Understanding how to answer what interests you about this position can change the trajectory of an interview. Recruiters ask this question to assess motivation, fit, and whether you'll thrive in the role. This guide walks through why interviewers ask it, how to prepare, how to structure compelling replies, concrete examples for different contexts, common pitfalls, and specific steps you can take before your next conversation.
Why do interviewers ask what interests you about this position
Interviewers ask what interests you about this position to evaluate motivation, cultural fit, and alignment with role and company goals. Hiring teams want signals that you’re not only qualified but also energized by the work, the mission, or the team—anything that predicts longer-term engagement Novorésumé. A thoughtful answer shows you’ve researched the company, understand the role’s responsibilities, and can connect your experience to real contributions. Recruiters also use this question to assess communication skills and self-awareness, two things that matter as much as technical fit in many hiring decisions Indeed.
How can you prepare to answer what interests you about this position
Preparation is straightforward but specific:
Research the company mission, products, customers, and recent news. Note concrete initiatives or achievements that resonate.
Read the job description carefully. Identify 2–3 responsibilities that match your skills and excite you.
Reflect on examples—projects, volunteer work, or classes—where you felt the same kind of interest or produced measurable results.
Distinguish genuine interest from surface-level reasons like salary, commute, or perks. Those may matter, but tie them to purpose when relevant (for example: flexible hours that let you focus on deep work that benefits customers) Michael Page.
Scan the company’s About page, blog, and recent press releases.
Check Glassdoor or employee reviews for culture signals.
Look up leaders on LinkedIn to understand priorities and team composition.
Prepare 2–3 questions to ask the interviewer that show curiosity about the role’s future and impact.
Actionable research methods:
How should you structure your response to what interests you about this position
A reliable structure keeps answers concise and persuasive:
One-sentence hook: state a focused, authentic reason you’re drawn to the role or company.
Evidence: cite one or two concrete facts about the company or the role (product, mission, team, metrics).
Example: share a short, specific example from your experience that demonstrates related skills or values.
Future contribution: explain how you’d apply your strengths in this position and what you hope to learn.
Transition to question: end by asking a brief clarifying question to invite dialogue.
Hook: “I’m excited about this position because…”
Evidence: “I was impressed by… (product, initiative, growth).”
Example: “In my last role, I… (brief STAR).”
Contribution: “I see an opportunity to…”
Question: “How do you measure success for this role?”
Example template:
Using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps make the example crisp and outcome-focused, a technique recommended in interview guidance resources Indeed. Keep your full answer to about 45–90 seconds in spoken interviews.
Can you see examples of what interests you about this position answers across contexts
Below are short, adaptable samples you can model. Each uses the structure above.
Corporate role (marketing): “I’m drawn to this position because your team’s analytics-driven approach to campaign optimization matches how I work. At my last company, I led A/B tests that increased CTR by 18%, and I’d love to apply that experimentation mindset here to improve retention.”
IT / engineering: “What excites me is your use of event-driven architecture. I built scalable systems with Kafka and cut latency by 30% in my last role, and I’m energized by opportunities to improve reliability at scale.”
Sales: “I’m excited about this role because your client-first sales model aligns with how I open partnerships. I’ve sold consultatively to similar mid-market clients and increased average deal size by 25%; I’d like to bring that playbook here.”
Startup: “I want this role because I thrive in fast-moving environments where you wear multiple hats. I helped an early-stage team launch two products and enjoy building processes while shipping quickly.”
College interview: “I’m interested in this program due to its interdisciplinary approach to environmental science and policy. I led a campus sustainability project and hope to study how local policy changes can scale to regional impact.”
Volunteer/internship: “I’m drawn to this volunteer role because your focus on youth mentorship aligns with my experience tutoring middle-school students and my interest in educational equity.”
Use these as starting points—swap in your own metrics, tools, or initiatives. For more sample answers and variants, see curated examples and tips Hire Heroes USA and Michael Page.
What common mistakes do candidates make when answering what interests you about this position
Avoid these pitfalls:
Being generic: “I need a job” or “I like the company” without specifics.
Focusing only on compensation or convenience—unless you immediately tie them to motivation or role performance.
Not doing company-specific research—answers that could apply to any employer sound insincere Novorésumé.
Rambling without an example—concrete evidence is persuasive.
Overstating interest that you can’t back up in later interview stages.
Fix these by preparing targeted facts, practicing a concise story, and rehearsing transitions that lead to a thoughtful question for the interviewer.
What actionable steps should you take to improve your what interests you about this position answers
Step-by-step checklist:
List 3 things that genuinely excite you about the role or company (mission, tech stack, customers).
Match each item to a specific accomplishment from your past (metric, tool, leadership moment).
Draft a 60–90 second answer using the hook → evidence → example → contribution → question structure.
Practice aloud and time yourself; trim filler words.
Tailor the answer to each application—swap facts and one example to fit the role.
Prepare 2 follow-up questions for the interviewer that show curiosity about the team, the role’s metrics, or growth paths.
Practice with a friend or record yourself. Many candidates improve significantly after 3–5 rehearsals because they learn to be specific and calm.
How does answering what interests you about this position affect overall interview success
Your answer to what interests you about this position serves multiple functions:
Signals motivation: Hiring managers prioritize candidates likely to stay and contribute.
Demonstrates fit: It ties your experience and values to the role and culture.
Sets tone: A strong, engaged answer makes the rest of the interview more conversational and memorable.
Differentiates you: Candidates who prepare specific, evidence-backed answers stand out versus those who offer generic responses Indeed.
In short, this question is more than small talk—it's an early test of how well you understand the role and how compellingly you can communicate your value.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With what interests you about this position
Verve AI Interview Copilot can help you craft and rehearse tailored answers to what interests you about this position. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to analyze a job description, suggest the top role-specific selling points, and generate three concise, evidence-based answers you can refine. Verve AI Interview Copilot also provides real-time feedback on clarity, pacing, and the strength of your examples, so you arrive prepared and confident. Try Verve AI Interview Copilot at https://vervecopilot.com for interactive practice and targeted improvement.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what interests you about this position
Q: How long should my answer be
A: Aim for 45–90 seconds: clear, specific, and tied to the role
Q: Should I mention salary when asked what interests you
A: Only after offer stage; focus first on role, mission, and fit
Q: How do I sound genuine answering what interests you about this position
A: Use personal examples and company facts to show real alignment
Q: Is it okay to say I want to learn in my answer
A: Yes—pair learning goals with how you’ll contribute now
Q: What if I’m unsure about the role when asked what interests you
A: Be honest: highlight aspects that appeal and ask clarifying questions
(Each Q/A pair above is concise to help quick review before interviews.)
Practical tips on structuring interview answers: Indeed – Perfect Interview Answers
Why employers ask motivation questions and how to prepare: Novorésumé – Why Do You Want to Work Here
Sample answers and role-specific examples: Michael Page – Best Answer Examples
More sample Q&A guidance: Hire Heroes USA – Top Interview Questions
Citations and further reading:
Final tips: prepare multiple short versions of your answer (30s, 60s, 90s) so you can adapt to the interviewer’s pace. Focus on authenticity: thoughtful specificity wins over rehearsed-sounding platitudes. Good luck answering what interests you about this position—make it a clear bridge between who you are and what the company needs.
