Are you trying to prepare for an important job interview?
There are specific standard interview questions that interviewers tend to ask in the first interview. Understanding these questions gives you the chance to prepare compelling answers in advance.
However, this can be easier said than done. Because the interviewer asks these questions regularly, they are likely to have heard the most obvious answers many times.
So, let’s look at “What are you looking for in your next position?” answer examples that will help you stand out.
Contents
What Your Interviewer is Really Trying to Find Out?
The main goal for an interview is determining if your personal goals match those of the company. Each company has a particular culture that influences the overall working environment. Employees who are aligned with the company culture are more likely to thrive in the working environment.
Longevity…
The interviewer is also likely to be trying to work out your long-term goals and if you will stay at the company. Employers are reluctant to invest time training employees who will leave when a better opportunity comes along. While the desire to grow is admirable, the perfect candidate should be able to grow within the company.
How to Respond Well to “What Are You Looking For in Your Next Job?”
When answering this question, take the time to consider your key skills that are related to the job. Make sure you highlight these skills when answering to demonstrate your value to the company. Take the time to consider the working environment of the company and how it will help you to thrive.
Top tip…
Go over the job description carefully and pick out at least two aspects that particularly appeal to you. Consider why these aspects are so exciting and how you plan to approach them. Perhaps you have special knowledge and experience that can benefit you in this role and enhance the company as a whole.
Good Ways to Answer The Question
There are numerous ways to answer this standard interview question. The trick is being honest while demonstrating your strong hard and soft skills. Your answer should be related to the company and position you are interviewing for while showing that you are a valuable employee.
I’m seeking a position where I can utilize my communication skills
This answer gives you the chance to highlight the fact that you have strong communication skills. No matter what your industry is, communication skills are actively sought out by employers. Your answer demonstrates that you recognize these skills and allows the interviewer to ask follow-up questions about these skills.
I’m looking for the opportunity to use my sales experience
If you have a strong background in marketing and sales, this answer gives you the chance to highlight it. This answer also shows that you understand the company’s drive and can help it thrive. You could provide details of how your sales and marketing experience benefitted your last place of employment.
I am looking for a job where I can utilize my knowledge of different software
Having to train new staff members to use various types of software can be a time-consuming process. If you already have the necessary software skills, it could save the company a lot of time and trouble. You may even be willing to help your team members to develop their software skills.
If you have specialist software skills, this is a good time to mention them. This is especially important if these skills give you the edge over other candidates.
I am looking for a company that has a strong positive mission statement
This answer gives you the chance to demonstrate that you understand the values of the company. You may want to highlight the values and areas of the company mission statement that match up with your own. Explain how these shared passions motivate you and help you to be more productive.
Tips for Giving a Great Answer
So now you’ve looked at “What Are You Looking For in Your Next Position?” Answer Examples, and you’ve planned exactly what you want to say. However, even the best-prepared answer can sound monotonous, drab, and uninspiring for one crucial reason.
What’s that?
Overpreparation! It is essential to try and make it sound spontaneous. Your answer should reflect the fact that you know a lot about the company and job but without sounding scripted. With that in mind, here are ways to make sure that your answer is as strong as possible.
Do Your Research
Review the job listing and highlight the specific requirements as well as the ideal skills. By now, you should already have a list of your most desirable skills and interests. The places where these two lists overlap are the things that you should focus on in your interview.
Top recommendation…
Feel free to refer to the research you have done when answering the question. This helps to prove to the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the job and company. Emphasize your professional goals and the ways in which they relate to the job you are applying for.
Adapt Your Answer to the Company
Your answer should reveal your direct value to the company. Employers appreciate workers who know their own value and can use their skills in the best way. Showing how your skills will benefit the company helps the interviewer to see you in the role.
What Not to Say?
In most cases, knowing what not to say when answering interview questions is as important as knowing what to say. Hiring managers conduct numerous interviews, often on the same day. Accidentally saying the wrong thing during an interview could damage your chances of getting the job.
Do Not Lie
Most hiring managers are experienced at reading people and will be able to tell if you are being dishonest. While you need to demonstrate that you are a model employee, you need to answer the question honestly. Highlight the skills and values that make you the right fit for the company without stretching the truth.
Do Not Focus on the Salary
It is only natural that the salary and additional benefits would be one of your primary considerations. However, it is essential to avoid focusing on these elements when answering the question. Otherwise, the interviewer is likely to think that you put financial concerns above doing a good job.
Listening for Alternative Questions
While it is best to prepare for this interview question, it is also essential to be flexible when answering any interview questions. You may find that the interviewer phrases the question in a slightly different way. For example, they may ask you what challenges you are looking for in your next position.
While this is a slightly different question, it is possible to adapt the answer you have already prepared to fit it. ‘What challenges are you looking for?’ is a common alternative way of phrasing it. This question is also designed to discover what motivates you as an employee and how you deal with stress.
What About All the Other Interview Questions?
Have no fear! We’ve got tips and tricks to everything from How To Answer What Are You Passionate About, How Do You Handle Stress, and What Makes You Unique, as well as Answering Tell Me About Yourself in Interview, How To Answer What Is Your Greatest Strength, What Are You Most Proud Of and How Do You Handle Conflict!
Or how about learning to respond like a pro to How Do You Define Success, Why Do You Want to Work Here, and Why We Should Hire You?
For more useful resources for interviewing like a boss in 2023, I recommend checking out Tough Interview Questions For Dummies, Interview Like A Pro, and Create Positive Impressions.
Back to today’s interview question exploration…
Final Thoughts
Taking the time to work on your answers to standard interview questions can significantly increase your chances of getting the job. Having an idea of what you want to say going into the interview can also help you to focus. This ensures that you appear to be well-prepared and confident and is likely to impress the interviewer.
Before the interview, it is crucial to do as much research about the company and job as possible. Make sure that you’ve prepared at least five questions to ask the interviewer that relate to the job and company. These questions give you the chance to highlight your research as well as your strong communication skills.
All the very best with your next interview.
