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 even for entry level/just paying the bills jobs it does tell you something about the candidate and their expectations and ability to fit in. If I was applying for roles at Waitrose and Tesco, I would probably give a different answer for each one because they are different businesses with different values and brand identities.

I've got pretty much every job I've ever had because I specifically wanted that job at that organisation. I hadn't sent 50 applications to everything remotely interesting, I had specifically chosen these jobs.

With that attitude, I wouldn't want to employ you, OP.

@PineappleWilson

As a recruiter - because it shows you've done some research about our company and want to work for us, rather than any other Joe Bloggs organisation, and because it helps to flag if you have unrealistic expectations so we can correct you now rather than have someone start a job which isn't what they expected.

Good answer!

I suppose its an opportunity to ascertain how personable someone is. If they can respond to such a pointless question with a suitably courteous form of wide ranging waffle, then they will be more likely respond to equally pointless customer's questions similarly.

It will depend on the job hugely. It always strikes me as the sort of Oxbridge interview question where they are looking for a certain type of response, and not the most obvious one, where a few years ago a blank "I wish to be paid" or "I need the money" would have actually gone down quite well! .

@OneGoodTurn

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

This!

@LottyD32 As PP said you might want to rephrase the question as what you are expecting from the job. It might make it less painful but I sympathise with you!

The whole process is stupid if we all won 6 million on the lotto tonight very few would turn up to work tomorrow . The world needs to cut the bullshit and stick to the facts .

Hahah what - id never hire someone who doesnt have any interest in the company or hasn't bothered to research the company

it's comptetitive out there

I've never applied for a job without knowing a bit about the organisation and why I want to work there. Why would I apply without knowing why?

Even if people don't give a completely honest answer, it demonstrates that they can at least be outwardly positive about the organisation, even if the main reason it appeals is the money and short commute.

@OneGoodTurn

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

Like most people then.

Let's be honest, unless the job is managerial or above, or is obviously a very good stepping stone for career prospects, then most people just want a job.

It's not really about the question, it's how you answer it.

@OneGoodTurn

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

I'd say that's the majority of people. Not everyone lives to work and enjoys their job, most people would quit immediately if they won the lottery.

@DetailMouse

I've never applied for a job without knowing a bit about the organisation and why I want to work there. Why would I apply without knowing why?

Even if people don't give a completely honest answer, it demonstrates that they can at least be outwardly positive about the organisation, even if the main reason it appeals is the money and short commute.

I've never applied for a job without doing my research but that doesn't mean I want the job . I just know to get the job it helps to do the research. I need to live so I need to get paid . 🤷🏻‍♀️

"I got a job at Greggs as a student and one of the interview questions she asked was ‘what’s your favourite Greggs item?"

I hope you said steak bake

@Heyahun

Hahah what - id never hire someone who doesnt have any interest in the company or hasn't bothered to research the company

it's comptetitive out there

Yes, but some people are just particularly good at being smarmy and fake for interviews, but then their technical or whatever skills aren't nearly as good. Whereas someone more competent might not have put so much effort into appearing interview-ideal because they consider that any interview will focus on competency based skills.

I think it's a perfectly valid question and can be asked in different versions (or answered as such) such as "what appeals to you about this job/our company" etc. The reality is that I might be applying for three jobs and there might be different things about each one I like. But by answering the question it shows I've actually put some thought in and gives the interviewer a sense of what I value.

I also think the answer expectation should be relevant. Quite frankly, if I'm interviewing for a teller job at Tesco, I think a perfectly reasonable answer would be "it's conveniently located to my home and the hours are good" because I know perfectly well that being a teller probably isn't anyone's idea of the perfect job but if it suits their lifestyle etc, then they're far more likely to stay long term.

Yeah, it's not a great question. People who have applied want the job for one reason or another (barring some rare cases) and so they will lie if they think the reason isn't what is wanted. Instead of "I want this job because it fits my skills and heating oil has gone through the roof" they make up something that sounds good.

The question that always gets me though is "describe a time when you didn't get along with someone at work and what you did." It seems very common in my industry at the moment (I have been doing interviews.) Maybe it is fine for some people, but I have literally never not gotten along with people at work, including the few I didn't much like.

But if you say that it kind of sounds like you are belittling the question, and you aren't getting at what they want which is more about conflict resolution.

@Heyahun

Hahah what - id never hire someone who doesnt have any interest in the company or hasn't bothered to research the company

it's comptetitive out there

Yes but why do you expect them to take any interest other than that the company keeps trading so that they continue to get paid? Most people really don't care. And I'm not entry level. I think I'm just past all the fake bullshit.

I personally couldn't give a toss about stakeholder profits for instance.

@Heyahun

Hahah what - id never hire someone who doesnt have any interest in the company or hasn't bothered to research the company

it's comptetitive out there

Do you really think they'll tell you though? I suppose it might show who is stupid enough to be honest.

A lot of interviewing, especially in certain roles, seems designed to reward the most convincing liars.

Though maybe that's the point?

I am quite choosy about who and what causes I will work for - but the most recent job offer was a role an agency had called about & submitted my CV for, and the hours were convenient.
Not what I said in the interview - clearly whatever bullshit I made up on the spot (yes, I did get asked) was plausible.

I've just filled in an 8 page application form for a senior role, including the "why are you suitable for the role" question - and then asked to sent the application form along with a letter explaining why I'm suitable for the role.

I told the recruiter they were batshit rather than do a copy and paste job.

When I was young and not bitter, jaded and cynical, I might have been genuinely interested in the quirks of the company, mission statement etc...and given a candid, impassioned answer to that question. Now I would just tell people want they want to hear and wait for the money to roll in. I'm afraid it's just about the paycheck unless you're lucky enough to be doing some kind of dream job that you're passionate about like reporter, human rights lawyer etc...

This is how the interview process should go .
Do you want this job ?
Yes I do.
Will you be the person you say you will be ?
Yes I will
If you are not that person we can fire you with immediate effect within certain rules .
And this is where it gets messy but it should be defined in much simpler terms .
Bereavement should be a whole lot easier than it is now .
Sickness is a problem for so many companies. We have people at where I work that are on old contracts that get full sick leave paid . Then new starters that don't get any sick pay for the 1st 3 days most people are only employed on a 3 day basis so it's irrelevant. We have a high turn over of staff because of this .

So they can see you've put some thought into the job and the company, so are less likely to turn around one month in saying you don't fit into the culture and hate working there?

And also, because doing 5 minutes of basic research on a company you want to hire you isn't that much to ask?

Why on earth complain about a virtually guaranteed interview question. It's a godsend.

Having recently been interviewed and asked this question twice (!) Once in the first interview, and then again in the second interview, I pondered why they asked it too.

But when I gave my answer both the interviewers commented on the fact I'd obviously done my research on the company.

It's probably why I got the job and the other candidates didn't.

Sure, everyone works because they need money, but even in entry level positions, it's beneficial to you and the company, if you know you're in alignment.

You don't get senior positions, or promotions, without that.

I personally couldn't give a toss about stakeholder profits for instance

Well, as making profits for stakeholders is pretty much the reason most companies exist, you might struggle to find a job then.

My reasons for being interested in certain companies have seldom included culture - I don't buy all the bollocks on a company website. But if I was looking for a full time job now things I'd be interested in would be industry sector - certain industries are more interesting and appealing to me and my role can work across multiple sectors; a firm with a significant proportion of female leaders would be interesting because I've never worked in an organization with that and it's something I'm passionate about; an organization that actively promotes flexible working and where the role is advertised as part time etc would appeal to me.

Other things that have attracted me in the past might be that a company is particularly well known for something I am good at/have an interest in or where the job spec is particularly interesting in terms of scope or reporting lines.

Truthfully, the jobs I've been unhappiest in have been the ones I just took because I needed a job.