“What interests you about this job?” comes up in a lot of interviews. It sounds simple, but it is an open question with no clear edges, and open questions can be hard to answer on the spot, especially if you do your best thinking when you have time to prepare. The good news is that this one is very predictable, so you can plan most of your answer in advance.
This guide explains why employers ask it, how to prepare, and gives you an example answer to adapt.
Why employers ask what interests you about the job
The interviewer wants to know why you applied, whether you understand what the role involves, and whether it fits where you want to go next. A specific answer shows you have read the job description properly. A vague one, such as “it seems like a great company”, tells them very little.
It is not a trick question, and you are not expected to sound bursting with excitement. Honest, specific interest is enough.
How to prepare your answer
Go through the job description line by line
Read the advert slowly and highlight the responsibilities, skills and projects it mentions. Mark anything that stands out to you: software you like using, a type of problem you enjoy solving, or the cause the organisation works on. These notes are the raw material for your answer.
Match it to what you enjoy and do well
Think about tasks you have enjoyed at work, in education, in volunteering or in your own projects. Which of them overlap with this job? If you have a deep interest in a subject connected to the role, say so. Strong focus on a topic is a real strength, and employers value people who care about the work itself.
Pick two or three specific points
You don’t need to cover everything. Choose two or three parts of the role that genuinely interest you and link each one to something you have done before.
Write it down, then practise out loud
Write a short answer that takes about a minute to say. Avoid learning it word for word, because a script is harder to adapt if the question is phrased differently on the day. Learn the key points and practise saying them instead. Our free interview question practice resource (PDF) gives you space to do this.
An example answer
“What drew me to this role is the focus on improving processes. I’m at my best when I’m organising information and solving practical problems, and in my last job I noticed our team was entering the same customer details into two systems, so I set up a simple way to do it once. The job description talks about reviewing and streamlining operations, which is exactly the kind of work I find satisfying. I’m also interested in how closely the team works with customers, because I like seeing the real result of what I do. I think my attention to detail and my experience analysing data would let me contribute quickly.”
Notice that the answer names specific parts of the job and backs each one up with real experience. Swap in your own examples and details from the advert you are responding to.
Asking for adjustments at interview
If it would help to see questions in advance, have extra time or sit the interview in a quieter room, you can ask the employer for adjustments. The UK government’s guidance on disability rights in employment explains how employers can ask about adjustments in a selection process. Whether you mention that you are neurodivergent is your choice, and our disclosure templates can help if you decide to.
More interview questions to prepare for
This question often sits alongside how to answer “Why do you want to work here?” and how to answer “What does success look like to you?”. For questions about your past experience, the STAR interview method gives you a simple structure to follow.
How Enna can help
An answer to this question is much easier to write when you have a role you are genuinely excited about. Browse current vacancies on the Enna jobs board and sign up for job alerts so new roles come straight to you. Before you apply, our help with your CV page will make sure your application backs up what you plan to say in the interview.
