Blog

When answering this question, it’s crucial that you give a clear and concise answer that highlights your skills, the knowledge and passion you have for the company and industry. Employers tend to ask this question to understand more about you and how well you’ve prepared for the interview.  

 

In this blog we will explore how you can proactively prepare for the interview question ‘why do you want to work here?’.  

 

Properly researching the company will give you the best opportunity to showcase that you truly understand what the company delivers, its goals and how it sits in the industry. It will also highlight your research skills as well as your passion for the industry and business.  

 

Use the company’s website to discover more about their mission statement and history.  Their social media accounts will also give you a great insight into their products or services and culture. This will help you understand whether the company would be a good fit for you. 

 

It’s essential that you also review the job description so that you can align your goals and interests with the requirements of the job specification. This will emphasise the fact that you’ve taken the time to research the company and job requirements properly. 

 

Making your answer specific is important as it will clearly showcase your abilities on why you should get the role over anyone else. You can refer to specific attributes and experience and relate them back to the company's values or mission statement. For example, if the company you’re interviewing for is big on philanthropy and you regularly volunteer, have raised money for charity or help teach people new skills, this is a great way to prove that your attributes would be a great fit and align with the company values. You should also link you answers to the role requirements listed in the job description. 

 

Creating a list of the reasons why you would like to work at the company can make it much easier for you to explain your answer to the question ‘why do you want to work for us?’. We all know that job interviews can be nerve wracking, making writing a list a great way to prompt your answers if you have a mind blank during the interview.  

 

You can also make a list of the things you want to achieve both inside and outside of work and how you think the role and company can help you achieve them. Off the back of this, it’s a good idea to think about how you can help the company achieve their goals as well. 

 

Exuding confidence within your interview will show the employer that you're confident about your abilities and why you want to work for the company. This showcases that you believe the interview is important and are taking it seriously. But remember to always be yourself! 

 

 

One way in which you could answer this question is by focusing on the company's reputation.  

 

Example answer: 

“I’ve heard a lot of great things being said about the company and it’s been a highly recommended place to work by people online and at networking events. I’m impressed by the company's achievements and would love to progress my career within the business and help the company grow further.”  

 

Another way in which you can answer this question is by highlighting your experience. For example: 

 

“While studying A level history I completed coursework that required high levels of research, editing and analytical thinking that helped me achieve a B. This has given me the skills required to work as a social media executive as I can proficiently identify trends needed to create engaging content.”  

 

Focusing on what the company would like to achieve is a great way to show why you want to work for the company and how you believe you can help them achieve their goals. 

 

Example response: 

“Upon reviewing the job description, I noticed that the company is looking for the sales team to help boost revenue and increase customer satisfaction. I believe that my two years of working in retail have given me the skills needed in sales to increase customer satisfaction, resulting in returning customers, and enhancing staff morale and motivation, in turn increasing revenue.” 

 

When answering the question ‘why do you want this job?’ you should avoid mentioning: 

• The salary or benefits as a reason for wanting to work in the business. 
• That you need any type of job. 
• That the role you’re applying for will help you advance into a more desirable role quicker.  

Good luck with your job search! Find out more about our services at Ingeus.co.uk