Why Is What Interests You About This Position The Most Important Interview Question
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Understanding what interests you about this position is fundamental to acing job interviews, sales calls, and even college admissions. It’s not just about expressing polite interest; it’s your opportunity to demonstrate genuine alignment with the role, the company, and its mission. Hiring managers use this question to peel back the layers and see if you're truly invested in this specific opportunity.
Mastering your answer to what interests you about this position can elevate you from a qualified candidate to a standout applicant. Let's break down why this question is asked and how to craft a response that resonates.
Why Do Interviewers Ask what interests you about this position
Interviewers don't ask what interests you about this position just to fill airtime. This question serves several critical purposes [^1]:
Gauging Motivation and Enthusiasm: It reveals your level of genuine interest in the role and the company beyond just needing a job.
Assessing Cultural Fit: Your answer can show whether you've researched the company's values, mission, or culture and if those resonate with you.
Confirming Understanding of the Role: A good answer indicates you understand the responsibilities and challenges of the position and are still excited about them.
Evaluating Preparedness: A thoughtful response demonstrates you've done your homework on the company and the specific opportunity.
Predicting Long-Term Potential: Candidates genuinely interested in what interests you about this position are often more likely to be engaged, productive, and stay with the company long-term.
Effectively articulating what interests you about this position provides insights into your alignment with the company's vision and helps interviewers determine if your goals align with theirs [^2].
How Can You Craft a Compelling Answer to what interests you about this position
A strong answer to what interests you about this position weaves together several key threads: professional alignment, cultural connection, and personal drive. Avoid generic responses that could apply to any job [^3].
Professional Fit: Connecting Skills to the Role
Explain how your specific skills, experiences, and qualifications directly match the requirements and challenges of what interests you about this position. Detail how you can add value and solve problems the company faces.
Cultural Fit: Aligning with Company Values and Mission
Discuss aspects of the company culture, mission, or values that genuinely resonate with you. Reference specific initiatives, achievements, or principles you admire. Show that you've researched and are excited about more than just the job description; you're interested in the environment.
Personal Motivation: Sharing Your Passion and Goals
Articulate your personal passion for the industry, the company's work, or the specific challenges of what interests you about this position. Explain how this role fits into your long-term career trajectory and why it excites you on a personal level [^4].
Combining these elements creates a powerful answer to what interests you about this position that demonstrates both capability and genuine interest.
Does Research Impact Your Answer to what interests you about this position
Absolutely. Your ability to answer what interests you about this position effectively hinges on thorough research. Insufficient company knowledge is a common pitfall [^5].
Deep Dive into the Company
Explore their website, paying attention to the "About Us," "Mission," "Values," and "News" sections.
Look up recent press releases, product launches, or significant achievements.
Check their social media to get a feel for their culture and current focus.
Research the interviewer(s) if possible, finding common ground or areas of interest.
Analyze the Role Description
Break down the key responsibilities and required skills.
Think about specific examples from your past where you demonstrated those skills.
Consider the challenges mentioned in the description and how your experience prepares you to tackle them.
Mentioning specific details you discovered during your research when answering what interests you about this position shows you've invested time and are serious about the opportunity. This homework prepares you to connect your skills and passions to the role and the company effectively [^5].
What Are Common Challenges When Answering what interests you about this position
Even with preparation, candidates face hurdles when articulating what interests you about this position.
Difficulty Linking Skills: Struggle to connect specific past experiences to the future tasks in what interests you about this position.
Lack of Company Knowledge: Providing a generic answer because you haven't researched what makes this company or role unique [^5].
Appearing Disingenuous: Sounding overly rehearsed or reciting facts without genuine connection.
Focusing Too Much on Benefits: Concentrating solely on salary, benefits, or work-life balance gives the impression your interest is purely transactional [^6].
Overcoming these challenges requires practice and a focus on authenticity.
How Can You Practice and Deliver Your Answer to what interests you about this position
Practicing your answer to what interests you about this position helps ensure a smooth delivery, but don't aim for robotic perfection.
Rehearse Your Key Points
Outline the 3-4 main reasons what interests you about this position is a great fit. Practice articulating these points clearly and concisely. Focus on conveying genuine enthusiasm [^5].
Stay Authentic
While prepared, let your personality show. Use language that feels natural to you. Instead of memorizing a script, internalize the core message of what interests you about this position for you.
Show Genuine Enthusiasm
Let your excitement show through your tone of voice, body language, and eye contact. Your non-verbal cues are just as important as the words you use when explaining what interests you about this position.
Use Stories
Wherever possible, back up your points about what interests you about this position with brief anecdotes or examples from your experience. Did a project similar to one mentioned in the job description excite you? Did you admire the company's work on a specific product or initiative? Stories make your interest more concrete and memorable [^5].
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With what interests you about this position
Preparing for this crucial interview question can feel overwhelming. The Verve AI Interview Copilot is designed to help you articulate what interests you about this position and other common questions with confidence. By practicing with Verve AI Interview Copilot, you can refine your answers, get feedback on your delivery, and ensure you effectively communicate your genuine interest in the specific role and company. The Verve AI Interview Copilot provides a safe space to rehearse, helping you sound prepared but authentic when explaining what interests you about this position. Visit https://vervecopilot.com to learn more.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what interests you about this position
Q: Is it okay to mention salary when asked what interests you about this position?
A: Focus on the role, company, and your career goals, not salary or benefits, when discussing what interests you about this position.
Q: How long should my answer be for what interests you about this position?
A: Aim for a concise answer, typically 1-2 minutes, clearly articulating your top 2-3 reasons for being interested in what interests you about this position.
Q: What if I'm not sure what interests you about this position exactly?
A: Do more research! If you can't find genuine reasons, this might not be the right fit. Focus on transferable skills and company values that appeal to you.
Q: Can I use the same answer for every job about what interests you about this position?
A: No, your answer for what interests you about this position must be customized based on your research of the specific role and company.
Q: Should I mention the people I'd work with when asked what interests you about this position?
A: If you've interacted with team members and had positive impressions, mentioning them can be a good addition to your answer about what interests you about this position, showing cultural interest.
Q: What if the interviewer asks for only one thing what interests you about this position?
A: Choose your strongest, most specific reason that combines professional fit, cultural alignment, or personal passion for what interests you about this position.
[^1]: https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/what-interests-you-about-this-role
[^2]: https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/why-you-are-interested-in-this-position
[^3]: https://www.workitdaily.com/answer-why-you-want-this-job
[^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.michaelpageafrica.com/advice/career-advice/what-interests-you-about-role-best-answer-examples
[^6]: https://www.workitdaily.com/answer-why-you-want-this-job
