How to Answer “Why are you interested in working for us?” in an Interview

"Why are you interested in working for us?" If you've been interviewing for work for long, you've probably encountered the question already. Indeed.com lists it among the 19 top interview questions of 2023. If you're not prepared, this open-ended and seemingly innocuous question might catch you off guard, and you may give a weak or counter-productive answer as a result. Keep reading for thoughts about what interviewers are looking for and how to give a solid answer that will help advance your candidacy.

What the Interviewer is After

More often than not, the interviewer asking this question is interested in what draws you to your chosen profession, and to their company specifically. You could work for many different employers, but you're interviewing with them. Why?

In particular, they're hoping to find candidates who are intrinsically motivated, and share values and goals with their organization. The thinking goes that if they can find candidates who are interested in the company and the work that the job entails, they'll be strong contributors, happier, more pleasant to work with, and more likely to stick around. Ideally this is a win-win for everyone.

What They're Not interested in

They don't want to hear a response involving your practical concerns. Avoid explaining that you're interested in the pay or benefits, living in their area, or that you simply need a job, and definitely don't explain your reasons for needing money or wanting to leave your current job.

These things might be true, and some of them may be important to discuss elsewhere in the interview, but this isn't the time. Bringing them up here will make you appear disinterested or lukewarm about the position you're interviewing for, putting you at a distinct disadvantage.

What to Share

Recognize that this question is an opportunity to share your excitement about your skills and career, and the specific ways you hope this position and company provide opportunities to further them. If possible, show how your goals and the aims of the company can work together.

If you need help coming up with ideas about how to put this into words (or even if you don't), it's a good idea to look at the company's website and read their mission statement and company values. If you see things there that overlap with your own goals and values, those will make for great talking points in your response.

Keep it Positive

Whatever you share, be sure to keep it positive. If you're not particularly enthusiastic about the job or company, there's no need to attempt to fake excessive cheerfulness, which is likely to look phony anyway. But hopefully, you can find at least a few things about the work that you can genuinely frame as positives. Even if the job obviously isn't very glamorous or exciting, your interviewer will appreciate your frame of mind. They want to give the job to a person who wants to receive it.

Be Prepared to Discuss Your Worth Later in the Interview Process

If you hear this question, the company has at least a moderate interest in hiring employees who are passionate about the work they do, which can and should be a positive thing. Who wouldn't want to do work that they care about, and work with others who feel the same way?

However, some unscrupulous employers or interviewers attempt to use this very passion against the job seeker, turning the question into a trap. They try to use the excitement you shared as a bargaining chip against you later in the interview, offering lower pay or benefits which you're expected to take because of the enthusiasm you expressed about the opportunity.

Knowing this, you may be tempted to tone down any genuine enthusiasm you may have for the job, especially if it's high. This would be a mistake. Your passion is a big plus for you, your eligibility, and your value to the company, and is likely one of the reasons to get advanced in the interview process in the first place.

Instead, be sure that you know your worth and are prepared to substantiate it to your potential employer. If necessary, remind them that your enthusiasm is part of your marketability and one of your strengths as a contributor – not a reason you should accept lower pay.

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