Structure your answerĪfter you’ve researched the company and job description as it relates to your background, condense and structure your answer. Personal networks: Consider reaching out to your own connections to learn about the company culture and inner workings.įor more advice on this topic, visit our Complete Guide to Researching a Company. Outside media coverage: Find recent news stories or press releases related to the organization. The company website: Begin with the “About Us” page, and look for company press releases, blogs or social media profiles. If you show the interviewer that you researched the company and its business model, you demonstrate a specific interest in the position. In addition to reading the job description, be sure to learn about the company you’re interviewing for.
I feel this position will allow me to succeed because my interpersonal skills help me establish meaningful relationships with vendors, and my experience with accounting software allows me to confidently manage invoices and inventory databases.”Īn answer with keywords from the job description like this one will communicate your motivations for applying and your relevant qualifications. “I want this job because I am looking for an opportunity that lets me exercise my skill with numbers and eye for detail. With the above example, you could respond with an answer such as:
This information tells you which professional skills to highlight in your answer. Are you going to interact with customers? Will you be responsible for accounting-related tasks? This knowledge is essential to properly communicate your motivations for pursuing the role and to understand which of your qualifications are most relevant.įor example, if you’re applying to an accounting position, your responsibilities might include: Thoroughly reviewing the job description before the interview is a good idea. To develop a response, you must first understand the responsibilities of the position. Thinking about this question before the interview will enable you to quickly answer the hiring manager, demonstrating professionalism and preparedness. While you should certainly craft an answer to this question that addresses your unique skills and qualities as it relates to the position, there are several general steps you can take as you prepare before the interview: 1.
Related: Interview Question: Why Do You Want to Work Here? How to answer “Why are you interested in this role?”
Remember that employers value candidates who aim to meaningfully contribute to company goals while also advancing their own careers. Many interviewees address the first three questions, but it is easy to overlook the fourth. Will you positively contribute to the company? Interviewers are typically trying to get answers for four core questions when they ask “Why do you want this job?” including the following:ĭo you understand the position you’re applying for?ĭo your goals and experience align with the role? Why do employers ask “Why are you interested in this job?” In this article, we discuss the best ways to answer this question with examples. “Describe why you are interested in this position.”Īll varieties of this question require a similar response. “What made you interested in applying for this position?” Some other ways employers may ask this question include: Positively framing the conversation will communicate confidence and professionalism. Aim to discuss the opportunities you see with the new job rather than voicing concerns about your current position or company. To answer this question, focus on the position for which you are interviewing. One open-ended question you can expect is “Why are you interested in this position?” Your answer will help the employer determine your excitement about the opportunity and the motivations that led you to pursue the job. These sorts of questions allow employers to assess your ability to answer honestly and quickly. Employers usually ask job applicants a variety of interview questions, many of which require more than a yes or no answer.