Why What Interest You About This Position Might Be The Most Underrated Interview Skill You Need

The interview question "what interest you about this position" might seem straightforward, but it's often where candidates miss a critical opportunity to shine. Beyond a simple check of your enthusiasm, this question is a powerful diagnostic tool for interviewers, revealing your genuine motivation, understanding of the role, and potential fit within the company culture. Mastering your answer to "what interest you about this position" can significantly elevate your chances in job interviews, college admissions, or even crucial sales calls, transforming it into your secret weapon for success.

Why Does What Interest You About This Position Truly Matter?

When an interviewer asks "what interest you about this position," they're probing deeper than just your resume. They want to understand your intrinsic motivation and whether your career aspirations align with the opportunities available. Employers are looking for several key indicators: genuine interest, a clear understanding of the role's challenges and responsibilities, and how you envision contributing to the team and company. It's about demonstrating that you’ve done your homework and that you see yourself thriving in this specific environment, not just any job. Your response to "what interest you about this position" is a window into your long-term commitment and potential engagement.

How Can You Prepare a Compelling Answer to What Interest You About This Position?

Effective preparation is the bedrock of a strong answer to "what interest you about this position." It moves you beyond generic statements to a response that truly resonates.

• Research Thoroughly: Dive deep into the company’s mission, values, recent projects, and overall culture. Understand the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description and the challenges the team or company might be facing. This in-depth research will provide the necessary context to tailor your response [2].

• Identify Alignment: Reflect on your own skills, experiences, and personal values. Pinpoint specific aspects of the role or company that genuinely excite you and align with your professional strengths and passions [3].

• Connect to Goals: Consider your long-term career goals. How does this position, and the experience it offers, fit into your broader professional journey? Articulating this connection demonstrates foresight and commitment when discussing what interest you about this position.

How to Structure Your Response to What Interest You About This Position Effectively?

A well-structured answer to "what interest you about this position" is specific, relevant, and enthusiastic. Avoid vague or overly general answers that could apply to any role or company [2].

• Be Specific and Relevant: Instead of saying "I like challenges," mention a specific challenge the role presents that you're eager to tackle, or a specific company initiative that excites you [4].

• Link Skills and Experience: Clearly articulate how your existing skills and past experiences make you a strong fit for the position's requirements. This demonstrates your capability and readiness to contribute.

• Demonstrate Company Knowledge: Weave in details about the company’s mission, culture, or recent achievements. This shows you’ve done your research and are genuinely invested in their success.

• Show Enthusiasm for Growth: Express excitement for the learning opportunities, potential challenges, and growth trajectory offered by the position. This signals your ambition and desire to evolve with the company.

What Are Examples of Strong Answers to What Interest You About This Position?

Crafting a tailored response is key. Here are examples illustrating how different candidates might answer "what interest you about this position":

• Entry-Level Candidate: "What interests me about this position at [Company Name] is the opportunity to apply my [specific skill, e.g., data analysis] skills in a real-world setting, particularly within your [mention a specific project or department]. I'm eager to contribute to projects like [mention an initiative] and learn from a team known for its innovation in [industry/area]."

• Experienced Professional: "I've followed [Company Name]'s work in [specific area, e.g., sustainable technology] for some time, and what interests me about this position is the chance to leverage my [specific expertise, e.g., project management] experience to lead initiatives like [mention a current company goal]. I'm particularly drawn to your [mention a company value or culture aspect] and believe my leadership style aligns perfectly with fostering [desired outcome, e.g., collaborative innovation]."

• Creative Role Example: "What truly interests me about this position as a [Role Title] at [Company Name] is your unique approach to [mention specific creative aspect, e.g., visual storytelling] in campaigns like [mention a specific campaign]. My passion for [personal passion, e.g., creating immersive digital experiences] aligns with your mission to [company's mission], and I'm excited by the prospect of contributing my [specific creative skill] to develop engaging content that resonates with your audience."

What Are the Common Challenges When Answering What Interest You About This Position?

Even with preparation, candidates often face hurdles when responding to "what interest you about this position."

• Giving Vague or Generic Answers: A common pitfall is providing responses that lack specificity, like "I just need a job" or "I like your company." This indicates insufficient research or a lack of genuine enthusiasm.

• Not Researching Enough: Without adequate research into the company and role, your answers will sound insincere or unconvincing, failing to show what interest you about this position specifically.

• Overemphasizing Personal Benefits: Focusing solely on what you will gain (e.g., "I need a higher salary," "It's closer to home") without articulating your potential contributions can be a turn-off.

• Difficulty Articulating Passion: Some struggle to clearly express how the role aligns with their ambitions or what specifically excites them. Managing nervousness can also make it harder to articulate a clear response to what interest you about this position. Tailoring your response for different contexts (job interviews, college interviews, sales calls) is also a frequent challenge.

What Are Practical Tips to Master What Interest You About This Position?

To truly excel, integrate these actionable tips into your preparation and delivery of "what interest you about this position":

• Use the STAR Method: Frame your past experiences using the Situation, Task, Action, Result method to provide concrete examples of how your skills align with the role's needs.

• Practice Delivery: Rehearse your answer aloud. This ensures clarity, conciseness, and confident delivery [4]. Practice helps you sound natural, not rehearsed.

• Ask Insightful Questions: Conclude by asking questions that reflect your ongoing interest in the company's activities, culture, or challenges. This reinforces your engagement.

• Incorporate Relevant Interests: Briefly mention hobbies or interests that indirectly showcase transferable skills like leadership, teamwork, or community involvement [1]. This adds a personal touch to what interest you about this position beyond professional duties.

How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With What Interest You About This Position?

Preparing for interviews, especially when articulating "what interest you about this position," can be daunting. Verve AI Interview Copilot offers a cutting-edge solution to refine your responses and boost your confidence. This innovative tool provides real-time coaching, helping you practice your answers, including your response to "what interest you about this position," and receive immediate feedback on clarity, conciseness, and impact. Verve AI Interview Copilot can analyze your tone and delivery, ensuring your enthusiasm for "what interest you about this position" comes through genuinely. Leverage Verve AI Interview Copilot for personalized practice and expert guidance to ace your next professional encounter. Visit https://vervecopilot.com to learn more.

What Are the Most Common Questions About What Interest You About This Position?

Q: Is it okay to mention salary or benefits when asked what interests you about this position?
A: No, focus on the role, company mission, and growth opportunities. Benefits are for later stages.

Q: How specific should I be about what interests me about this position?
A: Be as specific as possible, referencing company projects, values, or specific responsibilities from the job description.

Q: What if nothing about the position truly interests me?
A: Re-evaluate your application. If you must proceed, find at least one unique aspect to genuinely connect with.

Q: Can I talk about my personal interests or hobbies?
A: Yes, if they genuinely relate to the role or showcase transferable skills like teamwork or problem-solving [1].

Q: Should I memorize my answer to what interests you about this position?
A: No, prepare key points and practice to deliver them naturally, avoiding a robotic or rehearsed feel [4].

Q: What if I'm applying for a role outside my usual field?
A: Emphasize transferable skills and a genuine interest in learning and growing within the new industry or role.