Interviewing can be a stressful, time-consuming, and exhausting process. From identifying the right job to scheduling interviews to meeting new people and answering their questions, the entire process can be overwhelming. Many employers’ common go-to question is, “why do you want to work here?’ It’s a legit question and one that you should be able to answer in-depth. We give some insight into formulating an answer that will delight the hiring manager and help alleviate some of the stress that interviewing can bring. 

Timing

The timing of the question, ‘why do you want to work here’ is crucial to answering honestly and in detail. This question is typically raised is at the end of the interview process. Ideally, you will have met the team and any other decision-makers. At this time, you can relay what it is about the company that excites you. However, suppose the interviewer asks this question from the start. In that case, you can give a brief overview of what excites you about the job description, the company website, and any current news related to the company. You can also suggest that you would like to revisit the question as the interview progresses, at which time you can share any new insights as to what drives you to want to work at the company.

Skillset Contributions

When asked, ‘why do you want to work here,’ toward the end of the interview process, consider how your skillsets can contribute to the team and the company. You should incorporate any pain points the hiring manager mentioned during your interview. Discuss how your skillset can fill in the gaps and create a solution to their problems. Use examples of how you can impact the team and why it excites you. Discussing how your skills can add value shows that you truly understand the team’s direction and how you can help contribute to their success.

Culture & Dynamics

If you had the opportunity to meet the team during your interview, relate how you feel you can contribute to the dynamics and culture of the group. Summarize how you view the team dynamics in your own words and paint a picture of how you will fit in. Buy-in to the company culture is crucial for hiring managers, so reiterating this will help make you a strong candidate for the role.

Responses to Avoid

When answering the question, ‘why do you want to work here,’ there are a few responses to avoid. Reasons such as PTO, benefits, or things of that nature don’t need to be mentioned, as they hopefully speak for themselves. Remember, hiring managers want an in-depth explanation of why you want to work there and how you can add value to the team. Your answer is another opportunity to sell yourself, so be sure not to waste it.

DIVERSANT

If you are having a hard time coming up with an answer to the question, ‘why do you want to work here,’ then perhaps the job isn’t the right fit for you. At DIVERSANT, we can help you identify a great career opportunity and assist in interview prep. Contact one of our many talented recruiters today.