Interview Prep

How to answer: ‘Why do you want this job?’ during an interview

How to answer “Why do you want this job?” in an interview by linking the role and the company to your skills and goals.

Sonia Rai

Updated 24 Oct 2026

8 min read

✓ 1:1 interview coaching available

How to answer: 'Why do you want this job?' during an interview

Why do You want this Job: Most obvious Interview question in any Job Interview. A common question that will be asked in a job interview is “Why did you apply for this job?” Consider this as your opportunity to position yourself and gain a competitive advantage over other candidates.

When you are going for an interview or applying for a job you need to give the interview compelling reasons for giving you the job and that starts with this basic question.

If you’re interviewing for a project, program or delivery role, practise your answers in a live mock interview and get a scorecard within 24–48 hours.

So how do you give them that compelling reason? By treating this question as an opportunity for your sales pitch. By thinking about what it is that the interviewer wants in a candidate and what it is that they need to hear.

Walk-in well-prepared to give a solid answer. A good answer requires some forethought and preparation that will make it easier to answer this question for other opportunities, too. This preparation will also help you focus your job search, essential for success.

At every point of the interview, you need to show your skills and ability to solve problems are a good fit for the company.

Your answer should show that you’ll be able to use or learn key skills in the position that is important to you. While the question seems to ask about what you want, remember that it’s really about the employer. So even as you talk about what gets you excited, put it into the context of how this will make you an asset to the organization.

Profile Review & Recommendation​​

Expert-Driven Profile Review &
Recommendations

Project Manager Interview Preparation image

Let our expert look into your CV, Cover Letter, Naukri & LinkedIn Profile to turn your profile into the top 1% of professional profiles.

INR 1,999

Self-Service Profile
Optimization

arrow

Access expert-curated guidelines, sample reviewed files, & step-by-step instructions to optimize your CV, Cover Letter, Naukri & LinkedIn Profile. 

INR 499

Everyone likes to be flattered, so tell them why you think they are a good company, what it is you like about the company. Describe the challenges of the role, even if it is a job that is pretty routine.

Even if it’s true, do not mention salary, hours, or commute as the primary reasons you want the job. Those reasons will not impress an employer with your fit for their job.

Tell them the things that float your boat, the things you have just been doing, the challenges you really enjoy, and give some brief examples.

One thing you should not say in response to this question is “Because I need a job.” That shows a lack of passion and suggests you might not stick around if something better comes along.

The company isn’t just interviewing you to find out about your skills. They want to know if you’ll be a decent coworker. So your answer needs to prove that your goals and values are similar to the organizations.

Employers want to know whether you are a good fit for them. Retention is a major issue for companies as it costs them tens of thousands of rupees to replace someone, and get them up to speed.

Remember this is your sales pitch and this is where you can bring together your knowledge of them and your enthusiasm. It is all about why they are great to work for not why you need the job.

Fact-checked against PMI’s current CCR rules · Last updated 24 Oct 2026

Leave a Comment

Limited to 10 slots a week

Live Mock Interview

Questions about your exam prep?

Chat with our team. Start chat →

Keep preparing with these guides

More interview guides like this one.

Prepare with an expert

Live 1:1 coaching for project, program and leadership interviews.

Coaching, real questions and a mock interview. From $59.

Live 1:1 executive preparation with a scorecard. From $149.

Live case labs with the Gururo Case Framework™. From $99.

JD-based interview, feedback within 24–48 hours.

Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

No spam, notifications only about new products, updates.

Live Mock Interview

Scorecard in 24–48 hours

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top