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9 Good Answers to “What Made You Apply for This Job?”

One question that often trips up candidates is “Why do you want to work here?” Your response should highlight your genuine enthusiasm for the job while also demonstrating how your skills and goals align with the position. A thoughtful answer can help you stand out from other applicants.

Why Interviewers Ask This Question

Hiring managers use this question to figure out if you’re genuinely interested in the job. They might ask questions like:

  • “What made you apply for this job?”
  • “What attracted you to this company?”
  • “Why are you interested in this position?”
  • “What do you know about our company and why do you want to work here?”
  • “Why do you want to join our team?”
  • “What excites you about this role?”
  • “How does this job align with your career goals?”
  • “What about our company culture appeals to you?”
  • “Why do you think you would be a good fit for this company?”
  • “What interests you about working for our organization?”

They want to know if you’ve done your homework about their company. Have you looked into what they do? Do you know about their products or services? They’re also trying to see if your skills match what they need.

Interviewers want to make sure you’re not just looking for any job. They hope you’ve thought about why this specific role at their company is right for you. It’s a chance for them to see if you’d be a good fit for their team and culture.

The Importance of Your Answer

Your answer to “Why do you want to work here?” shows how much you care about getting the job. A good answer proves you’ve put thought into why you applied.

You can use this question to show off what you know about the company. It’s your chance to explain how your skills line up with what they’re looking for. You can also talk about how the company’s values match your own.

A strong answer can help you stand out from other job seekers. It shows you’re not just looking for any job, but that you really want this one. This can make the interviewer more interested in hiring you.

Example Answers

Entry-Level Position

Template 1: “I’m excited about [Company Name] because [specific aspect of company culture]. Your [product/service] aligns with my passion for [relevant field], and I’d love to contribute my [specific skills] to help [company goal].”

Example: “I’m excited about GreenLeaf Corp because of your commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Your environmental initiatives align with my passion for promoting green business practices, and I’d love to contribute my organizational and communication skills to help streamline operations and support your mission of reducing environmental impact.”

Template 2: “Your company’s commitment to [company value] really stands out to me. I’m eager to apply my [relevant skills] from [education/internship] to support your mission of [company mission].”

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Example: “Your company’s commitment to sustainability really stands out to me. I’m eager to apply my data analysis skills from my environmental science degree to support your mission of reducing carbon emissions in the manufacturing industry.”

Template 3: “I’ve been following [Company Name] for a while and I’m impressed by [recent company achievement]. I’d be thrilled to join your team and use my [specific skills] to help with [upcoming project or goal].”

Example: “I’ve been following GreenTech for a while and I’m impressed by your recent launch of solar-powered smartphones. I’d be thrilled to join your team and use my electrical engineering skills to help with developing more sustainable consumer electronics.”

Mid-Career Professional

Template 1: “After [X years] in [current industry], I’m looking to apply my expertise in [specific skills] to a new challenge. [Company Name]’s focus on [company priority] aligns perfectly with my professional goals.”

Example: “After 5 years in digital marketing, I’m looking to apply my expertise in content strategy to a new challenge. Brandify’s focus on data-driven marketing aligns perfectly with my professional goals.”

Template 2: “I’m drawn to [Company Name] because of your reputation for [company strength]. My experience in [relevant area] would allow me to hit the ground running and contribute to [specific company objective].”

Example: “I’m drawn to HealthFirst because of your reputation for providing exceptional patient care. My experience in office management and administrative support would allow me to hit the ground running and contribute to your goal of ensuring a smooth and efficient patient experience.”

Template 3: “What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to [key responsibility]. With my background in [relevant experience], I’m confident I can help [Company Name] [achieve specific goal].”

Example: “What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to lead cross-functional teams. With my background in project management, I’m confident I can help InnovateCorp streamline product development cycles and bring new features to market faster.”

Senior-Level Expertise

Template 1: “Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about [industry trend]. [Company Name]’s leadership in [relevant area] presents an exciting opportunity to leverage my expertise in [specific skills] to drive [company objective].”

Example: “Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about sustainable energy solutions. EcoPower’s leadership in wind turbine technology presents an exciting opportunity to leverage my expertise in energy grid management to drive wider adoption of renewable energy sources.”

Template 2: “I’ve admired [Company Name]’s approach to [business aspect] for some time. My experience leading [relevant projects/teams] has prepared me to contribute to your goals of [specific company objectives].”

Example: “I’ve admired TechGiant’s approach to employee development for some time. My experience leading global training initiatives has prepared me to contribute to your goals of fostering innovation and driving employee engagement across diverse teams.”

Template 3: “At this stage in my career, I’m looking to apply my [industry] knowledge to make a significant impact. [Company Name]’s mission to [company goal] resonates with me, and I believe my background in [relevant area] can help achieve this.”

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Example: “At this stage in my career, I’m looking to apply my healthcare knowledge to make a significant impact. MedInnovate’s mission to improve patient outcomes resonates with me, and I believe my background in clinical research can help achieve this goal.”

Crafting Your Answer

1. Show Enthusiasm and Genuine Interest

Start by expressing real excitement about the job. Mention specific things that drew you to the company. Maybe it’s their cool products, great reputation, or awesome work culture.

“I’m really excited about your new eco-friendly product line. It shows you care about the environment, which is super important to me too.”

Do some research beforehand. Check out their website, social media, and recent news. This helps you talk about what you like about them.

“I saw your CEO’s speech on innovation last month. It really inspired me and made me want to be part of your team.”

2. Highlight Relevant Experience

Connect your skills and past jobs to what they’re looking for. Show how you can help them reach their goals.

“In my last job, I boosted sales by 20% using social media marketing. I’d love to use those skills to help grow your customer base.”

You can talk about projects you’ve done that relate to their work. This shows you’re ready to jump in and contribute.

“I managed a team that created a new app last year. Your focus on mobile tech is a perfect fit for my experience.”

3. Communicate Your Desire for Growth

Companies like people who want to learn and improve, so you can talk about how the job fits your career goals.

“I’m eager to develop my leadership skills, and your mentorship program sounds amazing.”

You can also show interest in their training opportunities: this proves you’re committed to growing with the company.

“Your workshops on cutting-edge tech really excite me. I’m always looking to expand my skills and stay ahead in the industry.”

Preparation Strategies

1. Research the Company

  • Look up the company online. Check out their website and social media. Read news articles about them. This helps you understand what they do and what’s important to them.
  • Learn about their products or services. Find out who their customers are. See if they’ve won any awards or done cool things lately.
  • Look for info on their work culture. Do they have fun events? Do they care about helping the community? Knowing this stuff shows you’re really interested in the job.

2. Align with Personal Values and Goals

  • Think about what matters to you in a job. Do you want to grow your skills? Make a difference in the world? Have a good work-life balance?
  • Look at how the company’s goals match yours. Maybe they focus on being green, and you care about that too. Or they might offer training that fits your career plans.
  • Picture yourself working there. Does it feel right? Will it help you reach your long-term goals? Thinking this through helps you give honest answers in the interview.
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3. Identify Required Skills and Experience

  • Read the job description carefully. Make a list of the skills and experience they want. Think about how your background fits each item.
  • Come up with examples from your past work or school that show these skills. Maybe you led a team project or solved a tricky problem.
  • If there are areas where you’re not as strong, think about how you can learn and improve. Show that you’re eager to grow and take on new challenges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being Vague or Generic

Don’t give a generic answer that could apply to any company. Saying something like “This seems like a great place to work” won’t impress the interviewer. These vague responses show you haven’t put much thought into why you want this specific job.

Instead, be specific about what attracts you to the company. Mention unique aspects of their work, culture, or values that align with your goals.

Focusing Only on Benefits and Salary

While good pay and perks are important, don’t make them the main reason you want the job. Talking too much about what you’ll gain can make you seem self-centered. Interviewers want to know how you’ll contribute to the company, not just what you’ll get out of it.

Try to balance your answer. Briefly mention how the role fits your career goals, but focus more on how your skills and enthusiasm can benefit the company. You might say: “The competitive salary is appealing, but I’m more excited about the chance to use my digital marketing skills to help expand your client base.”

Lack of Company Knowledge

Not doing your homework on the company is a big mistake. It shows a lack of interest and preparation. Interviewers can easily spot when you don’t know basic facts about their business.

Before the interview, research the company thoroughly. Look at their website, recent news, and social media. Learn about their products, services, mission, and culture. Then, use this info in your answer.

Posted in: Job Interview