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If you’ve been invited to an interview, you can expect to be asked some variation of the question, "Why do you want to work here?". People often dismiss this as a trick question, or assume that the interviewer is only looking to hear how great the company is. Yet it is arguably the most significant question an interviewer can ask you. It is also extremely difficult to answer well. This article will outline exactly what your interviewer is looking for, typical mistakes candidates make, how to prepare your answer and similar versions of the question. What Is the Interviewer Really Asking?When you are faced with the question ‘Why do you want to work here?’ you may feel overwhelmed. However, your interviewer isn't going to ask you to recite all of their industry awards from memory. Nor do they want you to feed them empty compliments. The interview is about you. Your interviewer wants to know:
You need to structure your answer in two parts:
We will unpick these questions below, but first, let's look at some example answers from job experts: ‘Why Do You Want to Work Here?’ Template AnswersUse the below examples to help you pull together your own answer. Remember to structure your answer in two parts, and bear the above points in mind. Example Answer 1
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How to Prepare for the QuestionNow you know how not to answer, it's time to prepare your best response to ‘Why do you want to work here?’. Here are some tips: 1. Think About Why You Want This Job in ParticularResearch the role and figure out why it interests you. Think about how the job description matches your skill set, ambitions and what you genuinely like most about the business. For example, some of these may apply:
2. Think About Your Career Goals and How They Align With the Company’sA short-term career goal might be to gain more experience in customer service. Whereas a long-term goal might be to aspire to a management position. Make sure your career goal is relevant to the job role. Here are some examples of how you can link your career goals with the company’s objectives:
3. Think About Why You Want to Work at This Company in ParticularMake sure you read the company’s website and any news articles you can find. A company’s blog can also be useful, since it will list important projects the company has worked on and focus on topics which are of value to the company. If you have any connections within your network who have worked with the company, it’s also a good idea to speak with them to find out more about the company from someone who has experienced it first-hand. Some other ideas to think about when undertaking your research are:
Five Typical Mistakes Candidates MakeBefore delving into how you answer the ‘Why do you want to work here?’ question, here is some advice on how not to approach it. 1. HumourMost interviewers will not appreciate a humorous answer. It makes you appear insincere or suggests that you don’t know how to answer the question. Avoid:
2. AmbiguityThe interviewer doesn’t want to hear vague compliments about how their company “looks really cool”. Ambiguous answers will indicate that you haven’t done any research on the organisation or thought about why you want the job at all. Avoid:
3. Not Relating Your Answer to the Job or CompanyIt is surprising how often candidates forget to mention the job they are applying for altogether. Avoid:
4. Being Too HonestEven if you’re just here for the money, don’t confess this to your interviewer. Never lie, but keep your answer focused on the job role and why you would be a great addition to the company. Avoid:
5. Saying You Don’t KnowIf you cannot come up with a single reason why the company should hire you, they probably won’t. Similar Questions: How They Are DifferentThere are many variations of the ‘Why do you want to work here?’ question that you may be asked at interview. Here are some examples of similar questions which ask the same thing:
However, make sure you listen carefully to the question you are being asked; some will require a different answer than you first expect. Never repeat a pre-prepared response without listening carefully to the question. For example: “What qualities can you bring to this role?”This question differs because it focuses less on what you personally think about the role. Instead, talk about your specific achievements and how you can apply your skills to the job. Example answer:
This answer is good because the candidate has specified a unique skill which will set them apart from the other candidates and backed it up with an example. “Why should we hire you?”This question is used to single out the very best of the qualified candidates. We have a whole article about this one question. The interviewer wants to know:
It differs from the ‘Why do you want to work here?’ question because it is less about your personal interest in the job and more about what you can do for the company. Come up with at least three reasons you stand out from the crowd. For example:
Example answer:
“How are you a good fit for this company?”This question differs because it focuses on your understanding of the company’s culture and what skills you can contribute. Ensure you research the company and its values. Think about how your own goals and values coincide. Then answer the question by:
Here are some ideas to think about when interpreting the company’s culture:
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Final ThoughtsPreparing to answer interview questions can be daunting, but follow the advice in this article and you will arrive at your interview prepared to impress. Remember:
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