It may appear to be an unnecessary question, but explaining
why you are interested in a position demonstrates your enthusiasm for a company
and potential growth opportunities.
"Why are you interested in this position?" is a
common interview question that, while it may appear to be a simple ice breaker
during a job interview, an interviewee's response provides a wealth of
important information. Other variations of the question include "Why do
you want this job?" and "Why do you want to work here?" A common
misunderstanding is to mix it up with a question like "Tell me about
yourself." That question focuses on the interviewee, whereas "why are
you interested in this position" tells the hiring manager why this role is
your dream job.
If the questions are correctly answered, the hiring manager
can learn about a job seeker's career goals, why they're leaving their current
job, how the position aligns with their career goals, their level of
motivation, and the candidate's priorities and preferences. Every company has a
culture, and they want to make sure that anyone they hire fits into that
culture.
Not everyone looks for a new job for reasons other than
paying the bills, especially early in their career. Companies that interview
someone on their first job search may be aware that the prospective employee
isn't in it for the long haul. In that case, a good answer to the question
"why are you interested in this position" demonstrates that the
applicant recognizes the role as a stepping stone.
7 Steps to Answering the Question, "Why Are You Interested in This Position?"
Being prepared for potential job interview questions can
help you provide excellent responses. Here are some steps to successfully
answering this question:
Recognize the job: Examine the job description and make a
list of keywords that the hiring manager will want to hear and that correspond
to your own skill set. This will reinforce your suitability for the position.
Investigate the company: This will provide a better
understanding of the company's various aspects, culture, and long-term goals
and strategies. Most company websites include a mission statement as well as
biographies of company leaders who may inspire you. You can also find keywords
on the website that you can use in your answers.
Investigate their media coverage: Look beyond the company
website to learn how the media and the public perceive the company and its
leaders. Investigate media coverage, press releases, and social media presence
across multiple platforms.
Reach out to your network: If you've been in the same
industry for a while, chances are your network overlaps or has connections to
the company where you're interviewing. There are numerous social media
platforms that will display those connections; make a list of people you can
contact for more information.
Describe your career path: Consider where you want to be in
a year, three years, and five years. What roles do you need in your career path
to achieve those objectives?
Determine alignment: What aspects of the company and the
people who work there align with your career timeline, based on your research?
What keywords can you highlight from their website and media coverage to
connect yourself to this company?
Find specific examples of why you should work with them.
This could include admiration for the company's products or services, a desire
to work with their company values and culture, or being inspired by the
company's leaders.
Sample Interview Responses to "Why Do You Want This Job?"
The best interview responses match an applicant's passion
and career goals with the company's goals and culture. You should be able to
translate your desire to work with a company after researching why you want to
work with them.
- Be an asset: "I'm interested in the position because
I believe my skills could benefit your company's expansion, and I want to be a
part of that growth."
- Value the culture: "Your company has a fantastic
reputation that I have long admired. [X value proposition] aligns with my
values and excites me to contribute to your company's mission."
- Be a fan: "I have been a long-time user of your
products and am thrilled to be a part of something I adore and love."
