How do I answer “Why do you want to work at this company” in an interview?

Similar to our last article, interviewers may ask " Why do you want to work at this company" in various ways. “What made you apply for this role”, “Why do you want to work here”, “What is it that you like about our company”, or “Why do you want this role” – but our response is going to be similar every time, maybe with some slight tweaks.

Regardless, we need to get this question right. Often it comes up early in the process and gives us an excellent opportunity to cast a solid first impression. Also, stumbling over our answer to this question will make the interviewer think that we haven’t done our research or that we are just simply looking for a job, wherever it is. We need to display a genuine, specific interest in this company.

Like all our answers, we need to make it comprehensive but concise. We need to do the research and demonstrate our interest in the organisation's values and culture. Interviewers will think of overtly long answers as either waffle or fake positivity. Here's a structured approach to crafting our response:

1.     Show Our Research: Our first step is to find specific aspects of the company that appeal to us. Study the job description, the company website and know any big, recent company developments. Do we admire their products, industry reputation, cultural values or achievements. Demonstrate clearly that we've done our homework and can explain what sets this company apart from others in our eyes.er it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

2.     Link Our Values: Next, we want to explain how our research connects to our values and career aspirations. Note why we are drawn to their organisational culture and how we believe we can contribute to their goals and objectives. E.g. If the company clearly brands itself as having a key interest in sustainability, we could discuss how we also hold these values.

3.     Career Development: How does a role at this company help us on the path toward our professional goals and developing our skills. It is great here to emphasise how we really seek continuous development and progression; that we are ambitious for our careers and hungry to learn and grow. Oftentimes, companies will note the opportunities for learning in their branding and they are always looking for individuals who can continuously learn – if we can spell out how this really connects with us, it will significantly improve our answer.

4.     Our Impact and Passion: State our desire to really contribute to the company success. Share examples of how our strengths and experiences can directly benefit the role and team. Emphasise our genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company and note our excitement about the opportunity to work with a company doing what they do. Hiring managers want to work with positive people, show this enthusiasm.

5.     Closing Summary: Conclude our response by reiterating our specific interest in this company and our enthusiasm for the opportunity this particular role presents.

If we can follow the skeleton of this structured approach, we will effectively communicate our genuine interest in the company and role, making a compelling case for why we're a good fit and worth investing in. Remember to keep the response focused, engaging, and tailored to the position we’re applying for, and we must make it specific to the company, otherwise it will a strong negative against our application.

If you would like to see some sample answers, NoveResume has a good collection with similar key points. And if you would like help making your interview skills a real strength for getting offers – get in touch!