Why are you interested in this position? What's to Say, What's Not !

Abstract:

When you're sitting across from an interviewer, the seemingly straightforward question, "Why are you interested in this position?", can feel deceptively tricky. On one hand, it’s an opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm and fit for the role. On the other hand, it can be a minefield where the wrong answer might diminish your chances. This article explores how to craft the perfect response and avoid potential pitfalls.

Keywords:

Why are you interested in this position?, Focus on the Role, Practice, but don't memorize, Understand the job, Align your passions

Learning Outcomes:

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the logic behind the question " Why are you interested in this position?" and appropriately you can craft an answer

Introduction:

When you're sitting across from an interviewer, the seemingly straightforward question, "Why are you interested in this position?", can feel deceptively tricky. On one hand, it’s an opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm and fit for the role. On the other hand, it can be a minefield where the wrong answer might diminish your chances. This article explores how to craft the perfect response and avoid potential pitfalls.

What the Question Really Means

Interviewers aren’t just looking for flattery or vague enthusiasm. They want to understand:

1. Your motivations – Why this job, at this company, in this industry?
2. Your understanding – Do you know what this role entails and how you fit in?
3. Your alignment – Are your goals and values aligned with the organization’s?

Essentially, they want to know if you’ve done your homework and if this is more than just “another job” to you.

What's you should try: 

When answering "Why are you interested in this position?", you can try to:

Show enthusiasm: Express that you're excited about the role and the company. 

Focus on the role: Explain why the role interests you and how it fits your career goals. 

Incorporate company research: Mention something specific about the company's culture that you admire, like their work-life balance or diversity and inclusion. 

Be specific: Tailor your answer to the job and company you're applying to. 

Focus on how you can benefit the company: Show that you want the position for more than just the pay and benefits. 

Practice, but don't memorize: Focus on the key points you want to emphasize, and try to sound relaxed and natural. 

Steps of finding appropriate answer:

When answering the interview question "Why are you interested in this position?", you can consider the following:

• Research the company

  Show your genuine interest in the company by learning about the company and the position you're applying for. 
• Understand the job Demonstrate that you understand the role and how you can contribute to the company's goals. 
• Highlight your skills and experiences Use specific examples to show how your skills and experience are relevant to the job. 
• Show your enthusiasm Express your excitement for the opportunity and the impact you want to make. 
• Consider your career path Think about where you want to be in your career in the next few years, and what roles you need to achieve those goals. 
• Align your passions Show how your passions and the company's goals align. For example, you could say that you're passionate about marketing and that you can use your creativity and analytical skills to help the company grow. 

1. Showcase research and Fit

“I’m particularly drawn to this position because your company’s focus on sustainable practices aligns with my own passion for environmental responsibility. I’ve followed your recent initiatives, like [specific project], and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute.”

1. Highlight Career Goals Explain how the position supports your long-term aspirations:

   • “This role offers the perfect opportunity to leverage my project management skills while developing expertise in [specific area]. I see it as a step toward achieving my goal of becoming a senior strategist in this field.”

2. Emphasize Value Addition Illustrate how your skills can meet the organization’s needs:

   • “With my background in [specific skill/experience], I’m confident I can help achieve your goal of [specific goal], especially considering your upcoming plans for [specific initiative].”

3. Express Genuine Excitement Enthusiasm is contagious. Let your excitement for the company and the role shine through:

   • “Your company’s innovative culture and commitment to growth excite me. I’m eager to be part of a team that’s reshaping the industry.”

Here are some examples of what you can say:

Example 1

"I'm interested in this job because I can see that my skills could help solve this problem within your company". 

Example 2

"I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity because this position is fully in line with my interests and values". 

Example 3

"I'm passionate about marketing, and I believe that by joining this team, I can leverage my creativity and analytical skills to contribute to the company's growth". 

Example 4

Strong Response

“I’m excited about this position because it combines my passion for data analytics with the opportunity to work in a company known for its cutting-edge innovations in AI. I’ve been following your work in predictive modeling, especially your recent collaboration with [specific client/project], and I’m inspired by the impact it’s had on the industry. With my experience in handling complex datasets and my knack for deriving actionable insights, I believe I can contribute meaningfully to your team while also growing my expertise in machine learning applications.”

What's not to say

When asked why you are interested in a position during an interview, do not say things like "I just need a job," "the salary is great," "it's a step up from my current role," or anything that indicates your primary motivation is personal gain rather than a genuine interest in the company, role, and its impact; focus on how your skills and passion align with the position's responsibilities and the company's mission instead. 

Here are a few specific things to avoid saying:

"I'm just looking for any job":

This shows a lack of interest in the specific position and makes you seem desperate. 

"The pay is really attractive":

While salary is important, highlighting it as the only reason you are interested can make you seem mercenary. 

"I'm only interested in this position because it's a stepping stone to something else":

This implies you don't see the role as a long-term commitment and could make the employer hesitant to hire you. 

"I don't really know much about the company, but the job description sounded interesting":

This demonstrates a lack of research and shows you haven't taken the time to understand the company's values. 

"I'm not really sure, but I thought I'd apply":

This conveys a lack of confidence and genuine interest in the position. 

Instead, focus on:

Specific aspects of the role that excite you:

Mention specific projects, challenges, or technologies mentioned in the job description that align with your skills and interests. 

Company values and mission:

Explain how the company's goals resonate with your personal values. 

Your relevant experience and how it can contribute:

Highlight how your past accomplishments directly relate to the requirements of the position. 

Your desire to learn and grow:

Show enthusiasm about the opportunity to develop new skills within the role. 

Conclusions:

Sometimes, the interviewer asks a question, and you need a few moments to formulate your answer. That’s fine. You should take a second (or two or more) to do that. But, saying “um” and “er” and “uh” while you’re thinking can make you look unprepared, unprofessional, or scared — which may impact your chances if the role involves communication.

But being confident in your abilities and fit for the role is the single best way to ensure you position yourself as the best candidate and, ultimately, get hired for the role.