It’s one of the most common — and overlooked — interview questions: “Why do you want this role?”
At first glance, it seems simple. But how you answer this can signal a lot including your level of preparation, your understanding of the company’s priorities, and your vision for how you’ll contribute.
Too often, candidates default to vague enthusiasm (“It aligns with my skills”) or generic compliments (“You’re a market leader”). But the real opportunity here is to show that you’ve done your homework, and you see this role as a mutual fit: you can help them move forward, and they will be offering you a role that you’re ready for and excited to grow in.
So how do you craft a strong, strategic answer?
Start by getting curious about the company. What are they building, changing, solving, or scaling right now? What challenges are they navigating in their industry?
Not sure where to begin? AI can help — but here’s a tip: use the “Search” feature in ChatGPT tools before hitting send on your prompt. That ensures your response pulls in current, real-world information. Try asking:
“What are [Company Name]’s current challenges and strategic priorities in [X industry]?”
This will give you a starting point to understand what matters to them — and then connect it to your own experience and goals.
For example, you might say…
“I read about your push into new markets and your investment in digital transformation. That aligns with my experience scaling operational growth and systems across regional teams. I’m excited about this role because it lets me apply what I’ve done before — and also grow into more cross-functional strategic leadership, which is where I’m looking to expand next.”
This kind of answer shows three things:
1. You’ve researched their context and direction.
2. You see how your skills can contribute to what they care about.
3. You’ve thought about how this role fits into your larger career path.
Remember – companies aren’t just hiring a skill set. They are hiring someone who can solve their problems, make them successful, and build something with them. They aren’t just looking for someone who can do the job — they’re looking for someone who wants to be part of their mission, and who’s thinking ahead. When you speak to both contribution and career growth, you’re not just saying ‘I’m available’, you’re saying ‘you need me’ on this team.
