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Discover how to answer “Why do you want this job?” with confidence. Learn expert tips, sample answers, and strategies to impress employers in 2025 interviews.

When an interviewer asks, “Why do you want this job?”, your first instinct might be to say. “For the salary and benefits, silly”. However, jokes aside, it is a question you need to answer smartly if you want to be selected for the job. Money is usually not the only reason that attracts people to a company—growth potential, company culture, and learning opportunities matter too.

However, you typically only have about 2 minutes to answer the question, and every word counts. What you say can reveal a lot about whether you truly understand the job role, and whether you intend to stick with the company long term.

For these reasons, answering “Why do you want this job?” requires preparation. It will give you the confidence you need to ace this question.

In this blog, we’ll give you a complete plan of action for answering this all-important question, including proven tipsa and sample answers so that you never go wrong.

Why Employers Ask This Question

Research shows that many candidates include irrelevant information in their resumes, fail to mention skills relevant to the job, or place them in the wrong order. Recruiters barely spend a few seconds scanning your resume, so be sure to:

  • You are a good fit for the role

    Based on your resume, an HR manager can tell that you technically meet the job requirements. However, by asking “Why do you want this job?”, they can understand what motivates you, how you approach work, and how likely you are to stay with the company.

  • You understand the company

    Recruiters want to know if you have anything in common with the company’s values or culture. Companies in India are prioritizing cultural alignment—it has been shown to improve performance and retention. Learning about the company’s values and mission statement is crucial to answering “Why do you want this job

  • You understand your own strengths

    When hiring, HR managers want to understand the value you can create for the company. More importantly, they want to know if you are willing to learn things you may not know.

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Elements of a Good ‘Why do You Want This Job?’ Answer

Here are some key factors to remember:

  • The key is to connect your skills, experience, and strengths to the job role
  • Avoid generic answers like “I need a job” or “I’m looking for better prospects”.
  • It’s not just about your skills but also about having a positive attitude
  • Show you intend to contribute to the company’s goals

Step-by-Step Breakdown: Answering “Why do You Want This Job?”

Considering the importance of this question, you should ideally put it at the top of your list. Here are a few tips to help:

  • Read the job description carefully

    Start with highlighting the key responsibilities and connect them to your skills and experience. Next, choose 2 or 3 of the most important ones and think of specific ways in which you can deliver results. Find examples from your work history to provide additional context.

  • Show how you can contribute

    To provide a convincing answer to this question, you’ll need to show the recruiter how you meet their expectations. Based on your research, select a few company goals and connect them with relevant skills and experiences you may have. Share specific examples so the hiring manager can understand the situation, the actions you took, and the results of those actions.

    Pro Tip: Read the job description and identify 3 aspects that excite you. For example, it could be a specific project, software, or client you have experience working with. Focus on how you can use your skills and experience to increase efficiency, save money, or make processes better.

  • Research the company

    Depending on whether it is an HR or operations round, you need to tailor your “why do you want this job sample answer” to the needs of different stakeholders during interviews. To do this, learn about the company’s history, its products and services, expansion plans, clients, stock prices, revenues, etc. This information is freely available on the company website, social media, press releases, email newsletters, and so on.

  • Focus on company culture

    Read about the company’s values and find one or two aspects that match your own. For example, show appreciation for the company’s social or charitable initiatives and tell the recruiter you would like to be a part of them. For example, cultural or health awareness events, beach clean-ups, or community service drives.

    Pro Tip: Be honest about your shortcomings, but also show what you are doing to address them. For example, taking courses in time management, communication skills, etc.

Why Do You Want This Job?: Sample Answers

Let’s look at a few practical examples of how to answer this question:

If you have no experience

In this example, the candidate acknowledges that they lack experience but shows that they have been learning skills relevant to the role. They also show a willingness to learn, indicating a strong work ethic and the ability to take feedback constructively. By speaking about the company culture, the candidate makes it clear they would be a good fit for the team.

Why it works:

In this example, the candidate acknowledges that they lack experience but shows that they have been learning skills relevant to the role. They also show a willingness to learn, indicating a strong work ethic and the ability to take feedback constructively. By speaking about the company culture, the candidate makes it clear they would be a good fit for the team.

If you are an experienced professional

“I am familiar with the challenges your team faces and have the skills and experience to make a difference. In addition to software development experience, I have also acquired a Project Management certification recently. This helps me see the big picture, support other team members, and support the managers in delivering projects on time and within budget. Plus, I really admire your social initiatives and would like to be a part of it.”’

Why it works:

In this example, the candidate leverages his work experience to demonstrate the impact he can make on the team’s performance. This answer shows a learning mindset and leadership qualities that recruiters are likely to note. The candidate positions themselves as a strategic thinker who can mentor other team members and drive growth for the company.

What could have been better:

To make his answer even better, the candidate could have mentioned specific metrics or awards he may received. This would have increased his credibility in the eyes of the interviewer.

If you are changing careers

“I have worked in customer service for over 5 years, where I learned how to build relationships with customers, empathize with their concerns, give solutions proactively, and follow up until the issue is resolved. As I transition into software sales, I believe these skills are transferable to the new role. I have also been taking sales training courses online to learn how to sell effectively. I am comfortable with adapting to different processes and can execute tasks independently.

Why it works:

In this example, the candidate shows adaptability and resilience. By focusing on transferable skills, he makes up for a lack of industry experience. Problem-solving, openness to change, and continuous learning are other qualities that can be clearly seen.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When asked “Why do you want this job?”, your answer must focus on the company’s needs and how you can help achieve them. Do not make it about yourself. Here are a few things to avoid:

Talking about the salary or financial benefits

In most cases, leading companies pay higher than the market average. Do not mention that you were attracted by the salary and perks. Instead, talk about learning from peers and growing into a better professional.

Don’t sound desperate for the job

Don’t mention financial difficulties, saying “I need a job”. This can indicate that you are driven by compulsion rather than a genuine desire to work for the company.

Speaking negatively about your past employer

You may be perceived as a person with a negative attitude or as being unable to work well with others. This can result in the loss of opportunities you were otherwise qualified for.

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Hack the Code of Interview Success with GroYouth

Whether you are a fresher or an experienced professional, making the right impression in interviews is crucial to finding that dream job. However, HR and operations each have their own expectations—tailoring your answers is challenging. GroYouth helps you prepare for such situations through realistic mock interviews, real-time feedback and tips for improvement. Anticipate questions, answer them like a pro, and scale new heights in your career—GroYouth shows you how!

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