Interview prep

How to answer "Why do you want to work here?"

This question checks two things: did you research the employer, and does your reason fit the job. A strong answer names something specific about the employer, links it to your own skills, and ends on what you would bring. This guide is written for jobs in Canada.

Published November 4, 2026

Step 1: Research the employer (15 minutes)

Canada’s Job Bank suggests finding out what the company does, the duties of the role, the skills it needs, who its customers or clients are, and what reputation the employer has (Job Bank, How do I apply for a job?). Job Bank also suggests looking at company news and industry trends, and working out how the role contributes to the company’s goals (Job Bank, Stand out to employers). Statistics Canada’s interview tips put it plainly: ask yourself why you want to work for this company and what you can bring to it (Statistics Canada).

Where to look:

  • the job posting (duties and required skills)
  • the employer’s website: About, mission or values, news
  • recent news or the employer’s LinkedIn page
  • for hospitals and long term care homes, the organization’s published strategic plan
  • people you know who work there

Write down one specific fact you can name in the interview.

Step 2: Use a 3 part answer

  1. Them: one specific thing about the employer (a program, a value, a product, its clients).
  2. You: how your skills or experience fit that thing.
  3. Next: what you want to do there.

Keep it to 30 to 45 seconds.

Model answers

Nursing (hospital)

“Your hospital’s focus on its new mental health unit stood out to me. During my last placement I worked with patients in crisis on a med surg floor, and I want to build on that with a team that has dedicated resources for it. I’d like to grow my skills in that area here.”

PSW (home care)

“You serve clients in their own homes across the region, and I like the one to one care that allows. I’ve supported clients with dementia for two years and I drive, so I can cover rural routes. I want to be someone your clients look forward to seeing.”

Customer service (retail)

“I shop here and I’ve noticed staff actually help you find things instead of pointing to an aisle. That’s how I worked at my last job, where I handled returns and phone orders. I’d like to bring that here and learn your systems.”

Data analyst

“I read about your move to a new reporting platform for your client dashboards. I’ve built dashboards in Power BI from SQL data for a team of 30, so this kind of project is where I do my best work. I’d like to help your team get clean, trusted numbers to clients.”

Software engineer

“Your product is used by small clinics, and your engineering blog talks about keeping it simple for people with no technical staff. I like building for real users, and my last project cut page load times for a booking app. I want to work on a product where that kind of detail matters.”

Accounting and finance

“You serve owner run businesses, and I like seeing the full picture of a client’s books. In my co-op I prepared monthly reconciliations for 12 small clients. I’d like to keep growing toward a CPA with a firm that works with businesses like these.”

Mistakes to avoid

  • Only pay, location or benefits. True, but say it as part of a wider reason, not the whole answer.
  • Generic praise. “You’re a great company” could be said anywhere.
  • Reading the mission statement back. Link it to something you have done.
  • Making it all about you. End on what you would bring.

Practice it out loud

Record your answer on your phone, play it back, and cut anything that could be said about any employer. Then practice it with a friend asking the question in a different way, such as “What do you know about us?”

Practice with the guide for your role

Each role page has two questions with full model answers. The printable guide for a role is $24 CAD / $17 USD, paid once on that page.

Need the resumé that gets you the interview first? See resumé editing.

How it’s different from “why should we hire you?”

“Why should we hire you?” is a pitch: their needs, your proof, your value. “Why do you want to work here?” is about the employer: one specific thing you found, and why it fits you. If you get both, don’t repeat the same answer.

Sources

  1. Job Bank, Government of Canada. How do I apply for a job? https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/resources/apply-for-jobs (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
  2. Job Bank, Government of Canada. Stand out to employers and land your dream job. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/career-planning/resources/stand-out (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
  3. Statistics Canada. Entering the labour market: Tips for a successful job interview. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/survey/community/labourmarket-tips (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
  4. Job Bank, Government of Canada. Preparing for an interview. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/resources/prepare-for-interview (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
Practice for your role

Now try real questions for your job.

Each role page has two real interview questions with full model answers, free. Some roles also have a printable guide with 20 more questions.

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Not getting interviews yet? Start with your resumé.