Candidates are trained to talk about themselves and their expertise at an interview and, as a result, they often dread the question “Why do you want to work here?”
But this is such an essential differentiating question for hiring managers, and it is a mistake to discount it. In competitive industries, CVs and resumes will start to look similar. What separates the good from the best is motivation.
Why interviewers ask “Why do you want to work here?”
Interviewers want to test how well you understand their business. Have you read their company website and news page? Beyond that, do you know their competition? And be honest: Do you simply know what they do?
You’ll be surprised how little work some candidates do to look into the company behind the role they’re applying for. Commonly, candidates will search for a job title first when they are looking for work. The company takes second place.
This one interview question tests all of the above: a genuine desire to work at the company in question, and a genuine attempt to make an effort for your interviewers. The interview question is therefore crucial for many hirers, as they want to know you are looking at the company as well as the position.
What recruiters are looking for in your answer
Recruiters want to hear your meaningful analysis of the prospective role within the context of their company. We hear a lot of candidates respond with mild bewilderment to the question: “It’s a great company with a good reputation.” Such vagueness only shows that you haven’t done your homework!
Now is the time to get specific. If you mention their products and services, recent news, company strategy reports, customers, market position, or all of the above, you will prove that you have thought deeply about why the company could be important to you.
To strengthen your response even further, connect your own skills to the areas you mention. Perhaps you already have working (personal or professional) experience in using their products, or you have identified a weakness in their strategy that you can fill. These responses show the hiring manager that you have not only seen an opportunity for yourself but also a meaningful way that the role you’re interviewing for could help make waves.
Is it ever acceptable to talk about your own motivations?
While you should always emphasize the strengths you will bring to the company, we also believe it is genuine and natural to add how this role might help you in your professional ambitions.
Avoid talking about salary, benefits, or location, especially during the first round of interviews. Professional goals are acceptable, but make sure that any you do mention align with what the company actually does.
Focus on where you might have seen growth within the company, and how the role might build towards your professional goals. The right hiring manager will respect your ambitions.
How to structure your response to the question “Why do you want to work here?”
The best candidates will research the company, identify their pain points in the market, and connect their experience with the company’s needs. Weak candidates show little interest in what the company does and only talk about themselves.
Here’s how to structure your response:
- Talk about their company first: Give hiring managers specific reasons why their company interested you. Perhaps you like their products or services, or you see potential in their strategy.
- Talk about the role they are hiring for: Detail why you think they are looking for a new hire based on your knowledge of the company, and then remind them how your skills and experience fit that role.
- Talk about your future in the role or company as you see it: Explain how you see or expect to grow professionally with this role, and what contributions it could make to your career ambitions.
*
This is one of many articles that explore how to answer popular interview questions. You can read more here:
- Tell us about yourself.
- What motivates you at work?
- What are your goals?
- What are you looking for in a new position?
- What is your leadership style?
- Why should we hire you?
- Have you got any questions for us?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- How Do You Approach Learning Something New?
- Describe a Conflict You Had With a Team Member and How You Resolved It
If there is a tough interview question that you always struggle to answer, follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn, and let’s keep the conversation going.