Job Interview: ‘Why Do You Want To Work Here?’

Why do you want to work here? This question is often asked during job interviews. It’s a tough interview question that definitely requires some preparation. Questions about your motivation in general are very common during job interviews.

You should be able to provide a coherent answer on why you applied to the position. Other ways this question can be asked:

1. Why do you want to work in this company?
2. Why do you want this particular job position?

Your answer should demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the skills, talents, experience, and strengths you have that are a match for their culture and the targeted position.

This is one of the questions you have to prepare yourself to answer before going for an interview.

Preparing an answer to ‘why do you want to work here?’

Before going for an interview, you need to know:

1. Yourself: what do you want? What are your aspirations and career goals? Will this job be a stepping stone or will it help you achieve all or part of your goal? Why should you be the person they should? What can you bring to the table?! You need to know what you want and what you can offer. Do you have the job requirement? Write down your matching accomplishments or skills for each requirement.
2. The company: what do you know about the company? What is the history of the company, its mission, and vision, career opportunities, awards, the reputation of their products or services? You can research the company by going online, checking the company website, reading media reports, checking the company social media platform like their Facebook page, twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn. Knowing about the company will help you to also know about the challenges to expect while working in the company. With this information, you can be able will benefit yourself and how you fit into the company.
3. The position: what is the responsibility of the job post advertised? Do you have the qualification, skills set, and requirements for this position?
4. The interviewers: If you don’t know the names of your interviewers, you can check them online and also check out their LinkedIn Profiles to learn more about them. This information can help you be prepared for the person’s approach or reputation.

Answers to avoid

Until you get to the point of receiving an offer, employers are just ready to eliminate you if you give the wrong response.

Here are some answers you should avoid:

• Generic answers: avoid answers that anyone could give to any employer for any job; they don’t make you stand out either. For example:

‘Because I know I can make a really good contribution.’

or

‘Because  I am qualified for the job.’

It is good that you can make a very good contribution, but how? Or that “you are qualified” Does that mean others are not qualified? What makes you more qualified than others.

• Making it all about you: don’t let your answer be all about you or what you will benefit from being hired. For example:

‘Because I heard the benefits are great.’

or

‘For the money.’

This answer will not make the employer be interested in hiring you. Though the employer will want you to be happy in the job, at this point, they don’t care about how it will benefit you. They want to know how hiring you will benefit them.

• Answers that don’t demonstrate your understanding or knowledge of what the employer needs: The employer like to know that you are really interested in this job. So let your answer demonstrate your knowledge of the company.

How to answer ‘ Why do you want to work here?’

Once you have prepared yourself by getting all the information you need. You can tailor your skill to match what the employer needs.  Don’t be insincere, but do demonstrate both your interest and your knowledge about the company and job post. You can answer by talking about

• The reputation of the employer’s products, for example:

“I have used your products for years, and I am very impressed with the innovations and consistent concern for helping your customers learn how to use them effectively. With the high quality of your products, marketing them almost feels like a public service. I would enjoy helping you to continue to innovate and to increase your market share.”

• The employer’s reputation as an employer, for example:

‘This company is a great place to work. You place a high value on your employees and encourage them to learn, grow, and innovate inside the company. This makes that employees work happily for many years, far more than the average duration with one employer. And, the high quality of your products and services proves your high employee satisfaction, which is not surprising. Because of this, the stockholders, employees, and customers will all satisfied and happy, and I would be very happy to be part of this organization.”

• The reputation of the company, for example:

“In this time of global warming, I was particularly impressed by your company’s commitment to providing funding to help the environment. This is the kind of company with a social conscience that I want to work with.”

In conclusion, always remember to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and match the company values to your values.

Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers

Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!

1. Accomplishments
2. Adaptability
3. Admission
4. Behavioral
5. Career Change
6. Career Goals
7. Communication
8. Competency
9. Conflict Resolution
10. Creative Thinking
11. Cultural Fit
12. Customer Service
13. Direct
14. Experience
15. Government
16. Graduate
17. Growth Potential
18. Honesty & Integrity
19. Illegal
20. Inappropriate
21. Job Satisfaction
22. Leadership
23. Management
24. Entry-Level & No experience
25. Performance-Based
26. Personal
27. Prioritization & Time Management
28. Problem-solving
29. Salary
30. Situational & Scenario-based
31. Stress Management
32. Teamwork
33. Telephone Interview
34. Tough
35. Uncomfortable
36. Work Ethic