How to Answer the Interview Question — "Why Are You Interested in This Role?"

Giving a job interview is unquestionably an intimidating task. Employers make it quite difficult for their applicants to crack these interviews. Moreover, most of these questions require you to answer more than a mere yes or no. In a nutshell, interview questions and answers serve the purpose of identifying your abilities and skillsets as a whole. From standard questions like ‘why are you interested in this role’ to ‘what makes you unique,’ preparing for interviews is extremely essential to have the best chance of getting your dream job?

Prioritizing the role for which you’re interviewing is a start to cracking your interview. This article covers the most crucial aspects of the types of interview questions that you should prepare.

Here's what this article will cover:

1. What the interviewer really wants to know
2. How to answer the question “What is the reason for your interest in this position”
3. Examples of Best Answers of Why are you interested in this role
4. Tips for Giving The Best Answer
5. What Not to Say
6. Possible Follow-up questions
7. Bottom Line
   

What the interviewer really wants to know

There’s a reason why your interview asks certain questions. Giving vague or fluffy answers will only lower your chances of getting the job you want. Every interview aims to briefly know more about your goals, talents, qualifications, and traits. What you want to avoid is giving generic answers.

The more generic your answers, the less unique you’ll seem. Make sure there’s a personal touch to the answers so that you make quite a noticeable impression on your interviewer. Remember that your interview wants to know if you’re the best fit for the role you’re interviewing for.

How to answer the question “What is the reason for your interest in this position”

One of the most common interview questions that most interviewers ask while interviewing you for a job is- ‘why are you interested in this role?’. Given below are a few steps to follow on how to answer why are you interested in this role.

• Do thorough research on the position

Researching vital details about the position that you wish to interview for is highly critical before giving your interview. While answer why you are interested in this role, most interviewers are looking for your knowledge about that respective role. For instance, are you aware of the major responsibilities of the role you are interviewing for? Make sure to do enough research on the job description and ensure that you are qualified for it. Doing this will help you showcase your skill sets to your interviewers with ease.

• Do thorough research on the company

Along with going through the job description, make sure that you are familiar with the company and it’s working. Interviewers are instantly impressed when you can manage to tell them why you want to work for the company. If you can express to your interviewer why you will be an eligible fit for the company and its business model, your chances of getting the job will heighten.

A few places that you should check out to know more about the company include

1. The official webpage of the company
2. Third-party Media coverage
3. Get in touch with influential contacts

• Frame Your answer

After doing meticulous research, you might want to start structuring your answer. It is best suggested that you draft an answer and focus on the fundamental points instead of mesmerizing the answer entirely. Remember the core questions that you should address. These might be-

1. How will this role benefit your career?
2. How is this role beneficial for your future objectives?
3. What makes this job distinctive?
4. What makes you fit for the respective role?
   

Make sure to frame a short, crisp, yet outstanding answer that briefly answers why you are the perfect fit for the job.

• Add an intriguing question at the end of the answer

One of the most remarkable ways to end your interview answer is to add a question. Why should you do this? Well, adding a question to your answer at the very end leaves the conversation going. It gives you a chance at effectively engaging with your interviewer. Moreover, it also lets the interviewer know that you want to get maximal clarity on the job.

• Show excitement for the company

Showing enthusiasm about this job can help you express why you want the job so bad. A great way to excel in your interview is to answer questions with complete enthusiasm and confidence. Make sure that your interviewer knows you’re looking forward to working with the company.

• Connect your experiences and skills with the respective role

There’s no better place to flex about your skill sets and experiences than in a job interviewer. If you wish to please your interviewer, make sure to connect your skills and experience with that respective role. Give your interviewer thorough details of the skills you possess and how these skills can benefit the company.

• Align with your career trajectory

Getting clarity on your career path and core objectives on a professional level is also essential to answer well to your interviewer. Take some time off of your schedule to introspect on what your career path looks like and how this job can be the setting stone to your success. The more clarity you have on why you want this job, the better your probability of getting the job.

• Let them know how you found the job unique

Most job applicants fail to let their interviewers know how they found the offered role unique. Let your interviewer know why you liked their company and how the role offered stands out from others. Share your expertise on the role with the interviewer so that they know what they’re getting themselves into.

Examples of Best Answers of Why are you interested in this role

Here are some prime examples of the best answers on why are you interested in this role.

1. Human Resource Manager

I’m a passionate individual interested in the role of Human Resource Manager. With extensive expertise, I’m aware of the key responsibilities that come with this job. I will play an imperative role in recruiting, training, and providing orientation to the newly hired employees. I’ve successfully recruited about 100+ employees and even conducted training programs during my previous job. This job will help me enhance my core skills as a Human Resource Manager, which will, in turn, benefit your company in the long run.

2. Mathematics Teacher

I carry immense interest in this job as a Mathematics teacher as I respect your school’s mission. With relevant qualifications and a broadened experience of teaching, I’m dedicated to offering my wisdom to the children of your school to help them reach their best potential. I am passionate about helping your students unite and learn in an engaging environment.

3. Digital Marketing Manager

I’ve worked as a digital marketing enthusiast for the last ten years. With remarkable experience in this field, I aim to put in my best to improve your company’s performance. This job seems to match my skill sets, and thus, I assure to develop my skills to benefit your company. Can you tell me more about the digital marketing teams in your company?

4. Architect Engineer

I am a dedicated architect and have worked in this field for over 15 years. Over this course of time, I’ve developed relevant skills and strategies required to make my small-scale residential projects successful. I’m keen to offer my insights and talents to help your company achieve its core objectives. Could you tell me more details about what you’re looking for in an ideal architect at your company?

5. Programmer

I enjoy programming and have worked in this field for over 12 years. I’ve excellent qualifications, including languages and programs like Java and Python. I’m an ideal candidate for your company as I possess the critical thinking and other relevant skills required to be a successful programmer. It would help if you could give me more details on what you’re looking for in your ideal analyst.

6. Project Manager

I’m professionally equipped to handle all sorts of challenges that come my way. With essential knowledge in the field of project management, I’ve managed to work in this field for about five years. My core skills and experiences align well with this job position. This job position will thus be the stepping stone to my career. Will you tell me more about the core responsibilities of this position?

7. Business Analyst

I’ve always carried immense interest in the field of business and entrepreneurship. As someone with a broadened experience of over ten years in the field, I'm sure that this position is perfectly fit for me. I possess the necessary skills to open doors of opportunities for your company as well as myself. Can you offer me more insights on how your company offers growth to its employees?

8. Social media manager

I’ve worked in the field of digital marketing for about ten years. I have acquired all the vital skills required to become a successful social media manager. I am enthusiastic about offering my insights and skills to help improve your company’s visibility and social presence as a whole. Could you provide more details on what you’re looking for concerning the characteristic features of an ideal social media manager?

Tips for Giving The Best Answer

Now that you know how to answer your job interview questions, let’s take a look at some tips to keep in mind.

• Research is the key

A very crucial aspect of preparing for your interview is researching. Research as much as you can about the company and the position you are interviewing for. Go through the job listing and look for relatable job postings. The more research you do, the more prepared you’ll be for the interview.

• Draft a list of your experiences and skills

As previously suggested, make sure to jot down all of your experiences and skillsets in a paper. Connect these with the job position and check if your skills match the requirements listed by the company. Understanding more about your skills will not only boost your confidence to interview but will also help you determine how fit you are for the role.

• Get insights into the company mission statement

Just like you have certain career goals, your company will also have core objectives that they wish to accomplish in a specific amount of time. Make sure to get familiar with the company mission statement so that you can drag a much more impressive and captivating answer.

• Stay optimistic

Lastly, don’t forget to stay optimistic. Shed some positive energy in the interview to only give your best but to also show your interviewers how enthusiastic you are about this job.

What Not to Say

To ensure that your interview goes as smoothly as possible, you must avoid saying certain things. Your interviewers are generally looking for precise yet appealing answers. If you can excel in the art of answering smart, you will, without a doubt, improve your chances of getting the job. Here are a few elements you should avoid saying-

• Avoid generic answers

Remember, the best way to impress your interviewer is to put something unique on the plate. Make sure that you don’t answer in the most generic form. Your goal is to offer something unique compared to the rest of the interviewers. You have all the potential and skill sets required to ace the interview. Plan smart.

• Avoid talking about how the company may benefit you

While it is a given that the company may benefit you, do not make the mistake of stressing about it during the interview. Do not tell your interviewer how the role might help build your portfolio. Instead, make the interview all about showcasing your abilities. Only this way will you be able to convince your interviewers why they should hire you.

• Avoid focusing on the bonuses and perks

Most companies offer essential perks to help their employees maintain a healthy personal, and professional life. However, avoid mentioning the perks and bonuses of the company to the interviewer. Avoid talking about elements like health insurance during the very first interview. You might want to address this after you get hired.

Possible Follow-up questions

Interviewers make it quite difficult for the job applicant to crack the interview. While you may think your interview went well, you may want to rethink it. Here are some of the technical interview questions that you should check out.

• List a few of your focal strengths and weaknesses?
• Why exactly are you searching for a new job?
• What is the duration for which you’re looking to work at this company?

Bottom Line

Job interviews can be overwhelming and filled with a roller coaster of emotions. Every job applicant interviewing for the respective role is wondering about what questions will be asked during the interview. These were a few guidelines on how you can prepare for your interview and what type of questions you should look out for. Go through amazon phone interview questions to know more about the type of questions that you should work towards while preparing for your interview.

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