Why do you want to work here?



It’s a common interview question, but also one that can be challenging to answer, especially when you try to wing it. Not preparing a solid response to this question is risky because it could make all the difference in whether a potential employer extends a job offer to you — or not.

Why is this question so important? Think of it from the employer’s perspective: The business wants to hire someone who believes strongly in the company’s mission and wants to make a positive impact on the organization and its customers. Also, searching for a candidate who is a strong fit for the position and the company can be a costly and time-consuming process. So, hiring managers want to help the employer realize a good return on their investment.

When might you hear the “Why do you want to work here?” question? At any point in the job interview, really. However, you’re most likely to encounter it early in the meeting, when the interviewer may use it to set the tone for the conversation. It can also come up toward the end of the interview, as the hiring manager seeks to confirm your interest and enthusiasm for the opportunity now that you’ve learned more about it.
Be on the lookout for other forms of the question, such as, “Why do you want to work with us?” and “Why did you apply for this position?” Combined, these are among the questions most commonly askedwhen you interview for jobs.


Examples of what not to say


Exactly how you should respond to the question of “Why do you want to work here?” depends on the job and the organization — and, of course, you and how you want to express yourself. Knowing how to formulate a meaningful response to suit most any interview situation begins with understanding what employers probably don’t want to hear. Some examples include:

“Honestly, I just need a job and this one looked interesting.” This is a candid response, to be sure. But it does little to demonstrate a sincere interest in the role or company. Plus, the hiring manager might have concerns that you’d be quick to leave the firm for another opportunity you find more compelling.
 

“I’ve heard this place offers great pay and benefits.” Any company wants to be viewed as an employer of choice, and leading firms recognize that they must offer competitive compensation to hire top talent in today’s market. That said, they don’t want to recruit people whose primary motivation to work for the business is money.
 

“I see this as a step to bigger and better things.” While no employer expects every worker to stay with the organization for the long term, a response like this one implies you’re more focused on the future than the now. It also suggests that you already have one foot out the door before you’ve even been hired.

A more thoughtful approach

One of the keys to creating a compelling answer to “Why do you want to work here?” is to flip the question, like this: “Why would this company want to hire me?” In other words, think more about what you have to offer, and how you could make an impact than why getting the job would benefit you. Here are a few things to consider as you develop your response:

How can you help the company succeed? Read up on what’s happening with the company and its industry. What stage of growth is the business in? Has it recently changed its product or service offerings? What competitive pressures is it facing? Consider this landscape and think, “What knowledge and experience do I have that would be especially useful to this employer in this time of growth and/or change?”
 

What past career successes could you potentially repeat at this company? In previous jobs, how did you meet or exceed your employers’ expectations? What problems did you play a major role in solving? What ideas did you introduce that helped the company save money or otherwise enhance its bottom line? What lessons have you learned that you could apply in the future to create value for the potential employer?
 

How will you complement the company’s culture? A candidate’s ability to fit within the company’s organizational culture is an important hiring factor for many employers today. They want to make sure they’re bringing in people who will thrive in and also enhance their work environment. So, do your homework on the company’s culture and identify what you find most appealing about it. For instance, if the firm encourages employee innovation and that’s important to you, include that in your response.

Roll out your response with a smooth lead-in

When you’re asked, “Why do you want to work here?” in an actual interview situation, you want to deliver your prepared answer in a way that sounds polished but natural. Consider using one of the following lead-ins as the inspiration for crafting your unique response:

“I see this opportunity as a way to contribute to an exciting/forward-thinking/fast-moving company/industry, and I feel I can do so by/with my … ”

“I feel my skills are well-suited to this position because … ”

“I believe I have the type of knowledge (or other skill) to succeed in this role and at the company because … ”

“I’m excited about this opportunity, as it would allow me to … ”

When faced with the question “Why do you want to work here?” (or other challenging ones like “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your greatest weaknesses?”), many job seekers immediately worry that they’ll say the wrong thing. But if you anticipate the question and take time to prepare an answer before the interview, you’ll avoid feeling flummoxed — and your chances of hitting the mark with a winning answer will rise.


Credits: Robert Half 


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