79 Best Answers for Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Your job interview is going great.

You’ve made a good impression, the hiring manager seems to like you, and you’re feeling confident.

But then, you hear the question: Why do you want to work here?

It’s such a direct question, you’re caught off guard. You’re not sure where to start or what angle your answer should take.

Relax - you’re not the only person who finds this interview question challenging. We’re here to help!

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• Why Do Interviewers Ask This Interview Question?
• How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” During an Interview
• 79 Sample Answers for Different Professions and Levels of Experience

…and more!

Let’s begin.

🟩 Why Do Interviewers Ask This Interview Question?

Before you can answer “Why do you want to work here?”, you need to understand what the point behind it is.

And while you may be thinking the answer is obvious – you need a job, and you like this one – how you answer it tells interviewers a lot more about whether they should hire you. 

Some of the things interviewers learn about you depending on your answer include:

• How much you know about the position, the company, or the industry as a whole
• Whether you’re interested in this particular job or just looking to get any job
• If your career goals are aligned with the position and if you’re likely to stick around

Imagine you’re an interviewer and you have two equally qualified candidates. When you ask this question, this is what they answer:

❌ Candidate 1:

I want to work here because I recently relocated to NY with my family, and I need a new company to practice my profession and make a living.

✅ Candidate 2:

Actually, your ad campaigns are what got me into advertising in the first place! Your creativity and out-of-the-box approach to advertising really inspired me as a professional, which is why I applied for this position as soon as I saw the job opening!

Chances are, you'll be inclined to hire the second candidate.

Here’s why the second answer is so effective:

• It shows off extensive knowledge of the company and its values
• It highlights the candidate’s passion for the field
• It does a better job convincing the interviewer that the candidate will stick around for the long run

So, as you can see, how you answer “Why do you want to work here?” can actually make or break your interview.

⬜ How to Never Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”

Before we continue, let’s take the time to talk about how you should never answer this question.

Some topics are strictly off-limits during job interviews, so you don’t want to mention them when answering this question either.

So, never tell the interviewer that:

• You’re in it for the hefty salary that comes with the job
• You’re in it for the benefits and perks the company offers
• You couldn’t land a job at another company, so you’re settling for this one
• You want to work remotely, no matter what the job is
• You’re desperate to get hired anywhere, and you took a chance

And yes, that includes any jokes about how you’re passionate about not starving. The interviewer won’t find you witty, just unprofessional.

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For a more comprehensive list of things not to do during the interview, check out our article about major interview mistakes!

🟩 How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” During an Interview

Now that you know what this interview question is all about, what is the best way to answer it?

Let’s break it down into parts. Your answer should be:

1. Brief. The hiring manager doesn’t need to hear a story about why you chose this job. A few brief sentences about what sparked your interest are more than enough.
2. Tailored. Make sure your answer is tailored to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a Java developer, you don’t want to talk about how you actually prefer working with Python.
3. Honest. Your answer should be something that actually applies to you and how you feel about the job, not a feel-good attempt at charming the hiring manager.

Here’s what a great answer looks like for an esthetician:

✅ Esthetician Sample Answer:

I actually followed your salon’s Instagram account a few months ago because it appeared on my feed. I loved the new skin treatments you were pioneering, so I kept track of your work, and that’s how I found out you were hiring. I like the atmosphere and attention to detail I see in your work, and I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I want to join a team that delivers high-quality services.

🟩 8 Steps for Answering “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” During an Interview

You know the basics of answering this common interview question, so now we’re going to give a step-by-step guide to help you ace it during your job interview.

For starters:

⬜ #1. Research Before the Interview

Preparation is the key to answering this question as best as possible.

If you already know the employer well, you can skip this step. Just take note of everything you know and like about them and incorporate that into your answer to explain why you want to work there. 

If you don't know the employer well, don’t fret. That’s where researching the company comes in. Look into them before the interview to figure out what they do, what their core values are, what the company’s mission is, and any other information you find useful or interesting. 

Keep in mind that there’s not always going to be a lot to find out about every employer who interviews you.

For example, smaller companies might not have a lot of information about them online, or they may not have core values and mission statements to guide them like big organizations do.

In cases like this, you can focus on things like the company’s industry or the job description of the role you’re after to explain why you want to work there

⬜ #2. Reference the Job Description

Thoroughly read up on the job description and responsibilities for the role you’re applying for.

Look up the expected daily tasks, what qualifications they’re looking for, and the skills you’re going to need. If there’s something unfamiliar the company uses, such as a software program you’ve never heard of, make sure to research it.

Then, during the interview, you can directly reference details from the job description to illustrate why you want the job. For example, if the role includes developing marketing campaigns and analyzing customer data, you can mention how familiar you are with those responsibilities and think you would thrive in the environment.

Understanding the day-to-day tasks involved in the role shows your enthusiasm and tells the interviewer that you really know what you’re applying for.

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Always reference the job description when creating your resume. Learn how in our detailed guide!

⬜ #3. Reflect On Your Values

Before you can give an authentic answer about why you want to work somewhere, you need to do some self-reflection. Understand what's truly important to you and what type of work environment really motivates you.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What kind of culture, values, and mission do you appreciate in a workplace? Do you prefer a collaborative or more independent work environment?
• What drives you and gives you a sense of purpose? For example, things like recognition, mentorship opportunities, or a work-life balance.
• What kind of skills do you want to develop and improve? Does this role relate to them?
• What are your future goals, and what do you need to achieve them?

When you know what your priorities, needs, and career objectives are, you can easily find out whether a potential employer is someone you genuinely want to work for or not.

Of course, usually, when applying for a job, the employer won’t be perfect or meet all your needs. In that case, you might have to compromise and only focus on the positives and the things you genuinely like about them during your job interview.

⬜ #4. Mention Your Skills and Work Experience

If an employer hires you, it’s because they think that you can meet the needs of the role and help the company achieve some of its future goals, one way or another. 

So, mentioning how you can see yourself excelling at the job based on your most important skills and work experience is a great way to explain why you want to work there.

Career growth is something that both you and your employer are interested in. You want a successful career, and they want a productive employee, so this is a win-win answer for everyone involved.

You can use phrases like:

• “Thanks to my experience doing X, I can see myself succeeding at...”
• “I look forward to applying the skills I’ve acquired so far to…,”
• “I think I will be able to contribute by…” 

Let’s look at a practical example:

Communications Assistant Sample Answer:

The reason why I want to work here is that I can see myself growing professionally in this position. You probably noticed from my resume that every job I’ve had since graduating has been related to writing, be it in journalism, marketing, or advertising. I believe I can apply all the skills I’ve acquired so far to the role of Communications Assistant for an organization of your size.

⬜ #5. Explain Why You Would Enjoy the Job

Mark Twain once said, “Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

It’s proven that employees who find enjoyment in their work perform better and stay with the company for longer. Needless to say, employers love candidates who sound like they’ll be productive and long-term employees.

So, your answer should make a clear connection between the job and how much you’d love doing it.

That said, by “clear connection” we don’t mean saying something generic like how you really enjoy what you do or love your job. If you want to strike gold with your answer, focus on explaining exactly why you love the industry or how working in that position will bring you joy. 

Here’s an example for an elementary teacher:

✅ Elementary Teacher Sample Answer:

Helping kids learn new things and expand their knowledge has always been my passion. I was actually a tutor long before I got my Master’s in Education, all the way back in high school, and I’ve been a babysitter on and off since then. Teaching kids is almost second nature to me, and I can’t really think of a better position than this one to practice what I love doing professionally.

⬜ #6. Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the Company

Generally speaking, employers always prefer candidates who are passionate about their work, be it a service, a product, or a mission. 

As such, pointing out that you’re not just applying to get hired but because you’re actually knowledgeable and passionate about what the specific company does is a great way to answer this question. 

Now, we know that being super passionate about every company you apply to isn’t realistic. Sometimes, you’ll simply apply for jobs that you’re professionally qualified for because, well, you need a job. 

But this is where the research you did on the company can come in handy. Talking about the company’s products, services, or mission shows the manager that you prepared for the interview and that you’re not just some random candidate who’ll accept whatever job comes your way. 

If you’ve used the app the company developed or bought one of their products, talk about it during your interview. Better yet, if you’re applying for a job at a company or organization that you already know well and whose work you admire, make sure to highlight that in your answer.

Let’s look at a real-life example: 

✅ Community Project Manager Sample Answer:

I’ve always believed that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their social background. This is why I deeply admire your work with vulnerable communities and all the projects you’ve undertaken to provide everyone equal access to education and employment. That’s why I’d be more than honored to apply all my years of experience as a project manager to an organization as impactful as yours!

⬜ #7. Provide Specific Examples

When interviewers ask you “Why do you want to work here?” keep in mind they don’t want to hear a generic answer.

Always be specific and back up everything you say with concrete examples, quantifiable data, impressive achievements, and anything else you think is relevant.

After all, anyone can claim they’re passionate about a line of work or that they’re skilled at what they do. But hiring managers will always be inclined to believe candidates who can actually back up their claims.

And the best way to do that is through cold, hard data.

See for yourself how this plays out in the two answers below.

❌ Incorrect Answer:

I want to work here because you’re an awesome company and everyone knows it!”

✅ Correct Answer:

I want to work here because I really love your company and all the products you’ve launched in the last decade! I’ve been using Pineapple since I can remember, and I think your tech is the most user-friendly in the market. I’d really love to contribute everything I know about tech to work on such intuitive smartphones!

The first candidate didn’t really say anything they liked about the company, but the second one confidently backs everything up with facts.

Here’s another pair:

❌ Incorrect Answer:

I think I’d be a great candidate for this position because I’ve done this type of work before, and I’ve been successful.

✅ Correct Answer:

I want to work here because I can see myself succeeding in this position and making the most out of pay-per-click advertising. Just to give you an example, at my last job, I managed to improve return on ad spend by 18% within 4 months of taking over the account.

See what we mean?

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When applying for a job, a great way to convince the hiring manager you have what it takes is by writing an effective cover letter. Learn how in this article!

⬜ #8. Be Honest

As with any other question the interviewer may throw at you, from asking what your strengths and weaknesses are to asking you to talk about yourself, honesty is always the best policy.

Never, ever lie about your qualifications.

If you get hired because of a lie, you’re eventually going to get caught, and your professional reputation and career are going to suffer for it. You’re just going to waste a lot of time and resources for both yourself and the employer, and you’ll end up needing another job anyway.

Beyond that, any insincere or exaggerated reasons for wanting to join the company aren’t going to fly with most interviewers. You might seriously hurt your chances of landing the job if you’re too focused on flattering the interviewer and the company instead of telling the truth.

So, always be honest!

Don’t forget that you should apply for a job you actually like. If you go for a job that's not really what you want and you can’t think of a single thing you like about it or the company, you're probably going to be unhappy down the road and maybe even quit.

But by being honest about why you actually want to work there, you’re increasing your chances of landing a job that genuinely aligns with your goals. That way, both you and the company get an employee who’s excited to be there and contribute.

🟩 79+ Convincing Sample Answers for Different Professions and Levels of Experience

Looking for inspiration on how to explain why you want to work there? No worries!

We’ve curated a list of 79 sample answers for different professions and levels of experience to help.

⬜ Sales and Customer Service Sample Answers

🟢 #1. Sales Associate Sample Answer

“I'm eager to join your team because I admire the customer-first approach your retail brand is known for. Having worked in retail for over three years, I’ve developed a knack for connecting with customers and driving sales through genuine interactions. I see this role as a perfect fit to further hone my sales skills while contributing to a brand I truly believe in.”

Read a full sales associate resume example here.

🟢 #2. Account Manager Sample Answer

"In my previous role as a sales coordinator, I managed over 30 client accounts, consistently exceeding our quarterly targets by at least 15%. My ability to build strong relationships and understand client needs makes me confident I can bring the same success as an account manager here."

🟢 #3. Software Support Specialist Sample Answer

"I’m excited about this role because it focuses on troubleshooting software issues and helping users maximize their software use, which is something I’ve done extensively in my current job. I find it rewarding to solve problems and ensure customers get the most out of their tech—it’s like solving a puzzle with each customer interaction."

🟢 #4. Customer Service Representative Sample Answer

"I’ve been following your company’s growth for the past year and have been especially impressed by your dedication to customer satisfaction and community outreach. These values resonate deeply with me, as I’ve always believed that the heart of good service is not just solving problems but really connecting with people."

Read a full customer service resume example here.

🟢 #5. Cashier Sample Answer

"I'm interested in the retail industry because it's dynamic and it gives me a chance to work directly with people. As a cashier, I can help ensure customers have a great experience from the moment they check out. I thrive in fast-paced environments, and I'm excited about the opportunity to be a part of your team."

Read a full cashier resume example here.

🟢 #6. Retail Manager Sample Answer

"In my last role as an assistant store manager, I led a team of 15 employees and implemented strategies that increased our store's annual sales by 20%. My experience in team leadership and sales management makes me well-suited to oversee your store and drive similar positive outcomes here."

Read a full retail manager resume example here.

🟢 #7. Barista Sample Answer

"I've always been passionate about coffee—from brewing to serving—and the cafe culture that brings people together. Working as a barista is exciting because I get to be part of someone’s daily routine and make it better with a perfect cup of coffee."

Read a full barista resume example here.

...

🟢 #17. Human Resources Specialist Sample Answer

"In my previous role as an HR coordinator, I implemented a new employee onboarding program that improved employee retention rates by 30% within the first year. My experience in developing HR policies and my passion for employee development make me a great fit for your HR specialist position."

Read a full human resources resume example here.

🟢 #18. Office Manager Sample Answer

"I'm interested in the role of office manager because I thrive in office environments and am passionate about ensuring everything runs smoothly. This industry allows me to leverage my organizational skills and...

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