Career Job Interview

How to Answer: What Interests You About This Position?

What Interests You About This Position

Typically employers ask job applicants a variety of interview questions, many of which require more than a yes or no answer. Such kinds of questions allow employers to evaluate the ability to respond honestly and quickly. You should expect an open-ended question, “Why are you interested in this position? “or ” What interests you about this position?” Your answer will help the employer decide how excited you are about the opportunity and the reasons that led you to pursue that job.

Focus on the position you are interviewing for to answer this question. Instead of raising concerns with your present position or company, try to explore the opportunities you see with the new job. Framing the discussion in a positive way will express trust and professionalism.

Why do employers ask “Why are you interested in this job?”

Recruiters who ask it look for two things to know. First, they want to know why you’re interested in the company. Second, they want to find out why you are specifically interested in the job. A good response has to cover each of these areas.

This is a question that discusses your understanding of the job and how the post fits into the company. You should address in detail the main qualifications, relevant skills, and how your expertise suits the needs of the recruiter.

How to Answer “What Interests You About This Job?”

Ideally, you should frame your answer about the “What interests you about this position” question in a way that shows enthusiasm (for the role and the company) and understanding (of the role, the company and how you can add value). It is important to conduct preliminary research on the company and role in order to prepare a strong response. When composing your response, we particularly focus on three key areas: the job, the company, and how you fit in.

To help prepare for the interview, read the job posting carefully, and note the skills and experience requirements mentioned. You can also see if more information about your role on the company website is available. You may also search for the job title online to get some specific information about this position.

Make a list of your skills and experiences that match the requirements listed before your interview. Find clear examples of how you adapt these skills to other positions effectively and how your skills will match your job.

When answering general questions about the role, don’t talk about how you could benefit from being hired. For example, answers like, “I want a job that will help me build my career” make you look more focused on yourself than on how your background benefits the company. You also want to avoid answers that emphasize the benefits of a job, from health insurance to free lunches, or make it seem like a real appeal is a job and a paycheck.

Be enthusiastic about your response. It is an opportunity to talk about what appeals to the position, and to take the part in your response, you should appear optimistic and eager. You will emphasize your expertise and your passion for the job.

As much as possible, make it clear how the company will benefit from hiring in terms of its role, product, and organizational mission.

Tip to answer the interview question: Why are you interested in this position?

While you should definitely prepare an answer to this query that addresses your unique skills and qualities as they relate to the job, there are some general steps you may take as you prepare before the interview:

1.Research the position

Before the interview, thinking about this question will allow you to answer the hiring manager quickly and demonstrate professionalism and preparedness. To develop an answer, first, you need to understand the position’s responsibilities. This is a good idea to study the job description thoroughly before the interview. Will you be interacting with the customers? Will you be responsible for the duties relating to accounting? This knowledge is important to convey your reasons correctly in order to fulfill the position and to understand which of your qualifications is most relevant.

2.Research the company

Before your interview find out all you can about the company. Check the listing of jobs at the company. Search for listings of related jobs on online job sites.

You should also determine what benefits package comes with each job that interests you. For instance, let’s assume you’re applying for a nursing role at a medical facility like a hospital or clinic.

The employer might offer online accelerated BSN programs for successful applicants that already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject. Or, they may provide you with opportunities to gain other qualifications as you work if you’ve already got a relevant degree.

Benefits that offer you scope for career progression are the ones that should interest you the most. That’s because you can usually transfer the skills and qualifications gained to future employers and jobs.

3.Structure your answer

After you have done research on the company and the job description, condense, and structure your answer about “What interests you about this position?” question. While you certainly can write down your answer for practice, you should be ready to respond without details. Remember a few important points you want to focus on instead of memorizing them.

Examples For “Why are you interested in this role?” 

Role: HR Manager

I am interested in this position because I will be responsible for hiring, induction, and helping new team members. While working at (company name) I was directly in charge of all of these activities and played a vital role in recruiting and training staff. I coordinated the recruitment of over (number) employees and supervised new company/department training.

Role: Architect

While in my current role I enjoy working on small-scale residential projects, this position allows me to use my technological knowledge on larger, higher-impact projects. I am excited to combine my artistic talents with my engineering expertise in creating projects for an industry pioneer such as Cloud Clearwater. Could you tell me more about what you as an ideal candidate for this role are looking for?

Role: Teacher

Your post captured my appeal because your school’s mission and values concentrate on each child’s individual learning needs. As I finished my professional training, I got an understanding of effective teaching strategies. For example, I’ve demonstrated the ability to build systems and processes to facilitate student lesson planning and learning experience.

Role: Programmer

As a programmer, I’m interested in this work because I’m highly interested in, and experienced in, learning and excelling in new technologies. I have mastered Python to Java programs and languages and I look forward to mastering more programs as they are developed. I’m also interested in creative problem-solving, a skill that I developed in the last ten years as an analyst.

Conclusion

What interests you about this role? This broad question may appear difficult to answer – exactly what should you focus on? It’s often another way for the recruiter to ask, “Why should we hire you?” It is not sufficient to simply state, “I am a great fit for the role.”

Instead, your answer should highlight your relevant abilities, skills, and experiences while also demonstrating your interest in the company. It’s a way to show why you’re the best candidate for the job and why you’re excited about it.

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