Why do you want to work for us?
Recruiters and hiring managers often receive hundreds of applications per job. After selecting candidates to interview, they discern who is truly interested in the position by asking interviewees this question. Those who have taken the time to research the company, understand its products and services, and familiarize themselves with its mission statement will likely rank high on the list of candidates. Essentially, the interviewer wants to know if you view the position as "just another job" or if you care about the company's goals.
"Besides my interest in the position, I like that Company ABC is a sponsor of Earthworks. I remember seeing a blog post one of your writers contributed to their site several months ago, and I'd love to be involved with a company that shares my values about sustainability."
It's best to be well prepared to answer this question, so research the company. Start by doing a web search and reviewing the company website and any recent news articles published about the company. You can also explore the company's social media accounts and ask friends and family what they know or have heard about the company. Good answers to this question begin with phrases like, "I am impressed by...," "I like how you approach...," "I saw that the company recently..., and "I'm interested in learning more about that."
