Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Employers often use interviews to choose their staff. The interview offers the employer and the candidate a chance for two-way communication, allowing the firm and the applicant to understand one another, so the choice to hire or not can be made more accurately by both parties.

The most straightforward interview inquiries among all of the job-related tests applicants must prepare for, and they occasionally get the least attention.

To view more behavioral interview questions and Hirevue questions, please refer to Behavioral Interview Questions and HireVue Questions.

Yes, you were prepared to discuss your biggest weakness, greatest strength, an instance in which you shone, and a concept you acquired, but how can you respond to a general and straightforward question like "Why do you want to work here?" 

“Why do you want to work here” as well as related inquiries like "Why do you want to join our company?" and "Why are you interested in this position?" are essential to hiring managers for several reasons. 

For example, they may use it to determine whether you fit their culture or better understand your reasons for applying for the position and your likelihood of staying in it for a while.

There are two key points to remember when crafting your response to this inquiry: "Why do you want to join this company?" and "Why are you interested in this position?" You can get the complete response you'll use in an interview by combining the responses to these two questions.

Answering “Why do you want to work for this company?”

The hiring manager is seeking a candidate who will love working at the organization and fit in. A solid response will show that you are knowledgeable about the organization and sector. To pinpoint specific reasons for wanting to work there, you must perform your research.

One or more of the following could be included in your response:

1. A company's general standing;
2. The reputation of key figures' admiration for goods and services;
3. Esteem for additional initiatives taken by the company (marketing campaigns, community involvement, training programs);
4. Principles and culture of the company;
5. Success or growth of the company;

There are certainly other explanations that also apply. 

Many businesses are pleased to promote the type of culture they are attempting to foster. Make it apparent in the interview whether you believe it fits your preferences and skill set.

Sample Answers: “Why do you want to work for this company?” 

First, we need to understand what the interviewer wants to know through this question.

1. The interviewer tries to understand your motivation, desire, and attitude toward the job
2. The interviewer wants to examine whether you understand the company's culture before you come again
3. The interviewer wants to see if you can deal with the answer calmly when faced with this kind of question

Based on the above points, we can make the following analysis: 

Many students mistakenly highlight their ability to contribute to the organization to convey their ambition. It will help if you underline in your responses to these queries that there is room for your development inside the organization. 

Sample Answer 1

"Well, the JP Morgan brand is undoubtedly important. With such a lengthy history of being a leader in its field, JP Morgan is a company I would be happy to work for in the future. 

Additionally, a close family friend who has worked in corporate finance at JP Morgan for the past two years told me that the company's culture encourages on-the-job learning and development and genuinely rewards effort. 

I think I would be a great fit at JP Morgan since I share these beliefs.”

Why would interviewers like this answer?

In this instance, the applicant is attending an interview for a position with the well-known company JP Morgan. So naturally, many candidates tend to respond, "Well, it's JP Morgan," in the circumstances like this. Duh.” 

Even if your resume is outstanding, that won't be enough in today's competitive job market to distinguish you from the competition. 

This illustrative response discusses the reputation and background of JP Morgan while also showing that the applicant took the time to conduct some further network research. The remainder of the response focuses on the candidate's morals, discipline, and desire to grow in their position.

Sample Answer 2

“The oldest parts of BoA extend back 240 years. Since then, BoA has started to deliver on its purpose to help make financial lives better through its focus and responsible growth.

Regarding the research, I realized that every company shares the same cultures: racial equality & economic opportunity; those two points are also the cultures belonging to BoA. So, I’m particularly looking for how much a company wants to invest in its employees. 

By conducting coffee chats with [Employee’s Name] in the [Location] [Job Position] office, I learned that BoA is continuously investing in its bankers to make sure that they have the best skills and best knowledge in the market to help serve their clients better. 

In addition, among all the prestigious banks, BoA is the only company that offers an Intergenerational mentorship program to its Gen-Z employees to Inter-Generational Employee Network. 

So I love to be involved in a company like this where I’m truly valued and have plenty of opportunities to grow with this company and learn best from others.”

Why would interviewers like this answer?

This is an example of a candidate who has followed the business for some time and is already familiar with the name and staff. 

By talking about BoA-specific culture other than racial equality and economic opportunity, we can tell how this candidate is familiar with BoA’s strengths and great employment opportunities.

Instead of talking about the company’s common cultures, being more specific and more details can generate better results.

Answering “Why are you interested in this position?”

The answers to this question will be used to determine your reasons for looking for a job as well as your level of career stability. You have two options for responses to the first two questions: matching degree analysis and future development.

You can convey the following messages to the interviewer by analyzing how well you match the position and yourself: 

I carefully considered my options before selecting this position; I did not make this choice hastily. Based on my research, I am confident I can fill the post.

We can divide the response into two sections by concentrating on the matching degree analysis: work requirements + personal ability composition.

The second factor is the makeup of individual talent. Do you possess the skills necessary to fulfill this position's requirements? Is there anything from your previous employment, internship, campus, or other experiences that indicate your aptitude?

You should be able to explain what interests you about the position. After all, every manager wants to hire someone who is committed to doing a good job and enjoys their work.

A strong response will also enable you to mention your area of expertise subtly. The interviewer is curious to discover why you are interested in the position, but they are also interested in learning how your skills and expertise may benefit the business.

Common Mistakes When Answering “Why this Company” and “Why this Position”?

“Why You? Why our company? Why did you choose this position”? 

Every job seeker may come across these inquiries more than once. Some of our job candidates will be asked the above questions throughout every interview they attend, but they have never given the practice any thought.

Every time, we responded spontaneously and at the moment. Finally, the interviewer posed these queries following the company's employment policy. 

During a job interview, no one can guarantee against making mistakes. It's just that smart job seekers will continue to correct mistakes and mature. However, there are some mistakes in the interview that some pretty smart job seekers will inevitably make again and again.

1. Common Mistake 1: An overly broad response that may be used for any corporation: Job seekers commonly make this error. They remark something along the lines of, "I'd love to work there; it's a terrific firm." Although pleasant, that isn't very memorable.
2. Common Mistake 2: A sloppy response that demonstrates your need for more research: The worst thing you can do is show that you have no knowledge of the company's operations or that you have a vague understanding and expect the interviewer to fill you up.
3. Common Mistake 3: A lackluster response makes the interviewer doubt your sincerity in your desire for the position: The interviewer wants to see that you are enthusiastic about working for their business. The response, "I heard there were several open positions, so here I am, " is not good.

When addressing the second component of "Why do you wish to work here?" we observe similar errors:

• A reaction that is far too general and might apply to any circumstance. You don't want to come out as someone who only considers this job because it's open. 
• No one wants to hear, "You were the only one who allowed me to have the interview." For job interviews, the same logic applies. You must approach the company and present your case as to why you are the best person for the position.

A lackluster response makes the interviewer doubt your sincerity in your desire for the position. Avoid being too cool-headed.

You should be specific about why you would appreciate the employment and how it aligns with your objectives. This is especially crucial if the position entails even a little career change or a step up to more responsibility.

Sample Answers: “Why are you interested in this position?” 

From the standpoint of professional stability, which may also be broken down into two aspects: work development and career vision, we can discuss our future development.

There are two components to this professional progression: 

• One is the career path the company has created for this position. What is the development route, and how much room is there for growth in this position? 
• Second, what type of experience can you expect from this position, and what kind of skill development can you expect? What do you envision for your present and future? What kind of career and lifestyle do you envision?

Sample Answer #1. [Using Private Banking As An Example]

“As I see it, a private banker acts as a connector, connecting our clients to different products and services and helping them to generate more profits. Also, this is a great opportunity to balance between the client-facing and still being technical by using finance skills and keeping up with the market.

I think I will be a good fit for this role because I have experience and developed skills in the field of finance.

This private banking internship program calls for someone dynamic and interested in working in a client-facing role, analyzing and developing the right solutions for the client's wealth to generate more profits. 

By applying for this position at [Company’s Name], I will be able to make meaningful contributions while developing my professional expertise in a fast-paced and collaborative working environment. 

I believe this department is an important part of the economy. Not only do they provide clients with essential services, but they also help create capital and liquidity in the market. I love to involve myself in a position like this to utilize my skills to serve clients better.”

Why would interviewers like this answer?

This response appeals to the candidate's strengths while addressing their preferences for the position. They begin by stating how well-suited they are for the position's requirements. They go on to say that they are excited about the part. Take your time expressing your desire for the position. Exhibit eagerness.

This qualified applicant with experience knows what a firm requires and how to fulfill it. They also exhibit the proper mindset by prioritizing others.

Additionally, they desire to advance in the future, and it's always advantageous to have driven and proactive individuals on the team.

Conclusion

Once you’ve studied the two aspects we discussed (Why this company and why this position), it’s time to wrap everything up properly and develop the answer that will astound your interviewer.

You’ll need to mix the two responses and present them confidently. This calls for a thoughtful response devoid of pacing, "umms," or awkward pauses.

Attempting to pay attention to your body language, speech rate, and everything else while also trying to think about what you want to say and recall all you've learned about answering properly may be quite challenging.

This is why it's so important to prepare what you're going to say beforehand. This is not to say that you should memorize a script—never do that! You'll come out as stiff, robotic, and maybe uninterested.

Instead, you should use bullet points to outline your responses. These bullet points should cover the main points of what you want to say, but you can deliver it naturally and slightly differently each time.

Lastly, good luck with your interview!

Researched and Authored by Yihan Du | LinkedIn

Reviewed & Edited by Ankit Sinha | LinkedIn

Free Resources

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