How To Answer 'Why Are You Interested In This Position?'

Employers ask a lot of different questions during interviews to help them get to know the candidates better. They often ask candidates about the reason for their interest in the job for which they are interviewing. Knowing how to prepare an answer to this question can help you respond to it confidently. In this article, we discuss why employers ask 'Why are you interested in this position?', list some steps to answer it and provide some example answers to help you prepare.

Why Employers Ask 'Why Are You Interested In This Position?'

Employers often ask 'Why are you interested in this position?' to better understand your motivations and assess if you have a genuine interest in the job. They may also want to see if you have done your research to learn about the role and its responsibilities. Your answer to this question can help the employer determine whether you have the right skills for the job. It can also help you relate your expertise to the company's goals, which may impress the employer and increase your chances of getting the position.

To answer this question, focus on the position for which you are interviewing and discuss the opportunities you see with the new job. You can talk about the ways in which you can help the company achieve its goals. By positively framing the conversation, you can convey your confidence and professionalism.

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How To Answer 'Why Are You Interested In This Position?'

The following are some steps that can help you answer this interview question:

1. Research the position

Thinking about this question before the interview can help you provide a good answer for the hiring manager. To develop a response, understand the responsibilities of the position by thoroughly reviewing the job description. Determine the position's duties, such as if you are going to interact with customers or if you are responsible for accounting-related tasks. This information is important for properly communicating your motivations for pursuing the role and understanding what qualifications are most relevant.

When answering this question, explain the reason for your interest in the position or the company. This can be a specific aspect of the job description, such as the opportunity to work with a certain technology or the chance to manage a team. Alternatively, you may also relate to the company's mission, values or reputation.

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2. Research the company

Besides reading the job description, learn more about the company for which you are interviewing. If you show the interviewer that you researched the company and its business model, you demonstrate a specific interest in the position. You can talk about the opportunity to work with a great team, the chance to learn new skills or the potential for growth and advancement within the company. By highlighting these specific factors, you can show your genuine interest in the job and excitement about the potential for this opportunity.

To gain more knowledge about the organisation, you can visit the company's website. Look for company press releases, blogs or social media profiles. You can also refer to outside media coverage to find recent news stories or press releases related to the organisation. You can also consider contacting individuals within your own network to learn about the company's culture and inner workings.

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3. Structure your answer

After you have researched the company and job description, condense and structure your answer. While you can write your answer to practice, try learning to respond without your notes in front of you. Memorise a couple of key points you want to address. Your answer can show that you took the time to thoroughly read the job description and reflect on whether the position was a good fit for you. Finally, it can show your interest in that specific opportunity as opposed to other similar roles.

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4. Relate your answer to the company's values

Relating your answer to the company's values or mission can help you demonstrate to employers that you have the skills and experience that they require. Developing a connection between your answer and the company's values can also enable you to show that you have done your research about the company. This demonstrates genuine enthusiasm towards the company and the position. Talk about the activities that the company does that interest you and express your excitement to help the company with those tasks.

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5. End your answer with a question

A good way to show more interest in the position is to end your answer with a related question for the interviewer. Ending your answer this way creates a two-way dialogue, making the interview more conversational. It also shows that you are willing to ask questions when you need more clarity.

Related: Answering 'What Are You Passionate About?' In An Interview

Example Answers To This Question

The following are some example answers to this question for different types of roles:

Example answer for a marketing manager position

Here is an example answer for a marketing manager's position:

I have enjoyed the past 15 years with my current employer, but I am ready to work in a role that requires more leadership. I believe I have gained good experience and knowledge throughout the year. I am ready to put that to work in a new and more challenging role.

While I manage five teams consisting of 10 employees each, I noticed that this job requires me to manage five teams of 20 employees. This is a challenge that I seek for the next step in my career. Can you tell me more about the various types of teams you require someone to put together?

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Example answer for a business analyst position

Here is an example answer for a business analyst's position:

I have worked for eight years in my current role. Now, I wish to work in a role that allows me to use my skills to perform more advanced tasks. This position fits perfectly with my skill set and how I am looking to grow in my career.

I am also looking for a position at a company like yours that supports under-served communities, which is a passion of mine. This is also one of the reasons why I am keen on working with you. Can you tell me more about how the company creates growth opportunities for people who work here?

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Example answer for an architect position

Here is an example answer for an architect's position:

I have worked for a large company for the last seven years on various large-scale commercial projects. I now wish to work with a company that works on projects that benefit individuals. From your website, I understand that you want to build residential structures for small communities. This is something that I want to work on so that I can do good for society. I am eager to use my skills to help your company accomplish its goals. Can you tell me more about what you are looking for in an ideal candidate for this position?

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Example answer for a senior writer position

Here is an example answer for a writer's position:

I have been in the industry for a decade now and have worked in a variety of niches with different companies. I believe I have developed good skills in technical writing over the years. Working with your company has been a goal for me since the beginning of my career. The influence you have on the readers is commendable. This can be a good opportunity for me to apply my skills to help your company's cause and grow in my career. Can you tell me more about what a senior writer at your company does in a day?