How to Answer, ‘Why Do You Want to Work Here?’

How to Answer, ‘Why Do You Want to Work Here?’

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Examples of how not to respond

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 almost any interview situation begins with understanding what employers probably don’t 

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Examples of how not to respond

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 nothing to demonstrate a sincere interest in the role or the company. Plus, the hiring manager might have concerns that you’d be quick to leave the firm for another opportunity you find more compelling.

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Examples of how not to respond

– “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 implies you’re more focused on the future than the present. It also suggests that you already have one foot out the door before you’ve even been hired. – “I’ve heard this company offers good pay and benefits.” 

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Examples of how not to respond

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. That said, they don’t want to recruit people whose primary motivation to work for the business is money.

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A better way to explain why you want the position

One of the keys to coming up with 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 rather than why getting the job would benefit you. Here are three questions to consider as you develop your response:

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A better way to explain why you want the position

How can you help the company succeed? Read up on what’s happening with the company and its industry. 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 right now?”

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A better way to explain why you want the position

What past career successes could you potentially repeat at this company? How did you meet or exceed your employers’ expectations in previous jobs? What problems did you play a significant role in solving? What ideas did you introduce that helped the company save money or otherwise boost its bottom line? What lessons have you learned that you could apply 

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A better way to explain why you want the position

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 organizational culture is an essential hiring factor for many employers. So, do your homework on the company’s culture and identify what you find most appealing. For instance, if the firm 

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A better way to explain why you want the position

encourages entrepreneurial thinking, and that’s important to you, include that in your response.

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Delivering a smooth response to ‘Why do you want to work here?’

In an actual interview situation, you want to deliver your prepared answer in a polished but natural way. Consider using one of the following lead-ins as the inspiration for crafting your tailored 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 

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Delivering a smooth response to ‘Why do you want to work here?’

particularly well-suited to this position because …” – “I believe I have the type of knowledge to succeed in this role and at the company because …” – “I’m excited about this job opportunity, as it would allow me to …”

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