How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” at the Interview
So, you went through a long interview with no mistakes. But just before you can confidently walk out the door, the hiring manager will ask you another asteroid-sized question: “Why do you want to work here?”
You break out in a cold sweat. Why do I want to work here? This is a tricky question in part because it should already be obvious. You wouldn’t go for an interview if you weren’t at least interested in the company and what it has to offer for your career (and vice versa).
But this is not so obvious to a potential employer. They probably interviewed several candidates, most of whom respond with formulaic responses like “I like your company.” And you probably prefer to stand out with your answer, especially if you really need a job.
Well, we’re here to tell you that this question shouldn’t panic you. According to Laura Mazzullo, recruiter and owner of East Side Staffing , before your interview, you should already have some idea of whether you want the job or not; this should inform you of how you decide to respond.
If you really want to get the job, simple honesty works – first, admit that you want it. “I never recommend playing hard,” she said in an email. “Employers want to hire people who want to work for them. They know this is a competitive market and will appreciate your interest, but it must be genuine and you must be able to articulate the reason behind your interest. “
Respond with your experience
Mazzullo then recommends not laying out a list of facts you know about the company, but instead focusing on how the role fits into your current career path; after all, you want to convince them that you are ready to perform.
“In my humble opinion, [the question] is not so much about the research you did at their company, but the assessment you did with yourself to figure out what you need and what you want next.” In other words, research can and does help, but use it as an opportunity to reaffirm why you will benefit the company (and vice versa).
In its simplest form, it may sound something like this: here is something specific from our discussion that attracts me, here is my experience in this, and here is what I can offer.
On the Reddit thread, u / maksmil recommends adding personality to your answer while you’re at it. “If you can, I would try to focus on what excites you in this role, so that you show why you fit, and not just say yes,” they said. “Do you like this product? What do you like about this role? What do you think is important to you in the job that you think you would take here? “
Together, this advice can be broken down into three parts: declaring that you are looking to get a job, your current assessment of your position in your career, and how you see the proposed position / company as suitable. (This can also lead to questions about why you want to leave your current position; in which case, refer to our guide on how to explain leaving your job or anything else you think is honest – without berating your last company.)
Another important thing to remember, as Forbes recommends , is not to rehearse. Specifically, for example, mentioning specific conversations you had during your interview is a good way to combat this. Preparing a complete answer – which doesn’t seem to be relevant to your conversation – may not have the desired effect, so leave a few gaps in your mind so that you can fill them in during the discussion.
If you don’t need a job
If you’re not sure if the job is right for you during the interview, that’s okay too. If you are asked why you want the job, perhaps agree that you enjoy your discussion of the role (assuming you do) and use the time to ask more questions, Mazzullo said. “Employers want to know that you have thought it over and are not making rash, random decisions.”
And if you don’t need a job, honesty may be better for both parties. “Someone will respect authenticity and not waste more of their time and yours,” she said. “… Follow what you want. Politely give up what you don’t. “