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Some might make the mistake of disregarding or not adequately preparing for the questions that come up time and again. Don’t let this be you! The question “Why do you want to work here?” is almost always used for good reason. They are checking to see if you are a good fit for the company.
How to answer “Why do you want to work here?”
Below, we outline the critical components that should go into every top candidate’s answer to this common interview question.
Research the company
Candidates should actively research every company to which they submit an application. Great research means doing some detective work. The company’s website, mission statement, their people, and news page should all top your list. But to get to grips with how the company really ticks, go deeper. Read up on their competitors, trends that could impact their work, and what employees and consumers are saying about them.
Think about how your values align with theirs
Your company should have a mission statement and page that express its values. Are these values and visions compatible with your own? Imagine the company is a person; why would you want to be friends with them?
Think how you could help the company
Research into the company should give you an insight into the company’s broader goals and challenges. Cross-examine these goals against your skills and experiences, and prepare how your background can help them succeed.
How to structure your answer to the question “Why do you want to work here?”
Aim to give interviewers a logical story of why you’re a great match:
- Beginning: Explain what drove you to apply to the company (their product, their culture, their values).
- Middle: Show them how your goals align with theirs.
- End: Explain how your specific skills and experiences can address the business problem they need to solve.
Be prepared for follow-up questions!
Don’t get caught out here. If you interest an interviewer enough, they may ask for more detail about how you would solve the challenges you outlined. So, come prepared with a specific example, preferably one that shows how you tackled a similar situation in your current employment.
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We hope we helped you better prepare for this interview question! We will be adding to this series of common interview questions over the coming months. We’d love for you to send us the interview questions you’d like us to analyse next.
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