How To Ace What Interests You About The Position Offered In Any Professional Setting
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
The question "what interests you about the position offered" is a staple in job interviews, but its relevance extends far beyond that single scenario. Whether you're pitching a product in a sales call, applying for a spot in a competitive college program, or networking for opportunities, articulating your genuine interest is crucial. It's not just about what you say, but why it truly matters to you and how that aligns with the opportunity presented. Mastering how to communicate what interests you about the position offered can significantly impact your success.
Why do interviewers really ask what interests you about the position offered?
Interviewers aren't just making small talk when they ask what interests you about the position offered. They have specific goals in mind for this question. Primarily, they want to gauge your motivation and passion for the role and the organization [^1][^2]. A strong answer reveals that you've done your homework and aren't just applying for any job – you're genuinely interested in this specific opportunity.
Beyond motivation, interviewers assess your alignment with company culture and values [^1][^2]. Does what interests you about the position offered resonate with the company's mission or goals? Your answer can show that you understand what the organization is about and that you see yourself fitting in and contributing meaningfully. It helps them determine if you're likely to be engaged and committed long-term. Essentially, they want to see that your interest is authentic and connects directly to the opportunity.
How should you prepare your answer for what interests you about the position offered?
Preparation is key to delivering a compelling response to what interests you about the position offered. It starts with thorough research. You need to delve into the company – understanding its mission, values, recent projects, and overall goals [^1][^2]. Look at their website, social media, and recent news.
Next, scrutinize the job description [^1][^2]. Identify the key responsibilities, required skills, and challenges of the role. Think about which specific aspects of the work genuinely excite you.
Finally, identify your personal strengths, career goals, and interests, and then align them with the requirements of the position [^1][^2]. How does this role fit into your long-term vision? Which of your skills make you particularly excited about the prospect of performing these tasks? This alignment is the core of a strong answer to what interests you about the position offered.
What makes a strong answer to what interests you about the position offered?
A strong answer to what interests you about the position offered is specific, genuine, and demonstrates clear alignment. Avoid generic phrases like "I like the company culture" or "It seems like a good opportunity." Instead, focus on specific aspects.
Highlight specific duties or challenges: Mention particular responsibilities listed in the job description that you find exciting or challenging, explaining why they interest you. For instance, if the role involves project management, you might say you're drawn to the opportunity to lead cross-functional teams and navigate complex problem-solving, referencing a past success that demonstrates this interest.
Connect to company mission or projects: Reference specific company initiatives, values, or products that you admire or feel connected to. This shows you've researched and that what interests you about the position offered is tied to the company's broader impact [^4].
Demonstrate genuine enthusiasm: Your passion should come through. Speak with energy and conviction. Show them you're not just looking for a job, but for this job [^5].
Align with long-term goals: Explain how this position fits into your career path and helps you achieve your future aspirations. This indicates long-term commitment [^1].
Show cultural fit: Briefly touch on how your values or preferred working style align with the company's stated culture [^1].
Structuring your response clearly can also help. While the STAR method is often used for behavioral questions, you can adapt a similar approach: state what interests you (Situation), explain why (Task/Action - based on your skills/goals), and how this leads to mutual benefit (Result - for you and the company). The key is specificity and authenticity in communicating what interests you about the position offered.
What are the common challenges with answering what interests you about the position offered?
Many people stumble when answering what interests you about the position offered, often due to a few common pitfalls.
Lack of Research: This is perhaps the most significant challenge. If you haven't researched the company or the specific role, your answer will sound generic and uninspired. You won't be able to point to specific details about what interests you about the position offered.
Generic Responses: Simply saying "I need a job" or "It pays well" or "It's a stable company" are generic responses that fail to demonstrate genuine interest in this specific opportunity [^3]. They don't tell the interviewer why this role aligns with your specific skills and goals.
Overemphasis on Personal Gain: While it's okay to mention how the role benefits you, focusing only on personal benefits (salary, location, work-life balance) without discussing how you can contribute or why the work itself is engaging makes your interest seem purely transactional. The interviewer wants to see what interests you about the position offered in terms of the work and the opportunity to contribute.
Avoiding these challenges requires thoughtful preparation and a focus on articulating genuine interest in the specific role and company.
How can you tailor what interests you about the position offered for different scenarios?
The core principle of articulating what interests you about the position offered remains the same across different contexts, but the focus and language might shift slightly.
Job Interviews: This is the most direct application. Tailor your answer precisely to the job description and company. Highlight skills and responsibilities that match your experience and career trajectory. Explain how this specific role advances your professional goals and why you're excited about the company's mission or industry.
Sales Calls: When pitching a product or service, you need to articulate what interests you about their business or their specific need and how your offering addresses that. This involves showing genuine interest in their challenges and goals, demonstrating that you've done your research on them, and explaining why solving their problem is motivating for you. It's about showing what interests you about the opportunity to help them succeed.
College Interviews: For academic programs, what interests you about the position offered (your spot at the university/program) might focus on specific courses, professors, research opportunities, the campus culture, or the program's unique approach. Connect your academic interests and future aspirations to the specific resources and environment the institution offers. Show that you understand what makes this program special and why you are genuinely excited about the prospect of studying there.
In each scenario, the key is to demonstrate authentic engagement with the specific opportunity, supported by research and aligned with your own aspirations or offerings. Articulating what interests you about the position offered, whether it's a job, a sale, or an academic spot, is about making a compelling case for mutual fit and genuine enthusiasm.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With what interests you about the position offered
Preparing for interview questions like what interests you about the position offered can feel daunting. The Verve AI Interview Copilot is designed to help job seekers practice and refine their responses. The Verve AI Interview Copilot offers realistic mock interview experiences, allowing you to rehearse answers to common questions, including variations of what interests you about the position offered. It provides instant feedback on your delivery, structure, and content, helping you identify areas for improvement. By practicing with Verve AI Interview Copilot, you can build confidence and ensure your answers are specific, well-articulated, and demonstrate genuine interest, making you better prepared to ace your next interview. Learn more and practice at https://vervecopilot.com.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what interests you about the position offered
Q: Is it okay to mention salary when asked what interests you about the position offered?
A: Avoid focusing heavily on salary or benefits; focus on the work itself and the opportunity.
Q: How specific should my answer be about what interests you about the position offered?
A: The more specific, the better. Reference details from the job description or company research.
Q: What if I don't have experience related to what interests you about the position offered?
A: Focus on transferable skills, your eagerness to learn, and how the role aligns with your future goals.
Q: Should I ask a question related to what interests you about the position offered?
A: Yes, asking a thoughtful question reinforces your engagement and genuine interest in the role.
Q: Can I mention personal growth when talking about what interests you about the position offered?
A: Yes, as long as you also connect it to how that growth benefits the company and the role.
Q: How do I show enthusiasm for what interests you about the position offered without sounding fake?
A: Be authentic! Focus on aspects you genuinely find exciting or challenging.
Mastering how to articulate what interests you about the position offered is a valuable skill applicable across many professional interactions. By researching thoroughly, preparing specific points, and communicating with genuine enthusiasm, you can turn this common question into an opportunity to showcase your passion, fit, and potential.
[^1]: https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/what-interests-you-about-this-role
[^2]: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/how-to-answer-what-interests-you-about-this-position
[^3]: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-question-hobbies-and-interests
[^4]: https://careers.publichealth.iu.edu/blog/2024/03/22/10-best-sample-answers-to-why-do-you-want-to-work-in-our-company/
[^5]: https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/advice/career-advice/job-interview-tips/what-interests-you-about-role-best-answer-examples
