Why You Choose This Job: Sample Answer and Tips? Learn how to answer this common interview question with confidence and impress your potential employer. Find out what to avoid, what to emphasize, and how to tailor your answer to the specific job and company.
One of the most common questions that you may encounter in a job interview is “Why do you want this job?” or “Why did you choose this job?”. This question is not only about your motivation and interest in the position, but also about your fit and alignment with the company’s culture, values, and goals. Therefore, it is important to prepare a clear and convincing answer that showcases your skills, passion, and potential.
In this blog post, we will provide you with some sample answers and tips on how to answer this question effectively. We will also explain what to avoid and what to emphasize in your response.
Why you choose this job sample answer
Sample Answers
There is no one right answer to this question, as different jobs and companies may have different expectations and preferences. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to craft a good answer.
Here are some sample answers based on different scenarios and situations:
Scenario 1: You are applying for a job that matches your career goals and aspirations
Sample answer: “I chose this job because it aligns with my long-term career vision. I have always wanted to work in the field of [your field] and contribute to [the company’s mission or vision]. I have [relevant skills, experience, or education] that make me a suitable candidate for this role.
I am also impressed by [something you like or admire about the company or the team], and I would love to be a part of it.”
Scenario 2: You are applying for a job that offers you a new challenge or opportunity
Sample answer: “I chose this job because it offers me a chance to grow and learn new things. I have [relevant skills, experience, or education] that I can apply to this role, but I am also eager to expand my knowledge and skills in [the areas that the job requires or involves].
I am excited by [something that challenges or interests you about the job or the company], and I think I can bring value and innovation to it.”
Scenario 3: You are applying for a job that matches your values and passion
Sample answer: “I chose this job because it resonates with my personal values and passion. I have [relevant skills, experience, or education] that I can use to make a positive impact on [the company’s customers, clients, or beneficiaries].
I am also passionate about [something that the company does or stands for], and I share [the company’s values or culture]. I believe that this job will allow me to fulfill my purpose and potential.”
Bonus Tips
Here are some tips on how to answer this question effectively:
Do your research
Before you apply for a job, make sure you know enough about the company, the role, and the industry. You can use various sources, such as the company’s website, social media, news articles, or online reviews, to gather information and insights.
This will help you tailor your answer to the specific job and company, and show that you are well-informed and interested.
Be specific
Avoid giving vague or generic answers, such as “I want this job because it sounds interesting” or “I want this job because I need a change”. Instead, provide concrete examples and details that demonstrate why you are a good fit for the job and the company.
You can mention your relevant skills, experience, education, achievements, or projects that relate to the job requirements or expectations. You can also mention something that you like or admire about the company, such as its mission, vision, values, culture, products, services, or reputation.
Be positive
Avoid focusing on negative aspects of your current or previous job, such as low pay, poor management, or lack of opportunities. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of the job and the company that you are applying for, such as the potential for growth, learning, or impact.
You can also express your enthusiasm and excitement for the job and the company, and show that you are motivated and passionate.
Be honest
Avoid lying or exaggerating about your reasons for choosing the job or the company. Instead, be truthful and authentic, and share your genuine interest and motivation.
You can also acknowledge any challenges or gaps that you may have, but also explain how you plan to overcome or address them. This will show that you are confident and realistic, and that you are willing to improve and adapt.
What to Avoid
Here are some things that you should avoid when answering this question:
Avoid being too general or vague
Do not give an answer that could apply to any job or company, such as “I want this job because it is a good opportunity” or “I want this job because I like the industry”. Instead, give an answer that is specific and relevant to the job and the company that you are applying for, and show how you can add value and benefit to them.
Avoid being too self-centered or arrogant
Do not give an answer that focuses only on your own needs or wants, such as “I want this job because it pays well” or “I want this job because I am the best candidate”. Instead, give an answer that balances your own interests and goals with the company’s interests and goals, and show how you can help them achieve their objectives and vision.
Avoid being too negative or critical
Do not give an answer that puts down your current or previous job or employer, such as “I want this job because I hate my current job” or “I want this job because my previous boss was terrible”. Instead, give an answer that highlights the positive aspects of the job and the company that you are applying for, and show your appreciation and respect for your current or previous job or employer.
What to Emphasize
Here are some things that you should emphasize when answering this question:
Emphasize your fit and alignment
Show how your skills, experience, education, and personality match the job requirements and expectations, and how your values, passion, and goals align with the company’s mission, vision, and culture. This will show that you are a suitable and compatible candidate for the job and the company, and that you can contribute to their success and growth.
Emphasize your value and benefit
Show how your skills, experience, education, and achievements can help the company solve its problems, meet its needs, or reach its targets. You can also show how your creativity, innovation, or initiative can bring new ideas, perspectives, or solutions to the job or the company. This will show that you are a valuable and beneficial candidate for the job and the company, and that you can make a positive difference and impact.
Emphasize your interest and motivation
Show how your interest and motivation for the job and the company are genuine and strong. You can also show how your interest and motivation have influenced your actions, such as doing your research, preparing your application, or pursuing relevant opportunities. This will show that you are an interested and motivated candidate for the job and the company, and that you are eager and ready to work with them.
How to Prepare Your Answer
Before you go to the interview, you should prepare your answer to the question “Why do you want this job?” or “Why did you choose this job?”. Here are some steps that you can follow to prepare your answer:
Review the job description and the company profile
Read the job description carefully and identify the main skills, qualifications, and responsibilities that the job requires. Also, research the company’s mission, vision, values, culture, products, services, and reputation. This will help you understand what the job and the company are looking for, and how you can match their expectations and needs.
Reflect on your skills, experience, education, and achievements
Think about your relevant skills, experience, education, and achievements that relate to the job requirements and expectations. You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe specific examples of how you have used your skills, experience, education, and achievements in previous or current situations, and how they led to positive outcomes or impacts.
Reflect on your values, passion, and goals
Think about your personal values, passion, and goals that align with the company’s mission, vision, and culture. You can also think about why you are interested in the job and the company, and what motivates you to work with them.
You can use the SOAR method (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result) to describe specific examples of how you have demonstrated your values, passion, and goals in previous or current situations, and how they helped you overcome challenges or achieve objectives.
Write down your main points and practice your answer
Based on your reflection, write down the main points that you want to include in your answer. You can use the following structure to organize your answer:
- Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that summarizes your main reason for choosing the job and the company.
- Body: Provide two or three specific examples that support your main reason, using the STAR or SOAR method to describe each example. You can also mention any additional reasons that make you a good fit for the job and the company, such as your skills, experience, education, achievements, values, passion, or goals.
- Conclusion: End with a strong conclusion that reaffirms your interest and motivation for the job and the company, and expresses your enthusiasm and excitement to work with them.
Practice your answer out loud or with a friend, and make sure that it is clear, concise, and confident. You can also prepare some questions that you can ask the interviewer at the end of the interview, such as about the company’s culture, values, or goals, or about the job’s expectations, challenges, or opportunities.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When answering the question “Why do you want this job?” or “Why did you choose this job?”, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid. Here are some of them and how to avoid them:
Not doing your research
If you do not know enough about the job and the company, you may give an answer that is irrelevant, inaccurate, or outdated. This will show that you are not interested or prepared, and that you do not care about the job and the company.
To avoid this, do your research before the interview, and use the information and insights that you have gathered to tailor your answer to the specific job and company.
Being too general or vague
If you give an answer that is too general or vague, such as “I want this job because it is a good opportunity” or “I want this job because I like the industry”, you may fail to impress the interviewer or differentiate yourself from other candidates.
This will show that you are not specific or relevant, and that you do not have a clear reason for choosing the job and the company. To avoid this, be specific and detailed in your answer, and provide concrete examples and details that demonstrate why you are a good fit for the job and the company.
Being too self-centered or arrogant
If you give an answer that focuses only on your own needs or wants, such as “I want this job because it pays well” or “I want this job because I am the best candidate”, you may come across as self-centered or arrogant.
This will show that you are not balanced or aligned, and that you do not care about the company’s interests or goals. To avoid this, balance your own interests and goals with the company’s interests and goals, and show how you can help them achieve their objectives and vision.
Being too negative or critical
If you give an answer that puts down your current or previous job or employer, such as “I want this job because I hate my current job” or “I want this job because my previous boss was terrible”, you may come across as negative or critical.
This will show that you are not positive or respectful, and that you may have a bad attitude or work ethic. To avoid this, focus on the positive aspects of the job and the company that you are applying for, and show your appreciation and respect for your current or previous job or employer.
Learn More Articles and Tips:
- Why Do You Want This Job Sample Answer for Freshers
- What is Your Strength and Weaknesses in Job Interview
- Resume Definition: Meaning, Purpose, Types, Uses, and Importance
Conclusion
Answering the questions “Why do you want this job?” or “Why did you choose this job?” can be challenging, but it can also be an opportunity to showcase your skills, passion, and potential. By following the sample answers and tips in this blog post, you can prepare a clear and convincing answer that impresses the interviewer and increases your chances of getting hired.