- Why Do Interviewers Ask “Why Are You Interested in this Position?” in an Interview?
- How To Answer “Why are You Interested in This Position?”
- Why are You Interested in this Position Sample Answers
- Why Are You Interested in This Position?: Answers You Shouldn’t Give to This Question
- Conclusion
- Important Resources
For many individuals, a job interview is no less than a conundrum. And it can definitely be one for you if you aren’t prepared. If you want to substantially increase your chances of being selected for the respective job position, then you’ve landed on the right blog.
In this blog, we’ll meticulously explain to you how to answer the question, “Why are you interested in this position?” Practicing a few questions like these in advance can boost your confidence and greatly assist you in cracking that particular interview.
Why Do Interviewers Ask “Why Are You Interested in this Position?” in an Interview?
Interviewers ask this question to determine what motivated you to apply for that specific role in that specific organization. More importantly, they want to know how valuable you’ll be as an employee and how you will undertake your job duties. The interviewer will dig deeper into your resume if you are looking for an entry-level job. They want to know whether your skills align with what they are looking for in a potential employee. And if they feel that you don’t have the necessary proficiency, they’d most likely move on to the next candidate. They also want to know how much time and effort would be required to train the new employee. Therefore, they expect an answer from you that depicts how dedicated you are towards the job.
How To Answer “Why are You Interested in This Position?”
To answer “Why are you interested in this position?” In an interview, you have to be absolutely clear and sure why you selected the particular role in that particular company. The interviewer is looking for someone who’ll be the best fit for the position and its culture. They’ll also want to see how much devotion you are willing to put into the position. This simply means they should conceive that your enthusiasm and commitment are genuine.
Here are a few points to consider while answering “Why are you interested in this position?”:
1. Be Confident
“Be confident” is one of the tips that may sound overrated. But being confident isn’t just about saying things like “I’m excited” or “I’ve always wanted my dream job!” It’s also about showing faith in yourself by speaking clearly and without hesitation. And also remember, not only does every word count here, but even every pause counts. Try to speak confidently in the interview. This is one of the best ways to express that you are prepared for this position. Also, keep in mind that “the first impression is the last impression.” You may not get another opportunity to showcase your expertise in front of the interviewer.
2. Research About the Company
Most candidates enter the interview having negligible information about the company. Once you research everything about the company, you will have more information and it will provide you with more leverage. Just do a quick Google search of your potential employer’s name and see what comes up. This may include links to its website, social media accounts, and more.
You can also use LinkedIn to search for jobs in industry verticals that interest you. Also, check out Glassdoor for employee reviews. Also, Bloomberg provides financial news about companies and other industries. Just make sure you have a brief knowledge of the company.
3. Read the Job Description Carefully
You should thoroughly study the job description now that you know what the position entails. You’ll better understand the company’s requirements and how your abilities align with them. For instance, an accountant cannot undertake the duties of a data scientist. Going through the description would help to note any special requirements that you can highlight in your resume as they will improve your positioning and differentiate you from other applicants.
4. Describe Why You are a Good Fit
If you are asked to describe why you would be a good fit for the role, think of examples that portray how your skills can meet the company’s needs. It will help you tell them which kind of experience fulfills those needs. Try to outline scenarios where you learnt something and later implemented that knowledge to yield results. For instance: “My employer educated me about a few intricacies in web development, which I later implemented and delivered a fantastic website to our client.” Give your answer modestly, as you don’t want to end up sounding like you are bragging.
5. Come up with Three to Five Reasons Why You’re Interested in the Position
As you think about what makes you a good fit for this position, come up with at least 3-5 reasons. Take the job description into consideration. What skills and experience do they need? How can I demonstrate those skills? Think about the company’s mission statement and values. How will you harmonize those with your own beliefs or values? And most importantly, don’t forget to form a compelling response for the same.
6. Create a Response That Shows You Understand Their Needs
The first thing to do is to make sure you understand the job description. If a position requires high analytical skills and presentation skills, this should be apparent from your resume and cover letter. You can also ask questions about these things during an interview. This will also demonstrate that you are keen to know how the company actually functions. And eventually, how you can deliver value in the best manner possible. Understand their demands and what exactly they are seeking in a candidate and tailor your answer accordingly.
7. Emphasize on How You Will Contribute With Your Expertise Towards Their Growth
For example, if a firm is looking to hire a data engineer, your responses must illustrate that you have the necessary abilities. You can explain how you made raw data easily interpretable for the team members and how it further nurtured the entire process. If you are undertaking another role or a position in the organization, then make sure that you answer the question in an equivalent manner.
Why are You Interested in this Position Sample Answers
We have compiled a few sample answers that you can directly use in your next interview. The answers curated are in congruence with differentiating you from other candidates.
1. “This company has a culture where employees feel valued and respected by management and work together to accomplish goals. They take pride in what they accomplish here at the company and receive consistent guidance.” — Show that you are really impressed by the work culture at the organization and that’s what makes you keen to join the company.
2. “I have gone through the reviews of the company and they are truly impeccable. The company’s values, i.e.teamwork, innovation, integrity, respect, and personal are the prime things that motivated me to apply for the role in your organization.” — With such answers, you apparently how well you have researched the company. Consequently, leading to the HRs believe that you have a genuine interest in the company.
3. “I believe that my skill sets and abilities are ideal for this role and align perfectly with your company’s mission. Hence, I’d love to be a part of it and foster the company’s growth through my expertise.” — Do not consider this as a generic answer, HR managers get really impressed by candidates who truly understand and value the company’s mission.
4. “I have always been inspired by your company’s contribution to the industry. You have changed the world of Calibration by creating the best CRMs this generation has used. Thanks to your innovations in the tech sector, business owners can now operate their companies on the go. Your software has made remote work easy across the globe and hence I want to contribute to this vision of your company by becoming a part of it as a Software Engineer.” —Show them you have been following their organization for quite a long and always admired their work. It will help you depict that you have a genuine interest in the job.
5. “I have read great reviews of your company on Glassdoor and other sites and would be honored to work for you as a software engineer. I will feel pride in working for a company with such an amazing track record.” — Such response includes everything needed to make the decision. A candidate that is this enthusiastic about a company will do great things for it and add value that you can’t find anywhere else!
Why Are You Interested in This Position?: Answers You Shouldn’t Give to This Question
Enough about the answers you should give, let’s now shed some light on the answers you shouldn’t give!
“Truely, I just need a job, and this one looked interesting.” — Such answers clearly show that you don’t have any interest in the job. Moreover, it also suggests that you’ll be leaving the job soon for better offers.
“For the amazing salary package” — No one wants to hire an employee who is only thinking about the paycheck. If you tell them that you are only inclined towards the money, they will not hire you. You should convince them that you will be a valuable asset to the company’s growth and not just join it for the sake of a good salary.
“It will be a good opportunity for my career” — One of the cliches, that you should avoid using at all costs. This indicates that you are looking for a short-term opportunity and your end goal is something else. So why would an employer hire you for their organization?
“I need this job desperately” — It’s good to be honest but certainly not like this. This could reflect badly on your profile and can mean that the role does not interest you, and it’s only the job that you are after. Employers are looking for candidates with skills and not a sob story.
Conclusion
The article, in a nutshell, is: You should be clear about why you have applied to that particular company and that specific role. Equip yourself with the necessary answers to your interview and answer “Why are you interested in this position?” confidently. The next time you are called to attend an interview, remember that the key to success is preparation. Remember that it’s not just about having the right answers – it’s also about knowing how long they should take and what they should look like. These tips will surely help you embark on your journey towards becoming a great candidate for almost any position in town.
