply, as these can be invaluable to a beginner.”
#2. Career Change
“I’ve chosen your company as the starting point for my career path in tech because of your focus on accessibility and developing technology for people with disabilities. Your mission inspires me; I previously worked in healthcare, and therefore, I possess valuable insights into patient needs. Thus, I can contribute original ideas and simultaneously improve my tech expertise.”
#3. Experienced Professional
“I want to work in your company because you’re one of the leading retailers for athletic wear, and I believe you can benefit from my experience as a sales expert. I also look forward to working with an innovative, motivated team that values novelty, professionalism, and fresh perspectives. Such an environment is sure to inspire me and push me towards greater successes.”
#4. Remote or Hybrid Roles
“I’m applying for this position because the job description states it’s remote, and I’m particularly productive when I work from home. I value the freedom and flexibility that come with such a role, but I also take my assignments seriously and organise my time to ensure I meet all the requirements. So far, in all my previous positions of this kind, I’ve never received any complaints.”
#5. Marketing
“I want to work in your company because your most recent campaign for health supplements left a strong impression on me as a marketing specialist. The blend of a humorous and educational approach was particularly effective, and I wanted to be part of the team that executes such unique ideas. I believe I can contribute, too, thanks to the 8 years I’ve worked in this field.”
#6. Customer Service
“I want to work in your company because the skills I possess align perfectly with the ones you are looking for in an ideal candidate. In particular, I am excellent at resolving conflicts and handling difficult customers with tact and professionalism. As a result, I believe I can successfully represent the company and help you maintain positive relationships with your clients.”
#7. Content Writing
“I chose your company because your niche personally interests me, so I have plenty of knowledge about it already. Moreover, working with you will enable me to expand it further and become an expert in the field, while writing about something I enjoy. This will ensure I stay highly motivated and consistent in my work.”
#8. Healthcare
“I want to work in your clinic because I’ve seen excellent reviews from both your staff and your patients, which, I believe, says a lot about your values. I particularly like your patient-centric approach and your commitment to providing the best possible care using state-of-the-art equipment. I think such an environment will suit me well, as I am forward-thinking and eager to learn.”
#9. Education
“I applied to work in your institution because of your excellent program for children with disabilities, which focuses on inclusivity and individual differences in learning styles. As someone who taught children with special needs in the past, I find your approach very interesting and would like to contribute with my own experience and ideas.”
#10. Finance
“I want to work for your organisation because it seems like a natural next step in my career. I’ve worked as an investment banker for 10 years now and developed excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Now, I’m ready to take on a more responsible role by collaborating with a corporation and handling larger capital than before, which will help me grow as a professional.”
#11. Design
“I want to work for your company because of the innovative and impactful design your creative team produces. I admire how it balances inventiveness and user experience, and I would like to contribute, too. Furthermore, I think I could learn a lot from your senior designers, which would help me become a more competent designer.”
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
Common mistakes to avoid when answering this question include giving vague or generic responses, talking only about salary and perks, and copying and pasting from the company website.
Now, let’s examine these interview pitfalls more closely:
#1. Vague or Generic Responses
Vague answers that don’t highlight any particular reasons can come across as insincere or convince recruiters that you don’t actually care about the position. In fact, it might appear as if you’re just applying to jobs without thinking, hoping that one of them will stick, which is a hard “no”.
For example, a vague response may sound like this:
Vague Response Example
“I saw the job description and thought the requirements aligned with my skills. I’m also interested in this field and have plenty of experience in similar roles.”
As you can see, not much is said, and it may even seem like this candidate hasn’t done any research. Yet, companies want to hire people who are enthusiastic about their new job and willing to put in some effort.
#2. Talking Only About Salary or Perks
Of course, a good salary or excellent perks can be a strong motivator to join a company, but they shouldn’t be your focus during the interview. Even if you are applying primarily because of the benefits, you should highlight other reasons in your answer.
So, avoid saying something like this:
Salary-oriented Example
“I want to work here because the salary seems good, and I’ve noticed you offer many perks. Vacation days are particularly attractive, and I like the employee discount I’ll be getting on all the products.”
#3. Copy-Pasting From the Company Website
Incorporating the company’s values and mission into your answer is a great strategy, but you shouldn’t copy what’s written there word for word. Put your own spin on it; why exactly do you admire their mission? What particular values do you appreciate? Show that you thought about your answer, rather than choosing the easiest way.
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Final Thoughts
The “Why do you want to work here?” question may appear somewhat tricky, but hopefully, our tips and examples will help you come up with a perfect answer. Remember to be as specific as you can; that’s the key to success with most interview questions.
Why Do You Want to Work Here FAQ
#1. What is the best way to answer “Why do you want to work here?”
The best way to answer “Why do you want to work here?” is to focus on specific aspects you like about the company, projects you expect to handle, or skills you want to contribute. Essentially, you need to demonstrate how the company will benefit you, as well as how you plan to contribute to it.
#2. Should I mention salary when answering this question?
You shouldn’t mention salary when answering this question, just to be safe. Some recruiters might not mind listing this as one of the reasons for wanting to join, but it should never be your only motivator.
#3. How long should my answer be in an interview?
Your answer in an interview shouldn’t be longer than two minutes, as you risk rambling if you go longer than that. Prepare yourself well, structure your response, and deliver it clearly and confidently; that should be effective enough, even if you don’t speak too long.
#4. How do I prepare for this question if I know little about the company?
If you know little about the company, you can prepare for this question by using what information you have. Do your research again, but if you can’t find anything, focus on the job description and your own skills. Talk about how the two align and why you think this role will be good for your career advancement.
