Say you want to work there because the company’s mission, culture, and role match your skills and goals, and mention specific things you admire about the company.
How to answer
- Show you researched the company.
- Link its mission and values to yours.
- Name skills and results that fit the role.
- Mention growth opportunities.
Structure
1. What attracts you. 2. What you bring. 3. What you want to build.
Example
“I admire your focus on sustainable packaging, and my five years in supply chain management can help cut costs while meeting your goals.”
Avoid
Talking only about salary or perks.
Research first
Read the company’s website, mission, products, recent news and the job description. Note specific projects, values or achievements that connect to your skills. Interviewers can tell when an answer is generic.
Three part structure
- What attracts you to the company (specific facts).
- What you bring that fits the role (a skill plus a result).
- What you hope to contribute or learn there.
Keep the answer to 60 to 90 seconds.
Example answer
“I follow your work on solar installation software, and the focus on cutting permit time interested me. In my last role, I cut project handoff errors by 30% by building a checklist tool for field crews. I would like to use that experience to help your team grow while learning from your engineering leaders.”
Why employers ask
They want to test your motivation, whether you did your homework and whether you will stay. Gallup reports that engaged employees are more productive.
What to avoid
- Focusing only on pay, benefits or location.
- Saying negative things about your current employer.
- Vague phrases such as “I need a job” or “it’s a great company.”
- Repeating the company’s mission statement without personalizing it.
Prepare related questions
Be ready for “Why this role?” and “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Ask questions
Prepare two or three questions about team goals, success metrics in the first 90 days and culture.
Practice
Rehearse aloud or with a friend, and record yourself to improve.
Structure of a strong answer
Interviewers ask why you want to work for them to see whether you have researched the company and fit its needs. Keep your answer to about one to two minutes. A common structure has three parts: what attracts you about the company, such as its mission, products or culture, what you can contribute with specific skills or results, and how the role fits your career goals. Use concrete details from the company website, news or the job description.
Example and pitfalls
An example: “I admire your focus on sustainable packaging, which I worked on at my last role, where I helped cut material costs by 12 percent. This position would let me apply that experience to your supply chain, and I like that your team promotes from within.” Avoid saying you want the job only for pay, benefits or location, avoid generic praise that could fit any company and avoid criticizing past employers. Practice aloud, then prepare a few questions for the interviewer about the team and goals.
Based on data from career services at major universities and the Society for Human Resource Management
