“Why do you want this job?” sounds like an invitation to talk about yourself. It is really a question about the match between you and one specific role. A strong answer names two or three things about the job that appeal to you, shows why you would be good at them, and gives a reason that would not apply equally to every other vacancy you have applied for.
This article answers the questions candidates most often have about it, from what to include to what to say if, honestly, you mainly need a job.
Understanding the question
What is the interviewer trying to find out?
Three things. First, whether you understand what the job involves day to day. Second, whether the parts of it you like are the parts that matter most. An interviewer will reasonably expect someone who wants the core work to be more likely to stay with it. Third, whether you have thought about this employer, or are giving the same answer everywhere.
There is research behind the interest in “fit”. A meta-analysis by Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman and Johnson, published in Personnel Psychology in 2005, combined 172 studies on how well people fit their job, organisation, team and supervisor. It examined outcomes before hiring, such as applicant attraction and the intent to hire, and after it, including attitudes, performance, withdrawal behaviours and tenure. Most interviewers will not have read it, but the question reflects the same interest in how well a candidate matches the work.
How is it different from “Why do you want to work here?”
The two overlap, and many interviewers use them interchangeably. Strictly, “this job” points to the role and “here” to the organisation. Cover both, but weight your answer towards the role when the question says “job” or “position”. A brief mention of the company is enough; a full account of its history is a different question.
Is it the same as “What are you looking for in your next role?”
No. That question asks you to describe your ideal role in general terms. This one asks you to commit to a specific job. Your answer should contain details that only make sense for this vacancy.
Building the answer
What should a good answer include?
A simple structure works for most people:
- The work. One or two responsibilities from the job description that genuinely interest you, and why.
- Your fit. Evidence that you can do them well: a related achievement, skill or qualification.
- The context. Something about the team, employer or sector that makes this version of the job appealing, such as the client base, a product, the training on offer or the stage the business is at.
Warwick University’s careers service suggests a similar approach: know the role’s key responsibilities and be clear why you want to do them, match your examples to the job description, and understand the company’s values and the sector’s trends. Its advice also notes that being able to discuss the sector “will demonstrate your motivation at interview”.
How do I find something specific to say?
Start with the job description. The National Careers Service, the UK government’s careers service, advises reading it carefully to understand the skills and experience the employer is looking for, and researching the company’s website. Then look for what makes this vacancy different from similar ones:
- Anything unusual about the role: a new team, a new market, a specific tool, a regional remit.
- The part of the job you would spend most time on, and whether it is the part you want.
- If you can, a conversation with someone who does similar work, or a question to the recruiter about what the team is like.
Detailed company research belongs mainly to the “What do you know about us?” question. Here, one relevant fact about the employer is enough.
Pick the two or three points that genuinely appeal to you. A specific, honest reason is more convincing than a long list.
How long should the answer be?
About a minute. Long enough for three points, short enough that the interviewer can follow up.
Can I see an example?
Here is an illustrative answer for a quality assurance officer role at a food manufacturer:
“Three things stood out. The role is split between supplier audits and the production floor, and supplier audits are the part of my current job I enjoy most; I took over our audit schedule last year and cleared a backlog of overdue audits. Second, the advert says you are preparing for a food-safety certification audit, and I went through one in my last role, so I know how much depends on the records being right. And the job includes training line supervisors on hygiene checks, which is the skill I most want to build next.”
Notice that every sentence refers to something in this particular job. The candidate also gives evidence (the audit backlog, the previous certification audit) rather than simply claiming interest.
And one for a graduate applying for a junior environmental consultant role:
“I want to work on environmental assessments, and this role is split between fieldwork and report writing. My dissertation involved three months of water sampling, and I found I liked both the time on site and turning the data into something a non-specialist could use. The advert also mentions coastal projects, which is where all my sampling experience is.”
Difficult situations
What if, honestly, I mostly need a job?
That is a legitimate reason, but it is not an answer to this question, because it applies to every job. Société Générale’s careers site, writing from the employer’s side, advises candidates to avoid vague or purely practical reasons such as needing income. Instead, look for what genuinely makes this role better than the alternatives for you: the type of work, the hours, the location, the chance to learn something. Those are true reasons too.
What if this job is a step down from my last one?
Explain what you want from the role, not what you are giving up. For example, a former manager might want to return to hands-on specialist work. Be ready for follow-up questions about whether you will be content, and keep the focus on the work rather than on reduced pressure.
What if I am applying for an internal role?
Your research advantage is large, so use it. Name what you have seen of the team’s work, how the role connects to what you do now, and what you would bring from your current department. Avoid implying that you want to escape your current manager.
What if I am changing careers?
Spend a sentence on why the new field appeals and most of your answer on why this role is a sensible entry point given your existing skills. Interviewers want to see that you have thought about the realities of the new work, not just its appeal.
What if I am applying to a lot of jobs at once?
Most candidates are, and interviewers know it. You do not need to pretend otherwise; you need a reason why this one stands out. Prepare a separate answer for each interview, even if some points repeat.
Mistakes to avoid
What are the most common weak answers?
- Talking only about what you will gain. Salary, a shorter commute or career growth are understandable motives, but on their own they describe your needs, not your fit. Balance them with what you will contribute.
- Praising the company in general terms. “You are a leader in the industry” could be said of dozens of employers.
- Repeating the job description back. Pick one or two duties and say why they appeal, rather than listing them all.
- Claiming a lifelong passion you cannot support. Interviewers notice when enthusiasm has no evidence behind it.
- Sounding as if the role is a stopgap. If you mention long-term plans, make sure this job is part of them.
Frequently asked questions
Should I mention salary when asked why I want the job?
Generally not as a main reason. Pay is better discussed when the employer raises it or at the offer stage.
Can my answer be the same as in my cover letter?
The reasons should be consistent, but say them in your own words rather than reciting the letter. The interviewer may have it in front of them. Our cover letter guide covers how to state motivation in writing.
What if I do not know much about the role?
Ask the recruiter for a fuller description before the interview. If that is not possible, base your answer on the advert and be honest that you would like to hear more about the day-to-day work.
Is it acceptable to mention the location or working pattern?
Yes, as one part of an answer that focuses on the work. A role that fits your life is more likely to be one you stay in.
Your CV should make the same case your answer does. Before you apply, it helps to tailor your experience section to the job’s key duties in the resume builder, or to compare layouts in our resume templates.
Sources
- Interview advice, National Careers Service (UK Government)
- How to answer “why are you applying for this role?”, University of Warwick Careers
- Answers and tips for the interview question “Why do you want to work here?”, Société Générale Careers
- Consequences of individuals’ fit at work: A meta-analysis (Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman and Johnson, 2005), University of Iowa Research Online