It’s so common that it’s almost a cliché, but as a London recruitment agency, we know that almost every interviewee gets asked “So, why are you interested in this position?” It’s a bland but much-trotted-out question, so whether you’re interviewing for a permanent or temporary position, you need to know how to answer it in a way that makes you stand out.
There’s a good reason why interviewers ask it. They want to uncover your motivation and find out what makes you tick in the professional world. In short, they want to know that you’re interested in working for them, not just a pay packet.
How to answer “Why are you interested in this job?”
Knowing that the interviewer is like a child jumping up and down going, “Pick me, pick me” — and wants it to be for authentic reasons — enables you to give them what they’re looking for.
We recommend that you respond enthusiastically and have clear reasons why you want to work for them specifically. Use clear examples of why what you’re saying is true. An excellent opener is, “I’m really keen to work in X role for Y company because…” You can then use one or more of the following core reasons:
Professional fit
Your mission here is to show a perfect match between the skills you possess and the skills the employer needs.
A great way to spell it out is to identify a core problem they have and how your skills will solve it. You need to convey what you’ll be able to accomplish for them whilst also explaining why it’s motivating for you. For example, you might say explain how you can see that the role would develop your skills in a certain area, how working for them instead of the competition will enable you to provide a better service, or how you get satisfaction from providing a specific service.
Cultural fit
Like professional fit, this reason shows that you and the employer will make a good combination. You need to show that you’ve done some research about their culture and demonstrate how your personality is aligned with it.
You may be able to convey this by explaining how the company’s values mirror your own or how their areas of passion are similar to yours. Be sincere, and this will quickly become evident.
Personal fit
Finally, show that you’ve genuinely thought about this role on a personal level. It shows that you’re invested in winning this role and becoming successful within it. It could be something as simple as saying, “I’ve used your products for years and wouldn’t use another brand.” Or, if you need to be more creative, it’s okay being honest about things such as the hours fitting in with your lifestyle, or how the location works for you. It all helps to paint a fair and accurate picture.
Being prepared for certain interview questions, especially the most common ones, can ensure you go into an interview feeling confident and capable. This will come across clearly and is an attractive trait in candidates.
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