Attending a job interview can feel like an uphill battle. Despite your thorough preparation, you sometimes get stuck when faced with certain queries. Based on my experience as a recruiter, job seekers mostly get confused when I ask about their motives for joining the company.
So, how do we overcome this challenge? Let’s look at some sample answers to the question of why you are interested in the job that might impress recruiters.
In this article:
Why Do Interviewers Ask Why You Would Like To Work With Our Company?
When inquiring about this, HR managers believe candidates’ qualifications and skills should be the primary focus during the final round of interviews rather than their motivation.
Though this is true to some extent, there is more to the question than meets the eye. From my experience and research, I’ve identified several aspects that go beyond the surface of this query:
- Your level of preparation:
By asking this question, recruiters are aware of whether you have done some research before the job interview to understand the mission and development trends of the business.
- Your genuine concern:
Employers want to gauge your passion for their business. They aim to ensure that the chosen candidate is truly committed to the position and the organization rather than simply seeking any random career opportunity.
- Compatibility with company culture:
Interviewers use this question to determine how well your career goals align with the vision and culture of the organization. Your response reveals your potential for long-term growth within the company.
- Your unique strengths
Your answer to this question empowers interviewers with insights into your strengths and knowledge. The diligent preparation lets you stand out from the pack and increases your chances of progressing to subsequent stages.
Why Do You Want To Work With Us? Best Sample Answers
Deliver Your Passion
As mentioned above, employers want to tap into your passion, whether it is for the product, brand, or service. However, your enthusiasm does not mean over-the-top excitement or exaggerated actions. Let the company know about your interest in working there. Describe how their business appeals to you and influences aspects of your career.
In my experience, you should concretize it with specific examples. Explain why you are inspired rather than simply mentioning your passion. Let me provide you with a compelling answer that clarifies the criteria in this case:
“I have known your company since I was in university. One of your iconic designs, which drew its concept from Eastern culture, became a significant source of inspiration for my thesis project. The great design principles of the founder also greatly influenced my first projects after graduation. Above all, I deeply appreciate the unwavering consistency of your vision over the past two decades. These factors motivated me to become part of [company name].”
Another approach is to align yourself with the company’s core values, especially nonprofit organizations. Minimize personal motivations and demonstrate your long-term commitment to the strategic mission. However, do your research thoroughly and keep your message to the point. Faith, consciousness, and vision – these powerful concepts leave a stronger impression than you think. Here’s an example:
“Your [name] campaign from three years ago that raised awareness about environmental protection touched my heart when I came across the poster on social networks. But what has impressed me most is your real-life clean-up campaigns on the beaches of the Pacific. I value your contributions to the environment in the context of pollution taking over our planet. I firmly believe I can use my skills to serve the community with [company name].”
Describe How You Enjoy Your Role
Unquestionably, you work more productively and stay committed for the long haul when you enjoy your responsibilities. And this is exactly what employers expect from their potential candidates. The question is: How do you prove it in the interview? Anyone can say, “I love this position,” but the person who articulates it gets a pass.
Here is an example answer that illustrates this point:
“Writing has been my hobby and forte since I was young. As I grew up and witnessed the evolving marketing trends, I delved deeper into the world of editing. I learned to produce short videos on my social network accounts. Luckily, these skills align perfectly with the position you’re hiring for. Working in my favorite field will boost my productivity and fuel my creativity, which results in great outcomes.”
Express Your Career Ambitions For Future Success
Though employers always aim to get to know you better, it is never redundant to emphasize your skills and experience when responding to this question. Consider mentioning your previous achievements to demonstrate your potential. Start with phrases like “My skills contribute to the company by…”, “With my experience working in [role], or “I can achieve success at the company through …”.
However, tie your answer to the employer’s expectations. What unique value can you bring to the table? Follow my suggested answer for easier grasp:
“In a similar role at [company name], I monitored and coordinated customer feedback. Through lean principles, I boosted the pace of responses by 20%, thus increasing customer satisfaction levels. I believe my innovative process will continue to benefit your company. Your collaborative environment is a prerequisite to enhancing its effectiveness, contributing to overall development.”
Going beyond common expectations, identifying challenges, and providing solutions give you an edge over others. How can you help your company succeed? You’ll be ahead of the game if you have adequate preparation and an advanced skill set. No employer can refuse an outstanding candidate who knows the market trends and can bring positive impacts.
Go with my sample only if you are confident about your knowledge and abilities:
“There is no doubt that [company name] is the market leader thanks to your innovative promotions. However, the market is changing, and new technologies emerge every day. With 7 years in the digital marketing industry, it is time to launch affiliate programs to foster a younger audience group. My experience on social media platforms allows for a deeper understanding of trends, while my strong analytical skills enable me to monitor brand visibility effectively.”
Strong Answers For All Job Levels: Expert’s Advice
Fresher
“Teaching requires patience and extensive knowledge, and I am on the way to conquering these things. Your new project is a great job opportunity to practice these values and promote my strengths. My master’s degree in French language is a major trait to contribute to your French seminars. Plus, my planning skills definitely won’t disappoint you.”
Why do I recommend it?
Even when you are a recent graduate with little work experience, you can still mention the key skills (language and planning) for the open position. It’s impressive if you take the time to learn about the organization’s upcoming projects, showcasing your thoughtful research before the interview. Even better, you could add relevant courses, volunteer work, or university projects that apply to the job role.
Mid-Level
“The media content on your official website attracted me. Through my research, I noticed a few unused resources that definitely increase conversion rates. With many years of experience in SEO and writing, I can bring positive value to your marketing strategies. Best of all, I can continue to learn from the experts on your existing team who are already creating interesting content. I guarantee that our cooperation will bring results as soon as next year.”
Why do I recommend it?
One of the notable plus points of this sample answer is the strong passion for the company. The response also proves your ability to identify the challenges ahead and express your commitment to making valuable contributions based on your relevant experience and skills. Additionally, you can also demonstrate the right attitude through your desire to learn more even after landing the job.
Senior
“Your improvements to the test application make a big difference, and I look forward to contributing to the launch process next year. With over 15 years of the previous role in product development, my skill set, including JavaScript, SQL Server, and HTML, is needed to deliver groundbreaking ideas. My tendency to be an open leader and listen also allowed me to integrate quickly into the Design team immediately.”
Why do I recommend it?
The answer presents everything an employer would seek from a candidate: admiration for the company, important skills, and adaptation to the corporate culture. These factors indicate a strong potential for contributing to the business in the future.
Tips To Answer The Question
Do Your Research
Preparation is the key to any successful interview. If you already know the employer well, proceed to other tips. Otherwise, do comprehensive research on the company profile, including its mission, core values, culture, services, etc.
Unfortunately, not all businesses publish this information on their websites. Some small organizations may not establish clear mission statements. In this case, delve into your job description to gain insights.
Identify Your Core Values
Take time to ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of environment motivates you to work?
- What drives your productivity?
- What qualities do you look for in a healthy workplace relationship?
- How do you want to develop in your career path?
- What qualities are needed for you to achieve your professional goals?
These questions help you set expectations for your future position. Compare them with the existing conditions of the business you’re applying for to evaluate if it’s a good fit.
Be Honest
Honesty is crucial during the interview process. It would help if you never fabricated your qualifications or previous experience. Even when you pass the interview and secure the job, you might risk losing it or even damaging your professional reputation within the industry if the recruiter is aware of your lies.
Be Specific
When you deliver your answers, be as specific as possible to increase their impact. For example, mention how your work skills contribute to the organization instead of simply listing them. Generic or vague answers do not provide much information to recruiters and fail to prove your potential.
For example, you’d better respond: “I enjoy writing content and producing short videos to reach young social media users. So, I feel excited about my potential contributions to the community’s health awareness.” In this sample, the candidate implied future achievements in a positive light when the company benefits from his value.
What Not To Respond To The Question
While approaching the question of why you would like to work here in an interview, it is essential to avoid certain approaches that can hinder your chances of success:
- Trying to be humorous: From my experience, recruiters generally expect a sincere and focused response when discussing important matters. Attempting to be humorous may give the impression that you are not taking the question seriously or lack sincerity in your words.
- Being vague: Unclear answers indicate a lack of research on the position and the business.
- Irrelevant response: A few candidates forget to mention their position during the recruitment process – a significant oversight.
- Being too honest: While a competitive salary may be a factor in considering a position, it’s not wise to center around it when expressing interest in a company. Focusing solely on the benefits may indicate that you are primarily motivated by personal gain.
Here are a few bad answers that can ruin your interview:
- “I’m just looking for a job now.”
- “Your company would be a great stepping stone in my career.”
- “I’ve heard that your company offers a pretty high salary.”
- “I believe that this role looks good.”
FAQs
What Are The Variants Of Why You Want To Work Here?
A few versions of this question include:
- What attracted you to our company/this role?
- Why did you apply for this position?
- Why are you interested in this role?
What If I’m Nervous During The Interview?
Take a deep breath and try to think about positive thoughts. Feel free to recall your sample answers and develop your thoughts slowly.
See more interview tips:
- 10+ Good Skills To Put On A Resume
- How To Write A Follow-Up Email After Interview
- 3 Examples For Thank-You Email After Interview
- 8 Examples of Challenges You Have Overcome At Work
- 6 sample answers of accomplishments at work
- 5 Examples of Problem-Solving in The Workplace
- How To Ask for Feedback After Job Rejection
- How to Explain The Reason for Leaving a Job on Applications
For Interview Question:
Conclusion
Why you want to work here is a common interview question. By understanding the employer’s expectations, you can give the right answer to create a good impression. Ensure that your response ticks these three boxes: specificity, relevance, and conciseness. If you are unsure about your prepared answer, refer to my suggestions above and tailor them to your situation accordingly.
