Hi Diurnal, I know it's a frustrating question. I run a consulting business, and I get answered that question in every single RFP. As a client who also hires, and have hired employees, I don't need any spectacular answer, I just need to know that it's not a throw away application for you. I could see you turning what you wrote into an acceptable response to use over and over.

Unfortunately it's not a question that businesses are going to stop asking because we want employees to be "part of the team" and believe in the mission.

I think your response of being interested in working with certain technologies and being in a position where you can use all your knowledge in skills is great. The final selling point would be to simply state that you think their mission is important and you would like to be in an employed position to support it.

Yes, I know it's a frustrating position. In many ways these questions are like a chess game. Remember the goal is to win the game and get the job.

Honestly if you said "Because it's in my field, doing the work I'm interested in, and supporting a legitimate cause." I think you'd be fine. I don't think you have to oversell your support of the mission unless you will be in a position that actually has to sell the mission (which I do so I typically have to write quite a bit on this question).

I do agree though. A lot of these basic screening questions are pointless. They don't really tell an employer what they want to know.