Mastering the ‘Why This Company?’ Question: The Ultimate Interview Hack
95% of people I interview answer “Why this company?” wrong. Here’s why:
“Why this company” is the second most frequently asked question you will get in interviews for tech roles, after “tell me about yourself”.
I’ve heard it myself at every job I got at least once along the process:
- Why Apollo.io?
- Why ThredUp?
- Why Epic Games?
While it is not the most important question, your answer can make it the most important factor in why you got hired.
Let’s build a first principles understanding of what you need to be able to do:
𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗘: 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦. 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟.
You’re not in court or with the police. Strive to show the best version of you, not the most real.
Treat it like a sales call where you’re emphasizing on showcasing your goals, skills and traits, and how they align with the company.
Of course, remember to not lie.
𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗪𝗢: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗦
The details you include need to be:
- Personal
- Flip your weaknesses into strengths
- Showcase your PM craft
Going deeper on point 2, you really want to flip your weaknesses into strengths.
If you don’t get the role, it’s usually because someone was else was slightly better. Eliminate that objection.
𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘-𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘
You should consider a 3-point structure to address different areas:
- Make a variety of points
- Clearly sign-post between points
- State all 3 in the intro and talk about them in the conclusion
Think of your structure like a story.
Provide different arcs and ensure that you connect all the dots at the end so the interviewers aren’t left clueless about your story.
For much more- including coaching 5 real candidates to improve their responses — check out my deep dive.
𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥: 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗦
Along the way, you need to reinforce your strengths.
For example, if you want to a great university, or had a great former employer, be sure to namedrop.
Things you reinforce actually get remembered.
𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧
When it all comes together, you want to go for 2 minutes.
If you speak for more than that, your interviewer might get bored and zone out.
Whereas, if you speak less than that, you won’t be able to show enough impact from your answer to influence your interviewers.
𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗛
Why This Company is one of the top 5 reasons hiring managers look for in candidates.
(Per a survey of 200 hiring managers in June.)
So don’t flub this one.
