Master 30 common interview questions that appear across industries and interview formats.
Question 7 of 30
The Goal
Example Answer
Admin
Manager
Sales
Retail
Teacher
Marketing
What to Avoid
Pro Tip
How to Answer
Community Answers

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
The interviewer wants evidence that you have enthusiasm and interest in the role and company. The goal of your response is to highlight the fact that you believe in the company's mission and values, you are ready to make a specific contribution, and you see a strong match between their job opportunity and your career goals.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am excited about this opportunity because the company values are very much in line with mine. For instance, I care deeply about giving back to the community, and I see that your company tracks employee volunteer hours as a business KPI. Also, I believe I will reach my goal of earning a management position in the next three years since this organization has experienced rapid growth while maintaining a focus on employee career development."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have been looking for new administrative openings in this company for some time now. I worked for the organization last year in a temporary admin function and loved the atmosphere. The customers are friendly, and the company has well-organized procedures - a factor that is important to me, as someone who values detail and organization."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I appreciate the encouraging and positive mentality that I have seen from your management team and would be thrilled to join an organization that encourages collaboration, mentorship, and career growth. Our management styles will mesh very well as my primary strengths are in communication, connectedness, and inclusion."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I identified this company as 'the one for me' over a year ago after meeting one of your recruiters at a college career fair. Since graduating from college, I have kept a lookout for suitable positions inside of this organization. I know that working here is the best way to begin my sales career, and I am ready to help move the organization to its next significant milestone by utilizing the knowledge gained from my degree in marketing and sales."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have long viewed your company as the leading star in the apparel industry. I know that this position will be fulfilling for me because the company offers top-notch continued education and training. I am confident that I would gain the tools that I need to be successful in the retail industry. If you choose to hire me, I will leverage every learning opportunity that comes my way, and I will dedicate myself to the company's continued success."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have always wanted to work in this school district. Not only is this community the right fit for my family and me, but the role of a PTE Spanish language teacher is a dream for me. I have a passion for guiding students and igniting their passion for languages. I am sure to make learning fun, and I know that your district values those characteristics in its teaching team."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I've been longing to get into the tech startup space for quite a while. I have researched the many options in our city and chose to apply here because company ABC is disrupting a market that needs disruption with your X, Y, and Z products. Also, the company values are top-notch, and these values come through very well in the brand story and in the company's actions."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
While your passion and excitement for the job are essential, it's always good to have some hard facts to back it up. For instance, a vague response like, 'I have heard great things about the company, and I know I would be a great fit for this job,' is not very specific and should be avoided.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
The interviewer might ask this question in a variety of ways, including:
- Why do you want to work here
- Why do you want to join our team
- What interests you most about our company
- Why did you apply to this role
Be prepared to answer this question in various forms.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Prepare for this question by researching the company, highlighting a unique talking point, and showing enthusiasm for the company's growth or recent efforts. Talk about the company's actions and stand-out successes and how these accomplishments tie into your values and career goals. You can also mention specific details of how you will contribute to the company's goals once hired.
Anonymous Answer
I am excited about this opportunity because your values are very much in line with mine. I deeply care about giving back to the community within the transportation industry. I also feel like this job will help me reach my goal of working in a management position, because of the leadership opportunities within this role.

Rachelle's Feedback
Very good response! You are offering short and long-term options for job satisfaction which is exactly what the interviewer wants to hear.
Anonymous Answer
I think I can add a lot to this role with my previous experience. For the last two years, I have been acting as a leader on the floor and support leader on the floor, managing and coaching 30 plus people. Also, I have been working in different areas of the store, including the inventory and operations side, the customer-facing side, and visuals. This was all for a luxury brand.

Rachelle's Feedback
These are great examples, and show that you have done your homework on the company. Well done! I have reworded this slightly for the sake of flow.
"Gucci is one of the most stable luxury brands in the world and, as a high-end fashion enthusiast, I want to contribute to this success. The fact that Gucci was ranked #1 for company culture in Q3 of 2018 shows me that the company values employee diversity and inclusion; values that align well with my own."
Anonymous Answer
I have heard great things about your company. I feel like the company can give me the platform I need to succeed in my career. Plus, the work sounds badass.

Rachelle's Feedback
I have fine tuned this slightly. Although I totally agree that working on jet engines sounds badass, I recommend not using that word unless the interviewer has first shown a very casual tone.
"I want to work for GE Aviation because of my deep interest in working on jet engines. I mean, what's better than that?! GE is a company that will give me the tools and platform to succeed in my career."
Anonymous Answer
I want this job because it has many opportunities to move up my career to the next level by attending the training class, learning different jobs, and working in specialty programs. It is one of the most prestigious companies in the country and has an excellent reputation. I will uphold this company's integrity.

Rachelle's Feedback
You certainly have the right idea! Try adding in specifics so the interviewer knows you have done your homework on the role.
"I want this job because {company} offers many opportunities for advancement, starting with this role. I see you have many specialty programs available for your employee to gain new skills, such as {program name}. I am interested in joining a company like yours who is all about helping employees grow in their career."
Anonymous Answer
I am excited for an opportunity to compete for this position. I have always sought positions of greater responsibility, and these past positions have prepared me for this new role.

Rachelle's Feedback
This response is more geared to a 'why should we hire you' type of scenario. Your answer to this question should address why you want to work specifically for this company, versus any other opportunity out there. I have added a sample below.
"I am drawn to the mentality that your company holds when it comes to customer service, and I look forward to joining an organization that encourages education, mentorship, and career growth."
Anonymous Answer
The industry is people-oriented. They look after you just as much as their customers. It's a growing, fun industry to be in. I would love to be a part of it.

Rachelle's Feedback
I have reworded to give clarity and to eliminate repetition.
"This industry is people oriented, and I see that you look after your customers as well as your employees. This industry is growing, and I look forward to being a part of the culture here at {company}."
Anonymous Answer
This article mentioned your organization as delivering superior results. Being able to join a team that is recognized for its advancement in EHR is exciting, and I am looking forward to being a part of this team and contributing to its mission. I thrive in an organization that encourages career growth, challenges, and advancing all the time to improve outcomes for clients.

Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer is very specific. Excellent response!
Anonymous Answer
This role would be the perfect next step for my career. Your company invests in its employees' careers, and I'm interested in a company that will help me grow as a designer.
It's an opportunity to work on a like-minded design team, collaborating solving big problems for the user (and the company). I think innovation is at the heart of your company's strategy, so it is an exciting challenge and one I'd love to be involved in.

Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer is so well laid out and detailed. Very compelling!
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Written by Rachelle Enns
30 Questions & Answers • Common Interview Questions

By Rachelle

By Rachelle