One of the most common interview questions applicants are asked is, “Why do you want to work here?” This is asked because employers want to be sure that new hires are serious about the position and interested in being part of the organization for the long term. 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.

This question can pop up during any point of the applying or interview process. Most likely, this question is asked early in the initial interview or as one of the questions post with the job application. Your response to the question will depend on the job, organization and how you want to showcase yourself. 

Knowing how to respond to any interview question begins with understanding the things employers don’t want to hear. For example, saying “I just need a job” is a candid answer that does nothing to demonstrate a sincere interest in the role or the company. It also gives the hiring manager an impression that you’d be quick to leave for another opportunity you find more interesting. Another not recommended response is, “I see this as a step to bigger and better opportunities.” No employer expects every worker to stay with the organization forever, however this answer implies you’re more focused on the future than the present. “I’ve heard this company offers good pay and benefits” is another example of how not to respond. Ever company wants to be viewed as the company to work for, and firms recognize that they must offer competitive compensation to hire top talent. However, they don’t want to recruit people whose primary motivation to work for their business is due to the benefits package.

One of the key factors to formulating a compelling answer is to ask yourself “Why would this company want to hire me?” What do you have to offer and how you could make an impact rather than focusing why the job would benefit you? There are three approached to this to consider: how can you help the company succeed, what past career successes could be repeated for this company and how will you complement the company’s culture? Become knowledgeable on what’s happening with the company and its industry, tailoring that information to be key points to address in your response. Also note your accomplishments from previous positions and other significant information that would be valuable to mention. Lastly, a candidate’s ability to work within the organizational culture is an essential hiring factor for many employers, so research and identify what you find most appealing. 

When it comes time to have the actual interview, you’ll want to deliver your prepared answer in a formal but natural way. One lead-in response can look like this, “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 …”. Another way to respond is by starting with, “I feel my skills are particularly well-suited to this position because …” or “I believe I have the type of knowledge to succeed in this role and at the company because …”. A general lead-in answer for any type of position that is successful is, “I’m excited about this job opportunity, as it would allow me to …”.

Some job seekers freeze up and worry they’ll say the wrong thing when asked why they want to work in a certain role or with an organization. But if you anticipate the question and take time to prepare an answer before the interview, you’ll avoid feeling unprepared and your chances of providing a winning answer will rise.
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