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What Attracted You To This Company?

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by Jasmine Escalera   Career Expert 
Published On : May 30, 2017

When the hiring manager asks you what you like about this company, there are a few things they’re trying to learn. They want to learn what your career goals are, and how you see this position fitting in to those goals.

The interviewer wants to make sure that you are genuinely interested in this position. They are also trying to figure out how prepared you are for this interview by finding out what you know about the company.

Also, when they understand what aspects of the company appeal to you they will understand your priorities and preferences.

Points to Emphasize

In order to give the interviewer a good idea about your values and preferences, there are a few things you want to try to do when you answer this question.

  • Talk about values that the company has that match up with yours.
  • Remember, a little flattery goes a long way.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the company. This means that you will have to do some research.
  • Let the interviewer know how this company fits in with your career goals.

Do your research, so you can give an informed, honest answer. On another note, if you want to bring an updated resume to the interview team, put our professional Resume Builder to work and get the update done in a matter of minutes.

Mistakes You Should Avoid

There are certain traps that you need to watch out for as you answer this question.

  • Don’t give a general answer that could fit with any company.
  • Be careful not to sound uninformed. In part, that means not overhyping information.
  • Try not to cross the line from flattery to sucking up.
  • Do not bash your previous employer or any other companies. Keep it positive.

Keeping your answer enthusiastic, positive and accurate will go a long way in the eyes of the hiring manager.

Sample Answer

Here is an example of what a great answer to this question might look like:

I have been watching this company for a long time. I read this article a year ago about how you are innovating the way people use appliances, and that really caught my eye. I think that innovation and creativity are an important part of success. I would be so excited to be a part of that innovation here. Not only the innovativeness of the company attract me, but also the way they treat their employees. I have a friend who works here, and she just raves about how well she is treated and how the company feels like a family. I would love to work somewhere where I can be that close with my coworkers.

When you answer this question make sure to keep everything positive and to strike a balance between flattery and sucking up. Don’t forget this question is used to understand you.

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About the Author

Career Expert

Jasmine Escalera Career Expert

Jasmine is a career expert with a background in nonprofit management and significant experience as a hiring manager and leader. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Jasmine holds a B.S. in biochemistry and PhD in neuropharmacology and offers six years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation. She has had her work featured on LiveCareer’s resume builder and in these online publications: Fast Company, CNBC, Fortune, and more.

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