Ah, that interview question, “Why do you want to work with us?” It always feels like a trap, si rahisi. You scramble for words, trying to sound smart without being fake, and the silence just gets awkward.
But relax, this is a puzzle with a clear solution. We’ll break down why employers ask this and give you the exact, genuine script to answer it and land that job. Sawa?
Why This Happens: Common Causes
Treating It Like a Formality
Many job seekers see this as just another box to tick on the BrighterMonday or MyJobMag application portal. They rush to submit many applications, so they give a generic answer that doesn’t connect their skills to this specific company’s needs.
Lack of Proper Company Research
It’s easy to just read the ‘About Us’ page and stop there. You haven’t dug deeper into their recent projects, their impact in the Kenyan market, or their company culture. So when asked, you have nothing concrete or passionate to say.
Focusing Only on What You Want
The natural instinct is to talk about the salary, the office location, or the job stability. You’re thinking about what the company can do for you, instead of framing your answer around the value you bring to solve their problems.
Fear of Being “Too Much”
There’s a common worry that showing too much excitement or specific knowledge will make you look desperate or like you’re trying too hard. So you hold back and give a safe, boring answer that doesn’t make you stand out from other candidates.
How to Fix: Why do you want to work with us Interview Question
- Deep Dive Research, Beyond the Website: Go past the company’s homepage. Read their latest press releases on sites like Business Daily Africa. Follow their social media, especially LinkedIn, to understand their current projects, company culture, and challenges they’re facing in the market.
- Connect Your Skills to Their Specific Needs: Review the job description from the portal you applied on, like Fuzu or BrighterMonday. Identify 2-3 key requirements and prepare a short story about your past experience that directly proves you can handle those specific tasks for them.
- Frame Your “Why” Around Value & Impact: Structure your answer to show you understand their goals. Start by mentioning what impresses you about their work, then explain how your specific skills and passion align to help them achieve those goals or solve a problem they have.
- Practice Your Answer Aloud: Don’t just think it. Say your 60-90 second answer out loud several times. Record yourself on your phone to hear how it sounds. Practice until it feels natural, confident, and genuine, not like a memorized script.
If you still feel stuck after preparing, don’t panic. Reach out to your professional network or a mentor in your field and ask for a mock interview. You can also contact career guidance services at institutions like the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) for coaching, though some sessions may have a fee, often ranging from KES 2,000 to KES 5,000.
How to Prevent This Problem in Future
Here are specific habits to build so you’re always ready for this question:
- Create a “Company Research” folder for every job you apply for on portals like MyJobMag. Save links to their news, their team’s LinkedIn profiles, and any projects that interest you.
- Follow 5-10 top companies in your industry on LinkedIn or Twitter, even when you’re not job-hunting. This keeps you informed about their work and makes research faster when an opportunity comes.
- Develop a flexible “value statement” about yourself. Know your top 3 skills and the kind of problems you solve best, so you can quickly tailor it to any company’s specific context.
- After every interview, jot down the “Why us?” question you were asked and your answer. Review these notes before your next interview to refine and improve your response.
The Bottom Line
Mastering this question is about shifting your mindset from “what can I get” to “what value can I bring.” When you connect your genuine skills to the company’s specific goals, your answer stops being a hurdle and becomes your biggest advantage.
So, take a deep breath, do your homework, and walk into that interview ready to show them exactly why you’re the right fit. Your next job is waiting. Go and get it!
Frequently Asked Questions: Why do you want to work with us Interview Question in Kenya
Is it okay to mention the salary or benefits in my answer?
It’s best to avoid leading with that. While it’s a genuine concern, focusing first on your value and fit makes a stronger impression. You can discuss compensation later when the offer is made.
Frame your answer around the role’s challenges and how you can contribute, showing you’re interested in the work itself, not just the package.
What if I’m applying to many companies and can’t research each one deeply?
Focus on quality over quantity. It’s better to apply to fewer roles where you can do proper research. A generic answer for many applications rarely leads to a callback.
Target 2-3 key facts per company: their latest project, their mission, and a challenge they face that your skills can address.
How long should my answer be?
Aim for 60 to 90 seconds—concise but substantial. Practice your answer aloud to get the timing right. You want to be thorough without rambling and losing the interviewer’s attention.
Structure it with a point about the company, a point about your skills, and a conclusion on how you fit together.
Can I use the same answer for different companies in the same industry?
You can have a template, but you must customize the core details for each company. What specifically about this bank’s digital strategy or that tech firm’s culture appeals to you?
Swapping out the company name while keeping the rest the same is very obvious to interviewers and shows a lack of genuine interest.
What if I don’t know much about the company because the job advert had little info?
Use what you have. The industry itself, the job title, and the listed responsibilities are clues. State your interest in that field and how your experience aligns with the role’s core functions.
You can also turn it into a question at the interview’s end, asking them to tell you more about the company’s current direction and projects.
