“Why do you want to work here?” Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?
You’ve tailored your CV, written a cover letter and submitted an application. An explanation as to why you want to join an organisation ought to neatly follow.
Well, speaking from experience, it’s not always quite so straightforward.
Interview settings bring an unusual pressure, and even the most diligent preparation can fly out the window.
Of course, you know you want the job, but explaining exactly why without sounding rehearsed or simply saying “because I need one” (yes, we have heard this one!) can prove surprisingly tricky.
The good news is that interviewers aren’t expecting a love letter to the company. They want to hear that you’ve done your homework, understand the opportunity and have a genuine reason for wanting to join.
Hiring managers are no fools. They appreciate a blend of frankness within your polished answers.
Here’s how to get that across.
This innocent-seeming question actually carries significant weight and can make or break a successful interview.
An interviewer wants to know whether you chose their vacancy for a reason or fired off another application during a long evening of quick-fire applications on LinkedIn.
The question also tests how much you know about the organisation and whether your ambitions, and skillset, fit the role.
Researching the company before your interview gives you something specific to talk about. Look at what the business does, what it values and what has been happening there recently.
Let’s consider this answer: “I want to work here because you’re a successful company with a great reputation.”
At first glance, you may not see anything wrong with this – it certainly sounds positive. However, you might say exactly the same thing to hundreds of employers.
A specific answer gives the interviewer something more useful. Take this example:
“I’ve been tracking the company’s expansion into European markets, particularly in light of the recent regulatory changes. This growth has caught my attention because I’ve spent the last three years managing international accounts. This role feels like a chance to use that experience while taking on more responsibility.”
Now the interviewer knows why you chose them and what you could bring. Specificity is the key differentiator.
If you’re wondering how to prepare for an interview, practice makes perfect. Our blog is full of tips for interview success, while our career coaching services incorporate bespoke training.
When preparing for most common interview questions, research is the first port-of-call.
Look through the company’s website, job description and recent news. Social media is a useful tool to get an up-to-date feel for what the organisation talks about and what seems important to its employees.
Then ask yourself what genuinely appeals to you.
Does the role offer more responsibility? Maybe you admire a particular piece of work the organisation has carried out? Have you always had a particular affinity for the industry the company is in?
Crucially, you’ll want to connect that reason to your own experience.
This is what can turn a decent answer into a convincing one.
Instead of simply telling the interviewer why the company impresses you, explain why joining it makes sense at this point in your career.
Note: Your answer will depend on your particular circumstances, so don’t memorise somebody else’s word for word.
Interviewers tend to notice when an answer sounds suspiciously polished. The following examples indicate structure and should be used as a starting point only.
Below are four example answers linked to particular circumstances.
“I’ve worked in digital marketing for four years and I’ve followed some of the campaigns your team has produced. I particularly like that this role would give me more responsibility for strategy, which is the area I’ve increasingly moved towards in my current job. I think my agency experience would also allow me to contribute quite quickly.”
There’s no over-the-top praise here. The candidate gives a specific reason for applying, connects it to their career and explains what they offer.
You won’t have years of professional achievements to draw upon, and nobody reasonable expects you to.
“I enjoyed the research side of my degree, and this role stood out because I’d get to use those skills on real client projects. I also noticed that you provide structured training for graduates, which appeals to me because I’m keen to keep developing while contributing to the team.”
This answer doesn’t apologise for their lack of experience. It focuses on what they’ve already done and why the opportunity makes sense.
Career changers sometimes worry that employers will question why they’re leaving one field for another. A clear answer can turn that concern into a strength.
“I’ve spent six years working in hospitality, but the part I’ve always enjoyed most is organising events and coordinating different teams. That’s what led me towards project management. This role caught my attention because it would let me bring those organisation and people skills into a dedicated project position.”
Notice that the answer doesn’t criticise the candidate’s current industry. Keep the focus on where you’re going rather than everything you want to escape from. Be positive.
“I’ve managed individual client accounts for the last three years and I’m ready to take on broader responsibility. What interested me about this position is the opportunity to lead a small team while still working directly with key clients. That feels like a natural next step based on the work I’m already doing.”
Again, there’s nothing too fancy here. The answer just makes sense, leaning on clarity and succinctness.
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You might hear the question phrased as “why do you want to work for us?”, “why do you want this job?” or even “what attracted you to our company?”
Don’t let slightly different wording throw you.
The interviewer usually wants to understand your motivation and establish whether you’ve thought seriously about the opportunity.
The emphasis can change slightly, though. “Why do you want this job?” gives you a particularly good opportunity to discuss the work itself, while “why do you want to work for us?” invites you to talk more about the organisation.
In either case, connect the two.
Let’s deal with the one we mentioned in the introduction:
Research should help you form an opinion, not give you a paragraph to recite back to the people who probably helped write it.
This is actually a useful question to ask yourself before the interview.
If you’re thinking, “why do I want to work for a company like this?”, go back to the job description and your research. Focus on things that genuinely interest you rather than trying to invent enthusiasm.
You might find that the responsibilities suit your strengths, the company works with clients you’d like to learn from or the role gives you room to progress.
Still drawing a blank?
It’s worth considering whether you actually want the position. Interviews work both ways, and there’s little benefit in convincing an employer you’re desperate to join if the opportunity doesn’t appeal to you.
Absolutely. Just don’t learn it like a script.
Practising common interview answers aloud can help you avoid blanking when the real question arrives. The aim is to know your main points rather than remember every sentence.
Try explaining your answer to somebody else without looking at notes. If you can comfortably cover why the company interests you, why the role appeals and what you bring to it, you’re in good shape.
Keep it focused enough that the interviewer can easily follow your reasoning. You usually only need enough time to explain what attracted you to the company or role and connect that interest to your own experience.
Don’t keep talking because silence feels awkward. Make your point, then let the interviewer move the conversation on.
Salary can absolutely influence whether you accept a job, but this question gives you a better opportunity to discuss the work, company and your suitability for the position.
You can discuss salary at an appropriate stage of the recruitment process. It just doesn’t need to become your headline reason for wanting the job.
Yes, particularly if the position represents a logical next step for you. Explain what you’d like to develop and why this particular role gives you that opportunity.
Try to mention what you can contribute as well. Employers want someone who sees a future with them, but they also need to know what they’ll gain from hiring you.
The key to answering this question is to give the interviewer a reason that could only really apply to this company or this job.
Do your research, pick something you genuinely care about and connect it to your own experience or ambitions.
You don’t need the perfect speech, and sounding like yourself will almost always serve you far better than memorising one.
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