The pandemic has shifted priorities for many, and thousands of people are quitting their jobs. The good news for job seekers is that there are a lot of options. So if you are itching to make a career change and looking for a job right now, this is a great time to be in the market. I have interviewed hundreds of candidates as a senior manager in management consulting. So if you think you may find yourself sitting in front of an interviewer soon, make sure you are well prepared for all the tough interview questions. The candidates who stand out prepare well-crafted, honest answers that correlate their experience and goals to the job position. You may be asked many questions during an interview, but one that I can guarantee you will be asked to elaborate on is: Why are you interested in this position? This question is one of the most common interview questions that hiring managers ask. But, unfortunately, it’s also one of the toughest to answer. The question is intentionally vague and open-ended. In this post, I will share tips on how you can respond to ‘why you’re interested in a particular job role’ so that your response doesn’t seem forced or unnatural. Why Do Employers Want to Know ‘Why’ You Applied to the Position?The answer is straightforward! Employers want to ensure that:
5 Tips on How to Prepare Your AnswerLet’s talk about preparation! As you begin your interview preparation, collect your thoughts in a document or on a piece of paper. Then, write down specific one-line answers to the below points. Doing this will not only help you formulate answers for this question, but it will also help you prepare for many other types of interview questions as well. So grab that pen and paper, and let’s get started. 1. Write Down 1 or 2 Goals That You Have Set for YourselfIn itself, this can be a time-consuming and soul-searching exercise. You can have many goals, whether you want to increase your net worth, get physically fit, etc. For your interview, limit yourself to career-oriented goals that relate to the job position. All leadership seminars and career coaches provide training on approaching this exercise in an organized manner, using the SMART technique. What is the SMART Technique? When setting career goals, make sure they are:
Here’s what a good goal should look like when you finish: “In the next two years, I see myself leading the regional sales strategy for a large company in the physical fitness field.” 2. Next, Give Some Thought to How This Job Takes You Closer to Your GoalsSetting goals can re-confirm if the job you are applying for is a good fit for you and will help you reach your professional goals. For example, if you have sales experience and your interview is at Bowflex for a senior-level sales role, you are heading in the right direction with the sample goal above. Another example: if your goal is to become a successful trader in the stock market, interviewing for the same position at Bowflex may not bring you closer to your goals in the near term. Remember that it is as much about how the specific role will fit your career goals, not just how you meet the job requirements. 3. Review the Job Posting and Prepare a Couple of Points That Interest You About the RoleHere are some ideas to get you going:
4. Think About How You Will Benefit the CompanyChoose a couple of points from your resume or experience that you believe have prepared you to succeed in this job. What makes you the ‘perfect and only candidate’ for this role? These should be specific examples of taking on new challenges or building experience directly related to the job posting requirements. 5. Finally, Time to Pull Together the Perfect ResponseOnce you have your notes from working through the four questions above, you need to put them together in a concise answer that flows and responds to the employer’s question. Follow this order as you’re bringing the information together:
Sample AnswersYour answers should not sound rehearsed or memorized, but you need enough preparation for the responses to become second nature. Therefore, I polled multiple friends in senior management and HR positions. As per consensus, here are some sample answers that hiring managers want to hear from candidates. “I am very excited to work for a brand like Tesla. The company is a true representation of what it means to be innovative and cutting edge. I have also read a lot about how Tesla’s regional divisions contribute to their respective communities through the outreach program, and I’m genuinely impressed. I am interested in the Project Manager role you posted as it allows me to lead innovative cross-functional teams across business and technology. I have over ten years of relevant experience at a management & technology consulting firm where I led technology teams to launch multi-million dollar products. I was also the lead for all executive reporting, and I have a clear understanding of what is required to excel in the PM role at Tesla. And finally, I believe that this position will allow me to thrive in challenges that are necessary for me to grow into an Engagement Manager role in the next five years for tech delivery & implementation projects.” ConclusionAs you’re preparing for your next interview, I hope that the tips above help bring you one step closer to that dream job! The key is to be concise and remember that you want these responses to sound conversational. Work out two to three great examples of your achievements and formulate your responses around them. Test out all your answers on friends or family, go in prepared, and remember always to ask follow-up questions. Good luck! FAQsThings to Avoid in Your AnswersAs a bonus, here are some tips on what NOT to include in your answer.
What are Some Similar Job Interview Questions That Are Actually Asking the Same Thing?Interviewers can phrase the question in many ways, but ultimately they are looking for a similar answer. Some variations of the question why you applied to this position are:
This article was originally published on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/why-are-you-interested-in-this-position/
1 Comment
7/3/2022 07:40:19 am
<a href="https://www.fiverr.com/malikihsaan3/do-awesome-photo-manipulation-and-any-photoshop-work?context_referrer=user_page&ref_ctx_id=eb725fdc448841f41dffd70652a200dd&pckg_id=1&pos=3&imp_id=02f621c5-8be6-416f-a168-40d14499b412">malik ihsaan</a>
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
ABOUT USMy Life, I Guess is a personal finance and career blog focusing on what it's like being in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and surviving unemployment. We also offer advice and support for others in similar situations - including a FREE library of career & job search resources. We help others find jobs, facilitate career changes, and learn about money and self-care. Follow for financial tips, career tips, personal development, and more. Archives
April 2023
Categories |