How do you answer the ‘why do you want to work here’ question without sounding like a high schooler memorizing school play lines? I had an interview yesterday and it was so hard not to just say it was because I enjoy eating and paying my mortgage. We both know this isn't my dream job, it's a mid-level marketing role at a company that makes industrial specialized valves. Does anyone have a go-to answer for this question that sounds sincere without being a total lie?
I finally had the money talk with my partner yesterday, and it was one of the most depressing conversations of my life. We had to go through our subscriptions, our grocery budget, and even our emergency fund. It’s amazing how a layoff ripples through every single relationship and plan you have for the future. How are you and your significant others handling the strain?
How are you all maintaining human contact when your only coworker is a cat or a very judgmental-looking houseplants? The silence in this house is getting deafening. I used to complain about the noisy open-office plan and the guy who microwaved fish, but God, I’d give anything for a boring water-cooler chat about the weekend right now.
Sometimes life doesn't go as planned. Job wise, I thought I found a job, only for them to pick someone else. Also when I finally thought I had everything lined up to try to work full time again, one of my parents dies this week. Have you ever thought you had it together, only to be surprised? Do you have any examples or stories?
I know exactly how you feel. I have had that question come up and was stumped for an answer other than the obvious, what you said, we need to buy food and pay mortgage, etc.
I’ve always approached this question as a way to tie the role back to 1) my experience, and 2) how it would help me grow as a professional. You could also use this as a chance to show that you actually researched the company and how you could contribute to its stated goals/mission statement/etc.
I usually quickly look at the company's website before an interview so I know a bit what the company does and tie the answer back to a recent update on the website. Most places have a "News" or "About Us" section that is like a cheat sheet for me.