‘Why do you want to work here?’ How to answer the world's most common interview question

In 2014, I spent 8 months job hunting after being fired from what I thought was my Dream Job.

8 months of job hunting and countless interviews was enough to convince me of 2 things:

One, the recruitment process is broken. (Very deeply broken)

And two, it's unlikely you’ll get through an interview without being asked ‘why do you want to work here?’.

It’s common, but always badly answered

This is one of the most common interview questions. 

If you don't have an answer prepared for this, you really are an Interview Rookie. 

But interestingly, even when people have prepared an answer, 99% still answer it terribly.

And honestly, it can be the difference between getting the role and missing out. 

So, how do you answer it?

Personally, I think I’ve always answered this question pretty well.

After 8 years at Nike hearing candidates answer this question really badly, I have a deep understanding of what companies want to hear when they ask ‘why do you want to work here?’.

The key to answering this question is to switch the focus from YOU to THEM.

Most people answer this question badly because they answer it literally.

They hear the question ‘why do YOU want to work here?’

And they think the answer is about them.

But really the answer is all about the company you are interviewing with.

The Higher Purpose

To answer this question you have to understand the Higher Purpose of the company.

Why does this company exist over and above making money?

Almost every company on the planet was bought into existence by a founder or a team who believed in something beyond just making money. 

Yes, it is a business. But ultimately, most people do not wake up and go to work to make money for the shareholders.

Employees go to work because they believe in the Higher Purpose of the company. They believe it serves a greater purpose. 

And if you can tap into this, you will have a great answer for why you want to work there.

My Apple Answer

When I interviewed at Apple, I was asked why I wanted to work there.

As a Marketer I could have said ‘Because I love the Marketing that you do’

I could have said ‘because I think Steve Jobs is amazing’

I could have said ‘Because I want to be part of a company that is innovative’

And all of these answers would have been ok. 

But they're not great.

They don’t really hit on why people who work for Apple get up every morning. 

Here’s what I said (and was later told by my boss was a fantastic answer):

‘I want to work for Apple because Apple products are challenging the way we live, making our lives easier and more connected. 

When I first moved to London, I had call my parents in New Zealand using a landline, and then connect via a dodgy foreign line.

Now I can see my mothers face on my iPhone as I sit and wait for the tube in the morning. And I can do that every morning. And it costs me no extra money. 

Apple products did that. 

And I want to be part of it.’

My answer was genuine. It was the reason I wanted to work at Apple.

But do you see how it is so much more powerful than just saying ‘I want to be part of a company that is innovative’.

My answer showed that I understood Apple and why it exists over and above making money.

That is the kind of answer that gets you your next job!

Love this strategy? It is part of my Creative Career Level Up programme. 

If you would like help finding your next perfect role, the Creative Career Level Up programme might be the right fit for you.