Interview Question: ‘Why Do You Want To Work Here?’

At some point in the interview process, potential employers may ask you why you are interested in working for them. This question can be phrased a few ways, including:

• ‘Why do you want to work here?’

• ‘Why do you want to work for us?

• ‘What made you want to apply for a job with this company?’

Regardless of how the interviewer phrases this question, it’s crucial to be prepared to discuss why the company and role appeal to you with genuine interest and excitement. The best answers to this question will reference the organisation’s culture, mission and vision, while also sharing how these things align with your personal skills and career goals. In this article, we review why employers ask the interview question “Why do you want to work here?” and provide several example responses to help you prepare your own.

Related: 9 Common Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

How to answer the interview question “Why do you want to work here?”

The following steps can help you prepare your answer for the common interview question, “Why do you want to work here?”

1. Research the company website.

One of the reasons recruiters and hiring managers ask this question is to determine how much you’ve researched the company. An interested and excited candidate is not only familiar with the company, but they’ve explored the company’s background, history and mission statement as well.

Start by examining the company website—especially the “About Us” section and “Careers” pages as these usually share information about the company culture. Get to know the products or services, the customers and any notable accomplishments or awards the company has received. If the company has a blog, take time to read a few articles and note the brand’s voice, topics covered and common themes.

Related: Interview Question: ‘What Do You Know about Our Company?'

2. Review the company’s social media accounts.

Pay close attention to what the company posts on its social media accounts, especially relevant industry news and customer comments or feedback. Don’t forget to search their Indeed Company Page to see photos, learn about the benefits they provide and read what current and previous employers loved about their roles. Whenever you come across a piece of information that’s interesting, exciting or relevant to your own career goals, make a note and reflect back on them in your answer.

3. Study the job description.

In addition to being knowledgeable and excited about the company, the interviewer also wants to make sure you understand the role you’re interviewing for and all the duties it entails. Although you likely reviewed the job posting before you applied, take time to go back over the description—especially information about what makes the company a great place to work and the specific responsibilities of the role.

Related: What Is a Job Profile? (With Benefits and How to Write One)

4. Make a list of your favourite things about the job.

Once you have familiarised yourself with the role you applied for, the next step is to make a list of your career objectives. Then, compare your list with the job description and look for ways the position will help you achieve your goals. When responding to the interviewer, mention the things listed in the job posting that align with your career objectives and highlight duties that would make use of your best skills.

Related: How to Answer the Interview Question 'What Are Your Goals?'

5. Identify your core values.

Focusing on your career goals and core values to find similarities to those of the company you’re applying to work at can help employers understand why you are a good fit for the job. If you’re unsure what your core values are, try asking yourself the following questions:

• What kind of culture do you want to work in?

• What qualities do you feel make strong, healthy relationships?

• What qualities do you admire most in your role models?

• What motivates you?

• What qualities do you wish to develop in yourself professionally and personally?

• What qualities will it take to achieve your future goals?

Related:

• What Is a Career Plan Template? (With Importance and Example)

• Answering 'Why Do You Think You Are Suitable for This Role?'

Example answers for the interview question ‘Why do you want to work here?’

Here are several examples of you can answer the question "Why do you want to work here?" to help you prepare your own response:

Example 1: “I’ve been working in the travel industry for more than five years. I’ve expanded my experience in customer service, and I’m ready to apply that expertise with a global company that is committed to its employees and is consistently ranked one of the best places to work. I love working with people, and I am particularly excited that this role will allow me to use my bilingual skills to speak to customers all over the world. My ultimate objective is to rise to a leadership position in customer service, and I know having the opportunity to grow my experience and improve upon my skills will help bring me closer to achieving that goal.”

Example 2: “While your company has been around for several decades, you’ve never wavered from your mission to give people a comfortable and memorable travel experience. The company has always been forward-focused and used technology to help improve their customer experience. Your app is ranked as one of the top travel apps, and you’ve won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry year after year. When I began looking for a new position, I purposefully sought out companies that are committed to integrity, philanthropy and innovation, and your company ranks at the top of the list.”

“Why do you want to work here?” is one of the most important questions in an interview. Your answer helps the recruiter or hiring manager gauge your interest, and gives you a chance to prove that you’re well-informed about the company and role. By sharing the facts you’ve discovered through your research while displaying authentic enthusiasm for the organisation and industry, you’ll leave the employer with a favourable impression and be one step closer to landing the job.