Why do you want to work for our company?

[peanutbutter]

I have a couple of job interviews coming up and I'm dreading the question: "So, why do you want to work for our company?". Basically, I don't have a good answer. I want to work there because they have the right job. I won't know the company is a fit until after the interview (and perhaps a tour of the workplace).

What is, in your opinion, the best answer?

[Brent Jones]

Hi there,

I have an article on my blog that will be published in the next two weeks on the topic of difficult interview questions. You may wish to subscribe to my blog so you get an update when this article becomes available. Also, I have a link to some Recommended Resources to address exactly this topic.

The key to answering this question is to know something about the company. Do your research. Here is one quick example:

"I noticed that you were ranked as one of the Top 50 employers in Canada four straight years in a row. I would be thrilled to be part of such a dynamic work environment!"

It should be a short, easy answer that demonstrates that you did your research. Actually, I dedicate a whole chapter to this very point in my eBook. (You can get it for free by checking out my signature below)

Good luck!

[CleeIB]

peanutbutter - Assuming that you're not just applying to jobs because you need the money, but also because you actually might want to work for the prospective employers, then you likely already have the answer to that interview question.

This could be any number of things - prestige, location, fit with personal/career goals, and, as Brent pointed out, specific facts that you've learned (e.g., awards for being best place to work, high employee satisfaction ratings on Glassdoor, cutting-edge environmental/ethical practices, etc.).

It's unlikely that you have literally no idea if a company is a good fit until after the interview. Hopefully something about the company made you apply in the first place, other than the job simply being posted, so dig within yourself and practice articulating what that something is.

Good luck!

[Brent Jones]

peanutbutter - Assuming that you're not just applying to jobs because you need the money, but also because you actually might want to work for the prospective employers, then you likely already have the answer to that interview question.

This could be any number of things - prestige, location, fit with personal/career goals, and, as Brent pointed out, specific facts that you've learned (e.g., awards for being best place to work, high employee satisfaction ratings on Glassdoor, cutting-edge environmental/ethical practices, etc.).

It's unlikely that you have literally no idea if a company is a good fit until after the interview. Hopefully something about the company made you apply in the first place, other than the job simply being posted, so dig within yourself and practice articulating what that something is.

Good luck!

Well said.

[Yolk Recruitment]

I think you've already answered the question its because its the job you want not necessary the company. The employer wants to know your serious and passionate about the role and that your not a job hopper or just applying because you have no other option. Sell your desire for that particular role and refer back to the original job advert as this shows genuine interest in the role.