There are 101 ways to answer this question. Every job seeker will have a different reason for wanting to move on, or why they may have chosen a particular company as their destination.
For an employer the answer to this interview question is critical. The interviewer is looking for an answer which indicates that you have chosen their organisation, not just that it’s an option; one of many.
Every business desires a team that is driven to achieve and is motivated by the company ethos and mission. Recruiting, hiring, onboarding and training are all costly processes. The employer only wants to do this once. Determining the ‘best fit’ candidate could come down to the answer to this seemingly innocuous question.
How to answer, “Why do you want to work here?” in your interview.
The question “Why do you want to work here?” could come at any point in the interview. However, it’s common that it comes early. This helps the interviewer set the tone of the conversation and allows them to determine whether your passions and motivations are in line with those of the business.
Alternatively, it may arrive at the end of the job interview once the hiring manager has laid out the job in more detail. At this point, it’s used to establish whether your enthusiasm is still as strong now you know more about the company and role.
How it may also be asked.
This is a common interview question and is nearly always asked. However, it may take on many other forms. Other ways it may be phrased are
- “Why do you want to join us?”
- “What interests you about the role?”
- “What led you to our company?”
How you should answer “Why do you want to work here?”
Exactly how you form your response to the question “Why do you want to work here?” will depend upon the role and organisation. When you are preparing for your job interview, it can be useful to phrase the question slightly differently to help you design a response.
Rephrasing the question to “Why would this company want to hire me?” will allow you to think about what you have to offer and how you could make a positive contribution.
Here are some ideas to consider when thinking about your response.
How could you help the company succeed?
Research what’s been happening in the wider industry and consider how this company fits in. Have they recently changed their offering, for example? Are they facing any new competition? Think “big picture” and consider the question again. Could you add knowledge or experiences that would be especially useful to this employer right now?
What past successes could you repeat at this organisation?
Thinking about your past roles, what successes could you repeat? Have you exceeded your employer’s expectations? What major problems did you help to resolve? Did you introduce processes or come up with ideas that helped save money or resources? What lessons have you learned that you could apply in the future to help create value for the potential employer?
What could I add to the company culture?
Today, company fit is a key determiner in helping businesses choose their workforce. To make sure you’re a consideration, you should do your homework on the company culture and think about which parts of it interest you. Then think about what you could add to it.
How you should NOT answer “Why do you want to work here?”
As we’ve seen, there are many ways in which the answer to “why do you want to work here?” could be answered well. Here are some ways you SHOULDN’T answer this common interview question.
“I’m really unhappy at my current employer, and this seemed interesting.”
Although this is honest, it doesn’t demonstrate a genuine interest in either the role or company. The hiring manager will also have concerns that you’d be quick to leave when a more desirable opportunity arose.
“This is a step to bigger and better things for me.”
Of course, no employer expects their team to stay forever, but a response that indicates you are using this role as a stepping- stone is not an attractive proposition for an employer. This response indicates that you are focused on the future and won’t be fully invested in the here and now. It also suggests that you will be a short-term hire. Hiring and onboarding is an expensive process; employers will want someone who will be committed to the role and the company for a significant period.
“I’ve heard this company offers impressive benefits and rewards.”
This is a self-serving response; one that indicates you are only there to reap the benefits on offer. Employers know that salary and remuneration are important, but the motivation must also be intrinsic. If you don’t exhibit a passion for the job or the company in your interview, then it’s unlikely you will be offered the opportunity.
Great openers to “Why do you want to work here?”
Once you have prepared your perfect response why not rehearse using these natural, but professional lead-ins?
- “I feel my skills are suited to this role because…”
- “I have the skills and knowledge to succeed at this role and this company because…”
- “This is an opportunity to contribute to an exciting/forward-thinking/fast-moving company/industry. I feel I can do so using my … … … skills/experience”
- “This is an exciting opportunity because… It would allow me to…”
In Sum.
Many job seekers prepare very well for the tech test or the technical questions they may face in their job interviews. However, it’s the common interview questions that trip up many interviewees. On the surface, these questions appear to be easy and as a result, many job seekers chose to ‘wing it’ on the day.
However, giving these questions the preparation time they deserve is critical to your success. These aren’t just filler questions. They offer the employer an insight into your character, your motivations, your passion for the industry, and what you can bring to the table.
Do you need help with preparing your answers to common interview questions?
Here are some quick links to some useful articles over in the Employee Advice section of our blog.
How to talk about your weaknesses in a job interview.
How to answer “why are you leaving your job?” at an interview.
