How to Answer the Interview Question: Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Even been in an interview where you were asked: Why do you want to work here? It’s one of the most common questions asked by employers to gauge your interest in the position and company. They want to see how you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers are usually looking to see how well you would fit in with the rest of the team. Now is the time to prove that your interests make you a good fit for the position.

While this question seems simple enough, it can be quite challenging to answer. Especially if you’re not well prepared. An ideal candidate has a genuine passion for the position and holds values and beliefs that align with the company’s mission. Read on to learn more about what you should and shouldn’t say while answering this question. Let’s explore what you can do to craft the perfect response!

What You Shouldn’t Say

One of the key components of a perfect response is to be as specific and authentic as possible. Answers such as “I’m looking for a job” or “This company pays well and has good benefits” may deter an employer. These are generic answers and can appear as indifference. Even if these answers may be true, companies will not likely hire candidates with this response. They are more likely to choose those that are genuinely interested and are a better fit mission-wise.

Answers such as “This is a great place to work and I would learn a lot from joining this team” may also not be sufficient. This response is overly general and could be used for any job.

What You Should Say

Instead of generic answers as the ones mentioned above, make sure your response is as specific as possible and uses strong examples. Before the interview, go to their website and learn as much as you can about the company. Study their work, past projects, culture, and more. Do you keep up with the company on the news? Do you own or use any of their products or services? You want to demonstrate to the hiring managers that you’ve done your research. Prove that your core values and beliefs align with that of the company to show you will be a good addition to the team.

A good answer will involve a response that demonstrates how your personal goals and experience align with that of the company or role you’re applying for. What goals have you accomplished in the past, and how will you be able to apply those to this new position?

Different ways you can begin your response are:

• “I want to work here because my interests and experiences are well-suited to this position as displayed by my previous employment at ….”
• “I’m enthusiastic about the prospect and opportunity to work here because I strongly agree with the company’s mission to ….”
• “As an avid user of this company’s products/services myself, I want to be a part of this team because….”
• “I frequently follow this company on the news, and witnessing how much of an impact they have on improving lives strongly resonates with me because….”

Make sure to sound genuine and enthusiastic when delivering your response to display your passion to the interviewers! Be honest and highlight specific key points when tailoring your response.

You’ve Got This! 

Being asked, “Why do you want to work here” may be daunting at first. Just remember that if you are genuinely interested in the role and can craft the perfect response based on the information provided by this article, then you could be one step closer at securing your dream job!

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