Why do you want to work here?

[LottyD32]

AIBU to detest this question and find it completely pointless?

Why do they still ask it?
What do they hope to glean from your answer?

We all know the answer mostly is 'I couldn't care less, just give me the job and pay me' so why do they insist on making people jump through these ridiculous hoops?

I think it's a crap question as well. Usually I think they want an answer that's a combination of flattery ("because McDonalds is making such amazing efforts to improve the environment with it's bee-cuddling policy") and crowbarring in a way to big yourself up ("and as someone with a 2.1 in burgerology and a passion for customer service I feel I'd really fit in here").

It's very opaque though - if that's what you want maybe ask "what do you like about this company?" or "what makes you think you might be a good burger flipper?". If it's about understanding of the role maybe ask "how do you imagine a typical day might look in this job?"

Honestly, interviewers, it isn't putting people at ease! It's freaking people out because they don't know exactly which things they mean you to show off in your answer.

I want to know that the applicant has done some basic research on the company and job, has a realistic expectation of what it will be like to work for us and has thought about whether the organisation culture and values will fit them.

I usually ask what research they've done on the company rather than why they want to work for us.

@OneGoodTurn

Maybe to weed out the people who couldn’t care less about the job or the organisation and just want to get paid?

If that was the case, 99% of companies would have no employees.

It is tricky to ask a question where there's a very obvious answer like "I need a job" or "I want a promotion" or even "it looks fun" and that's not an answer you're allowed to give. My ASD relative finds things like this particularly tricky and it sets the wrong tone for the whole interview.

@Meandthesky

I can see it may be reasonable for senior roles where you have potential to shape the direction of the organisation

But for entry level admin/customer service roles it’s pointless.

I agree with this.

I’m currently looking for (any) second PT job to help with increased costs and dreading having to pretend it’s my passion and dedication that makes me want to work for whichever company will take me. I am passionate and dedicated to keeping my actual full time job, I just need more money.

I agree with the point about it being a standard question from an interviewee's perspective - because I expect to get asked this, I always prepare a good answer in advance which means I have at least one question I know I can make a good impression on and feel confident with.

But I work in a vocational industry, the kind of employers I interview with are looking for passion and commitment to what the organisation actually does, so it is a valid question with an answer in my case usually - there is a reason I want to work for this particular org, doing this particular job. I agree it's much more difficult and pointless to answer for jobs where the realistic answer is just, I need a job to live.

I think it's sector dependent but if you're applying for a role in a competitive industry I certainly want to know why you want to work for my particular company versus another.

When interviewing candidates I will ask this to find out how much they have researched the company and if I think they're a good fit.

Ha ha love that nuffin

If that was the case, 99% of companies would have no employees.

I agree. I especially hate it when they ask this right after asking why I want the specific role. My reasons for wanting to work at the company are generally that they have the role I’m looking for (and I can give reasons specific to the role). The company itself is less important, and the good things about a company (culture, opportunities, benefits etc) you don’t generally know as much about when you apply, you find it out later.

Jobs I had at uni/ when travelling were entry level jobs that I had purely to earn money. I don't think I was asked that when applying to those jobs. Maybe I was.

Now though I do select a job based on what the company does/ what they are like/ if I think I will 'fit' so a question like that would be more important. Of course I work to make money, but money wouldn't be the only factor on why I took a job.

@EdgeOfSeventeenAndThreeQuarter

I’m passionate about feeding my children and it’s something I feel really strongly about.

I didn’t get a job because I was “too passionate about my current employer!”

1. Yes I love my job and I’m sure I would love the same job on a higher salary working for you so I’ll bring that passion with me
2. Our organisations are merging in 18 months so I’ll essentially work for you and my old employer so being passionate is a good thing (apparently not)

if I didn’t want to work for them why do they think I applied? Now that director might end up my boss… and I’ll have to look at leaving because she is likely to destroy my happiness.

YANBU. It is a ridiculous hoop. Along with 'tell us about a time you faced - and overcame - a challenge'. Cue mind racing through the past 20/30/40 years and the only thing your brain can come up with is that time you couldn't get the lid off the jar of jam when you really wanted jam, so you used a crowbar on it?
Employers are much better off testing potential employees for the job they actually expect them to do, not how well they answer questions in an interview.

I was asked it in a fairly junior role 25 years ago.
One of my reasons was that I really wanted to experience working in multiple countries and I saw this multinational as a way, in time, to achieve that.
In that 25 years I’ve been based in 5 countries, and visited every country in Europe on world business except Malta and Lichtenstein.
Wasn’t a non question for me!

It's one of the easier questions to answer in an interview, not one to get worked up about.

At a junior level it lets you say it suits your abilities, it's in a convenient location, and you appreciate the benefits being offered. It satisfies the employer that you can do the job and you'll turn up. At more senior levels it allows you to demonstrate that you have actually spent some time researching the role you're applying for.

When we're recruiting we always ask this question (phrased slightly differently, but near enough the same). We need to make sure candidates understand what they've applied for and that they have realistic expectations. It's one of the questions all candidates are given in advance so they can prepare answers.

I find it interesting to know if it's the role, promotion opportunities, industry, culture or some other driver that motivates a candidate. I might have to contribute comments about whether someone fits in one or another area, which graduate entrant will best suit particular managers or roles, etc. The more I can understand about the person's character as well as their capabilities, the better I can do at answering questions.

Well I mentioned what they do and my experience that matches and said I think my skills would be transferable. I didn't mention any of their values.

They asked the name a challenge you've faced, overcome and what would you do different the future question too.

It is bollocks but lots of interview questions are. I got a job at Greggs as a student and one of the interview questions she asked was ‘what’s your favourite Greggs item?’ . She also asked whether I receive good customer service at Greggs and what I think they could do to improve. At the time I said something along the lines of ‘it would be nice to see a smiley face sometimes’ but then I actually got the job and worked there for 10 months, totally understood why none of them were happy.

I see it as a research question to. I used to do interviews for a public sector organisation, so never asked that question but I would ask

'How have you prepared for this interview?'

The amount of people who thought I was interested in how they picked out their interview outfits or ate a good breakfast was depressing!

I've never asked these sorts of questions. I've only ever asked about previous experience, relevant experience and a bit about them.

If it’s an entry level job, yes it is pointless. Everyone needs a job. If the post you are applying for is effectively a promotion or a higher salary then no it isn’t.

I've recruited previously and this question allows you to see if the candidates have done any research on the company and, if so, what they like / know about the company.

Recruitment is expensive, I don't want to employ someone who has literally zero interest in the company.

@LottyD32

I've never asked these sorts of questions. I've only ever asked about previous experience, relevant experience and a bit about them.

But presumably you already know that by the time you get to interview stage and if you've got several people with relevant experience, you need to narrow it down a bit?

Asking them a question that's a bit of a challenge, shows personality, and therefore how they might fit into the organisation.
Even if they were to answer, "I'm not sure how I should answer that' it isn't necessarily a bad thing as it shows that they're willing to ask questions when they're not sure.