What do you do if you're asked "Why do you want to work for this company?

When you're asked "Why do you want to work for this company?" during an interview, it's a pivotal moment to showcase your enthusiasm and alignment with the company's values. This question is not just about your desire for employment; it's an opportunity to demonstrate that you've done your research and understand what makes the company unique. Your answer should reflect a genuine interest in the company's mission, culture, and growth opportunities. It's also a chance to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the company's needs, showing that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're interested in contributing to this particular organization's success.

Key takeaways from this article

Deep research:

Thoroughly investigate the company's mission, values, and recent achievements. This allows you to tailor your response to reflect a deep understanding of their culture and objectives, demonstrating genuine interest.### *Personal connection:Share a personal story or experience related to the company. This creates a memorable narrative and highlights your passion, showing how you might fit into their culture.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

1 Research Deeply

Before the interview, conduct thorough research on the company. Go beyond the basics of what the company does; delve into their mission statement, core values, recent achievements, and any initiatives that resonate with you personally. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your response to reflect an understanding of the company's culture and objectives. Your answer should articulate how your own values align with the company's and how you see yourself contributing to their vision. This demonstrates to the interviewer that you have a proactive approach and are genuinely interested in being a part of their team.

Add your perspective

Bryan Blair

💥LinkedIn Top Voice | Vice President @ GQR
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Having recruited for many companies in the pharma and biotech space, I often have personal connections or experiences to draw upon. For instance, if I previously placed a stellar candidate with the company who raved about their experience, I mention how that piqued my interest in working with them as well. Or if I have a family member who benefited from one of their treatments, I share how that personal connection inspired me to be part of their talent acquisition efforts.

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2 Align Interests

In your response, clearly align your professional interests and goals with what the company offers. Discuss how the position aligns with your career aspirations and how you believe the company's environment will help you grow and develop professionally. Mention specific aspects such as the company's approach to innovation or its dedication to professional development. This shows that you're thinking about how you can grow with the company and that you're committed to contributing to its success in a meaningful way.

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Bryan Blair

💥LinkedIn Top Voice | Vice President @ GQR
(edited)
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With my specialization in pharma and biotech, I'm passionate about contributing to medical advancements that improve patient lives. When asked why I want to work for a particular company, I emphasize how their mission resonates with my personal drive to make an impact in healthcare. I also highlight my interest in the specific therapeutic areas or technologies they are focused on, showing I'm not just looking for any recruiting job but one where I can marry my skills with my intellectual curiosity.

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3 Personal Connection

Make it personal by sharing a story or experience that connects you to the company. Perhaps you've been a long-time admirer of their work, or you had a positive interaction with their products or services that left a lasting impression. By sharing a personal anecdote, you create a memorable narrative that can set you apart from other candidates. It demonstrates passion and can reveal more about your character and how you might fit into the company culture.

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4 Future Vision

Speak about the company's future and how you want to be part of that journey. Discussing your excitement for where the company is headed shows that you're invested in the long-term vision and not just looking for a temporary position. Highlight how your skills can contribute to upcoming projects or goals. This forward-thinking approach can reassure the interviewer that you're looking to build a lasting relationship with the company.

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Bryan Blair

💥LinkedIn Top Voice | Vice President @ GQR
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As a recruiter, I'm always thinking about the long-term potential of my partnerships. So when discussing why I want to work with a particular company, I paint a picture of the future impact I envision having. Perhaps it's building out their cell therapy expertise to accelerate an exciting new treatment modality. Or maybe it's helping them scale up to meet manufacturing demands for a recently approved drug. By conveying a clear vision, I demonstrate my investment in their long-term success.

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5 Unique Value

Emphasize what unique value you bring to the table. Every candidate will have some skills and experience, but you need to articulate what sets you apart. Maybe it's your innovative problem-solving ability, your exceptional team collaboration skills, or your experience with a particular technology that's relevant to the company's work. By focusing on what makes you unique, you demonstrate self-awareness and confidence in your ability to contribute positively to the company.

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6 Practice Delivery

Finally, practice delivering your response confidently and authentically. While it's important to prepare, your answer shouldn't sound rehearsed. Practice speaking naturally about your enthusiasm for the company and how your background makes you a great fit. Consider practicing with a friend or mentor who can provide feedback on your delivery. Remember, it's not just about what you say but also how you say it. A confident, genuine response can leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.

Add your perspective

Bryan Blair

💥LinkedIn Top Voice | Vice President @ GQR
Report contribution
Answering "Why do you want to work here?" is a great opportunity to convey enthusiasm and make a memorable impression. I practice telling stories and examples out loud to strike the right tone and ensure my key points come across clearly. Subtle choices like using "we" vs. "you" can make it feel like I'm already part of the team. The key is coming across as authentic, energetic and aligned with their needs and culture.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Judit Schneider
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Answer the question and tell the reasons why I would like to work at that company. If I have applied, I probably do have my reasons and why should not they be shared. I believe, that sharing your thought process is a great opportunity for the company to learn about you and also you learning about how they relate to your thoughts. Every honest dialogue leads to forging a deeper relationship which is a great asset, irrespective whether at that specific time I get hired or not.

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What do you do if you're asked "Why do you want to work for this company?

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1 Research Deeply

2 Align Interests

3 Personal Connection

4 Future Vision

5 Unique Value

6 Practice Delivery

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facilitation

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What do you do if you're asked "Why do you want to work for this company?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Research Deeply

2 Align Interests

3 Personal Connection

4 Future Vision

5 Unique Value

6 Practice Delivery

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facilitation

Rate this article

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