Why Are You Interested in This Position? (Best Answer Examples)

Apart from the interview, the preparation for the job of your dreams can be nerve-wracking.

You will be asked questions that require honesty and spontaneity. 

Since it’s highly unlikely that any hiring manager would accept a rehearsed, canned response, most people muse over how to answer the question— why are you interested in this position?

This question is not difficult in itself, but it focuses on the core reasons why employers and employees come together in the first place.

Job seekers often feel pressured to find answers that best satisfy employers, which can make them struggle.

Remote jobs are not exempted.

Employers want to ensure, perhaps even more so now that they may never be in the same location with their employees, that all members of the team are on the same page, hence the question.

This guide will take you through every step of creating the perfect response to this pertinent question.

As we go along, we will give examples geared toward varying career levels so that you walk into your next interview with confidence.

Why do Employers Ask “Why Are You Interested in This Position?”

The primary aim for most hiring managers during the interview process when they pose the question “Why are you interested in this position?” is to get a feel for what draws you to that position and how much you really fit the bill.

This question helps them measure the following:

• Your Level of Enthusiasm: Does the position excite you? or Are you applying on a whim?
• Your Knowledge of the Company: Did you research their values and mission? Do you have the industry’s best practices in mind? 
• Your Career Alignment: Is this career in alignment with your future objectives or are you most likely to resign in the not-too-distant future?
• Work Contribution: Whether you have any experience or talent that would enable you to make a contribution to the team. 

In the long run, they are in need of individuals who will love what they have been hired to do, be committed to growing, and reach for the same goals as them.

How Your Answer Impacts Hiring Decisions

The way you answer the question “why are you interested in this position,” can greatly influence the hiring manager’s decision.

A well-delivered answer can do the following:

• Show that research has been conducted on the organization and position.
• Demonstrate that you’re passionate and genuinely interested.
• Prove that you possess relevant experience and capabilities that align with their specifications.
• Increase your chances of getting noticed among other applicants.

On the other hand, a general or weak answer might:

• Make you sound unenthusiastic or unprepared.
• Raise doubts about that role.
• Suggest that salary or benefits are your only interest.
• Lower your chances of going further in the employment process.

Your response should work to convince the interviewer that you are not only qualified but are great for the position.

What Interviewers Want to Hear vs. What to Avoid

What they want to hear:

• Real, unfeigned excitement about the role and the company. 
• Concrete examples of how your skills and experience make you a great fit. 
• How the position fit into your career goals. 
• Concrete reasons for liking the company, such as its culture, values, or reputation. 

What to Avoid:

• General responses like “I need a job” or “I am looking for new opportunities.”
• Emphasizing salary and benefits too much. 
• Sounding too rehearsed or robotic in your answer.
• Doing poor research and knowing so little about the company. 

A good answer should be an equilibrium of enthusiasm, competency, and alignment with the goals of the company.

How to Answer “Why Are You Interested in This Position?”

Answering “Why are you interested in this position?” calls for a structured approach.

Follow these steps to come up with a perfect answer.

Step 1: Research the Company and Role

Before the day of the interview, research the company’s mission, values, and culture.

Find their “why.” This will help you answer questions in a way that resonates with the hiring manager.

How to Research Effectively:

• Go over the company’s website, mission statement, and pertinent current events
• Check out employees’ testimonials and statistics on company culture on LinkedIn or Glassdoor.
• Look for what the company lists as its core values, then see if these align with your goals and ambitions in your career.
• Thoroughly read the job posting to pick out what the job’s duties are.

Example

“I am super pumped about the role because of the innovation [Company Name] is driving in [Industry]. I saw the recent work you did with [specific project or initiative] and it’s in the same neighborhood as my passion for [related field]. I really look forward to contributing to those efforts.”

Step 2: Highlight What Excites You About the Position

Now that you know more about the company, pinpoint particular aspects of the role that you enjoy. Employers look for candidates who love the work.

What to Emphasize:

• The opportunity to work on meaningful projects.
• The chance to develop and apply key skills.
• The company’s reputation and industry influence.
• A mission or value that personally resonates with you.

Example:
“I’m excited about this opportunity because it combines my abilities in [specific skill] with my passion for [industry]. The chance to work on [specific task or project from job description] is very appealing, and I believe I can hit the ground running because of my experience in [relevant experience].”

In case you can’t figure out the perfect reply, You can do a little brainstorming session with our Undetectable AI chatbot.

Provide enough information about the company, the job title, and your experience, and it will generate and personalize a response for you.

You can also experience our AI Detector right in the widget below!

Step 3: Explain How This Job Aligns With Your Career Goals

Hiring managers prefer applicants who see the job as part of their career plan—not as stopgap employment.

Your answer should demonstrate how this role ties in with future career goals. Do the following:

• Connect the role to career goals
• Highlight skills that you would like to develop that the career offers
• Show commitment to future growth in the organization.

Example:
“In all honesty, this role fits perfectly with my career goals for the long term. I have some measure of knowledge and experience, but I desire to improve my expertise in [industry or skill], and getting to work at [Company Name] on [specific job] will help me do just that. I look forward to contributing to the team’s sustainable success.

Step 4: Personalize Your Answer for Maximum Impact

A general response will not appeal to the busy hiring manager.

Add flavor to your response with personal stories, experiences, and other specifics. Do this:

• Reference a particular project, program, or product of the company that interests you.
• Share an experience that got you invested in the sector. 
• Tell why you like the company’s culture or values.

Example:
“I recently stumbled upon you guys when reading through [specific publication]; specifically, the article on [specific project]. I felt compelled to apply because, as someone deeply entrenched in [related industry or skill], I could see that my background in [relevant experience] directly lent itself to your cause. I am excited to contribute and learn from such an innovative company.”

Best Answer Examples for “Why Are You Interested in This Position?”

Below are some AI generated example answers for differing career levels and situations.

You can use our Undetectable AI paraphraser to humanize these texts.

General Example for Any Industry

“I’m interested in this position because it fits with my career goals and experience. Working with people dedicated to [company value] excites me. I believe my experience in [relevant skill] qualifies me for this role.”

Best Answer for Entry-Level Candidates

As a recent graduate, I plan to use my knowledge in [field] in a job. I like this job at [Company Name] because it focuses on [specific task] that relates to projects from my [courses or internships]. I enjoy the [company culture or cause]. I believe I can build my career here.

Best Answer for Career Changers

“My intention is to switch from [previous industry] to [new industry] as I have always been enthusiastic about [specific field]. As a professional in the [previous industry], I have gained extensive expertise in [transferable skill]. Now I wish to practice the same in a different setting at [Company Name]. What you are doing on [specific initiative] is something close to my heart and skills, and I would love to be involved.”

Best Answer for Mid-Level Professionals

“I’ve been involved with [industry] for many years and now I’m interested in using my expertise in [specific skill] for a company that proudly stands for [company value]. I also love what I see you doing with [Company Name] in the [industry niche] and feel that my experience from [related role] would come in handy here. Ready to step out of my comfort zone for this role.”

Best Answer for Senior & Executive Roles

“I’m particularly applying for this leadership position as it aligns with my strategic vision for [industry]. Over the years, I have led teams in driving innovation and growth in [specific field] and believe that [Company Name] would give me the perfect platform to implement that experience. Your organization’s emphasis on [specific value] aligns with my leadership style, and I’m looking to contribute at a high level.” 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering This Question

Many people make unnecessary mistakes when answering “Why are you interested in this position?” and they lose out on the job.

While a well-prepared answer may help in the job application process, these common mistakes will certainly blow it for you.

Do all you can to avoid them:

Giving a Generic or Unenthusiastic Response

Perhaps the biggest mistake of all is being vague and uninspired in your response.

Answers like “I just need a job” or “It seems like a good opportunity” do nothing to show interest in the role or company.

An employer wants to know that you are amped up about a job and can say why it’s a good fit for your skills and goals.

A better way would be to express enthusiasm and explain why you are interested in the position.

Mention any aspects of the job or niche that relate to your experience and interests. 

For example: “This opportunity has me really stoked because it combines my background in [specific skill] with my interest in [industry]. The kinds of projects that [Company Name] works on are an exact match for the direction I want my career to head, and I would love to help continue the success of the team.”

Focusing Only on Salary and Benefits

While compensation is certainly to be taken into account, to focus only on salary and benefits gives the impression that you have no genuine enthusiasm for the work itself.

Employers look for applicants who are motivated by the job, the organization’s mission, and career advancement possibilities.

Instead of emphasizing compensation, speak more on why you get energized by the job.

Your answer may sound like this: 

“As much as compensation is important to me, more so is that I get energized by working on [project or task] in this capacity. I am impressed by how much [Company Name] is focused on [company value or industry cause] and would like to bring my experience in [relevant skill] to bear.”

Overexplaining or Sounding Too Rehearsed

Long-winded replies full of extra information are another common error. While, of course, one must provide context, over-explanation makes your answer blurry and hard to follow. To avoid this, keep your answer brief and natural as if speaking to someone face-to-face. 

Answer in 30 to 60 seconds and only say what’s necessary.

A well-structured answer looks something like:

“I am interested in this position because of…” and then be specific, ideally focusing on how your experience in a related area will allow you to be an effective contributor in the role.”

Not Tailoring Your Answer to the Specific Company

Giving a very general answer that can pass for any firm is losing the chance to show your understanding and interest.

Hiring managers want to know if you’ve looked into their firm and get why it’s different from others.

One way to improve your response is by mentioning the culture, certain tasks, and beliefs. 

For instance: 

“What caught my eye about [Company Name] is your commitment to [specific initiative]. I was especially impressed by [recent project or company achievement], and I see a great opportunity to use my skills in [relevant skill] to help in this regard.”

Conclusion

Although this question about one’s interest in any open job position is a valid hurdle that every job seeker needs to cross, with the tips and examples in this article, you can greatly increase your chances of being accepted by a prospective company.

Focus on being authentic, with personalized, concise, and thoughtful answers, and you may just find yourself in a new job.

For more job-hunting-related articles, explore our other blog posts.