The ‘why this company?’ job interview question can be a turning point in the job interview, leading to a potential offer of employment or a rejection.
This article will explain:
- Why employers ask the ‘why this company?’ interview question
- How you shouldn’t respond to the question
- Best interview answer examples
The ‘why this company?’ question can be challenging if the job applicant hasn’t prepared a solid response.
There are two types of job interviews that ask this question. The first is in a structured job interview, where the question is asked to all job applicants as part of sequential process.
In a structured job interview, all questions are scored against the job interview score card.
A second interview style, is the informal job interview where all job interview questions are asked off the cuff. In an unstructured job interview, the employer will generally ask the ‘why this company?’ as they build rapport with the job applicant.
Why is the ‘why this company?’ interview question so important?
The ‘why this company?’ question comes in various forms;
- “Why did you apply for this role?”
- “What do you like about our organization?”
- “Why do you want to work here?”
- “Tell me, what made you apply for this position?”
- “Do you think you will be a good fit here?”
The goal of the job interview, from the employers perspective is to predict the job performance of each interviewee.
High performing employees perform well when employed in an organisation that has company values and a vision that match that of the employee. In addition, performance and outcomes often improve if the employee works naturally well under the management and leadership styles of company.
It makes sense then, for employers to ask a job interview questions to understand the motivations of each job candidate.
A second reason whey hiring managers ask ‘why do you want to work for this organisation?’ type questions to predict staff retention.
Some research shows that employees, on average, stay in an organization for an average of 4.5 years. Hiring cost for businesses can add up, with the average cost per new recruit being between £2000-£3000.
For large organisations who take on hundreds of new staff each year to replace job hopping employees can see their profits dwindle by the migration of staff.
Due to the barrier of staff turnover, employers now more than ever before are asking recruitment questions to help predict if a new employee is likely to stay for a longer than average duration.
This is why the ‘why this company?’ interview question is frequently featured during recruitment events.
How not to respond to the ‘why this company?’ question.
As mentioned previously, the ‘why this company’ question can be a turning point in the job interview.
This is because the applicants answer will hit a ‘turn on’ or ‘turn off’ button in the recruiters mind.
Business owners are proud of their company. If an applicant has applied because they love the company culture, the visions and values an affinity can be created – you like me (my company) so I will like you.
And the opposite affect can be created when the candidate doesn’t show a real interest in the company itself, they just need a job.
5 ways not to answer the ‘why us’ question.
- I applied for so many jobs that I cant remember why I choose this one
- I’m desperate for a job
- This will be a good experience for my career
- The salary is very competitive
- I’m keen to develop my skills in this job sector
Employers are looking to employ an applicant who want to work with the organisation to help create a success. Answers that talk about salary and professional-development are one-sided, the answer is seen as selfish.
Answers that focus solely on the candidate themselves, what they want to get out of the job, are viewed as negative. With employers believing that once the employee has taken what they can, they will simple up sticks and leave.
Offence is given when interviewees state they are applying for the advertised job role purely because they are desperate, in need, or struggling to find their ‘ideal’ position. As noted before, employers are proud of their organisation and dislike anyone who disrespects their company.
The best way to answer ‘why do you want to work here?’ question.
5 quick tips to start of the reply to ‘why us’ interview question
- Focus on the company not solely on your qualifications, experiences and skills as other interview questions will request this information.
- Be enthusiastic about the company. Know the company values, mission and culture.
- Link your personal values to that of the companies.
- Be specific in your answers
- Focus on collaboration
3 Styles of answers that employers love
Specific Company Information.
The first style of interview answer requires research.
In years gone by, job applicants would answer the why would you like to work here interview question by stating the duration the company had been in business, the products the company created and how they (the applicant) would like to progress internally.
This answer is no longer acceptable.
Employers were previously impressed by a candidates knowledge of their organization prior to all company information being readily available on the internet. Previously, to know company insights took research, where todays job hunters gain the same information at the touch of a button.
Instead, interviewees can convince employers that they are the right fit for the organisation by presenting hard to find information, data or statistics.
At a basic level this information can include the company values, mission and vision statement, often found on the ‘about us’ website page. But really, every job seeker should review this information prior to a job interview.
To impress an interview panel, research more specific information which can include:
- Newly won contracts and tenders
- Understanding the company income structure: government contracts, investors, selling products
- Parent companies that the organisation sits under
- Duration of the interviewers time in the organisation (easily accessed via LinkedIn)
- Information on community activities, sustainability programs, diversity and inclusion polices and other social enterprises
- Future proposals – think Tesla creating cars, and now building rockets (sources for this information include: press releases, social media channels and company website)
- Positive feedback; this can include being known for being a good employer, or being know for the company green policy
- Timeline – how a company started, how the company built up, problems it faced and how it overcame these, and finally the current situation (presented as a positive). Information to support with this can be found in news articles and on the ‘about us’ webpage.
To answer the interview question, use the following formula:
“I liked to work for organisations that (add positive). What I like about (company name) is that you (add researched information) I personally am also (add trait that links nicely to the researched information) which is why I applied for this role.”
Ahead of the game.
The second approach to be future thinking.
Companies are constantly looking at three things:
- Cutting overhead cost/increasing profit
- New markets to enter or how their products needs to evolve to be kept current
- Competition and customer demand
The savvy career professional, using their industry insight can focus the ‘why us?’ interview answer on adding value.
Imagine an applicant who explains how an additional income can be made from a waste product? Or how demand for one of the company products is high in a particular country. Or how automation, AI and robotics data is showing that a certain product/business may be obsolete in the near future.
Giving researched opinions and ideas creates authority. Employers employ people with additional insights, information and advice, as long as they see the suggestions as valuable.
Because of this, the interviewee must state the source of the information to give the answer credit.
To answer the interview question, use the following formula:
“When I was researching the organisation, I saw that you are involved in (add niche/product). For the past X number of years I have been involved in this (niche/product) and seen many changes. One of my reasons for applying for this is that I know that the company are forward thinking, always looking for continued success. I like that. I was recently reading (research) in (source) that explained how (add data) which could effect this company (positively/negatively). To use this to our advantage, one idea would to (add actions that could be taken).”
The outsiders perspective.
Everyone likes being praised, including companies.
A good way to answer the ‘why do you want to work for this organisation?’ is by giving a personal perspective. This technique is useful when applying for low to medium size business, and a must when applying for a role in a family run organisation.
Making it personal can include referencing:
- Personally enjoying the service/product – this can be viewed as a live review
- Recommendation from a friend who does or has worked for the company
- The publics reputation – everyone praises this particular business
- An article in a newspaper that talked about (the companies values, green policy, etc)
- The leadership style or culture of the company
To answer the interview question, use the following formula:
“When looking for a job I don’t just look at the salary or number of annual leave days, instead I want to work for a company that (add reason). This is why I applied for a position here, because (explain experience, recommendation or source).”
