"Why do you want to work here?" OR
"Why do you want to work with our company ?"
These questions have always been tricky to job aspirants especially if they are freshers. Remember the question - "Tell about your weakness." OR "What's your biggest weakness?" Its equally tricky as that.
Also Read : How to Get Internship at Google
So, you are a fresher or looking for a change and have a job interview lined up. You are almost prepared and yet uncertain about how to answer this dreaded question, this article is for you.
1st I will tell you, what you should not say at all. Never answer the question "Why do you want to work here?" with these answers :
- I'm skint / I need to pay rent
- I don't want to move back to my parents'
- I want a job / I'm bored
- I have loans.
- I need it like my next breath.
Answer like above and you are done. It will immediately rule you out of the list.
So, how should you answer "Why do you want to work here?"
The best way is to tap into what the interviewer wants to hear.
Its not lying or cheating rather, your answer will be just a well-researched and thought-out answer. Answer it and present yourself in the best possible way.
So the real question is : What does the interviewer want to hear, or know about you and your preparation by asking "Why do you want to work here?", and how to shape your perfect reply.
Research the company (go out of the box)
Companies want to be flattered, so take the time to do your homework. Gather all information that you can, not only from their website, but from their social media accounts, news, various papers, company blogs, research associates and clients, hiring manager linked in profiles etc. Shape the gathered information to answer the question.
What to mention:
Now, you have the data about the company. Next is selecting the aspects of the company that interest you.
What makes them attractive, and can you flatter them more by drawing upon these?
Lookin deep to draw a parallel line between this company, and companies you’ve worked for in the past or you have desired to work with. Ask your self :
Do you hold the same values?
Is the location desirable?
What type of people work there?
If there are undesirable aspects of the company, how can you turn these into a positive?
For eg. “For some this industry may be no so enthusiastic, but I’m well-suited to this because…....(put your positive reasons matching to your interest)” and “I was very excited to see that you recently won Excellent Customer Service Award, which I find incredibly admirable. My 3 years in telecom / My Post Graduation in Telecom Management have taught me the true value of excellent customer service, and I believe I would be a valuable asset to the company because of this.”
Research the role
You should have an answer, or explanation, ready for each of the requirements and responsibilities (why you’re suitable, or why you believe you’d do well despite lacking experience), all backed up with evidence. The employer wants to know that you are set on this specific role, and not just the company.
They need to see you oozing passion or interest for the particular type of role, backed up with genuine reasons why it interests you, or it will be interesting to you. Interviewers don’t want to waste their time on candidates who don’t understand the job they’re applying for.
How to shape your answer :
Your answer should include the aspects of the role that you’ll enjoy, be suitable for, and/or have experience in. All of these must be backed up with evidence.
Have motivations that fit the nature of the job
What sort of person works within this industry? What would a company expect their motivation to be? Research, comb through the job description, and ask others. If within the creative industry, it might be to have your work used on large-scale projects; if within IT consultancy, the chance to liaise with top-end clients, or be promoted; if within sales, the opportunity to make money. Think about the sort of person they want, and how you fit that bill.
How to shape your answer :
How you would fit into the industry, how your personality aligns with the nature of the job, your previous experiences that prove this, and what your motivations and goals are.
Fit into the company culture
It might be the way you answer their questions, how well you answer, how well you listen, your communication style and many other things. Essentially, they’re using the few occasions in which you both meet to assess the sort of person you are, and whether you’ll fit in with the rest of the company and/or office.
How to shape your answer :
Why you will fit the company culture (but you need to know what this is, and it’s not always obvious). Mention the people you like to work with (if applicable to who works at the company) or people you haven’t worked with, and that you would like a challenge in order to improve your people skills. More importantly, just be nice, friendly, and above all, yourself.
Be concise, it matters.
You don’t want to go off on a tangent, or the interviewee will assume you lack the skills to be concise – or you haven’t prepared well enough. Either way, you don’t want to ramble, just like you don’t want to reply with one word answers. A good technique for dressing an answer, used across many industries, is the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Try to adopt this for all the questions you prepare to answer too.
Be enthusiastic
As a fresh graduate, it’s likely you’ll be having less experience of life. Here, interviewers will be expecting you to be energetic; to be excited by the prospect of interviewing, and hopefully working for the company. This isn’t about what you say, but how you say it: avoid monotony by smiling whilst talking, as you are more likely to speak in a positive manner.
Be genuine, its important.
Deep down, the interviewer know that the money is the motivation factor here yet he wants you to be interested in the job and company. Interviewers can pick up on dishonesty, so if your heart isn’t in it, don’t bother trying to lie your way into a job you don’t want. You can also tell if someone has stolen an answer of the internet, especially as an interviewer who is well-versed in candidate answers. Take inspiration from articles like these, and definitely don’t just recite other peoples’ answers.
How to shape your answer :
If you think they have any questions or reservations about you, your history, or your abilities – mention it. Confront their reservation, then explain how or why you’ll overcome this objection.
So, your perfect answer to “Why do you want to work here?” should mention:
- Why the company appeals to you, and your reasoning.
- Why the role appeals to you, and why you can do the job.
- How and why the role aligns with your career goals and motivations.
- Why you’ll fit in with the existing colleagues.
- Why their initial reservations won’t actually hold you back.
- And remember: Be concise, be enthusiastic, and be honest.
- Alok Upadhayay
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