In this article, we'll explain why they ask "Which work environment do you prefer?", how to give great answers when they ask about your ideal work environment, and how to prepare for the answer.
Which work environment do you prefer?
The key to answering questions about your work environment is simply making sure what you say is part of the company.
For example, you don't want to say "I like the relaxed work environment" if the company considers itself fast-paced; Here's a tip all companies consider themselves quick.
Really, you should simply “prefer” a work environment that you know the interviewer will appreciate. There is no reason to confuse the interviewer with anything too complicated.
What is the work environment?
You might think of your work environment as just the physical location where you work, but it's so much more than that.
The environment includes many things, including obvious factors such as the layout of the office and whether it tends to be quiet or noisy.
Some other formulas
There are many formulas for the question “Which work environment do you prefer?”, including:
- What type of work environment do you prefer?
- Do you have a specific work environment?
- What business atmosphere would you like to see?
Why does the interviewer ask you this question?
Companies look for two main things in any candidate they interview for a job:
- The ability to do the work.
- The ability to thrive in the company.
To determine your fit for the company and company culture.
How to prepare for the answer
When asked about work environments, your best bet is to try to stay relatively neutral, because at this point in the interview process, you don't know what it would be like to work at the company.
It's a good idea to keep yourself flexible and to happily adjust to any environment.
You won't want to say anything that hurts your chances of getting to the next stage in the hiring process.
For example, if you're an accountant, you could say you're flexible in terms of work environment, but you perform best when you have a relatively quiet space so you can dig into the numbers without getting distracted.
So you have to:
- Connect your answer to the company culture.
- be honest.
- Research the company's work environment.
Examples of answering the question
Consider these sample answers to help inspire you to prepare your own answer to the question “Which work environment do you prefer?”:
I enjoy working in an environment where team members have a strong sense of camaraderie and a good work ethic. I love working with competent, kind, and fun people who like to get things done. It's important to me to feel that I can trust my team members to always do their best because I do.
I'm not just looking for a position; I'm looking for a job. I applied for this position not only because it fits my skill set, but because I believe I will excel in this work environment. I am confident in my ability to work in a team on my own. Since your company encourages individual and group efforts, I believe this is the ideal environment for me.
I have always been a leader and I believe this work environment will allow me to thrive. I am very focused and interact well with others. Not only can I lead a team of employees, but I will be very good-looking with clients.
In the past, I've preferred a fast-paced work environment, but I also like to try new things. Whenever I encounter something new, I learn something of value. New environments are a way to develop new vital skills.
I have worked in many types of environments and enjoyed learning new things from each of them. I would say that while I don't prefer a particular environment, I really love working with people who are committed to getting things done and passionate about their work.