Securing a job is a multi-step process. It begins with crafting an exceptional resume that places you in the pool of potential hires. The next crucial step is the interview, a pivotal moment that can determine your future in the company.
The interview, whether conducted in person or virtually, is a direct interaction with the hiring manager, a key decision-maker in the job application process.
More than just your skills and strengths, a significant portion of the hiring decision hinges on how you present yourself during the interview. Your response to questions like 'Why do you want to work here?' can determine whether your journey with the company continues or ends after the interview.
After the formal welcome and presentations, the employer will ask, “Why do you want this job?”
While it might sound like an easy question, a superficial answer can cost you a future job.
Read next and prepare an answer that shows you are the best candidate for the position.
When they ask, “Why do you want to work here?” hiring managers want to gain insights into your sincere motivations and how they align with the team’s goals and the company's overall mission.
The interviewer expects a meaningful answer about why you want to work in their company at this point in your career. Your response helps them assess your value, enthusiasm, and knowledge about the company and job. In short, they want to learn why that particular job in their company appeals to you and how your personal goals align with the company's values and mission.
Here are the main reasons why this question is among the most frequently asked during the interviews.
Your answer helps recruiters gauge your genuine desire to work for the company. Responding with a generic phrase such as “I want to grow professionally” shows a lack of interest and ambition to land that position. It's crucial to avoid such generic answers and instead, provide a unique and authentic response that truly reflects your passion for the job and the company.
Learning about your motivations and goals helps hiring managers understand if you intend to work and grow within the organization in the long run.
Recruiters can assess your professional development and retention potential if they perceive you as a long-term fit for the company.
Today’s companies emphasize the cultural alignment of their new hires and how their hard and soft skills complement and enhance team dynamics.
The interviewers look for candidates whose values and goals positively impact thecompany culture.
By asking you this question during the interview, recruiters want to assess your knowledge about the hiring company.
Investing time in researching and understanding the company’s mission and operations demonstrates you genuinely want to be a part of it.
A compelling and thoughtful answer reassures interviewers they are enthusiastic, passionate, and eager to thrive in their organizations.
This question is an excellent opportunity for candidates to showcase their unique perspectives and for recruiters to identify the applicants who stand out from the competition. It's a chance to not only answer the question but also to present your personal brand and what makes you a unique and valuable addition to the company.
The question might pop up at any point during the interview. Typically, the interviewer will ask you this question early during your encounter to set the tone for the rest of the conversation. However, it can be the last one, helping the hiring manager confirm (or not) your genuine interest in the job.
Regardless of the moment or wording they choose, the hiring managers will ask you one of the many versions of this question.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, including some of the following topics in your answer can help you make a lasting, great impression.
HR professionals immediately sense when you are unprepared and improvise your answer. With this question, they want to know if you researched the company’s background and history, their products or services, and the job description.
Review the company website, especially the “About Us” and “Career” sections, and examine its social media accounts. Connect your principles with the organization’score values and show that you are passionate and why this opportunity appeals to you.
Delving into your company website and LinkedIn account helped me gain meaningful insights into its mission statement, core values, notable achievements, and current and future projects.
Your organizational focus on sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint matches my passion for living in harmony with nature and community.
Your focus to innovating on eco-friendly products aligns with my values and interests, and I really hope we can grow together.
Company culture is a key concept in the current business environment. The hiring managers focus on finding similarities between your personal and professional aspirations and the company’s overall culture. They want to know if you are an excellent fit for the job and team.
Learn about the company's values and priorities and tell the interviewer how these aspects align with your professional goals and working style.
As an individual who thrives working in a team, I truly appreciate your company’s emphasis on fostering a collaborative workplace environment.
When researching your company, I was attracted by its reputation for valuing creativity, diversity, and open communication.
I am confident that my work style and skills can contribute significantly to organizational success.
In addition to your genuine interest in the company, the hiring manager wants to know your perspective on the position's role and responsibilities.
To provide a solid answer, you must read thoroughly and understand the job for which you are interviewing.
Describe how your career goals align with job requirements and highlight the areas where you can use your skills.
I have been following your company's achievements and latest releases for quite some time. I am impressed by its consistent ability to innovate and remain relevant in the industry.
As you can see in my CV, the duties and roles outlined in the job opening match my skills and abilities.
Having worked in a multinational company within the same industry for seven years, I have developed essential leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. I am eager to utilize this opportunity to further enhance my knowledge and expertise while contributing to the company's growth.
Remember to conclude your answer with a sincere expression of gratitude. Whether the hiring manager decides you are the best fit for their company or not, the interview is a learning opportunity.
Express your genuine appreciation for the invitation and leave the interviewer with a memorable impression.
I would also like to say that I'm grateful for your consideration of me for this opportunity. Working in this company and contributing to its mission is a huge milestone in my career path, and I would like to thank you for having me here among other excellent candidates.
Here are our industry-specific sample answers to inspire you when interviewing for these jobs.
When researching your enterprise, I was attracted by its culture and the emphasis on people and their well-being.
I am the type of person who succeeds in demanding circumstances, and HR is a crucial yet challenging department in every organization.
My long-term goal is to build strong professional commitment, drive positive change, and contribute to developing policies that leverage company growth. Your company’s dynamic background is an excellent environment for me to apply and enhance my communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills and contribute to employee and organizational success.
I truly appreciate the opportunity to meet you and hope to bring my skills, expertise, and passion for HR to your organization.
I have been following the achievements of your organization since college and I truly admire its dedication to data protection.
I’ve always wanted to work in a creative environment that approaches major problems differently. When I found your Data Analyst position opening over Linkedin, I knew instantly that this was the opportunity I had been waiting for, and in just a matter of hours I've also applied.
As a passionate Data Analyst, I excel at translating raw data into valuable insights through innovative reporting and visualization tools. My analytical mind and problem-solving skills help me deconstruct vast information into smaller categories, research, find, and implement the best solutions.
Thank you for inviting me to the interview. With my experience and passion and your unique approach to the data protection domain, I hope we can grow together.
To me, finance is so much more than money. Mastering finance means learning how to put money to work. Finance is critical in every organization, regardless of its size or industry.
Since graduating from university, I've held several jobs in financial departments, from junior accountant to cost analyst and financial controller. Approaching the finance field from different angles helped me build a solid knowledge of economic principles.
Pursuing a Financial Manager position in an investment firm like yours will enable me to leverage my proficiency in budgeting and analytics while enhancing my leadership and communication skills.
I am confident that my experience, skills, and passion can significantly contribute to your company's overall success.
Your response to the inevitable interview question, “Why do you want to work here?” depends on the job, company, and personality.
A significant part of expressing a meaningful answer involves understanding what hiring managers don’t want to hear from you.
Here are our ideas of what you should not say during the interview.
“I’ve always wanted to work in a corporation.”
While this may be true, the answer is too generic: you can say it during any interview, regardless of the company or profession. Your response fails to provide the interviewer with specific reasons why you chose that particular job in their organization.
“I’ve heard the company pays well and offers good benefits.”
Organizations must offer competitive salaries, perks, and benefits toretain high-skilled employees. However, when hiring, they want to be the employer of choice for candidates who demonstrate genuine passion for the job and company beyond the financial gains.
Unless you are applying to volunteer, everybody knows you need money. Yet, admitting bluntly that money is your motivation suggests you want the job out of sheer necessity.
“I see this opportunity as a stepping stone in my career.”
Recruiting, onboarding, and training an individual are expensive, time- and energy-consuming processes. Recruiting a new team member is an investment from the employer; companies seek long-term commitment and stability.
Telling the interviewer you want the job to gain experience and move on with your career implies that you are more focused on the future and ready to jump ship at the first opportunity.
When asked “Why do you want this job?” some applicants fear they will provide the wrong answer.
Knowing that the employer will ask you one version of this question at some point during the interview, you should practice your response in advance. Say it out loud, and remember that the best answer is about why the company should hire you, not about why you chose them.
Combining your passion with your skills and connecting them to the hiring company’s mission demonstrates you are an excellent fit for the organization.
How do you answer the question, “Why do you want this job?”
When formulating the answer, describe how specific aspects of the job description align with your skills, goals, and values. Show genuine passion and knowledge about the company’s culture and mission.
How do you answer “Why do you want to work here?” without experience?
When asked this question and you have no experience, you must emphasize your academic accomplishments, soft skills, and extracurricular projects. Highlight how your abilities can benefit the company and share your ambition to learn and develop as a professional while contributing to the company’s success.
What should you avoid when answering “Why do you want to work here?”
The worst mistake you can make is to show up unprepared for the interview. Don’t provide a generic answer when answering the question, suitable for every job or company. Avoid being too specific about the salary and benefits, and don’t focus on your unemployment as the main reason for wanting the job.
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