Why Are You Applying For This Position (Example Answers)
Why Are You Applying For This Position (Example Answers). When it comes to common interview questions, it is one of the questions you can always plan on the hiring manager asking. That makes it one of the easier questions to prepare for, but you have to understand yourself professionally and personally first.
Ensuring you know how to answer this question can give you a better chance of a hiring manager accepting your application. In this article, we discuss why an employer might ask you “Why Are You Applying For This Position”.
Why are you applying for this position example answers
Knowing why employers ask why you’re applying for the job is half the battle. The other half is preparing an answer that makes sense and explains not just why you want the job but how the job is a good fit for you.
Example 1
In my next position, I’d like to continue building my project management and leadership skills. I reviewed the job description and saw an emphasis on team leadership and project management, so it seemed like a great fit. And since I’ve already spent 3 years managing 7-figure client projects and leading a team of five people in my most recent company, I’m confident that I could get up to speed very quickly and start contributing results for you in this role.
Example 2
I’m very impressed by John, Anne & Jane for their work in humanitarian law, particularly regarding their free-aid program offering volunteer legal counsel to the underprivileged. Your reputation for advocating for those who need help, particularly in the case of Darling v State, inspired me to complete a Bachelor of Humanitarian Law and Advocacy and gain experience as a defence lawyer. If I can apply my passion and motivation to assist the team in this role, it would be a great honour and privilege to do so, and I’d work hard to prove my worth
How to Answer “Why Are You Applying for This Position?”
1. Know Why You Want the Job
This may seem somewhat obvious, but it’s important to know why you want the job. Is it a step up in responsibility? A job that exposes you to a lot of industries?
2. Think about the question
Make sure you focus solely on the exact reasons you want the job. When you take time to reflect on these reasons, the answers can become a lot easier and simpler to understand. As you formulate your answer, consider listing skills you expect to learn.
3. Do Research about organization and the role
It is beneficial to research the organization and the specific job they’re offering. Having as much information as possible prior to heading into an interview can give you the best possible chance at formulating a favourable answer. Search the job description for keywords
4. List your skills, experience and qualifications
When a hiring manager asks you why you want the role you’re applying for, you can list the skills, experience and education that make you a suitable candidate. You could mention details you saw on the job description, on the company website, etc. Show them you understand what their role involves and are excited to be doing the work.
5. State your career goals
A hiring manager is often looking for a candidate whose career goals align with the organisation. These goals can come in a variety of forms, from certain skills you might be trying to learn or a particular role in an organization that you’re working towards.
6. Give Specific Examples
As you frame your answer, make sure you include specifics. For example, you might be excited about the company’s mission because it aligns with your career goals or even personal beliefs. However, simply saying, “I applied for the job because I like the mission,” likely won’t be enough to impress the interviewer. Try to be more detailed. Explain what you like about the mission and how that aligns with what you do and why you do it.
Things to Avoid When You Answer “Why Did You Apply For This Position?”
While answering “why are you applying for this position?” requires you to frame the answer around yourself (your reasons for applying, your career goals), the trick is to keep your answer focused on the professional aspects of the company and the job, not the personal benefits you may receive. Never make it seem like you applied for every position out there, without reading or learning about the position.
Avoid the following answers
- My parents/partner said I should apply here.
- I think you’re a really cool company and would love to work here.
- I don’t know.
- I really, really, really need a job!
The Other Ways Employers Ask This Question
While “Why are you applying for this position?” is one way to ask, be on the lookout for other ways it can be rephrased:
- What about the job description/posting excited you?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- Why do you want this job?
- Why did you apply for the job?
- Why are you interested in the role?
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