Latest / Interview Prep with Fexingo: Behavioral Questions, Case Studies, and Hiring Manager Insights / How to Answer Why Do You Want to Work Here
Transcript
- Lucas: Let's talk about a question that trips up almost every candidate at some point: 'Why do you want to work here?' I came across a Glassdoor survey that said 67% of hiring managers consider a bad answer to that question a deal-breaker — enough to end the interview right there. Luna: Oof. That's a lot of pressure. So why do people fumble it so often? Lucas: I think the biggest mistake is falling back on generic flattery. 'I love your brand' or 'Your culture is amazing' — that tells the interviewer nothing. They want to know that you've done your homework and that you understand how you specifically fit into their picture. Luna: Right. It's not about being nice, it's about being specific. So what's your framework for a great answer? Lucas: I teach a three-step approach: Research, Connect, Align. First, Research — you need to know more than the homepage. Dig into their recent earnings call, any press releases from the past quarter, their Crunchbase profile, even employee reviews on Glassdoor. Luna: That sounds like a lot. How deep are we talking? Lucas: Enough that you can name one specific initiative they launched in the last six months. For example, if you're interviewing at Patagonia, don't just say 'you care about the environment.' Say 'I was really inspired by your decision to give 1% of sales to grassroots environmental groups — I'd love to contribute to that mission through the marketing team.' That shows you've done the work. Luna: That's a great hook. I once interviewed at a tech company and I mentioned I'd read their CEO's blog post about remote work flexibility — it was a small touch but it stood out. Lucas: Exactly. That's step two: Connect. You need to tie your research back to your own skills and experience. So after you mention the initiative, say something like 'And my background in digital marketing campaigns aligns perfectly with that goal.' It's a story about how you add value. Luna: And step three is Align — showing that your goals match theirs? Lucas: Yes. You want to communicate that working there is a logical next step for your career, not just a random application. 'I've been building expertise in content strategy, and I see your team is expanding into new markets. That's exactly the kind of growth I'm looking for.' It's about mutual benefit. Luna: What if you're interviewing for a role that isn't your dream job? Like you just need a job quickly. How do you answer honestly without sounding desperate? Lucas: You can still use the framework. Focus on the industry or the department. Say 'I've always admired the way your company approaches customer service — I want to be part of that.' Even if it's not your first choice, find one genuine point of interest. Desperation comes across when you say 'I'll take anything.' So pivot to what you can offer. Luna: Let me throw a curveball. What if the company has bad press? How do you handle questions when you know they've had layoffs or a scandal? Lucas: That's tricky. You don't want to ignore the elephant in the room, but you also don't want to bring it up unsolicited. If the interviewer brings up the challenge, you can acknowledge it and then pivot to how your skills can help them turn things around. For example, 'I know the industry has been tough, but I see your recent product pivot as a smart move. I think my experience with turnaround projects could be useful here.' It shows resilience and forward thinking. Luna: I like that. It turns a negative into a demonstration of your problem-solving. How do you practice this? Is it worth doing mock interviews? Lucas: Absolutely. Grab a friend or even record yourself on your phone. The key is to get comfortable with your three points: research, connect, align. Have a short version ready — about 60 to 90 seconds. And practice until it sounds like a conversation, not a rehearsed speech. Luna: I think we could do a quick role-play right now. I'll be the interviewer. So, Lucas, why do you want to work at this company? Lucas: Okay, I'll give it a shot. 'I've been following your company's work in renewable energy for the past year. Your recent partnership with SolarTech caught my attention because I've been involved in similar cross-sector collaborations in my current role. I believe my experience leading joint ventures could help accelerate some of those initiatives. And I see that your team is expanding in the Midwest, which is where I want to build my career long-term.' That hits all three steps. Luna: Nice. I can see why that would land well. It's specific, it's relevant, and it shows you've thought about the fit. Lucas: And importantly, it's not about just wanting any job — it's about wanting that job. That's the distinction hiring managers are looking for. Luna: You mentioned research tools earlier — any quick recommendations on where to start? Lucas: Start with LinkedIn — follow the company's page and look at recent posts. Then check the 'News' section on their website. If they're public, read the most recent 10-K or quarterly report — the CEO's letter is gold. For smaller companies, Crunchbase can show funding rounds and product launches. The goal is to find one or two facts that you can weave into your narrative. Luna: And while we're on the subject of resources, Lucas, I want to mention something that keeps this podcast ad-free and sustainable. A small group of listeners already supports us monthly through platforms like buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, and that literally helps us cover production costs. If you've found a specific episode useful — maybe this one gave you a new way to prepare — that's the kind of thing that keeps us going. No pressure, just wanted to share. Lucas: Yeah, we're really grateful for that. It allows us to focus on content without ads or sponsors. So thank you to everyone who's chipped in. Now back to the 'why work here' question — one more tip I think is underused: after you answer, ask a follow-up question. Say something like 'I'd love to hear which of those initiatives you're most excited about.' It shows you're genuinely interested and starts a conversation. Luna: That's a great way to turn a one-way answer into a dialogue. And I think that's the heart of it — they want to see that you care enough to engage. Lucas: Exactly. So to recap: research something specific, connect it to your skills, align it with your career path. Practice until it's natural. And don't be afraid to show enthusiasm — it's refreshing. Luna: I'd also add: avoid the word 'passion' unless you can back it up with action. It's become a cliché in interviews. Lucas: Good point. Instead, demonstrate passion through your examples. Next episode, we'll tackle another tricky one: 'Tell me about yourself.' Luna: I'll bring my tape recorder for that role-play. See you next time.