Interview Tips for "Why Are You Interested in This Position?"

We’ve all been there. You show up for a job interview after thoroughly reviewing the company’s website and job description. You’re prepared to highlight specific skills or achievements that set you apart from the other job applicants.

But then, right in the middle of the interview, the hiring manager asks you something as simple as “Why do you want to work here?” Suddenly, you find yourself faced with an epiphany that countless other job seekers know to be true—sometimes, the most common job interview questions can be the ones that throw you for a loop.

Throughout this article, we’ll shed light on what potential employers are looking for when they ask questions like “Why do you want this job?” We’ll also walk you through how to craft a great answer that can get you one step closer to your dream job.

Understand the question

Being asked to explain why you’re hoping for a job offer can be as daunting as questions like “tell me about yourself.” You know why you want the job and are an expert with every single aspect of your own history. The real problem may be that you’re not quite sure what the interviewer would consider a good answer.

The key lies in looking at the question from the hiring manager’s perspective. Questions like these are a common part of the interview process because they help recruiters assess several things about candidates:

• Genuine interest. Employers are looking for someone who is sincerely enthusiastic about the job opportunity. If you’re really excited about what you could contribute to a new role, it will likely shine through in your answer.‍
• Goals and expectations. Hiring managers also want to make sure that you understand what the job entails and that it aligns with your career goals and expectations.‍
• Cultural fit. If you connect with a company’s mission statement, workplace culture, or company values, now is a great time to mention it. Employers want to make sure you understand and identify with their company culture.

In some respects, the only thing as important as what you say is how you say it. While your answer doesn’t have to be long-winded, it should be thorough enough to explain what made the company stand out during your job search.

Prepare your answer

Interviewing for a new job can be nerve-wracking. No matter how much work experience you have, interview anxiety can make it difficult to answer even simple interview questions on the spot.

You’re not alone if you often find yourself thinking of the answers you wish you’d given after a job interview is over. One way to avoid this is to prepare by going over possible questions and answers before the interview.

While you won’t be able to predict every question a hiring manager may ask, practicing by answering common interview questions can be incredibly helpful. It’ll get you used to crafting responses using the same background information you’ll be discussing in your interview.

Throughout the following sections, we’ll outline a strategy that can prepare you to answer job interview questions confidently and professionally.

Research the company

The more you know about a company’s goals and values, the easier you’ll be able to explain why you want to work there. The good news is that the internet now makes conducting a thorough company background check relatively easy.

Start by checking out the company’s website, LinkedIn page, and any other social media profiles they may operate. As you research, jot down any company characteristics that appeal to you and try to answer the following questions:

• What does the company’s mission statement reveal about its primary purpose?
• What seem to be the company’s core values, and how are they reflected in its policies or initiatives?
• How does the particular position you are interested in fit into the company as a whole?

Reflect on your career goals and skill set

Now it’s time to turn your attention from the company to your own work experience and professional development goals. Start by creating lists that cover your:

• Work experience. Jot down every job you’ve ever had, whether it’s on your current resume or not. Yep, even part-time jobs and side hustles.
• Specific skills. Go back through the previous list and write down at least three to five skills that each job required.
• Career trajectory. Now make a list of short- and long-term career goals. Where do you hope your career path will lead in the next year? What about in the next five years?

Understand the role

Pull up the job posting you applied to. Read through it again, this time from a human resources perspective. Highlight or jot down any major keywords, skills, or characteristics that the job post describes.

Understanding what the hiring managers are looking for should give you some solid hints into the kind of work experiences they’ll want to discuss with you. Go back to your list of previous jobs and skills and look for past experiences where you demonstrated the type of skills or qualities that the job post outlines. This is also a great time to write down any questions you may have about the position.

Craft your response

The exercises in the sections above were all about laying the foundation with solid detective work. Now it’s time to start turning the information you’ve gathered into great job interview answers.

Throughout the next few sections, we’ll walk you through helpful hints on how to practice for the interview process itself.

Incorporate company research

While you don’t need to memorize every word on a company’s website, you may be surprised at how easy you can remember the aspects of your research that stood out to you the most. Choose your favorite things about the company’s values, culture, and mission.

Now experiment with ways to use those three things to answer an interviewer who asks you “Why do you want to work here?” How can you use your insights to demonstrate that you’re enthusiastic about what you could contribute?

If the company’s culture or professional development opportunities interest you, don’t be afraid to say so. If they share your personal values or passions, those are great points to mention too. Crafting answers that highlight these attributes demonstrates that you’ve done your research and are excited about the opportunity to help the company achieve its goals.

Don’t worry if your answers don’t sound polished at first—fumbling while preparing for the interview is better than fumbling during the interview itself. Think through how to best phrase your answers in a concise yet enthusiastic way.

Highlight your unique fit

The better you can explain why you’d like to work for a company, the more excited an interviewer will likely be to find out more about you. This is where job interview questions like “tell me about yourself, your goals, and your past successes” tend to come into play.

It’s also when some of the exercises we did in the previous sections will begin to make more sense. Revisiting all your past work experiences and the skills they helped you master will do several things.

First, it will help you resist the urge to simply recap your resume. Remember, the interviewer has already read it. Try to use this opportunity to shed even more light on your background.

But more importantly, a thorough review of your past jobs and skills will give you more potential answers to each question. Imagine, for instance, that an interviewer asks you about one of the most stressful situations you’ve ever faced at work.

Don’t be afraid to tell them about the time you had to handle an out-of-control customer at a burger restaurant you worked at in high school. This response could be particularly strong if you went on to explain how your early experiences help shape the work or leadership styles you rely on today.

Lead into two-way discussion

The odds are high that your interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them toward the end of the interview. Try to have at least a few prepared, as hiring managers often value great questions as much as great answers.

Feel free to also ask any questions you may have during the course of the interview itself. Just make sure that you stick to intelligent questions that demonstrate your engagement and interest in the company.

For instance, you might ask for more information on the company’s values, the team you’d be working on, or how the position fits into the company’s overall goals. The key is to ask questions about things that you’re genuinely interested in.

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Answers to avoid

Up to this point, we’ve covered what interviewers hope to hear when they ask why you’re interested in a job. But there are also a few things they’re probably hoping you won’t say. Here are a few topics to shy away from:

• Salary and benefits. You’ll naturally be curious about compensation, but now’s not the time to mention it. The fact that someone needs money is rarely enough to convince an employer to hire them.‍
• Negative past experiences. Even if your previous boss was the worst, trash talk will do you no favors. Remain professional and focus on how excited you are about the opportunity rather than how resentful you are over past work experiences.‍
• Undermining responses. Telling an employer you think their company is a great stepping stone is a bit like telling a date they’ll do until the partner of your dreams comes along. Don’t let it happen to you.

One simple tip can go a long way toward helping you avoid questionable interview answers. When explaining why you’re interested in a certain position, try to focus on the company rather than what the company can do for you.

Example answers

Now that we’ve covered best practices for explaining why you’re interested in a position, let’s see them in action. Here are some solid sample answers to questions like “Why are you interested in this job?”

• “I recently graduated from [college] with a degree in journalism and would be honored to work alongside such a well-respected team. Your paper’s commitment to fact-based journalism and continued professional development really resonate with my own values. I'm a dedicated self-starter and enthusiastic learner who would love to support your team in any way needed.”
• “While my background is in [different industry], I feel like my strong customer service background aligns very well with your company values. I’ve always admired your reputation for going above and beyond for every customer and I’d love to be a part of that.”
• “[Previous employer] has been like a second home to me for the past 10 years, but I’m ready for larger growth opportunities than it has to offer. I’ve always admired your company’s industry leadership and forward-thinking initiatives, so I was excited to see an opportunity that aligned so well with my career goals. I’d be excited to use my skill set to help further the goals of such an innovative organization.”
• “I recently took a gap year to volunteer at a marine conservation center in Indonesia, so your organization’s commitment to marine protection deeply resonates with me. I was so excited to return to find an opening at a company that shares my passion for marine life education. I’d love to use my skills and experiences to support your mission of inspiring the next generation of marine biologists.”

Additional interview tips

The tips and exercises above should get you in great shape for your next job interview. Here are a few additional pieces of advice on how to put them to great use:

• Practice your answers. Take the time to polish your answers. But remember, the goal isn’t to sound rehearsed. You want to sound like yourself at the top of your game.‍
• Be ready for follow-up questions. Don’t get so caught up in answering one question perfectly that you forget to see the big picture. Reflecting on your motivations and qualifications should provide you with a whole toolbox of potential answers you can use throughout your interview.‍
• Stay positive and focused. Remember to keep things positive! When in doubt, shift your answers back to how you can add value to the company.‍
• Follow up. Remember to follow up after an interview, even if it’s just with a simple thank you note.

Find work with Upwork

The bottom line is that a little preparation can go a long way toward taking the stress out of the interviewee experience. The next time an interview comes your way, take the time to do your research into the company and pinpoint the things that attracted you to it in the first place.

Going into an interview prepared can help you embrace the opportunity as a time to shine. Need help finding your next opportunity? Head to Upwork to explore freelance job openings from top employers in a wide range of industries. No matter your interests or skill set, you can use these tips to ace your next interview.