Why are you interested in this Position?

While there are many questions that may be asked during an interview, this is one of a few that you should always anticipate. ‘Why are you interested in this role?’ It seems simple enough, but it is quite possibly the most important question you will be asked, and is one that is often not given proper attention by candidates.

Many candidates spend their preparation time focusing on how they will address their skills or accomplishments; transitions in their career history; or even management style. These are all important and deserve thought, but so does the question about why you are even interested in the role at all.

Even if your reasons seem fairly straightforward, treating the topic like an afterthought is a big mistake. How you respond to this can often impact your chances of moving forward in the interview process. Answering this question well provides a tremendous opportunity, one that you don’t want to miss. It’s a chance for you to show what you know and how you think.

Take your time with this and make sure you have a compelling response. Even if you are an active jobseeker, and currently unemployed, saying that you ‘need a job’ is never a compelling answer. You may be unhappy in your current job or with your current organization and eager to make a move. While this may be a part of your motivation to leave, it should not be part of your reason for your interest in the role.

For any jobseeker, active or passive, plan ahead to offer thoughtful statements about what motivates your candidacy. Take the time to put aside the realities about your need for a job or your desires to leave your current job and truly consider what added value you bring to the company? Show that you have researched the company and how you see your experience might benefit them. And of course second, why are you impressed by this role. What about this role and this organization is appealing to you at this time?

Go beyond the job description and do your own research. Review the job description, thoroughly. Take the time to hear what they are saying. A well-written position narrative will often provide you with clues to the goals of the organization and even to the cultural environment of the organization itself. Look up the organization online. Discuss the opportunity with people you trust, people that may have insight about the organization.

Be truthful with yourself. What drives you? What are you passionate about? What are your goals? How would this role and organization help cultivate your own goals? Think about the specific challenges and opportunities presented in the role and why those challenges and opportunities are compelling to you.

This is an opportunity for you to show how much you know about their organization and what they are looking for in this role. It’s your chance to show that you have done research beyond simply glancing at the job description. Assume that the people conducting the interview are happy in their roles and committed to their organization. They want to know why you want to join their team. They want to know that this is more than just a job to you. How you answer this will demonstrate how serious you are about them and about the role. It can show them about your decision-making process and how you may approach the challenges facing this role.

Take the time to truly consider this question.

Be truthful with yourself.

Do your research.

Build a compelling story.

See this question for the opportunity that it is.

This is not just a job interview—it’s your strategic career!