Mastering the Interview: Answering "Why Apply for This Position?

In job interviews, one common question always stands out: "Why are you applying for this position?" On the surface, it seems like a simple question. Every job applicant should know how to answer it. But in reality, there are tons of opportunities… and pitfalls in a potential answer.

Employers pose this question not just as a formality, but also to gain a deeper understanding of the candidate's motivations, aspirations, and qualifications. Many interview attendants are intimidated at this point. They are forced to show their true intentions in a cohesive response. But it’s pressuring to know that an uninspired or generic answer will turn the interview into a failure. 

Like some of the trickiest questions at job interviews, this query also provides you with a unique opportunity to show your suitability for the role. This article delves into the significance of this question and offers insights into how to respond to it.

Why Employers Ask This Question

Asking “Why are you applying for this position?” serves many purposes for recruiters. Employers ask this to understand competency, motivations, interests, cultural fit, and long-term commitment. This helps them seek qualified candidates who resonate with the organization's values and future direction.

1. Competency Check

Employers are keen to discern if you've analyzed the job description and aligned your skills with their needs. With that said, this question gives you an opportunity to showcase your qualifications and stand out, much like how free resume review services help job seekers fine-tune their applications for optimal impact. 

The first thing you show with a thoughtful response is your suitability for the position. But you’ll also communicate your key strengths. 

2. Applicant Motivation

Employers aim to uncover your reasons for pursuing the position. Is it merely a paycheck or a genuine interest and passion for the role? Your motivation is crucial to them since it tells them how committed you’re likely to be if they hire you. Passionate workers are productive and proactive. They also make positive contributions to the company culture. 

A motivated candidate brings enthusiasm and energy to the workplace. Those qualities can inspire the entire team. Through this question, they can identify candidates who genuinely connect with the role. Their goal is to minimize turnover. They want to foster long-term success within their workforce. 

3. Company-Specific Interest

This question also evaluates your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the organization itself. Are you interested in working for this particular company, or are you applying indiscriminately?

4. Cultural Fit

Companies often seek candidates who align with their culture and values. Your response provides clues about whether you would seamlessly integrate into the organization and its workforce. 

How does an employer see a cultural fit? It’s more than just getting along with colleagues. Your personal and professional values should align with the company’s mission, vision, and working style. They want to hire someone who resonates with the organization’s culture. Such workers are more likely to thrive, collaborate effectively, and contribute to the work environment in a positive way. 

5. Long-Term Commitment

Employers want to identify candidates who view the position as a crucial stepping stone in their personal career trajectory and not merely as a short-term stopgap. Training new employees takes time and resources. It’s no wonder why employers prefer hiring someone who shows genuine interest in being part of the organization in the long term. When answering the question, you should share your vision for growing with the company.

We offered a similar tip for academic CV writing: you should always convey your long-term vision when applying for a job or academic program. 

Know the Different Versions of “Why Apply for This Position”

There are also several versions of this question that serve similar purposes. It’s best to familiarize yourself with identical questions, like:

1. Why are you interested in this position?
2. Why do you want this job?
3. What about the job description/posting excited you?
4. What do you know about our company?
5. Why do you want to work for us?

Each variation serves the same purpose: to evaluate your motivation, cultural fit, and commitment to the role. No matter what phrasing the employer uses, their goal is to ensure you see this job as a long-term opportunity.

How to Answer, "Why Are You Interested in this Position?"

Now, let's explore how to effectively respond to this query.

1. Demonstrate Your Company Knowledge

Begin your answer by sharing your knowledge of the recruiter’s company. Mention specific attributes or initiatives that resonate with you and expound on them. For instance, you might say, "I've always been drawn to your company's commitment to environmental sustainability, which aligns with my personal values."

This approach works because it shows you’ve done your homework. It shows you care about the organization’s mission. The employer should get the impression that you’re not just interested in any job. You want this particular job. If you worked with a resume service for your job application, your resume is already targeted toward the specific position. Read it once again to get some inspiration! 

You can even add more details. Like this: “I especially like your recent initiative to reduce carbon emissions across your supply chain.” Getting into detail helps you stand out among other candidates.

2. Emphasize Your Qualifications

Describe how your skills and experiences make you an ideal fit for the requirements of the position. An effective response could be, "My five years of project management experience and expertise in team leadership make me well-suited to drive the successful execution of projects in this role."

But don’t just talk about your experience. The qualifications you mention must align with this job’s demands. Before appearing for an interview, you should review the job description once again. Identify the skills and experience that are needed. Then, answer in a way that highlights those parts of your background. 

Have you heard of the STAR method? It gives an impactful answer by focusing on the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. You can use that method to back up your claim like this: “In my previous position as a marketing coordinator, I led a campaign to rebrand our core product. I managed a team of six and implemented a data-driven approach to audience targeting. We improved our messaging strategy, which resulted in increased product sales by 30% within a single month.”

3. Align Your Passions

Express your enthusiasm for the position and the impact you hope to make. For instance, you can reply, "I'm passionate about marketing, and I believe that by joining this team, I can leverage my creativity and analytical skills to contribute to the company's growth."

You want to show how your personal interests and career aspirations are compatible with the job’s responsibilities. Enthusiasm is important, but you also want to appear as someone committed. 

Through your answer, you should show that your passion isn’t abstract. On the contrary, it’s actionable. Here’s an example: “Your company’s approach to digital marketing aligns with my passion for using technology to drive results. I’m eager to give ideas for strategies that combine data-driven insights with creative campaigns.”

4. Showcase Your Interest in Career Growth

Convey your eagerness to learn and grow within the company. For example, "I see this position as an opportunity to develop my skills in sales and make meaningful contributions to the organization’s financial growth."

The employer will appreciate you viewing this role as more than just a job. They want to hire someone invested in using the position for personal and professional growth. Saying that you wish to grow within the company will prove that you’re committed to a long-term relationship with the organization.

To make your case even stronger, you can give a specific example. You can also connect the position to your long-term career aspirations. Another sample response is, "This role aligns with my goal of becoming a senior data analyst, and I see it as an invaluable step in my career progression."

5. Make Your Answers Specific

This might involve mentioning opportunities to develop specific skills or to achieve clear-cut goals. Once you've mentioned your goals, elaborate on what caught your interest. You can point to details and figures you've uncovered in the job description or on the company's website. If you can, share data from your previous work experiences that demonstrate your success on past projects.

For instance, you might say, "My research on the company revealed a strong commitment to gender equality, and I'm deeply passionate about supporting that cause. I'm particularly drawn to the idea of working for a company which ensures that women make up at least 50% of the workforce."

Being specific will make you more memorable. The employer will get the impression that you’ve done more than skim their website. That’s why metrics, initiatives, and cultural aspects should be included in your answer. You can also add credibility with examples from your experience. Like this: “In my current role as a digital strategist, I lead a campaign that increases customer engagement by 30% within a month. I see a similar chance to bring value here, considering your focus on improving digital experiences for your clients.”

How NOT to Answer, "Why Are You Interested in this Position?"

While there are many ways to impress with your response, there are also common pitfalls that hinder your chances. Here's what to avoid:

1. Giving Negative Remarks

One of the common interview mistakes that candidates make is using this question as a platform to criticize current or past employers. You might be tempted to explain why you left your previous role, especially if you had a negative experience. But a negative tone will leave a negative impression. It shows a lack of professionalism. Even worse, the potential employer will assume you might bring a similar attitude to their workplace. It's essential to keep the focus on the positive aspects you're looking for in your next role. Highlighting the qualities and experiences you seek in the new position shows your forward-thinking approach and professionalism.

2. Providing Vague or Generic Answers

Reciting generic statements that could apply to any company or position will not set you apart. Responding with vague or overly general statements like, "I need a job" or "I'm looking for a new challenge" doesn't provide the interviewer with any meaningful insights.

Vague or generic answers can portray a sense of disinterest or lack of preparation. Employers want to see that you've done your homework and have specific reasons for choosing their company. If you sound like you copy-pasted your response from an online tutorial, you won’t make a good impression. 

3. Overemphasizing Money

Avoid making the job primarily about compensation. Saying, "I need a higher salary" or "I heard this company pays well," suggests that you're only motivated by money, which can be a turn-off for employers. Don’t get that wrong, though. Yes, competitive pay is a legitimate factor for seeking a new job. However, the employer wants to know that your interest goes beyond the paycheck. 

Employers want to hire someone who respects their values. They want meaningful contributions to their team. Your response to this question should be focused on how excited you are for the position, the opportunities for growth, alignment with your passions, and meaningful projects. 

You will discuss the paycheck during the hiring process. But there’s no place for money talk in the answer to this particular question. 

4. Failing to Align with Job Requirements

Neglecting to connect your qualifications with the job's requirements may make it appear that you haven't thoroughly reviewed the position’s description. The main reason why employers ask why you’re applying for this position is to understand if your skills align with their needs. 

Your instincts will tell you to say something like, “I’m a quick learner and I’m good with people.” But that’s a generic answer that doesn’t link those traits to the specific job requirements. Be more specific, like this: “I have three years of experience managing teams and delivering projects on time. I know I can contribute to the success of your organization in this role.”

5. Showing a Lack of Enthusiasm

Failing to express enthusiasm for the role can also convey disinterest. Your response should reflect sincere excitement for the opportunity.

In addition, don't overlook the importance of acknowledging the company's attributes or culture. A response that doesn't mention the organization might communicate a lack of research or indifference toward the company itself. 

A strong answer will include details about the company’s initiatives, values, and achievements. You could say, “I’m attracted to your company’s commitment to sustainability, which is a value I deeply care about. I have actively supported it in my previous roles.”

6. Getting Carried Away

All those points above may make you think there’s a lot to say when an employer asks you about your motives for the job application. A thoughtful response is necessary, but don’t get carried away with excessive detail. Do not go off-topic! Giving too much info will overwhelm the interview and dilute the point you want to make. 

“Well, I’ve always wanted to work for your company. It all started when I was in college taking this course that doesn’t have to do much with the job but…” You get the point. Instead of being wordy, always keep your answers on point.  

Prepare for Success and Navigate Your Interview with Confidence

"Why are you applying for this position?" and other similar questions should not be taken lightly. Answering this question is a chance to showcase your enthusiasm, qualifications, and alignment with the company. It also helps to craft a response that demonstrates your skills and potential to excel in the role while avoiding common pitfalls that could undermine your application.

Moreover, job interviews are not just about answering the recruiter’s queries; asking the recruiter some thoughtful questions of your own is equally crucial. It further shows your genuine interest and helps you gather valuable insights about the role and the company.

To help you prepare, read our list of questions to ask a hiring manager and ensure you make the most out of your next interview.