Interview Question: "Why Do You Want This Job?"

When you go into a job interview, you can expect to answer the question, “Why do you want this job?” It may seem like an easy one, but even a common interview question can trip you up if you’re not ready, so you’ll want to prepare your answer.

In your response, you want to show that you've researched the company and can prove that you're a good fit for the job.

What the Interviewer Wants to Know

Upon first hearing this question (especially if you're unprepared for it), you might think that the hiring manager wants to learn more about what you want in your next job. To some extent, this is true: The employer definitely has to ascertain whether your career goals are aligned with the organization’s needs.

However, this question is actually more about gauging how much you know about the company, its mission, and its operations, as well as how the specific job aligns with your skills and goals. 

The interviewer wants to know if you have taken the initiative to learn about the company and to think about what attracts you to working for them.

How to Answer, "Why Do You Want This Job?”

Use this question as an opportunity to sell yourself to the employer. In thinking about your answer, first, focus on and list the employer’s strengths, which you can identify by researching the company. For instance: 

• What training and growth opportunities do they provide for someone in your career field? 
• Why do other candidates want to work for them instead of for their competitors? 
• How has the employer contributed to their industry or community?

After establishing the context for your answer—the desirability of the employer—you should then highlight what you can bring to the table that will meet their needs.

Once you’ve customized your answer to this question, be sure to practice saying it out loud. It may help to have a friend or family member pretend to be the interviewer who asks you the question. In fact, this is a great way to prepare for a variety of interview questions.

Examples of the Best Answers

Not sure how to answer this important question? Below are some of the best job interview answers for when the interviewer asks why you want the job. Customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you are applying for.

Why It Works: This answer is extremely effective because it uses a quantifiable example of the candidate’s previous achievement in sales and marketing, and it reminds the interviewer that he or she can offer a decade of professional, industry-specific experience to the company.

Why It Works: This answer proves that the candidate has done their homework in researching the company online, as well as considering how they could practically contribute to current business and production initiatives.

Why It Works: This answer demonstrates the candidate's passion and enthusiasm for their work, which is always a winning trait in a job candidate. It also subtly mentions their years of relevant experience. 

Why It Works: This answer is solid because it lists the soft skills that the candidate can contribute to the employer’s project initiatives, including versatility in being able to work on simultaneous projects.

Why It Works: Here the candidate demonstrates personal familiarity with and admiration for the employer while also describing the selling points of her work experience and customer service skills.

Why It Works: This clearly shows that the candidate has researched the company’s mission statement and track record of community involvement, and it allows them to state how their own values align with the employer’s.

Tips for Giving the Best Response

Research the company in depth. Interviewers will be listening for a response that shows you've researched the company. Make sure you know some basic information about both the company and the job. You might want to read some recent articles on the company to get a sense of its current goals and projects. Also, be sure to reread the job posting. This way, when you answer the question, you can mention specific aspects of the company and position that appeal to you.

Be specific about why you’re a good fit. Be specific about what makes you a good fit for this role. To prepare your answer, make a list of the job requirements (as explained in the job listing), and then note which requirements fit your skills and experience. In your answer, highlight a few of the abilities that qualify you for the job and include successful examples from your previous jobs.

Emphasize what you can contribute. Your answer should also emphasize what you can contribute to the company—what will you bring to the position? Mention any skills or work experience that makes you a unique, strong candidate for the job. If possible, use numbers to express how you can add value to the business. For example, if you saved your previous company a certain amount of money, mention this, and say that you want to do the same for this company.

What Not to Say 

Avoid reasons that focus on you. Even if it's true, do not mention salary, hours, or commute as the primary reasons you want the job. Remember that you want to focus on how you can benefit the company, not how the company or job can benefit you.

Don't rehash your resume at length. Although the sample answers here allude to the candidates’ experience, they do so merely to demonstrate how the interviewees have the number of years of experience listed in the “minimum qualifications” section of the job listing. Providing a lengthy work history places too much emphasis upon you; again, your primary focus should be on the employing company and the value you can bring to them. Be selective and concise in the elements of your work history you choose to share.

Possible Follow-Up Questions

• Why should we hire you? 
• Why are you the best person for the job? 
• What are your career goals? 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)