Interview Question and Answer: “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
It’s no secret that the “Why do you want to work here” question is a hiring manager favorite. While it may seem like a simple question on the surface, your answer actually provides deep insight. It shows your motivations, fit for the role, understanding of the company, and the type of employee you would be. Hiring managers love this question because it susses out if you’re actually interested in the role or if you’re just applying for a paycheck. In this article, we share expert tips and answers for nailing the interview question ‘Why Do You Want To Work Here?’. We explore why preparing your answer to this question is so crucial and we teach you how to recognize it, how to give a compelling response, and build a strong case for yourself.
Why Hiring Managers Ask ‘“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
There is a reason why this question is so popular. Hiring managers ask it to gauge several important things including:
- Your genuine interest: Hiring managers want to make sure that you’re not just applying to every job out there and that you genuinely have a strong, specific reason for wanting to join their particular organization.
- Your company fit: Hiring managers are usually looking for a candidate whose values align with the company’s mission and culture. In fact, value alignment is one of the number one factors that lead to retention.
- Your understanding of the role: Hiring managers want to make sure you deeply understand the role and how your skills fit within it.
- Your long term potential: Hiring someone is an investment. Hiring managers want to make sure you’re going to stay with the company long term.
By the way, hiring managers love to disguise this question and some may even ask it more than once in an interview using different words to make sure your story is consistent.
Here are a few other ways you may hear “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
- “What interests you about working for us?”
- “Why did you apply for this position?”
- “What made you want to join our company?”
- “How does this position align with your career goals?”
How to Structure Your Response
There are several approaches you can take when answering this popular question. We’ll explore various key themes, or ‘buckets,’ from which you can select one or combine a few to create your unique, personalized response.
- Mission Alignment
- Industry Experience or Interest
- Skills Alignment
- Eagerness to Grow
- Leadership Alignment
- Cultural Fit
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”: Mission Alignment
It’s always a good idea to bring up the mission of a company. In today’s market, companies are becoming more and more mission-driven, and hiring managers want to know that your values align with theirs. A candidate that is motivated by the company’s overall objective is not only more likely to be an engaged employee, but is also more likely to perform better in the role. Showing that you understand and resonate with the company’s purpose shows you’re not just interested in a paycheck, but that you’re committed to helping the organization achieve its goals.
Example Answers:
- “I’m passionate about sustainability, and I’ve been following your company’s initiatives in renewable energy for some time. I really admire your commitment to reducing carbon emissions and want to contribute to a company that’s making such a meaningful impact on the environment.”
- “Your mission to improve common access to healthcare for underprivileged communities is something I deeply care about. I’ve spent my career working in nonprofits with a similar focus, and I’d love to bring my experience here to further your work.”
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”: Industry Experience or Interest
Showing that you have experience or interest in the same industry is also usually a really good idea. It shows that you understand the challenges of the role and have what it takes to power through them. In fact, employers often seek out candidates with prior industry knowledge for this reason. Highlighting it proactively in this answer could set you apart from other candidates.
Example Answers:
- “I’ve spent the last five years working in the tech industry, and everyday I’m more and more excited about the innovations happening in AI and automation. Your company is at the forefront of these developments, and I believe my background in this space can help drive your new projects forward.”
- “I’ve always been fascinated by the fashion industry, and I’ve been following your brand’s growth for the last several years. I love how you blend modern trends with sustainability, and I would love the opportunity to bring my passion and experience to your team.”
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”: Skills Alignment
This one is pretty obvious. Most hiring managers want to make sure that you have the required skills to do the job at hand. But you can take advantage of this question. Use it to proactively demonstrate your understanding of the necessary skills for the role and to showcase that you have what it takes to do the job well.
Example Answers:
- “This role requires strong project management and organizational skills, which I’ve been honing over the last six years in my previous role. I’m particularly excited to use these skills to help streamline your campaign processes and drive better customer engagement.”
- “I understand that this position focuses heavily on data analysis, and with my background in data science and statistics, I’m confident I have what it takes to drive impact. I’m excited about the opportunity to leverage these skills to help your team grow.”
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”: Eagerness to Grow
There is no doubt that hiring managers love candidates that show growth mindedness. Demonstrating a desire to advance in your career shows that you’re looking for a long-term position, and not just a temporary gig.
Example Answers:
- “I’m excited about the opportunity to grow alongside the rest of the team. Your mentorship programs and focus on professional development really appeal to me, as I’m looking to expand my leadership skills and eventually take on a managerial role.”
- “I’ve noticed that you provide significant opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. As someone who enjoys learning new skills and working with teams, I’d love to take advantage of those opportunities to broaden to further hone my skills and drive impact.”
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”: Leadership Alignment
Calling out the company’s leadership is also a great way to show that you’ve done your research. It also shows you understand the company and value the direction the company is heading. It shows that you not only want to join the company for the role, but also for the people leading it.
Example Answers:
- “I’ve been following your CEO for some time now. His thought leadership on the future of e-commerce is really interesting and inspiring. I’m excited about the prospect of working for a company with such forward-thinking leadership.”
- “I was impressed with the way your leadership team handled recent industry-wide challenges, and how transparent they were with employees. I want to work for a company where leadership is approachable and committed to the well-being of the broader team.”
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”: Cultural Fit
Apart from skills and experience, hiring managers are often looking for that je ne sais quoi in candidates. Mentioning that you would make a strong cultural fit shows that you understand the company’s values and workplace culture. It also shows that you see yourself fitting in with the people and the team.
Example Answers:
- “I’ve read about your commitment to maintaining a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Having worked in teams where collaboration was key to our success, I’m confident that I would fit right in here.”
- “Your company values creativity and innovation, which really resonates with me. I’ve always thrived in environments where I can think outside the box and contribute new ideas. I believe your company would be the perfect match for my working style.”
Questions to Ask at the End of the Interview
Don’t forget to capitalize on the questions at the end of the interview to reinforce your enthusiasm for the role. By asking the right questions, you show that you’re serious about the opportunity.
Here are a few examples of questions you can ask:
- Mission Alignment: “How does the company ensure that its mission continues to drive decision-making as it grows?”
- Industry Insight: “What do you see as the biggest challenge facing this industry and how does the company plan to address it?”
- Skills Alignment: “What are the most important skills you’re looking for in someone to succeed in this role?”
- Growth Opportunities: “Can you tell me more about the professional development opportunities available to the employees here?”
- Leadership Style: “How would you describe the leadership style of the executive team?
- Cultural Fit: “What are some key qualities you think make someone a great cultural fit for this team?”
Final Thoughts on “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
The ‘why do you want to work here?’ question is certainly a popular choice amongst hiring managers. But as a candidate, you should get excited when you hear it because it provides you an opportunity to demonstrate that you’ve thoughtfully considered how your goals, skills, and values align with the company. Whether it’s mission alignment, industry experience, or eagerness to grow, formulating your reply with these themes will create a compelling answer that will surely set you apart from other candidates. Good luck!
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our related article on nailing the interview question ‘What motivates you”.
