How to Answer 'Why Do You Want to Work Here?'

‘Why do you want to work here?’ is one of the most common job interview questions. If you’re pursuing jobs in any industry or profession, you will probably be asked this question.

And it’s vital that you get your answer right.

Many jobseekers find this question one of the trickiest to answer. But it really doesn’t need to be difficult. By taking the time to prepare your answer to this question ahead of your interview, you’ll find it easy to make a positive impression on interviewers.

Answering this question effectively can demonstrate your suitability as a candidate while showing hiring managers that you have a genuine interest in working for the company.

In this guide, which includes 5 sample answers, we'll show you how to do exactly that.

There are a few reasons that interviewers ask ‘Why do you want to work here?’ These include:

Interviewers ask this question to see if you actually care about working for their company. Do you have a genuine reason for pursuing the position? Or are you simply looking for a new job?

Interviewers also want to know if your values match those of the company.

They want to see if you’ve done your research and specifically targeted their company, or if you’re simply applying for jobs en masse.

The key to answering ‘why do you want to work here’ is research. By conducting research into the company you’re interviewing with, you’ll be able to determine how your aligned with their values and culture.

For example, your research may lead you to determine that the company is taking steps to promote diversity in the workplace. You may feel aligned with these values, which you could convey in your answer.

Another positive of conducting research is that it shows you genuinely care about working for the company. It shows you care enough to actually study the company, rather than simply applying for jobs en masse.

So, how do you conduct research?

A great way of conducting research into the company you’re interviewing with is to study their website.

Take a look at the company’s ‘About Us’ and ‘Careers’ pages, which should provide you with significant insight into their values and culture.

You could also examine the job description and the job advert for the role. This will enable you to learn how your key skills are aligned with those the company is seeking in candidates.

For example, if you learn that experience in the FMCG sector is an essential requirement, you could frame your answer in a way that focuses on that.

Studying new articles related to the company will give you insight into the their operations and projects. For example, the company may have been involved in charity projects that you also feel passionate about.

Researching the company’s social media accounts will give you insight into relevant news and information about their operations.

You may come across information on the company’s social media pages that is relevant to you. If you do, use this to answer the question of why you want to work for the company.

‘I want to work for Example Company because I am an admirer of the strides the organisation is making in the green energy sphere. I have been an advocate of green energy for many years, so it would be great to work for a company whose values I feel aligned with.

I also feel aligned with your company’s goal of improving the client experience. During my career, I have taken steps to make clients feel valued and improve their experience. As such, I feel that I am an ideal candidate for this position.’

‘I want to work for your company because of the opportunities for internal promotion and professional growth. I know a few people who work for Example Company who have progressed from junior sales roles to senior management roles. As someone who is passionate about professional development, it would be great to work for a company that rewards it with promotion.’

I have been passionate about IT security for over 10 years. During this period, I have followed the strides that your company has taken in this sphere, developing some of the most effective IT security solutions on the market. I would be delighted to work for a company that leads the way in my profession.

I am also excited about the steps the company is taking to involve itself in the local community. I am also passionate about volunteering, and I regularly volunteer at a local soup kitchen in my area. I feel that our values are aligned on this issue.’

‘I have been employed as a customer service advisor for over 18 years and I am excited about the prospect of working for one of the most respected call centres in the US. I recently read that your call centre service was voted as the most efficient in the world. As such, I am eager to become a part of your operation.

Additionally, I have heard that your company is one of the best places to work. I have a couple of friends who are employed by the company, and they have informed me of the benefits available to employees.’

‘I want to work for Example Company because I am excited about the opportunities for professional growth and promotion. Throughout my career, I have always taken steps to improve my capabilities, and it would be great to work for a company that rewards that with promotion.

I am also an admirer of the work your company is doing with green energy. I’m an advocate of green energy and positive climate initiative. As such, I feel that I share Example Company’s passion on this issue.’