The interview question “Why do you want to work here here?” or “Why do you want to work with our company/department/team?” is designed to explore your motivations, your reasons for choosing this particular employer over another.
This is a common question that you must prepare for and although it might seem trivial, it is in fact quite significant and the answer you give could be the difference between a job offer and a rejection.
In some ways it is similar to the question already explored “Why have you applied for this job?“ except this is all about the organisation, department and team rather than the actual job and it’s tasks.
Why Do Interviewers Ask “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
Interviewers ask this question to understand your motivation, cultural fit, and knowledge of the company. Let’s break it down into a few key reasons and we give you some sample answer snippets fto help guide you:
1. They Want to Know if You’ve Done Your Homework
This is a test of your motivation and enthusiasm for the company. Your answer will help interviewers gauge whether you’ve taken the time to research their company, its values, culture, and the specific role.
They know that the candidates who have a clear understanding of the company are more likely to be committed and perform well.
Top Tip: Mention specific facts about the company, such as its mission, products, recent achievements, or culture.
Example Answer:
“I admire your company’s commitment to sustainability, especially your recent initiative to reduce carbon emissions. I’m passionate about working for a company that prioritises environmental responsibility and from my research I can see that is a core value of yours.”
2. They Want to See if You’re a Good Cultural Fit
Every company has its own unique culture and values. They want to know if you’ll fit in with their work environment and team.
Top Tip: Highlight shared values or aspects of the company culture that resonate with you.
Example Answer:
“I’m drawn to your company’s collaborative culture and emphasis on innovation. I thrive in environments where continuous learning and teamwork are encouraged. For example…(give a specific example to highlight boost your answer.)”
3. They’re Testing Your Long-Term Interest in the Role
Hiring and onboarding new employees is costly. Interviewers want to ensure that you’re genuinely interested in this specific employer, not just looking for any job.
Top Tip: Show enthusiasm for the employer and how it aligns with your career goals.
Example Answer:
“As an employer I can see that what you are offering perfectly aligns with my skills in project management and data analysis. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and grow within the company.”
4. They Want to See if You Understand the Employer and What They Need
Companies look for people who can help them solve problems and your answer should highlight that yo know what they want you to deliver in the role. That can be from giving excellent customer service right up to completing a major project or task.
Top Tip: Show that you know the key requirements.
Example Answer:
“I can see from the job description that you need people who are enthusiastic, positive in attitude and able to sell to a broad range of customers. That is exactly what I bring and in my current role that is what I delivered. For example…”
Positive Reasons For Applying to a Particular Employer
Lets look at some of the reason you may have chosen this employer. In your answer, do not list all of them but allude to them highlighting how they fit with your career goals or personality for example.
- Employer Reputation – Perhaps the organisation has a strong history and a dynamic reputation that appeals to you.
- Leadership Team – Do you have respect for the team; perhaps they have completed actions you admire, published papers or generally have a reputation for being highly skilled.
- Services or Projects Completed – Perhaps there are some high profile projects the team have delivered that have a personal impact for you.
- Profile – The profile of the organisation may be a deciding factor in your application.
- Culture and values – Do these align with yours? Will you feel pride telling your family and friends you work with this organisation?
- Prospects – Finally, can you see yourself having a productive and rewarding future with this department or employer? Do you like where they are going and want to be part of it?
Know What To Say on Your Application and Interview
Top Tips For How to Answer: “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
It is surprising how many people go to interviews without fully understanding the employer and what the do. They hope to find out in the interview however by that stage it could be too late.
Preparation is key to ensuring you impress and your aim is to cover the above in a short, targeted answer telling the interviewers everything they need to know.
1. Do Your Research
The first thing to do is to learn about the organisation – after all you will spend much of your waking time there.
- Discover the employer mission and values and become expert on the products and services they offer. Get to know the company culture too.
- Visit their website and list 5 key facts you have gleaned. For example, what they offer, results they have had, number of people working there and any plans for the future.
- Find out who the key people are, their achievements, papers published, academic or organisation research they have completed.
- Find 2 recent news articles or stories; if you can craft them to be part of your answer it will show you’ve done your research.
- Search for news stories and media coverage. This takes your research one step further and gives you a real 360 view of what the organisation is like.
- If you happen to have any connections that already work there or know colleagues that do, then even better. They may be able to provide you with valuable knowledge on culture or the interview process that you won’t get anywhere else.
2. Align Your Skills with Their Needs
From your research above along with your study of the job description you will know what they are looking for. In your answer, show the interviewer how your skills and experience directly match what they need and explain how you will add value.
Example:
“Your job posting emphasises a need for someone experienced in digital marketing. In my previous role, I increased online engagement by 40% through targeted campaigns and I’m eager to bring that expertise here.”
3. Highlight Cultural Fit and Long-Term Goals
Employers want people who will thrive in their work culture and stay for the long term. In your answer, reference the company’s values or work culture and explain why it appeals to you.
Example:
“I’ve heard great things about your collaborative culture and I’m drawn to how your team works closely across departments. I value environments where I can learn from others and contribute to a shared success.”
4. Show Enthusiasm for the Employer
Employers want to hire people who are genuinely excited about the organisation and what it does. Perhaps you have been following them for some time, or have targeted them deliberately as part of your career plan. This is all very powerful and you must mention in your answer giving genuine and personal reasons.
Example:
“I’ve been following your company for the past two years after meeting with some of your team at the Outward conference in London. I was very impressed by how happy the team were, how motivated and excited they were to show off the latest developments and I though yes, I want to be in a team like that. I am also very inspired by how you’ve grown in the last few years, in the area of AI development within sustainability and I’m excited about the prospect of contributing to your future success.”
5. Bring Proper Structure to Your Answer
Prepare your answer in advance so that you can deliver it smoothly and naturally on the day. It is always tempting to just show up and talk your way through the interview however this can often fail. Here is a simple formula you can use broken into 3-parts as follows:
- What you admire about the company (mission, values, achievements).
- How your skills match their needs (relevant skills and experience).
- Why you’re excited to contribute (personal enthusiasm and long-term vision).
Top Tip: Use the powerful InterviewGold Answer Builder to create your answer with just a few clicks, based on you and your target job.
Sample Answer to “Why have you applied for this job?”
Note: This sample answer will help you in terms of content, structure and format. However we always advise that you build your own answer using your own example otherwise you may be caught out if they ask follow on probing questions.
I’m excited about the opportunity to work here at Green Energy Tech because of your strong reputation for innovation and making a meaningful impact in the renewable sector. I’ve followed your company’s growth over the years, and I admire how you’ve consistently stayed ahead of trends, particularly in the field of using green hydrogen. The launch of your recent initiative targeting net zero, really resonated with me because it aligns with my passion for creating solutions that positively impact both customers and the community.
What excites me most is your focus on [mention a value or cultural aspect, such as collaboration, sustainability, diversity, or innovation]. I’ve read about your commitment to fostering a positive work culture, and I’ve noticed how you prioritise employee development and collaboration. That’s the type of environment I thrive in — one where people work together toward a shared goal, and ideas are welcomed and encouraged. It’s clear that your company values its people, and that’s an environment I want to be part of.
Additionally, I see a great alignment between my experience and the role’s responsibilities. In my previous role at [mention previous company], I led projects that drove a [specific result, like increased revenue or improved efficiency], and I developed strong skills in [mention relevant skills]. I’m eager to apply that expertise here, contributing to [specific goal or project the company is working on].
Ultimately, I’m passionate about joining a company that’s making an impact in this industry and doing so with integrity and innovation. I believe this role will allow me to grow professionally while contributing to your ongoing success. I’m excited about the potential to make a meaningful impact and to be part of a forward-thinking, dynamic team.
Mistakes Candidates Make When Answering
As with every job interview question there are a few mistakes that you definitely want to avoid and we’ve created a list of these below:
- Being Inappropriate – it might seem like an obvious thing to say, but a job interview is not the time to try and be overtly witty. You don’t know the sense of humour of your interviewer and saying something sarcastic or inappropriate could cost you the job – no matter how perfect you are for it in every other way.
- Red flags – If you’re unemployed, hate your current job or really want a pay rise then keep that to yourself. Although you must be truthful, giving reasons like those above are not what interviewers want to hear. They want to know you’re dedicated to taking on a new role, not just trying to escape a current bad one.
- Lack of research – This is a question you should prepare specifically for each job role or company you interview for. If you simply say something about it seeming like a great place to work, or being a well-known brand etc. it simply shows you haven’t done in-depth homework and you’re just robotically repeating what you say to every hiring manager you meet.
- Trying to wing it – If you haven’t prepared for this question then there’s a very real risk you’ll blunder your way through it without giving an answer at all. Using buzzwords and random business terms just to sound knowledgeable simply won’t work.
Get Your Target Job Faster With InterviewGold
Answering the tell me about yourself interview question perfectly is a skill, but one you can learn. It is like an elevator pitch and you should have it clear, polished and smooth.
With our easy online interview platform you will get expert answers to any interview or application question in minutes. Personalised to you, you will know what to say to get your target job. Plus you get accurate questions most likely to arise and expert advice from our interview coaches.
Best of all, it is tailored to your job, log in enter your target job and employer, select your sector and get accurate questions and answers plus tons of top advice. Over 20 sectors are covered including Accounting, Finance, Customer Services, Banking, Marketing, Sales etc.
