Why do you want to work here? How to answer honestly
Last updated . General advice, not a script.
This question can feel tricky when the honest reason is “I need a job.” You are not the only person who feels that. The good news is that you can be honest and still give a strong answer. You only need one more true reason.
What the question is usually about
It is usually a way to learn whether you understand what the job is and whether you could see yourself doing it. It is not a test of how much you love the company. A calm, specific answer works better than big words.
Build your answer in three parts
1. The work. What is one part of this job that you can do or would like to learn? Take it from the job posting. For example: helping customers, working with a team, keeping things organized, working with your hands.
2. The place. What is one true thing about this workplace? It could be what the business does, that it is close to home, that the hours fit your life, or something you noticed when you visited or read their website. Keep it simple.
3. You. Say one thing you bring. Use something you have really done.
Put the three parts together in three or four sentences.
Ten minutes of research
You do not need to research for hours. Read the job posting again. Then read the “About” page on the employer’s website, or look at the business’s own listing. Write down:
- What they do, in your own words.
- One task in the job that you could do.
- One question you would like to ask.
If you cannot find much, that is fine. Use the posting and say what you know.
If you mainly need work
You can say it. For example: “I am looking for steady work, and this job is a good fit because...” Then give the three parts. Saying you need work does not hurt your answer when you also show that you understand the job. Do not pretend that this is your dream job if it is not.
Two invented examples, only to show the shape
These examples are made up. Use your own facts.
For a warehouse job: “I am looking for steady work, and this job suits me. The posting talks about packing orders accurately and working with a team. I like work where I can see what I finished at the end of the day. At my last job I packed and checked orders, and I liked that people could count on me to be on time.”
For a café job: “I live a short walk from here, and I have been a customer, so I know it gets busy in the morning. The posting says you need someone who stays calm and friendly in a rush. I did that at a family food stall, and I would like to do it in a place with a regular team.”
Notice that neither example says “I have always dreamed of working here.” They give true, small reasons.
Follow-up questions you might hear
After this question, some interviewers ask, “What do you know about us?” or “What would you want to learn here?” Use your ten minutes of research. Say two or three things you read and one thing you would like to find out. If you do not know much, say so, and say what you did learn from the posting. It is better to be honest than to guess.
Some interviewers also ask, “Are you applying anywhere else?” You can say yes, if it is true, and that this job interests you because of the specific things you named. You do not need to name other employers.
Things to avoid
- Saying only “I need money.” Add the other parts.
- Praising the company too much. It sounds like a script.
- Saying the job is just for now. If it is true, you do not have to say it. Talk about the work in front of you.
- Criticizing a past employer. Talk about what you want, not what you left.
- Copying the website word for word. Use your own words.
Practise it out loud
Write the three parts as short notes. Put the notes away. Say the answer out loud, then again. The goal is not to remember it perfectly. The goal is to be able to say it calmly in your own words if the question comes in a different form, such as “What interests you about this role?”
What this page cannot tell you
We do not know the employer or the interviewer. Use the job posting first, and keep your answer short. If you are asked a follow-up question, answer it honestly, even if it is not in your notes.
Related guides
- How to answer “Tell me about yourself”: a short, true answer to the first question in four parts.
- Retail and cashier interviews: six themes to prepare for store and customer-service jobs.
If you want help rehearsing
Dawnstep is an app where you paste a job posting, answer questions about that role out loud or by typing, and read written feedback on what you said. Feedback is written by AI and can be wrong, so use your own judgement. It is a practice tool. It does not predict whether you will be hired. It does not score your accent.
Dawnstep is coming soon to iPhone. It is not in the App Store yet. Read how Dawnstep works.