Hiring managers typically ask candidates a variety of job interview questions, and many of these questions call for an answer that goes beyond “yes” or “no”. These questions give hiring managers an idea of your ability to answer questions quickly but honestly. One open-ended question you can expect during a job interview is “Why are you interested in this position?”
Your
answer to this question will show the hiring manager your determination and your excitement about the opportunity and motivations that led you to apply and interview for the position.
In order to answer this question well, you should focus on the opportunities you see with the new job and company.By framing the answer with positivity and readiness, you will communicate confidence and professionalism and impress the hiring manager.
Some other
approaches to asking this open-ended question include:
- Why are you interested in this role?
- What made you interested in applying for this position?
- How does this job align with your career path and your goals for the future?
- What is something unique about the position or company that interests you?
- What value and overall fit do you bring to this position?
Why do hiring managers ask “Why are you interested in this job?”
Finding the right person for the position isn’t easy. In a restricted amount of time, hiring managers must assess if your skills and qualifications will translate well into this new position and if you will add value to the overall team. Part of this assessment is determining how much you care about this opportunity and their company.
Hiring managers are looking to find out more about:
- Your career goals and how this position fits into your plan
- Your sincerely interested in the job and will be motivated to perform if hired
- What you already know about the company, industry, position
- Which aspects of the company and/or position are appealing to you and why?
QUICK TIP: Research the company. Start with the company website, and focus on the “About Us'' page and spend some time in the press/news sections. This is where you’ll find the latest press releases and media mentions.
Answering “Why Do You Want to Work For This Company?”
While the hiring manager is looking for skills and qualities that translate to the position, future employers are also looking for a candidate that will fit in well at the company and genuinely enjoy
working there.
A good and concise answer will show knowledge of the company and overall industry. By doing your research and taking a look at the company's website or social media platforms, you can provide specific reasons as to why you want to work for them and what interests you about the position.
These reasons could include one or several of the following:
- General company reputation
- Reputation of overall leadership team
- Appreciation or respect of products/services
- Admiration of other company initiatives (this can include: marketing strategies, community involvement, or training programs)
- Company culture and values
- Company growth/success
QUICK TIP: Don’t overlook the significance of cultural fit. By taking a look at the company’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn), you can get a feel for the dress code, office space and internal company events. If you feel the culture aligns well with your own preferences and abilities, make sure to mention it in your interview!
Example answers of "Why Are You Interested in this Position?"
Now that you have insight on how to create an answer, here are some example answers you could give for questions like, “why are you interested in this job?”
Example 1:
“I’ve been working in marketing for 5 years. It’s a field I deeply enjoy and want to continue growing in. I applied for this role after reviewing the job description because it seems like a great opportunity to continue building my marketing skills – particularly social media marketing and Google advertising. And since I’ve been doing this exact type of social media work with my last employer, I’d be able to hit the ground running and start contributing immediately to your team’s efforts.”
Example 2:
“In my next position, I’d like to continue building my leadership skills. After reading the job description, I noticed an emphasis on skills such as team leadership and project management, so it seemed like a great fit. And since I’ve already spent 3 years managing 7-figure client projects and most recently leading a team of six team members, I’m confident that I could get up to speed very quickly and start contributing results for you in this role.”
Example 3:
"I appreciate and like the overall company culture of this organization. From what I've heard and what I've been reading about the company, I really relate and am passionate about your mission statement, and I am excited about the work that you do. This position seems like a great fit based on my personality and values."
Bottom Line
When faced with the question “why are you interested in this position?”, a lot of candidates panic because they worry that they’ll say the wrong thing. But if you’re able to anticipate the question and prepare with an honest and concise, you’re sure to be able to show your compatibility for the position and company and impress the hiring manager!
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